The California Streets and Highways Code authorizes the city
to establish a golf cart transportation plan. It is the intent of
this legislation and the city to continue a golf cart transportation
system to accommodate the travel needs of commuters and other users.
It is the further intent of the legislation to authorize the city
to carry out a golf cart transportation program that extends the use
of the golf cart beyond the existing law; provided that the city establish
golf cart lanes, minimum golf cart standards, operation requirements,
permit procedures and reporting practices as provided therein.
(Ord. 703 § 1, 1993; Ord. 895 § 1, 1998; Ord. 1334 § 8, 2018)
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall
have the definitions respectfully ascribed to them in this section.
Whenever any words or phrases used in this chapter are not defined
but are defined in the California Vehicle Code and amendments thereto,
such definitions shall apply.
means the city of Palm Desert.
means a motor vehicle having not less than three wheels in
contact with the ground and an unladen weight of less than one thousand
three hundred pounds which is designed to be and is operated at not
more than twenty-five miles per hour and is designed to carry not
more than four persons, including the driver. For purposes of this
chapter, "golf cart" includes, but is not limited to, a utility style
golf cart that is used for transporting maintenance equipment, and
a shuttle style golf cart.
is synonymous with "golf cart routes" and means all publicly
owned facilities that provide for golf cart travel including roadways
designated by signs or permanent markings which are shared with pedestrians,
bicyclists, and other motorists in the plan area. There shall be three
categories of golf cart lanes:
Class I golf cart lanes provide a right-of-way completely separated
from any highway, with cross traffic by other motorists minimized,
and designated for the exclusive use of golf carts, or, where feasibly
safe and when no parallel improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists
are available, designated for the shared use of golf carts, bicyclists
and pedestrians.
Class II golf cart lanes provide a restricted right-of-way on
a highway designated by striping and signage for the exclusive or
semi-exclusive use of golf carts, with through travel by motor vehicles
or pedestrians prohibited, but with vehicle parking and cross traffic
by pedestrians and other motorists permitted.
Class III golf cart lanes are lanes on local streets with speed
limits of forty-five miles per hour or less and are shared with pedestrians,
bicyclists and other motorists.
(Ord. 703 § 1, 1993; Ord. 895 § 2, 1998; Ord. 1174 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1334 § 9, 2018)
A.
The
city council finds that minimum golf cart design criteria for operation
on golf cart lanes have been established by the city engineer and
golf cart transportation committee.
B.
The
following elements are minimum design requirements:
1.
The
golf cart must be electrically powered.
2.
The
golf cart must be the shape and size that conforms to the industry
standards of manufactured golf carts.
3.
The
golf cart must present an unobstructed view to the rear from the driver's
seat.
4.
The
golf cart must be equipped and safely operated with:
a.
Brake lights;
b.
Front and rear turn signal indicator lights;
c.
Either left side and right side mirrors, left side and rear view
mirrors, or a multidirectional cross bar rear mirror;
d.
Head lamps;
e.
Rear lights;
f.
Reflectors that conform to CVC Section 24607;
g.
Parking brake;
h.
Horn;
i.
Windshield;
j.
Seat belts for the driver and for all passengers;
k.
Safely equipped or properly loaded to conform with CVC Section 24002;
l.
A golf cart locking device;
m.
A covered passenger compartment;
n.
A backup buzzer.
(Ord. 703 § 1, 1993; Ord. 895 § 3, 1998; Ord. 1174 § 2, 2008)
A.
The
city council finds that minimum golf cart operator safety criteria
for golf cart use on golf cart lanes have been established by the
city engineer, police captain and golf cart transportation committee.
B.
The
following safety criteria for operators are the minimum criteria set
and adopted by the city council:
1.
A
golf cart operator must have a valid driver's license issued by the
state of California or an acceptable foreign jurisdiction or be physically
disabled and determined to be able to operate an electric golf cart
by their physician in writing and the city and to possess knowledge
of traffic signals, signs, rules, laws, and safety sufficient to have
obtained a driver's license in the absence of the disability.
2.
Golf
cart operators must comply with the financial responsibility requirements
of Vehicle Code Section 16020 et seq.
3.
Golf
cart operators must maintain golf cart in a safe condition and ensure
that an unobstructed view to the rear is maintained at all times the
cart is in operation on public streets.
4.
Golf
cart operators may only operate golf carts on public streets only
during the time period between one hour prior to sunrise and one hour
after sunset.
5.
A
maximum of four persons may ride in the golf cart and may only ride
in the main passenger compartment equipped with safety belts. The
driver and all passengers must wear safety belts at all times that
the golf cart is being operated on public streets.
6.
Except
as otherwise provided by law, golf cart operators:
a.
Must have a valid city golf cart permit for operation on public streets;
b.
May travel on residential or business district streets with speed
limits of twenty-five m.p.h. or less;
c.
May not travel on or along streets with speed limits in excess of
twenty-five m.p.h. except on designated golf cart routes; and
d.
May not travel on, along or across state highways, except to cross
at controlled intersections as designated in the golf cart transportation
plan and indicated on the golf cart route map.
7.
Golf
cart permits issued by the city are valid only within, and designated
golf cart routes do not extend beyond, the geographic boundaries of
the city. Possession of a valid city golf cart permit does not authorize
travel on or along public streets outside the geographic boundaries
of the city.
(Ord. 703 § 1, 1993; Ord. 895 § 4, 1998; Ord. 1174 § 3, 2008; Ord. 1334 § 10, 2018)
A golf cart permit process has been established by the city
council. Permitted golf carts must meet the minimum golf cart design
criteria. Permitted golf cart operators must meet the minimum golf
cart operator safety criteria. In addition, the city shall establish
the following process for permitting golf carts:
A.
An
inspection process completed by the city;
B.
A permit
decal showing proof of compliance. The decal shall be visibly posted
on the right rear fender of the permitted golf cart;
C.
A permit
fee of ten dollars for a two-year period to allow the city to recover
a portion of the cost of inspection, enforcement and golf cart lane
plan maintenance;
D.
An
education and information package describing the requirements of the
city golf cart transportation program.
(Ord. 703 § 1, 1993)
The city council finds and determines that the city shall provide law enforcement for the golf cart transportation plan and enforce the rules and regulations of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, the Streets and Highways Code (Chapter 6, Division 2.5, Sections 1950 through 1961), and Section 21716 of the California Vehicle Code. Any person operating a golf cart in violation of this chapter is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.
(Ord. 703 § 1, 1993; Ord. 895 § 5, 1998; Ord. 1334 § 11, 2018)
