(A) This section shall apply to the operation of golf carts within the corporate limits of the town. Only operation pursuant to the conditions contained herein shall be permitted.
(B) (1) Only golf carts described and equipped as follows shall be allowed to operate within the town’s corporate limits.
(2) Golf carts allowed to operate pursuant to this section shall be required to adhere to the following requirements and restrictions.
(a) Golf carts shall be defined and limited to a vehicle with four wheels originally designed for operation on a golf course and powered by a battery or internal combustion motor without modifications as to method of propulsion or speed capability. Any dispute shall be determined by the Town Marshal.
(b) Vehicle must be registered with the town in accordance with this section.
(c) Vehicle shall display a slow moving vehicle emblem on the rear of the vehicle at all times. In the alternative, a flashing yellow warning light visible 360 degrees operating at all times.
(d) Vehicles are required to be equipped with a rear view mirror, headlights and taillights when operating from dusk to dawn.
(e) All golf carts must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering and safe tires.
(f) The operation of vehicles defined herein as golf carts shall be subject to all traffic laws governing the operation of motor vehicles by the State of Indiana and local ordinances, including the possession and use of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs.
(g) The number of occupants in a golf cart shall be limited to the number of persons for whom seating capacity is provided on the vehicle. The operator and all occupants shall be seated upon the seat of the vehicle and no part of the body of the operator or occupant shall extend outside of the perimeter of the vehicle while the vehicle is being operated except while signaling turns or stops. A driver shall not permit any occupant of a golf cart to ride in the lap of any occupant or stand on the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
(C) Operators of golf carts within the corporate limits shall be at least 16 years of age, hold a valid driver’s license and be covered by liability insurance in an amount not less than the State of Indiana requires for automobiles.
DRIVER’S LICENSE shall be defined as a valid license to operate a motor vehicle issued by Indiana or any other state.
(D) Registration.
(1) Annual registration. The owners or lessees of vehicles defined herein as golf carts shall obtain an annual permit for the golf cart from the town before operation on any public right-of-way. The annual permit is valid from January 1 and expires on December 31 of each year. Owners or lessees of golf carts must re-apply for a permit each year by December 31 for the upcoming calendar year. For example, an owner or lessee of a golf cart must apply for the 2014 permit no later than December 31, 2013. Owners or lessees of a golf cart can apply for annual permit in the current calendar year but the annual registration fee shall not be prorated.
(2) Registration in general. The registration process shall include the following:
(a) Payment of an annual fee of $30 to the Clerk-Treasurer of the town to cover the cost of an annual permit and license plate.
(b) Inspection by the Police Department to verify the vehicle is insured and is properly equipped as required by this section.
(c) A valid license plate must be affixed to the back of each registered golf cart in an area where it is clearly visible.
(3) Event registration. The owners or lessees of vehicles defined herein as golf carts shall obtain an event permit for the golf cart from the town before operation on any public right-of-way during any of the town’s special events or holidays: Blue Grass Festival, May 4th; and Harvest Moon.
(a) Owners or lessees of a golf cart may apply for an event permit within 24 hours of any of the special events listed above and any time during the special event.
(b) The registration process for an event permit shall be the same as required for an annual permit under division (D)(2) above, except the event permit fee shall be in the amount of $10.
(c) The event permit shall be valid for the duration of the event not to exceed 72 hours from the date of the issuance of the event permit.
(E) Town liability. The Town of Sheridan, Sheridan Town Council, Town of Sheridan Clerk-Treasurer, Sheridan Police Department and Sheridan town employees will assume no liability after issuing of a golf permit under this section. The Town of Sheridan cannot be held responsible for any operator actions while operating the golf cart on town streets, roadways and/or alleys. The Town of Sheridan cannot be held responsible for any deaths, injuries or any other damage that may occur from operator error or malfunction of the golf cart on any street, roadway or alley in the Town of Sheridan.
(Ord. 2008-11-1, passed 11-20-08; Am. Ord. 2009-6-1, passed 6-25-09; Am. Ord. 2013-6-1, passed 6-27-13; Am. Ord. 2019-1, passed 2-11-19) Penalty, see § 70.99