(A) (1) No person shall operate a motorized golf cart, utility task vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or mini-truck 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 the Fee Schedule, as may be amended from time to time.
(4) Permits may be granted for a period of one to 36 months and may be renewed.
(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 Minnesota driver's license;
(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, mini-truck, 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 Minnesota Statutes concerning insurance coverage for the golf cart, utility task vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or mini-truck; and
(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. No motorized golf cart, mini-truck, utility task vehicle, or all-terrain vehicle shall drive along Main Street between Eighth Avenue Northwest and First Avenue Northeast, nor drive along State Highway 57, nor upon County Highway 34 or County Highway 21 while those roads run in city limits.
(7) Motorized golf carts, utility task vehicles and all-terrain vehicles not equipped with headlights and taillights may only be operated on designated roadways from sunrise to sunset. Motorized golf carts with operational, manufacturer installed or commercially available retrofitted headlights and tail lights shall be permitted to operate on city streets. 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 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 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. It is unlawful to operate upon private property without written permission of the owner or person entitled to possession and use of such property, and upon any school grounds, park property, playgrounds or recreation area or any other public property.
(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. Ch. 169, as 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 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. Ch. 169, as 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 shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE or VEHICLE.
(a) A motorized vehicle with: (1) not less than three, but not more than six low pressure or non-pneumatic tires; (2) a total dry weight of 2,000 pounds or less; and (3) a total width from outside of tire rim to outside of tire rim that is 65 inches or less. ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE includes a class 1 all-terrain vehicle and class 2 all-terrain vehicle.
(b) ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE does not include an electric-assisted bicycle, golf cart, mini-truck, dune buggy, or go-cart, or a vehicle designed and used specifically for lawn maintenance, agriculture, logging, or mining purposes.
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.
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 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.
MINI-TRUCK. As defined in M.S. § 169.011, subd. 40(a), as 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 C.F.R., Title 49, §§ 571.101 to 571.404, and successor requirements. A mini-truck does not include: a neighborhood electric vehicle or a medium-speed electric vehicle as defined by § 73.11; or a motor vehicle that meets or exceeds the regulations in C.F.R., Title 49, § 571.500, as it may be amended from time to time.
(C) Authorized government staff may operate permitted motorized golf carts, utility task vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and mini-trucks without obtaining a permit within the city when conducting city business.
(D) Mini-truck equipment requirements:
(1) A mini-truck may be operated under permit on designated roadways if it is equipped with all of the following:
(a) At least two headlamps;
(b) At least two tail lamps;
(c) Front and rear turn-signal lamps;
(d) 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;
(e) A windshield;
(f) A seat belt for the driver and front passenger; and
(g) A parking brake.
(Ord. 872, passed 6-13-2018; Ord. 8.2-23, passed 8-23-2023)