City of Louisiana, MO Chapter 372 Golf Carts

Section 372.010 Policy And Purpose.

[Ord. No. 11-2021, 5-24-2021[1]]

The purpose of this Chapter is to develop regulations and requirements for the use of golf carts on the public thoroughfares and streets of the City to better ensure the public safety of the residents of the City and provide for an additional method of safe and convenient transportation.

[1] Editor's Note: Former Chapter 372, Neighborhood Vehicles, containing Sections 372.010 through 372.080, was repealed 5-24-2021 by Ord. No. 11-2021.

Section 372.020 Requirements For Operating Golf Carts Within The City.

[Ord. No. 11-2021, 5-24-2021]

A. Golf carts operated on public streets within the City shall be manufactured and equipped in accordance with all applicable requirements of Chapter 304, RSMo., including Sections 304.029 and 304.034, RSMo.

B. No golf carts shall be operated on public streets within the City unless a permit for such golf cart has been applied for and issued by the City. Upon issuance of a permit, a registration sticker with identifying numbers shall be attached to the rear of registered golf carts and be visible at all times.

C. Any individual operating a golf cart shall be at least fifteen (15) years old and have a valid State-issued permit or driver's license, but is not required to pass an examination for the operation of a motorcycle.

D. All golf carts shall be insured, and such proof of insurance shall specifically list the golf cart as referenced by the serial number and model year. The insurance shall be kept in the golf cart or on the operator's person during operation and be available for inspection upon request.

E. No person shall authorize or knowingly permit any golf cart owned by him/her or under his/her control to be driven upon any roadway located inside the City limits by any person who is not authorized hereunder or in violation of any of the provisions of this Section.

F. At a minimum, all golf carts shall have the following:

1. A steering wheel;

2. Four (4) tires safe for use on City streets;

3. Functioning brakes;

4. A seat and place for the operator to put their feet while operating the vehicle;

5. At least one (1) rearview mirror or two (2) side mirrors;

6. Safety markings; and,

7. Vehicle registration sticker prominently displayed on the rear of the vehicle.

G. Safety markings on golf carts shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle. Examples of valid markings include:

1. A bicycle safety flag which extends not less than seven (7) feet above the ground. The flag shall be neon yellow or orange with an area not less than thirty (30) square inches.

2. A "slow-moving" or "slow-moving vehicle" emblem of not less than thirty (30) square inches.

3. A lighted whip pole with a flag attached which extends not less than seven (7) feet above the ground.

H. A golf cart operated during the day without brake lights or turn signals must make use of standard hand signals to communicate when other motor vehicles are near, in accordance with Section 304.019, RSMo.

I. Any golf cart operated between sunset and dawn must be equipped with taillights and headlights in compliance with the applicable requirements of Sections 307.040 to 307.185, RSMo.

J. Golf carts shall not be subject to the equipment requirements applicable to motor vehicles in Louisiana Municipal Code Chapter 370, but shall be held responsible for having equipment prohibited by that Section, such as tires potentially destructive of or unsafe on City streets, or use of lights that may distract or impinge upon the vision of other drivers.

K. All golf carts shall be operated within municipal speed limits, and in no event at a speed higher than twenty (20) miles per hour.

Section 372.030 Prohibited Acts.

[Ord. No. 11-2021, 5-24-2021]

A. It shall be prohibited for any individual to:

1. Operate a golf cart in any careless or imprudent manner so as to endanger any person or the property of any person.

2. Operate a golf cart while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

3. Operate a golf cart between the hours of official sunset and sunrise, except with all required lights and signals.

4. Operate a golf cart on any City street with a speed limit of thirty (30) miles per hour or higher.

5. Operate a golf cart on any Federal, State or County highways, except to cross; or across any Federal or State highway at an intersection where the highway being crossed has a posted speed limit of more than forty-five (45) miles per hour.

