The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the following meanings:
All-terrain vehicle (ATV).
A motor vehicle that:
(1)
Has a seat or seats for the rider and one passenger;
(3)
Is not more than 50 inches wide;
(4)
Is designed for off-highway use; and
(5)
Is not designed by the manufacturer for farm or lawn care.
Sand rail.
A motor vehicle that:
(1)
Is designed or built for off-highway use in sandy terrains;
(3)
Has an integrated roll cage;
(4)
Has an engine that is rear-mounted or placed midway between
the front and rear axles; and
(5)
Has a gross vehicle weight between 700 and 2,000 pounds.
Utility vehicle (UTV).
A motor vehicle that:
(1)
Has side-by-side seating for the operator and passenger;
(3)
Is designed for off-highway use; and
(4)
Is designed by the manufacturer for utility work and not for
recreational purposes.
(Ordinance 2021-013 adopted 7/22/21)
An operator may operate an off-highway vehicle on all or part
of a public highway that:
(1) Is in the corporate boundaries of the city; and
(2) Has a posted speed limit of not more than thirty-five (35) miles
per hour.
(Ordinance 2021-013 adopted 7/22/21)
(a) An off-highway vehicle operated under this article must have the
following equipment:
(3) U.S. forest service qualified spark arrester;
(4) A head light and tail light;
(5) A slow moving vehicle emblem; and
(6) An off-highway vehicle license plate issued by the department of
motor vehicles.
(b) An operator of an off-highway vehicle must have a valid driver's
license.
(c) An operator of an off-highway vehicle must carry evidence of financial
responsibility in accordance with section 601.051 of the Texas Transportation
Code, as amended.
(d) An off-highway vehicle must be operated with headlamps on at all
times.
(e) An operator and all occupants of an off-highway vehicle must be seated
in a seat intended to hold occupants while the off-highway vehicle
is in motion. No occupant of a off-highway vehicle may stand or sit
in the lap of another occupant while the off-highway vehicle is in
motion.
(f) Off-highway vehicles may cross intersections, including a public
highway that has a posted speed limit of more than thirty-five (35)
miles per hour.
(g) Off-highway vehicles may not be operated in or on a public sidewalk,
pedestrian walkway, playground, park, or other public recreational
areas, not designated for motor vehicles.
(h) Off-highway vehicles shall only be operated during the following
hours:
(1) 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday.
(2) 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday.
(Ordinance 2021-013 adopted 7/22/21)
All motorized off-highway vehicles operated on streets and parking areas of the city must be registered with city hall and submit evidence of compliance with section
12.06.003(a)(6) above.
(Ordinance 2021-013 adopted 7/22/21)
Upon transfer of ownership of the off-highway vehicle to a person who intends to operate it over authorized streets and parking areas, the new owner must register the off-highway vehicle, as outlined in section
12.06.004, registration requirements. The new registration must occur within ten (10) days.
(Ordinance 2021-013 adopted 7/22/21)
Notwithstanding section
12.06.003 of this article, public safety personnel may operate an off-highway vehicle on any public highway within the city when the off-highway vehicle is being used in the performance of official duties.
(Ordinance 2021-013 adopted 7/22/21)
Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this article shall be fined in accordance with chapter
1, section
1.01.009, general penalty for violations of code.
(Ordinance 2021-013 adopted 7/22/21)