[1]
Editor’s note–Former section 12.07.005, pertaining to permits and cart operation stickers and deriving from Ordinance 2013-11 adopted 4/22/13 and Ordinance adopting Code; was repealed and deleted in its entirety by Ordinance 2016-23, sec. 3.04, adopted 8/9/16.
(a) 
Applicability.
(1) 
Motorized carts.
Except as expressly provided herein, the provisions of this article shall apply to all motorized carts operated upon a street or other specifically designated area within the town.
(2) 
ATV and similar vehicles.
Nothing in this article permits the operation of those motorized conveyances commonly referred to as ATVs, four-wheelers, mules, gators, go-carts, and any similar gas powered conveyance on a public roadway within the town, except when utilized by authorized town personnel for town business.
(3) 
Low speed vehicle and neighborhood electric vehicles.
Low speed vehicles (LSV’s) and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV’s) are authorized by the Transportation Code to be registered as a motor vehicle. If operated on the streets of the town, LSV’s and NEV’s shall be required to meet all state and federal safety standards and be registered as motor vehicles in accordance with the Texas Transportation Code. A town permit is not required for these vehicles.
(b) 
Exemptions.
The following use or operation of a motorized cart shall be exempt from the regulations of this article:
(1) 
Golf course.
The operation of either a privately owned motorized cart or a motorized cart owned or leased by a golf course or other third party when the cart is used only on the golf course or used only to cross a roadway from one section of a golf course to another section of the same course;
(2) 
Gated or private planned community.
The operation of a motorized cart within a gated, private, or limited access community with private streets, a uniform set of restrictive covenants, and a town-approved plat, unless traffic enforcement has been requested by the homeowners living within the community and the town council has approved their request;
(3) 
Official town business.
A motorized cart is used or operated by personnel for the town on official police business or for official business of the town on property owned by or leased to the town;
(4) 
Transportation to/from golf course - daytime only.
The operation of a motorized cart upon a public street with a posted speed limit of not more than thirty-five (35) miles per hour if the golf cart complies with all requirements of the Texas Transportation Code, as amended, for the operation of a cart, is operated during the daytime only and not more than two (2) miles from the location where the golf cart is usually parked and for transportation to or from a golf course; or
(5) 
Parade, festival or special event.
The operation of a motorized cart when the cart is used in connection with a parade, festival or other town authorized or sponsored special event, the written consent of the sponsor is obtained, and the cart is only used as part of such parade, festival or special event. Further, a motorized cart used in connection with such parade, festival, or special event shall comply with all requirements set forth in the town issued special event permit for the parade, festival, or other special event.
(Ordinance 2013-11 adopted 4/22/13)
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings provided below, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
Driver.
A person driving and having physical control over a vehicle, including but not limited to a motorized cart.
Driver’s license.
An authorization issued by a state for the operation of a motor vehicle, including but not limited to a temporary license, provisional license, instructional permit, and an occupational license.
Low speed vehicle (LSV).
A motor vehicle that is four (4) wheeled and has an attainable top speed of more than twenty (20) miles per hour and not more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour on a paved level surface, which is manufactured or retrofitted in compliance with those federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles, and has a weight of less than 3,000 pounds.
Motorized cart or cart.
Those electric or gasoline powered motor vehicles, commonly referred to as golf carts, but which must have a minimum of four (4) wheels, which have an attainable top speed of less than twenty (20) miles per hour on a paved level surface, and which have a valid motorized cart permit issued in accordance with this article, “motorized carts.” Specifically excluded from this definition are those motorized conveyances commonly referred to as low speed vehicles (LSV’s), neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV’s), all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s), four-wheelers, mules, gators, and go-carts.
Owner.
A person who holds title to or who leases a motorized cart for his own personal use or for the use of a third party, whether for private or for commercial retail purposes.
Parking area.
Those areas accessible to the public by motor vehicular traffic and which are designated for temporary parking of motor vehicles, usually in place referred to as parking lots.
Person.
An individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, or any other business entity.
Sidewalk.