6. Operate a Golf Cart on Georgia Street between Route 54 and Third Street, on Third Street south of Route 54, or on Frankford Road northwest of the intersection with 7th Street, except this Subsection shall not prohibit crossing of such streets approximately at right angles to the travel lanes thereof.

7. Operate a golf cart on City sidewalks, or in any other manner that might pose a danger to pedestrians.

Section 372.040 Golf Cart Permit.

[Ord. No. 11-2021, 5-24-2021]

A. Applications for a golf cart permit shall be filed with the City Collector.

B. No permit or license shall be issued to any applicant that has not paid any tax or fee due and owing to the City, as required by Louisiana Ordinance 130.220.

C. The City Collector shall charge a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) for each permit, of which five dollars ($5.00) shall be remitted to the Police Department and fifteen dollars ($15.00) to the City General Administration Fund.

D. Any golf cart registered on or after the first day of August of any year and prior to the first day of February of any year shall pay a fee of one-half (1/2) of that imposed for a full year, of which five dollars ($5.00) shall be remitted to the Police Department and the remaining portion to the City General Administration Fund.

E. Each golf cart permit application shall include at least the following information:

1. Basic identifying information for the golf cart (make, model, color and such other identifying information as the City Collector may deem advisable);

2. The name and address of the owner of the golf cart;

3. A copy of proof of insurance; and

4. A certification by the owner that the golf cart meets all requirements of this Chapter.

F. Upon submission of a completed golf cart permit application, an employee of the Police Department shall perform an examination of the golf cart to confirm that it satisfies the elements of the checklist and initial the form upon approval. If approved, the applicant shall be sent to the City Collector.

G. The City Collector shall collect the required fee and confirm the applicant's eligibility to be issued a golf cart permit. If the applicant is found eligible and has paid the fee, the City Collector shall issue a vehicle registration sticker with identifying numbers to the applicant.

H. The judgments of the City Collector and Police Department employee as to the satisfaction of these elements shall both be conclusive unless, upon application to the Mayor, it is found that the decision constituted an abuse of discretion.

I. If at any time a change of ownership occurs such that the current owner of a registered golf cart does not match the applicant on the issued permit, the owner of a golf cart does not match the owner registered on a valid permit, a new golf cart permit application must be submitted and a new permit issued regardless of the time of year.

J. Each golf cart permit shall expire on February 1st of each year after issuance and the applicant and vehicle will be subject to reapplication and reinspection each year. Anyone who reapplies for a golf cart permit after February 1st will be subject to a fine of forty dollars ($40.00).

Section 372.050 Exceptions.

[Ord. No. 11-2021, 5-24-2021]

No person shall operate any golf cart as defined above upon the roadways of this City without a golf cart permit except if owned and operated by a governmental entity for official use.

Section 372.060 Violation And Penalty.

[Ord. No. 11-2021, 5-24-2021]

A. Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter is guilty of an ordinance violation, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty dollars ($20.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding subsection, if a golf cart is operated in violation of the general traffic laws and regulations of the City of Louisiana or the State of Missouri, then the operator may be charged and sentenced as any other motorist in accordance with those laws and regulations.

C. Golf cart permits remain at all times a privilege and not a right and may be revoked at the discretion of the Municipal Judge, the Mayor, or the Chief of Police if it is found that a golf cart owner, or any driver knowingly allowed to drive by the owner, is operating a golf cart in a careless, negligent, imprudent, or otherwise dangerous manner. A revocation shall carry with it the forfeiture of the permit fee paid and shall in no case entitle the revoked owner to a refund.

Section 372.070 Liability.

[Ord. No. 11-2021, 5-24-2021]

Neither inspection of a golf cart nor the issuance of a permit is an endorsement of the safety of a golf cart, nor by reason of the issuance of a permit does the City of Louisiana accept any liability resulting from the use of golf carts on the City streets. All operators of golf carts must exercise the prudence and good judgment required of any other motor vehicle operator and must be especially mindful of their safety vis-a-vis larger road vehicles. By applying for a permit the operator acknowledges acceptance of this provision.