LOW-SPEED MOTOR VEHICLES AND GOLF CARTS
(A) The City Commission finds that all streets located within the territorial boundaries of the city and under its jurisdiction are designed and constructed so as to safely permit their use by operators of motorized carts and low speed motor vehicle (“LSMV”), except as stated elsewhere in this subchapter.
(B) For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
LSMVs. Those four-wheeled vehicles whose top speed exceeds 20 mph, but does not exceed 25 mph and which possess some mechanical, electrical or similar system other than merely decreased pressure on the accelerator wherein the vehicles’s top speed can be prohibited from exceeding 20 mph by the operator.
MOTORIZED CARTS. Those electric and gasoline-powered pleasure carts, commonly called golf carts, which do not exceed 20 mph.
(1994 Code, § 15-801) (Ord. 628, passed 5-27-2003)
(A) Motorized carts. It shall be the duty of every owner of a motorized cart that is operated over public streets and those areas accessible by the public to register the cart with the city within ten business days of the date of purchase. A numerical decal shall be issued upon registration; and a record of each motorized cart number, along with the name and address of the owner, year, make, serial number and color of cart shall be maintained by the Police Department. The decal must be affixed to the cart in the such a manner as to be fully visible at all times. The registration fee for motorized carts owned by city residents shall be $20, and the registration shall be effective until July 1 each year or until such time cart is sold or otherwise disposed of. A flat annual fee of registration/user fee of $25 shall be charged to non-residents of the city. The non-resident fee shall be effective until July 1 each year or until such time as the cart is sold or otherwise disposed of. Registrations will not be transferrable.
(B) LSMVs. No LSMV shall be operated on the public streets located within the territorial boundaries of the city unless it is legally registered with the city.
(C) Equipment. Every cart shall at all time be equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation, meeting the following specifications.
(1) The exhaust system shall include the piping leading from the flange of the exhaust manifold to and including the muffler and exhaust pipes or include any and all parts specified by the manufacturer.
(2) The exhaust system and its elements shall be securely fastened, including the consideration of missing of broken brackets or hangers.
(3) The engine and powered mechanism of every cart shall be so equipped, adjusted and tuned as to prevent the escape of excessive smoke or fumes.
(D) Operation. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any cart to operate or permit the operation of such cart on which any device controlling or abating atmospheric emissions, which is placed on a cart by the manufacturer, to render the devise unserviceable by removal, alteration or which interferes with its operation.
(E) Rental carts. Cart dealers and distributors, as well as other commercial establishments, may rent carts to the public for use on the public streets and those areas accessible by the public of the city. Each such establishment renting carts shall be required to register each such rental cart in accordance with divisions (A) and (B) above and shall maintain a written record of each person who rents each cart. Renters shall be required to furnish positive identification, shall be provided a copy of this subchapter to read and must be at least 16 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. The registration fee and transfer fees and regulations shall be the same as those in divisions (A) and (B) above.
(F) Age, number of registrants limited. Only those persons 18 years of age or older may register a motorized cart. Cart registration may be in one person’s name only, and the registration form must be signed by that person.
(1994 Code, § 15-802) (Ord. 628, passed 5-27-2003; Ord. 821, passed 7-23-2018)
Penalty, see § 73.99
(A) Those persons who are 16 years of age and older may drive a motorized cart on the public streets and those accessible by the public of the city, unless such person has had his or her license to operate a motor vehicle suspended or revoked by the state which issued said license, in which case such person shall not be permitted to operate a motorized cart on the public streets and those areas accessible by the public of the city during the time of suspension or revocation.
(B) Those persons who are 15 years of age, but not yet 16 years of age, may drive a motorized cart on the public streets and those areas accessible by the public of the city. This person must have in his or her possession a valid learners permit issued by the state and be accompanied in the front seat by a person at least 18 years of age who holds a valid driver’s license.
(C) All operators shall abide by all traffic regulations applicable to vehicular traffic when using the public streets and those areas accessible by the public in the city.
(D) Motorized carts shall not be operated on sidewalks at any time.
(E) Motorized carts may be operated over those authorized public streets and those areas accessible by the public only during daylight hours unless such motorized carts are equipped with functional headlights and taillights.
(F) No motorized cart shall be permitted to operate over, along or across Highway 411 and Highway 30, except where cross streets are available.
(G) It shall be unlawful for the owner of any motorized cart or LSMV or any other person operating, employing, permitting the use of or otherwise directing the use of such motorized cart or LSMV to operate or permit the operator on any motorized cart of LSMV to drive over the public streets or those areas accessible by the public in the city in violation of this subchapter.
(H) No LSMV shall be permitted to operate on any street of which the posted speed limit exceeds 35 mph.
(1994 Code, § 15-803) (Ord. 628, passed 5-27-2003) Penalty, see § 73.99
Each person using a public street is liable for his or her own actions. Liability insurance coverage varies, and each person operating a golf cart on the public streets and those areas accessible by the public should verify his or her coverage.
(1994 Code, § 15-804) (Ord. 628, passed 5-27-2003)
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