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;
(2) 
Has three or more tires;
(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.
Off-highway vehicle.
(1) 
An all-terrain vehicle or recreational off-highway vehicle;
(2) 
A sand rail; or
(3) 
A utility vehicle.
Recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV).
A motor vehicle that:
(1) 
Has a seat or seats for the rider and one or more passengers;
(2) 
Has four or more tires;
(3) 
Is designed for off-highway use; and
(4) 
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;
(2) 
Has a tubular frame;
(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;
(2) 
Has four or more tires;
(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:
(1) 
A brake system;
(2) 
A muffler system;
(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)