(a) No person shall operate an under-speed vehicle, golf cart, utility vehicle or mini-truck on the streets within the Village of East Palestine, unless it has been inspected and approved by the Chief of Police, or his designee, for compliance with the applicable safety/equipment requirements of the State of Ohio relative to motor vehicles.
(b) If the Chief of Police, or his designee, or another agent designated and approved by the State of Ohio, determines that the vehicle complies with the State of Ohio's statutory requirements that are applicable to motor vehicles, the Chief of Police shall issue the owner or operator a certificate of compliance, entitling the owner or operator to operate the under-speed vehicle, golf cart, utility vehicle or mini-truck on the streets within the Village of East Palestine. The owner or operator shall also show the Chief of Police or designee proof of liability insurance for the vehicle before a certificate of compliance is issued. The owner or operator shall be required to pay a fee in the amount of twenty dollars ($20.00) to the Village of East Palestine through the Village Police Department before the golf cart may be operated on the streets of the Village of East Palestine. Any certificate issued pursuant to this section by the Chief of Police expires on December 31 of the year of issuance. The owner or operator of the vehicle shall keep a copy of the certificate issued pursuant to this section inside the golf cart or vehicle, to which it pertains. The Chief of Police shall issue a sticker or other similar device to the owner of each under-speed vehicle, golf cart, utility vehicle or mini-truck once it is inspected. The sticker shall signify compliance with this section and the expiration of the current inspection period. The owner of each under-speed vehicle, golf cart, utility vehicle or minitruck shall display the sticker in a conspicuous place on the rear of the approved vehicle.
(c) In order to operate an under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle, or a mini truck on public streets or highways, the vehicle must include the following equipment:
(1) Adequate brakes and braking system;
(2) Equipped with properly working brake lights, head lights, tail lights, and warning devices, also known as turn signals;
(3) A properly working steering mechanism;
(4) A windshield to prohibit injury from any debris from the roadway;
(5) A rear view mirror to reflect the operator a view of the public street or highway to the rear; and
(6) Appropriate tires that arc free of major bumps, bulges, breaks, or any condition that would be cause for unsafe conditions.
(d) Any vehicle that does not comply with the requirements of Chapter Rule 4501-30-02 of the Administrative Code and sections 4511.214 and 4511.215 of the Revised Code, shall not be permitted to operate on the public streets or highways.
(e) Any vehicle that has complied with the requirements of Chapter Rule 4501-30-02 of the Administrative Code and sections 4511.214 and 451 1.215 of the Revised Code, are required to submit evidence of an approved inspection from local law enforcement prior to registering the vehicle for road use.
(f) The owner of an under-speed vehicle, golf cart, utility vehicle or mini-truck shall also comply with all requirements of Ohio law regarding proper title, registration and license plates prior to operating an under-speed vehicle, golf cart, utility vehicle or mini-truck on any street within the Village of East Palestine. Compliance with this section shall be in addition to, rather than in lieu of, any applicable provisions of state law relative to the operation of motor vehicles.
(g) The Chief of Police of the Village of East Palestine may issue a temporary permit to an owner or operator of an under-speed vehicle, golf cart, utility vehicle or mini-truck registered in another jurisdiction, for a period not to exceed 72 hours. The fee for the temporary permit shall be ten dollars ($10.00). No more than two temporary permits may be issued for a particular under-speed vehicle, golf cart, utility vehicle or mini-truck per year.
(Ord. 16-2023. Passed 7-10-23.)