(A) No person shall operate, cause to be operated or allow the operation of a golf cart or off-highway vehicle on any public streets, parking areas and traffic ways unless a valid registration permit has been issued for the golf cart or off-highway vehicle or the operation is otherwise allowed by law.
(B) Application for a permit authorizing the operation of a golf cart or off-highway vehicle shall be made by a person who owns, leases or otherwise uses the vehicle. Such application shall be made in writing to the city on a form designated for that purpose. On such application shall be set forth the following:
(1) The name, address, telephone number and state driver's license number, if applicable, of the permit holder;
(2) The street address where the golf cart or off-highway vehicle is kept, including the particular suite or apartment number, if applicable;
(3) The business name used for the premises where the golf cart or off-highway vehicle is kept, if applicable;
(4) The year, make, model, color, vehicle identification number or serial number if no vehicle identification number has been issued to the vehicle, and electric or gasoline;
(5) The person(s) and location, designated by the city, that inspected the golf cart or off-highway vehicle, including a certification by said inspector that the golf cart or off-highway vehicle was inspected and whether the golf cart or off-highway vehicle complies with the requirements of this chapter;
(6) Statement that all operators are required to be licensed pursuant to Tex. Transportation Code §§ 521.001(3) and 521.021, as amended, and that all equipment required herein is installed and will be kept operational during the permit period;
(7) Statement that the registration permit holder and any user shall indemnify and hold harmless the City of Lindsay, Texas for any and all civil liability associated with said registration and that the registration permit holder and any user waives any and all rights to sue the City of Lindsay or allow subrogation by an insurance company; and
(8) Other information which the city may require.
(C) The registration permit decal shall be permanently affixed on the left side of the golf cart or off-highway vehicle in such a manner that it is clearly visible from 50 feet. The permit decal must not be damaged, altered, obstructed or otherwise made illegible. If the permit decal is damaged, altered, obstructed or otherwise made illegible, the permit holder shall apply for a replacement decal permit and pay the fee for a replacement permit decal provided in the city fee schedule.
(D) The registration permit decal shall only be placed upon the golf cart or off-highway vehicle for which it was issued.
(E) A permit issued to a golf cart or off-highway vehicle shall become invalid if the golf cart or off-highway vehicle is altered in a manner that fails to comply with any requirement of this chapter.
(F) Registration permits/decals are valid for a period of two years and each shall expire on December 31 of odd numbered years. The registration permit fee shall be prorated to the number of yearly quarters remaining in the permit period. The registration and inspection fees for a registration permit and decal shall be those fees provided in the city fee schedule. Governmental entities applying for a registration permit are exempt from any fees.
(G) The permit holder shall notify the city if the golf cart or off-highway vehicle transfers ownership or the address of the normal storage location of the golf cart or off-highway vehicle has changed within ten working days of the change. The information shall be submitted on a form designated by the city.
(H) Lost or stolen permit/decals are the responsibility of the owner. A police report must be filed in the event of a lost or stolen permit/decal. If no record can be found of a previous application, or the receipt of a permit/decal, the city may direct the applicant to reapply, and also resubmit any and all fees necessary before a replacement permit/decal is issued.
(I) Any person who operates a golf cart or off-highway vehicle without a permit or who fails to properly display a city permit/decal will be subject to all applicable state laws, in addition to being in violation of this chapter.
(J) A permit may be revoked at any time by the city, or its designee(s), if:
(1) There is any evidence that the permit holder cannot safely operate a golf cart or off-highway vehicle on any authorized public streets, parking areas and traffic ways of the City of Lindsay in compliance with this chapter;
(2) The owner or driver fails to abide by the rules and regulations of this chapter; or
(3) The owner fails to maintain proof of financial responsibility during the entire permit registration period.
(K) The commission of any of the violations described herein constitutes evidence that the permit holder cannot safely operate a golf cart or off-highway vehicle on the street within the City of Lindsay.
(L) The permit is not transferable. Upon transfer of ownership of the golf cart or off-highway vehicle to a person who intends to operate it over authorized public streets, parking areas and traffic ways, the new owner must register the golf cart or off-highway vehicle and pay the registration permit fee as provided in the city fee schedule.
(Ord. 0120-2, passed 2-10-2020)