[Adopted 11-21-2005 by Ord. No. 842, effective 1-1-2006; amended in its
entirety 2-6-2017 by Ord. No. 994]
Low-speed vehicles may be operated on the City streets of the
City of El Paso in accordance with the provisions set forth hereafter
in this article and subject to the provisions of 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.2
(a part of the Illinois Vehicle Code).
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
LOW-SPEED VEHICLE
Any four-wheeled vehicle with a maximum speed greater than
20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour that conforms
with the federal motor vehicle safety standards set forth in 49 CFR
Part 571.500.
[Amended 5-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1043]
The low-speed vehicle shall not be operated on any street with
a posted speed limit of more than 30 miles per hour.
No person may operate a low-speed vehicle upon any City street
unless he or she has a valid driver's license issued in his or her
name by the Illinois Secretary of State or a foreign jurisdiction.
No low-speed vehicle may be operated on a City street unless,
at a minimum, it has the following: brakes, a steering apparatus,
tires, a rearview mirror, red reflectorized warning devices in the
front and rear, a slow moving emblem [as required of other vehicles
in Section 12-709 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/12-709)]
on the rear of the low-speed vehicle, a headlight that emits a white
light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front, a tail lamp
that emits a red light visible from at least 100 feet from the rear,
brake lights, and turn signals. When operated on a City street, a
low-speed vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted
as required by Section 12-201 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS
5/12-201).
The definition of "low-speed vehicle" shall not include golf
carts or lawn mowers as golf carts and lawn mowers are specifically
excluded.
[Amended 5-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1043]
No low-speed vehicle shall be operated within the City of El
Paso unless such vehicle has been inspected and registered with either
the El Paso Police Department or an authorized representative of the
City, including but not limited to the Director of Public Service,
City Clerk, or any staff of the City located at City Hall prior to
the operation. Each low-speed vehicle shall pay a yearly registration
fee to the City of El Paso prior to operating on the City streets.
The City of El Paso Director of Public Service and the staff located
at City Hall shall maintain a registration of all low-speed vehicles
permitted to operate within the City of El Paso.
[Adopted 8-1-2011 by Ord.
No. 916 (Ch. 10.20 of the 1979 Code)]
Except as otherwise provided in this article, it is unlawful
for any person to drive or operate a golf cart upon any street, highway,
or roadway within the City of El Paso.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CITY STREETS
Consist of any of the streets and alleys within the boundaries
of the City of El Paso.
GOLF CART
A motorized vehicle with three or four wheels that is not
designed to be operated at a speed of more than 25 miles per hour,
whose purpose can include, but is not limited to, the playing of golf
and is generally designed to carry persons including the driver.
All persons wishing to operate a golf cart on the streets under
the jurisdiction of the City of El Paso must ensure compliance with
the following requirements:
A. Proof of current insurance. The driver must carry proof with the
vehicle.
B. Driver's license. The driver must have a current valid government-issued
driver's license.
C. Golf carts must be equipped as follows:
(2) A steering wheel apparatus.
(5) Approved "Slow Moving Vehicle" emblem on the rear of the vehicle
(625 ILCS 5/12-709).
(6) Two headlights that emit a white light visible from a distance of
500 feet to the front of the cart, which headlights must be illuminated
when in operation.
(7) Two tail lamps that emit a red light visible from a distance of at
least 100 feet from the rear, which tail lamps must be illuminated
when in operation.
(8) Any additional requirements which may be required by 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1,
as amended.
D. The maximum number of occupants in such vehicles shall be limited
to the total number of seats available on the particular vehicle.
Golf carts may only be operated on streets and alleys within
the City of El Paso.
A. Golf carts may not be operated on any City of El Paso walking trail,
sidewalks, on the tracks or right-of-way of an operating railroad,
or on private property without the written or verbal consent of the
owner or lessee thereof.
B. Golf carts may not be operated on any City street that has a speed
limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
C. Golf carts may not be operated on U.S. Highway 24 and State Route
251 or any other Illinois Department of Transportation highway, except
to cross the highways at any intersection. Golf carts cannot be operated
west of Route 251 except on West Second Street and West Third Street.
All golf carts must be parked in a parking space on any street
and may also be parked in a driveway or a yard with the owner's permission.
Any person who violates any provisions of this article shall
be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of
not less than $75 and not more than $200. Any second or subsequent
offense shall result in the revocation of the permit for at least
the rest of the year and up to no more than two years. To the extent
that any violation of this article also constitutes a violation of
a criminal statute of the State of Illinois or the Illinois Vehicle
Code, then the violator shall also be subject to that prosecution.