ARTICLE 18.05: OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS ON CITY STREETS

When used in this article the following terms are defined as follows:

The City of Buda, Texas.

An authorization issued by the department of public safety for operation of a motor vehicle. The term includes a temporary license or instruction permit and an occupational license.

Golf cart.

Shall have the meaning assigned by the Texas Transportation Code 502.001, 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.

Nighttime.

Shall have the meaning assigned by Texas Transportation Code 541.401(5) and means the period beginning one-half hour after sunset and ending one-half hour before sunrise.

Operate.

The driving of a golf cart.

Operator.

Any person driving and having physical control over the golf cart.

Park or parking.

The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.

Street.

A public roadway of the city by whatever name (e.g., road, alley, avenue, highway, route, boulevard, etc.) that:

(1)

Provides for no more than two lanes of vehicular traffic per direction; or

(2)

Is not designated as part of either the state or federal highway system.

(Ordinance 2014-25 adopted 11/12/14)

§ 18.05.002 Permitted locations of operation.

Golf carts are permitted to be operated on:

(1)

Streets (“permitted streets”) where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less, and the street is not designated as part of a state highway system, including Interstate Highway 35, FM 1626, FM 967, FM 2770;

(2)

A parking area as defined by this article.

(Ordinance 2014-25 adopted 11/12/14)

§ 18.05.003 Operation/regulations.

(a)

All operators of golf carts on public roadways shall:

(1)

Be licensed to operate a motor vehicle as provided by Texas Transportation Code, 521.021, as amended, and carry a valid driver’s license as provided by Texas Transportation Code, 521.025, and all driver’s license permissions and restrictions shall apply to the operating of a golf cart; abide by all traffic regulations applicable to vehicular traffic when operating a golf cart in the city;

(2)

Use standard hand signals for turning during daylight if the operator’s golf cart is not equipped with turn signals;

(3)

Not operate or park a golf cart on a sidewalk, pedestrian walkway, jogging path or park trail;

(4)

Not pull any object or person with a golf cart in a permitted location;

(5)

Not intentionally or knowingly allow an unlicensed or unregistered operator to operate a golf cart in violation of this chapter;

(6)

Not exceed the seating capacity of the golf cart as designed by the manufacturer;

(7)

Be allowed to cross streets which are otherwise not permitted under this article.

(b)

Operators and passengers of golf carts shall:

(1)

Remain seated at all times while the golf cart is in motion;

(2)

Be three years old or older.

(Ordinance 2014-25 adopted 11/12/14)

§ 18.05.004 Required equipment.

(a)

A golf cart must be equipped with the following equipment as mandated by the Texas Transportation Code, Section 551.404(a), as amended, and/or required by the city to operate on permitted locations:

(1)

Side reflectors;

(2)

Operational parking brake; and

(3)

Rearview mirror(s)

(b)

A golf cart that is operated in the city shall display a slow-moving-vehicle emblem when it is operated on a public roadway.

(c)

Additionally, golf carts driven during the nighttime shall be equipped with the following:

(1)

Operational headlamps;