(a) Operation of special use vehicles. Micro utility trucks, work-site utility vehicles and golf carts may be operated upon the public highways, streets, roads and alleys within the corporate limits of the city consistent with the intended use and purpose of such special use vehicles, subject to the conditions set forth herein. Such special purpose vehicles shall be operated only between sunrise and sunset unless such vehicle is equipped with front and rear lights as required by law for motorcycles. Every person operating a special use vehicle on the public highways, streets, roads and alleys of the city shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to a driver of a vehicle imposed by law.
(b) Valid driver’s license required; penalty. No person shall operate a special use vehicle on any public highway, street, road or alley within the corporate limits of the city unless such person is at least sixteen years of age and has a valid driver’s license. Violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(c) Display of slow-moving vehicle emblem. It shall be illegal to operate a special use vehicle on any public highway, street, road or alley within the corporate limits of the city unless such vehicle displays a slow moving vehicle emblem as defined in K.S.A. 8-1717 displayed on the rear of the vehicle, or has an attached flag pole of a minimum of seven feet in height on which is affixed a fluorescent orange flag of at least 30 square inches in size.
(d) Insurance required; penalty. Every owner of a special purpose vehicle shall provide liability coverage in accordance with § 200 of the Standard Traffic Ordinance, and amendments thereto, and the State Automobile Injury Reparations Act, K.S.A. 40-3101 et seq., and amendments thereto. All provisions of § 200 of the Standard Traffic Ordinance, and amendments thereto, including penalty provisions, shall be applicable to all owners and operators of a special purpose vehicle.
(e) Registration and license; application; inspection; fee.
(1) Before operating any special purpose vehicle on any public highway, street, road or alley within the corporate limits of the city, the special purpose vehicle shall be registered with the city and shall display a valid registration decal affixed and displayed in such a manner as to be clearly visible from the rear of the special purpose vehicle. The license number of the special purpose vehicle shall be recorded and filed in the City Police Department.
(2) The application shall be made upon forms provided by the city and each application shall contain the name of the owner, the owner’s residence address or bona fide place of business, a brief description of the vehicle to be registered (including make, model and serial number, if applicable). Proof of insurance, as required in subsection (d) above shall be furnished at the time of application for registration.
(3) Prior to the issuance of the registration decal, each applicant for a special purpose vehicle license shall first present such vehicle to the City Police Department for an official inspection to ensure that such vehicle meets all safety equipment requirements and is in safe mechanical condition.
(4) The annual registration fee for a special purpose vehicle shall be $35. The full amount of the registration fee shall be required regardless of the time of year that the application is made. Registrations issued hereunder shall be nontransferable and shall expire on December 31 of each year.
(f) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
GOLF CART. A motor vehicle that has not less than three wheels in contact with the ground, an unladen weight of not more than 1,800 pounds, is designed to be operated at not more than 25 mph and is designed to carry not more than four persons, including the driver.
MICRO UTILITY TRUCK. Any motor vehicle which is not less than 48 inches in width, has an overall length, including the bumper, of not more than 160 inches, has an unladen weight, including fuel and fluids, of more than 1,500 pounds, can exceed 40 mph as originally manufactured and is manufactured with a metal cab. MICRO UTILITY TRUCK does not include a work-site utility vehicle.
SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE. Any micro utility truck, work site utility vehicle or golf cart. Special purpose vehicle shall expressly not include all terrain vehicles.
WORK-SITE UTILITY VEHICLE. Any motor vehicle which is not less than 48 inches in width, has an overall length, including the bumper, of not more than 135 inches, has an unladen weight, including fuel and fluids, of more than 800 pounds and is equipped with four or more low pressure tires, a steering wheel and bench or bucket type seating allowing at least two people to sit side-by-side, and may be equipped with a bed or cargo box for hauling materials. WORK-SITE UTILITY VEHICLE does not include a micro utility truck.
(g) Penalty. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, a violation of this section shall be deemed an ordinance traffic infraction within the meaning of § 201, of the Standard Traffic Ordinance, and amendments thereto, or such other similar provision as the city may then have in effect.
(Ord. 1466, passed 11-14-2011; Ord. 1499, passed 6-13-2016)