Department.
Department of public safety (Texas Transportation Code, section 521.001(1-a)).
Driver.
The person driving and having physical control over the golf cart.
Driver’s license.
An authorization by the department for the operation of a motor vehicle (Texas Transportation Code, section 521.001(3)).
Financial responsibility.
The ability to respond to damages for liability for an accident arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle (Texas Transportation Code, section 601.002(3)).
Golf cart.
(1) 
Has the meaning assigned by the Texas Transportation Code, section 551.401, as amended, and means a motor vehicle commonly referred to as a golf cart, which must have a minimum of four wheels and has an attainable top speed not greater than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface and which is manufactured primarily for transporting persons on a golf course and in compliance with those federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles. Specifically excluded from this definition are those motorized conveyances commonly referred to as all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”), off-road vehicles, four-wheelers, mules, gators and design-altered golf carts which have been altered to allow them to travel at a speed greater than 25 miles per hour.
(2) 
A motor vehicle designed by the manufacturer primarily for use on a golf course (Transportation Code, section 551.401).
Golf cart registration permit.
A privilege granted, upon compliance with the terms of this article, to legally operate a golf cart upon a public street or roadway within the corporate boundaries of the city during the year when granted.
Golf cart registration permit decal.
A certificate for attachment to a golf cart carrying a serial number corresponding to the number of the golf cart permit for such golf cart and showing the month and calendar year the permit shall expire.
Golf cart registration permit fee.
An administrative charge imposed as specified in this article for the granting of a golf cart registration permit and the issuance of a golf cart registration permit decal.
Highway or street.
The width between the boundary lines of a publicly maintained way any part of which is open to the public for vehicular travel (Texas Transportation Code, section 541.302(5)).
Motor vehicle.
A vehicle that is self-propelled (Texas Transportation Code, section 502.001(25)).
Owner.
The person holding title to the golf cart and the person required to register the golf cart with the city.
Park or parking.
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.
Parking area.
Those areas accessible to the public by motor vehicular traffic and which are designated for temporary parking of motor vehicles, usually in places referred to as parking lots.
Slow moving vehicle.
A motor vehicle designed to operate at a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour or less, not including an electric personal assistive mobility device, as defined by Transportation Code, section 551.201 (Transportation Code, section 547.001(7)).
Slow moving vehicle emblem.
A triangular emblem that conforms to standards and specifications adopted by the director under section 547.104 and displayed in accordance with section 547.703 of the Texas Transportation Code (Transportation Code, section 547.001(8)).
Street.
A public roadway by whatever name (e.g., road, alley, avenue, highway, route, boulevard, etc.) that:
(1) 
Has a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less;
(2) 
Provides for no more than two lanes of vehicular traffic per direction; or
(3) 
Is not designated as part of either the state or federal highway system.
(Ordinance 2014-499 adopted 6/9/14; Ordinance 2017-528 adopted 5/15/17)
Any person who violates this article shall be penalized as follows: in addition to traffic violations for which the owner or driver of the golf cart may be subject to pursuant to state law, violations of this article shall be punishable by a fine in accordance with section 1.01.009 of this code for each offense. Each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ordinance 2014-499 adopted 6/9/14; Ordinance 2017-528 adopted 5/15/17)
Golf carts are not permitted on public streets where the posted speed limit exceeds 30 miles per hour.
(Ordinance 2014-499 adopted 6/9/14; Ordinance 2017-528 adopted 5/15/17)
(a) 
All drivers must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle, and carry driver’s license during the operation of the golf cart.
(b) 
All drivers of golf carts shall abide by all traffic regulations applicable to vehicular traffic when using the golf cart on authorized streets and parking areas of the city.
(c) 
Golf carts shall not be operated on sidewalks at any time.
(d) 
Golf carts are prohibited from pulling trailers, boats, jet skis, other objects or people on public streets and rights-of-way.
(e) 
Driver and passenger shall be limited to the seating capacity as designed by the manufacturer.
(f) 
All drivers must be 18 years or older.
(g) 
Drivers shall maintain financial responsibility as required for other passenger vehicles in the Texas Transportation Code.
(Ordinance 2014-499 adopted 6/9/14; Ordinance 2017-528 adopted 5/15/17)
(a) 
All motorized golf carts shall be allowed operation only on public streets with a speed limit of 30 mph or less.
(b) 
All motorized golf carts are entitled to full use of a lane on the authorized streets and parking areas of the city and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motor vehicle of the full use of a lane.
(c) 
The driver of a motorized golf cart shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
(d) 
No driver shall operate a motorized golf cart between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
(e) 
The driver of a motorized golf cart may cross a multi-lane or a federal, county or state route only at an intersection.
(f) 
Children must be properly seated while a cart is in motion and may not be transported in a reckless or negligent manner. The number of occupants in a golf cart shall be limited to the number of persons for whom factory seating is installed and provided on the golf cart.
