(a) An initial registration and annual renewal fee will be charged by the City of Claremont as referenced in the City of Claremont's Schedule of Fees to cover the costs of implementing and maintaining this article.
(b) No golf cart may be operated on any public street within the City of Claremont or on any property owned or leased by the City of Claremont unless the golf cart has first been registered with the City of Claremont and permitted as required herein. The registration and permit shall be renewed annually thereafter in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(c) The owner shall complete an application provided by the City of Claremont and the golf cart shall be inspected by the City of Claremont Police Department for compliance with the provisions of this article prior to the issuance of an annual permit for the golf cart. To evidence that registration, the owner shall be issued an annual registration decal with shall be displayed on the driver side of the golf cart.
(d) In order to registered a golf cart and secure an annual permit, the owner and golf cart must meet the following basic requirements:
(1) The owner must be at least sixteen (18) years old and possess a valid driver's license;
(2) The owner must possess and maintain liability insurance in an amount not less than minimum limits required by North Carolina state law for motor vehicles operated on public streets in the state (currently § 20-279.221 of G.S. Ch. 20, Article 9A);
(3) The golf cart must not have been modified to exceed a speed of twenty (20) mph; and
(e) In order to register a golf cart and secure an annual permit, a golf cart must have the following safety features installed:
(1) Two (2) operating front headlights, visible from a distance of at least two hundred fifty (250) feet;
(2) Two (2) operating tail lights, with brake lights and turn signals, visible from a distance of at least two hundred fifty (250) feet;
(3) A rear vision mirror;
(4) At least one (1) reflector per side;
(5) A parking brake;
(6) A windshield; and
(7) Must be limited to a maximum of three (3) rows of seats.
(f) Prior to the issuance of an initial permit or annual renewal, the City of Claremont Police Department shall inspect the golf cart for compliance with the requirements of this article. No golf cart shall be registered and permitted unless it is in compliance with all requirements of this section.
(g) Prior to the issuance of an initial permit or annual renewal, the owner shall sign an acknowledgment as part of the application for permit that he/she has read and understands the provisions of this article.
(h) All-terrain vehicles, 4-wheel utility vehicles, go-karts, and other similar utility vehicles which are not manufactured for operation on a golf course, and/or a golf cart which has been modified so that it no longer meets the definition of a golf cart may not be registered as a golf cart under this article nor shall such vehicles be operated on public streets within the City of Claremont, unless such vehicles are registered and permitted under the motor vehicle laws of the state.
(Ord. of 3-6-17, No. 04-17, Sec. 2)