The portion of a street that is between a curb or lateral line of a roadway and the adjacent property line and intended for pedestrian use.
Slow-moving-vehicle-emblem.
A triangular emblem that conforms to standards and specifications and displayed in accordance with chapter 547 of the Texas Transportation Code, as amended.
Street(s).
The public roadways of the town and the private roadways for which the Texas Transportation Code has been applied by council action regardless of its designation as a road, alley, avenue, highway, route, boulevard, etc. that:
(1) 
Has a posted speed limit of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less;
(2) 
Provides for no more than two (2) lanes of vehicular traffic per direction; or
(3) 
Is not designated as part of either the state or federal highway system.
Twenty-four (24) hour operation.
Operation of a cart during both daytime and nighttime.
Traffic way.
Any land way open to the public as a matter of right or custom for moving persons or property from one place to another. The traffic way includes all property, both improved and unimproved, between the property lines of a roadway system.
(Ordinance 2013-11 adopted 4/22/13; Ordinance 2016-23, sec. 3.01, adopted 8/9/16)
(a) 
Operation of cart/compliance with traffic laws.
A driver may operate a motorized cart within the town limits. Except as provided herein, while operating a motorized cart upon street(s) of the town a driver shall comply with all laws applicable to carts and other motor vehicles as set forth in this article, the Texas Transportation Code, as amended, and other state laws. A driver shall be subject to citation for all violations of this article, the Texas Transportation Code, and other applicable state law.
(b) 
Driver’s license required.
A driver of a motorized cart shall be at least sixteen (16) years of age, hold a valid Texas driver’s license and shall abide by all state and local traffic regulations applicable to vehicular traffic when operating a motorized cart upon the streets and parking areas of the town.
(c) 
Sidewalk or pedestrian way.
A driver shall not operate a motorized cart on any sidewalk, pedestrian walkway, jogging path, park trail, or any location normally used for pedestrian traffic, unless such operation is by police or other authorized town personnel acting in an official capacity and performing an official duty, or specifically authorized by another section in this code.
(d) 
Crossing intersections.
A driver shall not operate a motorized cart upon any portion of a street or traffic way having a posted speed greater than thirty-five (35) miles per hour; provided however, that a person may cross an intersection, including a road or street that has a posted speed limit of more than thirty-five (35) miles per hour as authorized by the Texas Transportation Code, as amended. A driver of a motorized cart may cross a multi-lane or a federal, county or state route only at an intersection controlled by an official traffic-control device which stops traffic from all directions.
(e) 
Lane usage.
A motorized cart is entitled to full use of a lane on the authorized streets and parking areas of the town and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorized cart of the full use of a lane. A driver shall not operate a motorized cart between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
(f) 
Passing.
A driver of a motorized cart shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. While being overtaken and passed, the driver of a motorized cart may utilize the calming lanes found on Trophy Club Drive, Indian Creek Drive, and Trophy Wood Drive.
(g) 
Maximum number of occupants.
The number of occupants in a motorized cart shall be limited to the number of persons for whom seating capacity is provided on the vehicle. The operator and all occupants shall be seated upon the seat of the vehicle and no part of the body of the operator or occupant shall extend outside the perimeter of the vehicle while the vehicle is being operated except while signaling turns or stops. A driver shall not permit any occupant of a cart to ride in the lap of any occupant or stand on the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
(h) 
Parking.
A driver of a motorized cart may park a cart only in the same manner and at the same places designated for the parking of motor vehicles or motorized carts. The stopping, standing or parking of motorized carts in an area where parking is not allowed or in any place or manner, that impedes the flow of traffic, pedestrian walkways, or a passageway is prohibited. A driver shall not park a motorized cart within a space designated for disabled persons unless a current disabled parking placard is displayed on the cart and the person to whom the placard was issued is operating or being transported in the motorized cart. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a property owner may designate an area outside of a parking area specifically for the use of motorized carts, provided that the area is marked with appropriate signage and that the parking of a cart in that area does not obstruct a fire lane, ingress or egress to a building, and does not interfere with the flow of vehicular traffic in a parking area.
