[Added 2-24-2014; amended 9-9-2019]
Pursuant to the terms, conditions and restrictions contained in this article, golf carts as defined in § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, may be operated on certain designated public streets or certain designated portions of such streets in the City of Galax.
A. 
The designated public streets or portions of such public streets upon which golf carts may be operated are limited in speed to 25 miles per hour and are as shown upon a map kept in the office of the City Manager of the City of Galax and attached to and specifically made a part of this article, but are generally as follows:
5th Avenue
6th Avenue
7th Avenue
Academy Drive
Alderman Street
Anderson Street
Armory Road
Bartlett Street
Bona Vista Lane
Brookwood Drive
Calhoun Street
Carroll Street
Cherry Street
Circle Drive
City View Street
Depot Avenue
East Center Street
East Grayson Street
East Oldtown Street
East Virginia Street
East Washington Street
East Webster Street
Edgewood Drive
Ernie Pyle Street
Essex Street
Fair Street
Ford Avenue
Front Street
Gentry Street
Greentree Lane
Long Street
Madison Street
Maroon Tide Drive
Martin Lane
McArthur Street
Meadow Street (partial) from E. Grayson Street to Mathews Street
Mills Street
Morris Street
Murphy Street
Murphy Street
North Jefferson Street
North Lafayette Street
North Main Street
North Monroe Street
Northview Street
Painter Street
Parkwood Drive
Pine Street
Railroad Avenue
Rex Lane
Riverside Lane
Roseland Road
South Jefferson Street
South Lafayette Street
South Main Street
South Monroe Street
Stanford Street
Sunset Drive
Swanson Street
T George Vaughan Junior
Terrace Lane
West Center Street
West Grayson Street
West Oldtown Street
West Stuart Drive from West Oldtown Street to Windsock Ridge Lane
West Webster Street
Washington Street
Waugh Drive
Wheat Ridge Lane
Wild Flowe Lane
Williams Street
Windsock Ridge Lane
B. 
No golf cart may be operated in the City of Galax, Virginia, on any public street or any portion of any public street unless specifically designated as permitted by this article or any duly adopted amendment thereto. No golf cart may be operated on any of the designated streets or any portion of any designated street in the City of Galax, which street or portion thereof has a speed limit of more than 25 miles per hour.
No person shall operate any golf cart on any public street in the City of Galax unless he has in his possession a valid driver's license.
Every golf cart, whenever operated on designated streets or any portion of any designated street, shall display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in conformity with § 46.2-1081 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended.
Golf carts shalI be operated upon designated streets or any portion of any designated streets during daylight hours only, unless equipped with rear view/side view mirrors, head and tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, and reflective tape on the side. Golf carts shall not be equipped with emergency vehicle lights.
Golf carts operated on designated streets or any portion of any designated street shall be insured by a policy of liability insurance with coverage of not less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per incident or claim.
A. 
Operators and passengers of a golf cart operated on designated streets or any portion of any designated street shall comply with all applicable state and local laws and regulations pertaining to the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs or other illegal substances.
B. 
No passenger in any golf cart operated on designated streets or any portion of any designated street may be less than eight years of age. Passengers between the ages of three and seven may ride in a golf cart equipped with seat belts for each passenger and driven by a licensed driver 21 years or older. If an additional passenger or passengers between the ages of three and seven are riding in the cart, an additional supervising adult over the age of 18 must be present. All occupants in any golf cart operated on designated streets or any portion thereof shall only ride in seats installed and designed for occupancy by the driver or passengers.
C. 
Golf carts operated on designated streets or any portion of any designated street shall be operated in conformity with all applicable state and local laws and ordinances.
Prior to operation and annually, all golf carts which are to be operated on designated streets or any portion thereof shall be inspected and approved by an inspection station designated and approved Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, or by a business located within the City specializing in golf cart sales and repairs, and holding a valid City business license. Approved inspection sites shall inspect, at a minimum, those items of equipment prescribed on a form to be prepared by the City Manager, which shall include without limitation brakes; lights and turn signals if used in non-daylight hours; tires and tire pressure; windshield wipers if equipped with permanent windshield, horn, steering wheel/gear; emergency or parking brake; mirror(s); adequately affixed driver and passenger seat(s) with appropriate safety belts; slow-moving vehicle triangle; speed governor if appropriate to engine type; absence of fuel or fluid leaks; and general mechanical fitness for public street use.
Golf carts may be operated on designated streets year round, except during ice, sleet or snow weather events, or when ice, sleet or snow are present on roads.
Any operator of a golf cart to be operated upon designated streets or any portion of any designated street must file with the City a disclaimer which provides that the operator understands that golf carts are not designed to be operated on the roadways and that the City shall have no liability for any damage or injury incurred because of such operation.
A. 
Upon proper application presented to the City Municipal Building containing the approved inspection report, a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, the disclaimer required herein, and the fee established herein, the City may issue to the owner of a golf cart to be operated on designated streets or any portion of any designated street a permit to operate the golf cart so inspected and approved on designated streets or any portion of any designated street. The permit shall be valid for 12 months, beginning April 1, and shall be renewable annually on April 1, upon proper application containing current required documentation. The permit shall contain a decal to be affixed on the windshield in the same location as a motor vehicle inspection sticker. A current decal shall be proof of compliance with the permitting process. No permit or decal shall be assigned or transferred and the permit shall be issued to the operator for the operation of a specific golf cart and affixed to that specific golf cart. An additional permit and decal shall be required by the owner for additional golf carts to be operated in conformity with this article.
B. 
The fee for the permit authorized herein shall be an annual fee of $25, which may be amended by City Council by ordinance.
The Chief of Police or Fire Department Chief may temporarily suspend the operation of golf carts on any designated streets or any portion of any designated street for such period as he/she deems necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare.
In addition to any penalty prescribed by law, violation of this article may result in revocation of the permit. Operation of a golf cart on the public streets of the City of Galax without a valid permit or outside of the designated streets or portions of any designated street as permitted by this article shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor and punishable as provided by the Code of Virginia.
Streets or portions thereof may be added or removed by City Council upon its own motion or upon application and after public hearing as an amendment to this article. Any residents of the City may request that a street or portion thereof be approved as appropriate for golf cart usage and added to the list of the designated streets upon which golf carts may be used under the conditions hereof. There is hereby imposed a fee on any request to add additional street(s) hereto of $250 per street, and, in addition all costs, as determined at the time of application, required to purchase and install required signage on each street requested to be added shall be required to be paid by the applicant. All fees and costs shall be paid at the time of application. If a street or portion thereof is not approved as a designated street, the advanced costs for purchase and installation of signage shall be refunded without interest.
Visitors to Galax may receive a temporary seven-day permit to drive a golf cart on the streets called out in § 144-88A by applying at the City offices. No fee will be assessed during this time. Applicants must read and sign a form agreeing to abide by the golf cart ordinance §§ 144-88 through 148-93 and §§ 148-95 through 148-96.
The Chief of Police shall present a report annually to City Council outlining accidents, violations, or other issues involving golf carts operated on City streets.