The purpose of this article is to provide a convenient and safe
means of travel within the city by golf carts. This section authorizes
the operation of golf carts on public streets and highways within
the city accordance with Texas Transportation Code § 551.404.
(Ordinance 230307D adopted 3/7/2023)
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Equipment.
A golf cart operated under this section must be equipped
pursuant to the Texas Transportation Code § 551.4041, as
it exists or may be amended.
Golf cart.
Golf cart as referenced hereafter shall have the meaning
assigned by the Texas Transportation Code § 551.401, as
it exists or may be amended, and includes a motor vehicle designed
by the manufacturer primarily for transporting persons on a golf course.
The term, as used herein, shall include a specific restriction that
a permitted golf cart shall have an attainable top speed of not greater
than 25 miles per hour (25 mph). Specifically excluded from this definition
are those motorized conveyances commonly referred to as ATVs, ROVs,
UTVs, Sand Rails, NEVs, four-wheelers, mules, and gators.
License plate.
A person may operate a golf cart on a highway in a manner
authorized by this article only if the vehicle displays a valid golf
cart license plate issued pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated
by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Operator.
A person who drives or has physical control of a golf cart.
An operator must carry a valid Texas Drivers' License.
Owner.
Shall have the meaning assigned by the Transportation Code
§ 502.001(31), and shall mean the person who has legal title
to the golf cart, has the legal right of possession of the golf cart,
or has the legal right of control of it.
Public safety personnel.
Any employee or officer of a governmental law enforcement
agency or the city or its departments.
Public street or highway.
The public roadways of the city by whatever name, e.g. road,
alley, avenue, highway, route, boulevard, etc. within the corporate
boundaries of the city that:
(1)
Which is open to the public for vehicular travel;
(2)
Has a posted speed limit of thirty-five (35) miles per hour
or less; and
(3)
Provides for no more than one (1) lane of vehicular traffic
per direction.
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.
Valid driver's license.
All operators of golf carts shall be licensed to operate
a motor vehicle as provided by the Texas Transportation Code and shall
carry a valid Texas drivers' license while operating the golf cart.
(Ordinance 230307D adopted 3/7/2023)
Any person found to have violated the provisions of this article, as it exists or may be amended, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, which shall be punishable by a fine in accordance with section
1.01.009 of this code. Each continuing day's violation under this article shall constitute a separate offense. The penal provisions imposed under this article shall not preclude the city from filing suit to enjoin the violation. The city retains all legal rights and remedies available to it pursuant to local, state, and federal law.
(Ordinance 230307D adopted 3/7/2023)
(a)
All operators of golf carts shall be licensed to operate a motor
vehicle as provided by the Texas Transportation Code and, while operating
a golf cart, shall carry a valid state drivers' license accompanied
by proof of financial responsibility.
(b)
All operators of golf carts shall abide by all traffic regulations
applicable to vehicular traffic when using any public street or highway
in the city.
(c)
Operators shall not operate a golf cart on public sidewalks
at any time.
(d)
Operators shall not operate golf carts upon a public street
or highway with a posted speed limit of more than 35 mph unless otherwise
restricted.
(e)
Operators shall not operate a golf cart at a speed greater than
25 mph at any time in the city. Golf carts which have been altered
to allow them to travel at speeds greater than 25 mph are prohibited.
(f)
An operator shall not operate a golf cart upon a public street
or highway before sunrise or after sunset.
(g)
No operator shall operate a golf cart between lanes of traffic
or between adjacent lines of rows of vehicles.
(h)
An operator of a golf cart is entitled to full use of a lane
on the public highway and the operator of a motor vehicle shall not
be operated in such a manner as to deprive any golf cart of the full
use of a lane.
(i)
The operator of a golf cart shall not operate a golf cart upon
a public street or highway with a number of occupants that exceeds
the seating capacity as designed by the manufacturer and all occupants
shall remain seated in a seat designed to hold passengers while the
golf cart is in motion.
(j)
Equipment: A golf cart operated under this section must be equipped
pursuant to the Texas Transportation Code § 551.4041, as
it exists or may be amended, and includes the following:
(k)
Every golf cart powered by gasoline shall at all times be equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and shall comply with all state, federal and city regulations, specifically article
8.03 noise and section
8.03.003(1)(B) engine exhausts of this code.
(l)
A person, owner or operator of a golf cart commits an offense
if they operate a golf cart upon a public street or highway in violation
of this section.
(Ordinance 230307D adopted 3/7/2023)
(a)
Golf carts owned and/or operated for official government purposes
by the city, public safety personnel, or any other governmental entity
are exempt from regulation by this code.
(b)
Golf carts may operate past sunset during official special events
that are permitted by the city and only to and from the event to where
the golf cart is normally stored.
(Ordinance 230307D adopted 3/7/2023)