(i) 
Towing prohibited.
Except as expressly allowed in this article, motorized carts shall not be used for the purpose of towing another cart, trailer, vehicle of any kind or a person, including without limitation a person on roller skates, skateboard, bicycle, or other wheeled device. A person employed by a golf course may tow a cart for the purpose of relocating the cart from one portion of a golf course to another portion of the same golf course and may cross a roadway while doing so.
(j) 
All occupants of a motorized cart that are 14 years old or younger must be secured by a "safety belt" as that term is defined in Texas Transportation Code, § 545.412.
(Ordinance 2013-11 adopted 4/22/13; Ordinance 2016-23, sec. 3.02, adopted 8/9/16; Ordinance 2026-09 adopted 2/23/2026)
(a) 
General.
It shall be unlawful for a person to operate a motorized cart on the streets of the town or anywhere authorized by this code if the motorized cart does not meet all minimum equipment standards, if required liability insurance for the cart is not maintained, or if a person fails to comply with any other requirement of this article.
(b) 
Required equipment.
(1) 
Motorized cart operation.
Except as expressly exempted from this article, each motorized cart operating upon a street(s) within the town shall be required to meet the minimum equipment standards specified in this article:
(A) 
Operational headlamps (2 required);
(B) 
Operational tail lamps (2 required);
(C) 
Side reflectors (2 front: amber in color and 2 rear: red in color);
(D) 
Stop lamps (2 required);
(E) 
Operational parking brake;
(F) 
An exterior mirror mounted on the driver’s side of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger’s side of the vehicle or an interior mirror (capable of a clear unobstructed view of at least two hundred (200) feet to the rear);
(G) 
Slow-moving-vehicle-emblem on the rear;
(H) 
Horn (audible for a distance of two hundred (200) feet in compliance with Texas Transportation Code, section 547.501, as amended); and
(I) 
A windshield.
All required equipment for a motorized cart shall meet state and federal motor vehicle safety standards.
(2) 
Twenty-four (24) hour operation.
Except as expressly exempted from this article, each motorized cart permitted for twenty-four (24) hour operation upon a street(s) within the town shall be required to meet the minimum equipment standards specified in this article. A twenty-four (24) hour operation permit shall not be issued for a motorized cart that does not meet the following minimum equipment standards:
(A) 
Operational headlamps (2 required);
(B) 
Operational tail lamps (2 required);
(C) 
Side reflectors (2 front: amber in color and 2 rear: red in color);
(D) 
Stop lamps (2 required);
(E) 
Front and rear turn signal lamps;
(F) 
Operational parking brake;
(G) 
An exterior mirror mounted on the driver’s side of the vehicle and either an exterior mirror mounted on the passenger’s side of the vehicle or an interior mirror (capable of a clear unobstructed view of at least two hundred (200) feet to the rear);
(H) 
Slow-moving-vehicle-emblem on the rear;
(I) 
Horn (audible for a distance of two hundred (200) feet in compliance with Texas Transportation Code, section 547.501, as amended); and
(J) 
A windshield.
(c) 
Exhaust system for gasoline powered motorized carts.
In addition to the above-listed equipment, every motorized cart powered by gasoline shall at all times be equipped with an exhaust system in good working order, in constant operation and meeting the following specifications:
(1) 
The exhaust system shall include the piping leading from the flange of the exhaust manifold to and including the muffler and exhaust pipes or including any and all parts specified by the manufacturer.
(2) 
The exhaust system and its elements shall be securely fastened with brackets or hangers, which are designed for the particular purpose of fastening motorized cart exhaust systems.
(d) 
Atmospheric emissions.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any motorized cart to operate or permit the operation of such cart without a properly installed device controlling or abating atmospheric emissions. It shall be unlawful for a cart owner, cart manufacturer or any other third party to render such emissions device unserviceable by removal, alteration or by any other action which interferes with its operation.
(Ordinance 2013-11 adopted 4/22/13; Ordinance 2016-23, sec. 3.03, adopted 8/9/16)