(g) 
Golf carts shall not be operated on any sidewalk, pedestrian walkway, jogging path, park trail or any location normally used for pedestrian traffic except for official police business or by city personnel conducting a required job function directly related to their assigned duties.
(h) 
Golf carts may only be parked in the same manner and at the same places designated for the parking of motor vehicles. The stopping, standing or parking of golf carts in areas where parking is not allowed or in any place that impede the flow of traffic, pedestrian walkways or a passageway is prohibited. Golf carts shall not park within any space designated for disabled persons unless a current disabled parking placard is displayed and the person to whom the placard was issued is operating or being transported by the cart.
(i) 
Golf carts shall not be operated during inclement weather or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog, or other condition, or at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons or vehicles on the roadway at a distance of five hundred (500) feet.
(j) 
Golf carts shall not be operated after dark unless the cart has lights and reflectors.
(Ordinance 2014-499 adopted 6/9/14; Ordinance 2017-528 adopted 5/15/17)
All required equipment shall meet state and federal motor vehicle safety standards:
(1) 
Operational headlamps (2 required);
(2) 
Operational taillamps (2 required);
(3) 
Side reflectors (2 front: amber in color and 2 rear: red in color);
(4) 
Operational parking brake;
(5) 
Rearview mirror(s) (capable of a clear unobstructed view of at least 200 feet to the rear);
(6) 
Slow-moving-vehicle emblem (the emblem must be mounted to the rear with the base no lower than 3 feet nor the top higher than 5 feet. The emblem must be clearly visible to the rear). Slow-moving-vehicle-emblem means a triangular emblem that conforms to standards and specifications adopted by the director under section 547.104 and displayed in accordance with section 547.703 of the Texas Transportation Code; and
(7) 
Electric horn permanently mounted and activated by a horn button (must be audible for a distance of 200 feet).
(Ordinance 2014-499 adopted 6/9/14; Ordinance 2017-528 adopted 5/15/17)
(a) 
Required; inspection of golf cart; fees.
Before any golf cart may be operated over the authorized streets and parking areas of the city, it must be registered and permitted through the police department. Applicants for a permit authorizing the operation of a golf cart shall be made by a person who owns, leases, or otherwise uses a golf cart. The golf cart shall be inspected by personnel designated by the chief of police. The permit shall be permanently affixed on the left side of the cart in such a manner that it is clearly visible. A registration permit will consist of a cost which covers the administrative costs of such registration, to include a registration permit decal. The fee shall be set by resolution of the city council and kept on file with the city secretary. Permits/stickers are valid for a period of two years.
(b) 
Application.
Applicant shall complete the city-supplied registration permit application form, which shall contain:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant owner.
(2) 
The location where the vehicle is regularly stored overnight.
(3) 
The model, make, name and golf cart identification number.
(4) 
The current driver’s license number of owner.
(5) 
A statement that all operators are required to be licensed pursuant to Texas Transportation Code, sections 521.001(3) and 521.021, as amended, and that all equipment required herein is installed and will be kept current during the registration period.
(6) 
A statement that the registration permit holder and any user shall indemnify and hold harmless the city for any and all civil liability associated with said registration and waives any and all rights to sue or allow subrogation by insurance company.
(7) 
Other information which the city may require.
(c) 
Additional application requirements.
The registration permit application shall be:
(1) 
Accompanied by a fee set by resolution.
(2) 
Accompanied by proof of financial responsibility consistent with the minimum requirements of Texas Transportation Code, section 601.051, as amended, for operation of motor vehicles. Applicant owner must also show their original driver’s license and shall provide copies of both the owner’s drivers license and proof of financial responsibility.
(3) 
Signed by the applicant owner.
(d) 
Attachment of decal.
Upon issuance, the registration permit decal shall be attached and displayed upon the right front panel (driver’s side) of the golf cart so as to be clearly visible.
(e) 
Duration.
The registration permit shall be effective for two years from the date of registration, or such time as revoked or the golf cart is transferred to a new owner.
(Ordinance 2014-499 adopted 6/9/14; Ordinance 2017-528 adopted 5/15/17)
The registration permit may be revoked if:
(1) 
The owner or driver of a golf cart fails to abide by the rules and regulations of this article.
(2) 
The owner or driver of a golf cart fails to abide by the traffic laws.
(3) 
The owner fails to maintain proof of financial responsibility during the entire permit registration period.
(Ordinance 2014-499 adopted 6/9/14; Ordinance 2017-528 adopted 5/15/17)
The registration permit is not transferable. Upon transfer of ownership of the golf cart to a person who intends to operate it over authorized streets and parking areas, the new owner must register the golf cart and pay the registration permit fee as outlined in this article.
(Ordinance 2014-499 adopted 6/9/14; Ordinance 2017-528 adopted 5/15/17)