(A) (1) No person shall operate a motorized golf cart, utility task vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or mini-truck on streets, alleys, sidewalks, or other public property without obtaining a permit as provided herein.
(2) Every application for a permit shall be made on a form supplied by the city and shall contain all of the following information:
(a) The name and address of the applicant;
(b) The nature of the applicant’s physical handicap, if any;
(c) Model name, make, and year and number of the motorized golf cart, all-terrain vehicle, or mini-truck;
(d) Current driver’s license or reason for not having a current license; and
(e) Other information as the city may require.
(3) The permit fee shall be as set forth in Chapter 34, as it may be amended from time to time.
(4) Permits shall be granted for a period of one year and must be renewed annually. The license period will be from January of the year to January of the following year. License fees will not be prorated based on date of purchase.
(5) No permit shall be granted or renewed unless the following conditions are met.
(a) The applicant must demonstrate that he or she currently holds or has held a valid state driver’s license to operate a mini-truck.
(b) The applicant may be required to submit a certificate signed by a physician that the applicant is able to safely operate a motorized golf cart, utility task vehicle, or all-terrain vehicle on the roadways designated.
(c) The applicant must provide evidence of insurance in compliance with the provisions of state statutes concerning insurance coverage for the golf cart, utility task vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or mini-truck. A certificate of insurance must be provided at the time of permit application.
(d) The applicant has not had his or her driver’s license revoked as the result of criminal proceedings.
(6) Motorized golf carts, utility task vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and mini-trucks are permitted to operate only on city streets, not state or federal highways, except to cross at designated intersections.
(7) Motorized golf carts, utility task vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles may only be operated on designated roadways from sunrise to sunset. They shall not be operated in inclement weather conditions or at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.
(8) Motorized golf carts shall display the slow-moving vehicle emblem provided for in M.S. § 169.045, as it may be amended from time to time, when operated on designated roadways.
(9) Motorized golf carts, utility task vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and mini-trucks shall be equipped with a rear-view mirror to provide the driver with adequate vision from behind as required by M.S. § 169.70, as it may be amended from time to time.
(10) The operator of a motorized golf cart, utility task vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or mini-truck may cross any street or highway intersecting a designated roadway.
(11) Every person operating a motorized golf cart, a utility task vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle, or a mini-truck under permit on designated roadways has all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under the provisions of M.S. Chapter 169, as it may be amended from time to time, except when these provisions cannot reasonably be applied to motorized golf carts or mini-trucks and except as otherwise specifically provided in M.S. § 169.045, subd.7, as it may be amended from time to time.
(12) The City Council may suspend or revoke a permit granted hereunder upon a finding that the holder thereof has violated any of the provisions of this section or M.S. Chapter 169, as it may be amended from time to time, or if there is evidence that the permit holder cannot safely operate the motorized golf cart, utility task vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or mini-truck on the designated roadways.
(13) The number of occupants on the golf cart, utility task vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or mini-truck may not exceed the design occupant load.
(B) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DRIVER. The person driving and having physical control over the motorized golf cart, utility task vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or mini-truck and being the licensee.
MINI-TRUCK. As defined in M.S. § 169.011, subd. 40(a), as it may be amended from time to time, a motor vehicle that has four wheels; is propelled by an electric motor with a rated power of 7,500 watts or less or an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 660 cubic centimeters or less; has a total dry weight of 900 to 2,200 pounds; contains an enclosed cabin and a seat for the vehicle operator; commonly resembles a pickup truck or van, including a cargo area or bed located at the rear of the vehicle; and was not originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards required of motor vehicles in the 49 C.F.R. §§ 571.101 to 571.404, as it may be amended from time to time, and successor requirements. A MINI-TRUCK does not include: a neighborhood electric vehicle or a medium-speed electric vehicle; or a motor vehicle that meets or exceeds the regulations in the 49 C.F.R. § 571.500, as it may be amended from time to time.
MOTORIZED GOLF CART. Any passenger conveyance being driven with four wheels with four low-pressure tires that is limited in engine displacement of less than 800 cubic centimeters and total dry weight less than 800 pounds.
UTILITY TASK VEHICLE. As defined by M.S. § 169.045, subd. 1(3), as it may be amended from time to time, a side-by-side, four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 1,200 cubic centimeters or less, and has a total dry weight of 1,800 but less than 2,600 pounds.
(C) Authorized city staff may operate city-owned motorized golf carts and mini-trucks without obtaining a permit within the city on city streets, sidewalks, trails, rights-of-way, and public property when conducting city business.
(D) A mini-truck may be operated under permit on designated roadways if it is equipped with all of the following:
(1) At least two headlamps;
(2) At least two tail lamps;
(3) Front and rear turn-signal lamps;
(4) An exterior mirror mounted on the driver’s side of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger’s side of the vehicle or an interior mirror;
(5) A windshield;
(6) A seat belt for the driver and front passenger; and
(7) A parking brake.
(Ord. 74, passed 4-13-2021; Ord. passed 4-8-2023; Ord. 74, passed 8-8-2023) Penalty, see § 70.99