(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
"GOLF CART." Any self-propelled vehicle that:
(a) Is designed for the transportation of players or maintaining equipment on a golf course, while engaged in the playing of golf, supervising the play of golf, or maintaining the condition of the grounds on a golf course;
(b) Has a minimum of four wheels;
(c) Is designed to operate at a speed of not more than 35 miles per hour;
(d) Is designed to carry not more than six persons including the driver;
(e) Has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 2,500 pounds;
(f) Has a maximum rated payload capacity of 1,200 pounds; and
(g) Meets the federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles set forth in 49 CFR 571.500.
(B) A golf cart operating on a designated public roadway shall be required to comply with the following:
(1) Be inspected by a certified inspector designated by the county sheriff and certified through the Department of Vehicle Regulation to ensure that the golf cart complies with the requirements of this section. The inspection fee under this paragraph shall not exceed $5 with an additional fee not to exceed $10 per trip charged if it becomes necessary for the certified inspector to travel to the site of the golf cart rather than having the golf cart brought to the sheriff's inspection area.
(2) Golf carts which bear an official permit issued by the city shall be numbered and affixed to the lower left side (driver's side) of the windshield of the vehicle. The City Treasurer shall prepare an application form for the special permit and charge a yearly fee of $25 for each permit issued annually beginning upon adoption of this section. Subsequent renewals of the permit shall be due on or before July first (1st) of each year. There shall be no proration of the fee for any permit issued after July first (1st) and all permits issued after July first (1st) shall expire on the next July first (1st) following. Insurance and proof of inspection by a certified inspector shall be presented prior to issuance of an official permit.
(C) A person may operate a golf cart on any public roadway in the city if:
(1) The posted speed limit of the designated public roadway is 35 miles per hour or less;
(2) The operator of the golf cart does not cross a roadway at an intersection where the roadway being crossed has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour;
(3) The operator has a valid operator’s license in his or her possession;
(4) The golf cart is being operated between sunrise and sunset however no golf cart shall be operated between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday on the following streets: West Gum Street, West Belleville Street and North and South Main Street; and
(5) The golf cart displays a slow-moving vehicle emblem in compliance with KRS 189.820. When operated on a designated public roadway, a golf cart shall have a bicycle safety flag, which extends not less than seven feet above the ground, attached to the rear of the vehicle; the bicycle safety flag shall be triangular in shape with an area of not less than 30 square inches and shall be day-glow in color. A golf cart owned and operated by the city or an agency of the city, may, in lieu of a flag, use a flashing yellow light on top of the roof of the golf cart.
(6) All motorized golf carts must be complete with rear view mirrors, lights (including brake lights, head lights and turn signals), and brakes.
(D) A golf cart operating on a public roadway shall be insured in compliance with KRS 304.39-080 by the owner or operator, and the proof of insurance shall be inside the golf cart at all times of operation on a public roadway.
(E) Any person operating a golf cart on a public roadway under the provisions of this section shall be subject to the traffic regulations of KRS Chapter 189.
(F) A golf cart operating on a public roadway is not considered to be motor a vehicle and is exempt from:
(1) Title requirements of KRS 186.020;
(2) Vehicle registration requirements of KRS 186.050; and
(3) Emissions compliance certificates pursuant to KRS 224-20.720.
(G) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a golf cart that is not used on a public roadway except to cross a roadway while following a golf cart path on a golf course.
(Ord. 13-007, passed 8-19-13) Penalty, see § 70.99