(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) GOLF CART is defined as a vehicle powered by gas or electricity and is the type of vehicle typically operated on a golf course and includes under speed vehicles, with an attainable speed in one mile on a paved level surface of not more than 20 miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 3,000 pounds.
(2) LOW SPEED VEHICLE means a three or four-wheeled motor vehicle with an attainable speed in one mile on a paved level surface of more than 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 3,000 pounds.
(3) UTILITY VEHICLE means a self-propelled vehicle designed with a bed, principally for the purpose of transporting material or cargo in connection with constructions, agricultural, forestry, grounds maintenance, lawn and garden, materials handling, or similar activity.
(4) MOWER is a vehicle powered by gas or electricity and is the type of vehicle typically operated for commercial or residential mowing and includes under speed vehicles, with an attainable speed in one mile on paved level surface of not more than 20 miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 3,000 pounds.
(5) OPERATOR means any person who operates or is in actual physical control of a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle.
(6) OWNER means any person or entity, other than a lien holder or dealer having title to a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle or legal rights to possession thereof.
(B) Equipment.
(1) Golf carts or other low speed vehicles operated on the streets, highways, and public property within the village shall have a minimum of the following functional equipment thereon:
(a) At least one working rear red colored tail light. ORC 4509.071.
(b) License plates in the front and rear of the golf cart, bracketed to the cart. ORC 4503.21.
(c) A light to illuminate the rear license plate and make the plate legible from a distance of 50 feet. ORC 4513.05.
(d) At least one working brake light. ORC 4513.071.
(e) Two headlights, white or clear in color. ORC 4513.04.
(f) A horn. ORC 4513.21.
(g) A rearview mirror. ORC 4513.23.
(h) A windshield. ORC 4513.24.
(i) Turn signals. ORC 4513.261.
(j) Brakes sufficient to stop within 40 feet. ORC 4513.20.
(k) An emergency brake sufficient to hold the vehicle on any grade. ORC 4513.20.
(l) Working exhaust system if the unit has an internal combustion engine. ORC 4513.22.
(m) One seat belt per occupant of the cart.
(n) A child safety seat installed to manufacturer specifications for any occupant under the age of four or under 40 pounds in weight.
(o) A child booster safety seat installed to manufacturer specifications for any occupant between the ages of four and eight or under 4 feet 9 inches in height.
(p) Whoever violates this division (B)(1) shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine not more than $150.00.
(2) Utility vehicles operated on the streets, highways, and public property within the village shall have a minimum of the following functional equipment thereon:
(a) At least one working rear red colored tail light. ORC 4509.071.
(b) At least one working brake light. ORC 4513.071.
(c) Two headlights, white or clear in color. ORC 4513.04.
(d) One slow moving placard of such size.
(e) A horn. ORC 4513.21.
(f) A windshield or eye protection.
(g) A rearview mirror. ORC 4513.23.
(h) Turn signals. ORC 4513.261.
(i) Brakes sufficient to stop within 40 feet. ORC 4513.20.
(j) An emergency brake sufficient to hold the vehicle on any grade. ORC 4513.20.
(k) Working exhaust system if the unit has an internal combustion engine. ORC 4513.22.
(l) One seat belt per occupant of the cart.
(m) A child safety seat installed to manufacturer specifications for any occupant under the age of four or under 40 pounds in weight.
(n) A child booster safety seat installed to manufacturer specifications for any occupant between the ages of four and eight or under 4 feet 9 inches in height.
(o) Whoever violates this division (B)(2) shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine not more than $150.00.
(3) Mowers operated on the streets, highways, and public property within the village shall have a minimum of the following functional equipment thereon:
(a) One slow moving placard of such size.
(b) Brakes sufficient to stop within 40 feet. ORC 4513.20.
(c) An emergency brake sufficient to hold the vehicle on any grade. ORC 4513.20.
(d) Working exhaust system if the unit has an internal combustion engine. ORC 4513.22.
(e) Whoever violates this division (B)(3) shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine not more than $150.00.
(C) Licensing requirements of operator.
(1) The operator of a golf cart or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property in the village shall have a valid driver’s license.
(2) The operator of a golf cart or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property in the village shall be no less than 16 years of age.
(3) Whoever violates this division (C) shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor, and subject to a fine of not more than $150.00.
(D) Insurance requirements of owner and operator.
(1) The owner of a golf cart or other low speed vehicle that is driven on public roadways or on public property in the village shall carry liability insurance thereon as required by R.C. § 4509.101(A)(1).
(2) The operator of a golf cart or other low speed vehicle that is driven on public roadways or on public property shall have in his possession proof of insurance while operating the golf cart.
(3) Whoever violates this division (D) shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor, and subject to a fine of not more than $150.00.
(E) Inspection and title requirements. No person shall operate a golf cart on the streets within the village unless the golf cart has been inspected for compliance with the state statutory requirements that are applicable to motor vehicles and the codified ordinances of the village entitling the owner or operator to secure a title and license for the golf cart.
(F) Prohibited acts: golf carts or other low speed vehicles.
(1) No person shall operate a golf cart or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property in the village without first ensuring all occupants are securely seated in a fixed seat and wearing all available elements of a properly adjusted safety belt that is fixed to the vehicle.
(2) No person, being an operator of a golf cart or other low speed vehicle operated on public roadways or on public property in the village, shall fail to wear all available elements of a properly adjusted safety belt that is fixed to the vehicle.
(3) No person, being a passenger of a golf cart or other low speed vehicle operated on public roadways or on public property in the village, shall fail to wear all available elements of a properly adjusted safety belt that is fixed to the vehicle.
(4) No person shall operate a golf cart or other low speed vehicle on restricted areas of the public bicycle path, except municipal employees operating municipal vehicles in accordance with their duties.
(5) No person shall operate a golf cart or other low speed vehicle that has an attainable top speed in excess of 25 mph on a public roadway or on public property.
(6) No person shall operate a golf cart on any restricted street, streets where the speed limit is greater than 25 mph in the village.
(7) Whoever violates this division (F) shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to the following fines accordingly:
(a) A violation of divisions (F)(1), (F)(4), (F)(5) and (F)(6) of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $150.00.
(b) A violation of division (F)(2) of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $50.
(c) A violation of division (F)(3) of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $30.
(G) Prohibited acts: utility vehicles.
(1) No person shall operate a utility vehicle on public roadways or on public property in the village without first ensuring all occupants are securely seated in a fixed seat and wearing all available elements of a properly adjusted safety belt that is fixed to the vehicle.
(2) No person, being an operator of a utility vehicle operated on public roadways or on public property in the village, shall fail to wear all available elements of a properly adjusted safety belt that is fixed to the vehicle.
(3) No person, being a passenger of a utility vehicle operated on public roadways or on public property in the village, shall fail to wear all available elements of a properly adjusted safety belt that is fixed to the vehicle.
(4) No person shall operate a utility vehicle on restricted areas of the public bicycle path, except municipal employees operating municipal vehicles in accordance with their duties.
(5) No person shall operate a utility vehicle that has an attainable top speed in excess of 25 mph on a public roadway or on public property.
(6) No person shall operate a utility vehicle on any restricted street, streets where the speed limit is greater than 25 mph in the village.
(7) Whoever violates this division shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to the following fines accordingly:
(a) A violation of divisions (G)(1), (G)(4), (G)(5) and (G)(6) of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $150.00.
(b) A violation of division (G)(2) of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $50.
(c) A violation of division (G)(3) of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $30.
(Ord. 2019-02-04, passed 3-11-19)
Cross-reference:
Operation restricted for mini-trucks and low-speed, under-speed, or utility vehicles, see § 73.18