The following regulations are established for the operation and usage of golf carts on public streets, roads and alleys in the Town of Long Beach, Indiana, namely:
(A) Registration fee. All golf carts used and operated on public streets, roads and alleys in the Town of Long Beach, LaPorte County, Indiana, shall be registered with the town. Owners shall submit a registration form prescribed by the town and a $100 bi-annual registration fee to the Town-Clerk. Once issued, registrations are valid for two calendar years, expiring December 31 of the second year. There shall be no prorations for partial years. Upon compliance with registration requirements, the town or its designee shall issue one three-inch registration sticker, which shall be permanently affixed to the front of the golf cart in a clearly visible location.
(B) Insurance; proof of insurance; financing responsibility. All golf carts to be operated and used on public streets, roads and alleys in the Town of Long Beach, LaPorte County, Indiana, shall be insured, with said proof of insurance to be provided to the town with the initial and subsequent annual registrations. Insurance proof shall be maintained and kept in a golf cart at all times during any usage and operation of such golf cart.
(C) Slow moving vehicle emblem display. All golf carts registered for operation and usage on public streets, roads and alleys in the Town of Long Beach, LaPorte County, Indiana, must display at all times a slow moving vehicle emblem and/or a red or amber flashing light, unless the vehicle is equipped with taillights which must be operational and turned on while driving. Further, all golf carts operated, or operating after dusk and before dawn, shall be equipped with headlights, taillights, and turn signals in working order.
(D) Compliance with traffic law and town ordinances. All operators and users of a registered golf cart on public streets, roads and alleys in the Town of Long Beach, LaPorte County, Indiana, shall comply with and follow state traffic laws under the provisions of IC 9-21 et seq., as amended, and all applicable provisions of the town code as currently in effect, or as amended hereafter from time to time, pertaining to motor vehicle operation in the town.
(E) Places of operation. Usage and operation of golf carts shall be restricted to the public streets, roads and alleys in residential neighborhoods and communities in the town. Such golf carts shall operate and be used at a maximum speed of 25 mph. Exceeding a speed of 25 mph shall be a violation of this chapter.
(F) Occupancy. There shall be no usage or operation of a golf cart on public streets, roads and alleys in the Town of Long Beach, LaPorte County, Indiana, with any more passengers, including operator, than designed for the golf cart to transport. An operator and/or passengers shall remain seated in a designated seat and no extension of any body part outside the interior of the golf cart shall occur while the golf cart is being used and operated.
(G) Parking. Golf carts are subject to the same parking requirements and restrictions outlined in the parking ordinances adopted by the Town of Long Beach, with the exception that golf carts do not require an additional hang tag at the north lot behind Town Hall or Melrose Park. Golf cars may not be parked at beach stops, except for the allowable ten-minute loading and unloading period.
(Ord. 2021-04, passed 3-8-21; Am. Ord. 2022-18, passed 12-27-22)