(A) Unless the context requires otherwise, the definitions found in G.S. § 20-4.01 apply throughout this section. As specified in G.S. § 20-4.01(12a), a golf cart is a vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour. The definition of golf cart is republished here for convenience only, and the definition set out in the North Carolina General Statutes, as amended from time to time, is controlling for all purposes.
(B) The operation of golf carts on designated public streets, roads, and highways within the corporate limits of the City of Asheboro in compliance with the provisions of this section is permitted; however, it shall be unlawful to operate any golf cart at any place or in any manner that is not authorized herein. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the operation of golf carts is not subject to the provisions of this section under the following circumstances:
(1) The operation of golf carts at golf courses, private clubs, or on private property with the consent of the owner of the property;
(2) The operation of golf carts within gated or limited access communities unless the streets of the community are dedicated for public use and maintained by the city;
(3) The use of golf carts by city personnel for official business on property owned or leased by the city; and
(4) The operation of golf carts in connection with a properly permitted parade or a street festival/special event so long as the person or entity in charge of the parade or event consents to the use of the golf cart, the golf cart is only used during the parade or event, and the public street, road, or highway upon which the golf cart is operated has been closed by order of the proper governmental authorities.
(C) Golf carts may be operated on the following streets so long as such use of the public streets is conducted in full compliance with the provisions of this section:
(1) Deer Ridge Road.
(2) Grey Rabbit Run.
(3) Stable Brook Road.
(4) Stone Bridge Road.
(5) Fox Ridge Road.
(6) High Meadow Drive.
(7) Tot Hill Trail.
(8) Johns Ridge Drive.
(9) Maple Hill Court.
(10) Stonewall Court.
(D) No person who is less than 16 years of age may operate a golf cart on any public street, road, or highway within the city. Additionally, it is unlawful for a person to operate a golf cart on any public street, road, or highway within the city without having in his or her possession a valid driver's license issued in accordance with the laws of North Carolina or another state.
(E) No golf cart may be operated on any public street, road, or highway within the city unless the golf cart has been registered with the City of Asheboro Police Department. The registration shall be renewed thereafter in accordance with the provisions of this section. Upon successful completion of the registration process, a biennial permit shall be issued to the owner of the registered golf cart by the Asheboro Chief of Police or his or her designee, and this sticker shall be attached to the rear fender of the registered golf cart in a manner that will render the sticker readily observable to the occupant of a motor vehicle approaching the rear of the golf cart. At a minimum, this registration sticker shall display the registration number assigned to the golf cart and the sticker's expiration date. The type and format of registration sticker to be utilized on golf carts shall be developed and approved by the Asheboro Chief of Police. For purposes of administrative efficiency, the Chief of Police is hereby authorized to establish standardized pre-printed expiration dates for the registration stickers so long as each registration sticker is valid, as measured from the date of the physical issuance of the sticker, for a minimum duration of 24 calendar months.
(F) An application to initially register or renew the registration of a golf cart shall be submitted on a form developed and approved by the Asheboro Chief of Police. At a minimum, the approved form shall obtain the owner's name, street address, mailing address, a contact number, and the make, model, and identification or serial number of the golf cart to be registered. Additionally, with the submission of the approved form, an applicant shall acknowledge the city's disclaimer of liability and notification of assumption of risk by the applicant for accidents involving the registered golf cart.
(G) Prior to issuing the initial registration permit or any renewal thereof, a registration fee of $25 per golf cart shall be collected by the police department, and the golf cart shall be inspected by the Chief of Police or his or her designee to ensure compliance with the following standards:
(1) The golf cart is equipped with a rear vision mirror and at least two red reflectors that are at least three inches in height and width on the rear of the golf cart;
(2) The golf cart is equipped with a reflective "slow moving vehicle" sign on the rear of the golf cart that conforms with generally accepted highway safety standards in North Carolina;
(3) The brakes provided by the manufacturer of the golf cart are in proper working order;
(4) The golf cart has all of the standard safety features provided by the manufacturer and has not been modified to exceed a speed of 20 miles per hour nor otherwise modified in any way that creates a hazard; and
(5) The golf cart is equipped with any other mechanical systems and safety equipment required for compliance with the provisions found in this section.
(H) The registration of a golf cart may be denied or subsequently revoked by the Asheboro Chief of Police or his or her designee if it is determined that:
(1) The submitted application contains any material misrepresentation;
(2) The golf cart is not in compliance with one or more of the requirements prescribed by this section.
(3) The golf cart has been altered or customized and no longer meets the definition of a "golf cart;" or
(4) Equipment installed by the manufacturer, specifically including without limitation safety equipment and the vehicle identification or serial number, has been removed from the golf cart.
(I) It is unlawful to operate a golf cart on a public street designated for golf carts in any manner that fails to comply with the following requirements:
(1) Only the number of people the golf cart was designed to seat may ride on the golf cart at any single point in time. By way of illustration and not limitation, passengers shall not be transported on the part of a golf cart designed to carry golf bags.
(2) A golf cart must not be operated at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions, and in no instance at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour.
(3) No golf cart may be operated in a careless and reckless manner.
(4) Golf carts must be operated to the extreme right of the roadway and must yield to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
(5) Golf carts are permitted to operate on public streets only during daylight hours unless the cart is equipped with at least one operating headlight that has, at a minimum, a 55 watt halogen, or equal, bulb on the front of the golf cart and two operating tail lights on either side of the rear of the golf cart. If the lighting specified in the immediately preceding sentence is installed and operational, such a golf cart may operate for one hour before sunrise and one hour past sunset.
(6) Golf carts must be operated in accordance with all applicable state and local laws and ordinances, including without limitation all laws, regulations, and ordinances pertaining to the possession and use of alcoholic beverages.
(J) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, golf carts that are operated on public streets for the limited purposes of (1) crossing the streets listed in division (C) at designated crossing points marked with signage installed by the city and/or (2) utilizing Tot Hill Trail in furtherance of golfing activities are exempt from the requirements prescribed by divisions (E), (F), (G), and (H).
(K) All terrain vehicles, 4-wheel utility vehicles, and other similar utility vehicles that are not manufactured for operation on a golf course as well as golf carts that have been modified so as to no longer conform with the prescribed definition of "golf cart" may not be registered under this section, and these types of vehicles are not permitted to operate on the public roads, streets, and highways within the city unless such vehicles are otherwise registered with and allowed under the motor vehicle laws of the State of North Carolina.
(L) Golf carts are neither designed for nor manufactured to be used on public streets, and the City of Asheboro neither advocates nor endorses the golf cart as a safe means of travel on public streets, roads, and highways. Any person who operates or rides upon a golf cart on a public street, road, or highway within the city, or encourages others to use a golf cart owned by the individual for such purposes and activities, does so at his or her own risk and peril and assumes all liability resulting from the operation of the golf cart.
(M) A violation of this section is punishable as an infraction.
(Ord. 10 ORD 2-10, passed 2-4-10; Am. Ord. 36 ORD 12-21, passed 12-9-21) Penalty, see § 70.99