The provisions of this article shall apply to all golf carts and utility-terrain vehicles ("UTVs"), as those terms are defined herein, operated upon a public street or public cart path within the city, except:
(1) 
The operation of golf carts and UTVs is not subject to the provisions of this article under the following circumstances:
(A) 
The operation of golf carts and UTVs at golf courses, private clubs, or on private property, with the consent of the owner, or the operation of golf carts and UTVs within gated or limited access communities unless the streets of the community are dedicated for public use and maintained by the city, or the use of a golf cart or UTV in connection with a parade, a festival, or other special event provided the consent of the sponsor is obtained and provided such vehicle is only used during such event.
(B) 
The use of golf carts or UTVs by the city on official police business or the use of golf carts or UTVs by city personnel for official business on city-owned property and city-leased property.
(Ordinance 643, sec. II, adopted 6/10/14; Ordinance 815 adopted 8/24/21; Ordinance 868 adopted 10/22/2024)
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall be defined as follows:
Cart path.
An improved path designed for the sole movement of a golf cart. A cart path shall be designed and constructed as designated by the city engineer.
Driver.
The person driving and having physical control over the golf cart or UTV.
Driver's license.
An authorization issued by a state for the operation of a motor vehicle. The term includes: (1) a temporary driver's license or instruction permit; and (2) an occupational driver's license.
Golf cart.
An electric or gasoline powered motor vehicle designed by the manufacturer primarily for use on a golf course and having a minimum of four wheels and an attainable top speed not greater than 30 miles per hour on a paved level surface and which is manufactured in compliance with those federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles. The term golf cart does not include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs,) four-wheelers, and/or any vehicle designed exclusively for off-road use. Golf carts must have and display valid registration(s) and/or license plate(s) or other information as required by state law.
Multi-lane highway.
A roadway with more than one lane going in each direction.
Owner.
The person holding title to the golf cart and/or UTV.
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.
Public cart path.
An improved path designed for the sole movement of a golf cart that is available for use by the general public.
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 adopted by the director under the Texas Transportation Code.
Street.
A public roadway of the city by whatever name, including but not limited to, a road, alley, avenue, highway, route, or boulevard, that has (1) a posted speed limit of 35 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.
Trafficway.
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 trafficway includes all property, both improved and unimproved, between the property lines of a roadway system.
Utility-terrain vehicle (UTV).
A motor vehicle that not a golf cart, as defined by Texas Transportation Code section 551.401, or lawn mower, is designed for off-highway use only and is designed by the manufacturer primarily for utility work and not for recreational purposes, has a steering wheel, is designed to propel itself with at least four tires in contact with the ground, and has side-by-side seating for the use of the operator and a passenger. UTVs must have and display valid registration(s) and/or license plate(s) or other information as required by state law.
(Ordinance 643, sec. II, adopted 6/10/14; Ordinance 815 adopted 8/24/21; Ordinance 868 adopted 10/22/2024)
(a) 
Every golf cart and UTV operated on a public roadway must be equipped with the following:
(1) 
Operational headlamps (two required) if driven at night.
(2) 
Operational tail lamps (two required);
(3) 
Side reflectors (two front reflectors that are amber in color and two rear reflectors that must be red in color);
(4) 
Operational parking brake;
(5) 
Rearview mirror(s) capable of providing a clear, unobstructed view of at least 200 feet to the rear;
(6) 
Slow-moving-vehicle emblem; and
(7) 
Horn (must be audible for a distance of 200 feet in compliance with V.T.C.A. Transportation Code sec. 547.501).
(b) 
All required equipment shall meet state and federal motor vehicle safety standards.
(Ordinance 643, sec. II, adopted 6/10/14; Ordinance 815 adopted 8/24/21; Ordinance 868 adopted 10/22/2024)
Every golf cart and UTV powered by gasoline shall at all times be equipped with an exhaust system in good working order and 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 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 golf cart and UTV exhaust systems.
(3) 
The engine and powered mechanism of every gasoline-powered golf cart and UTV shall be so equipped, adjusted, and tuned so that the exhaust is in good working order.
(4) 
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any gasoline-powered golf cart or UTV to operate or permit the operation of a gasoline-powered golf cart or UTV on which any manufacturer-installed device controlling or abating atmospheric emissions has been rendered unserviceable by removal, alteration, or other action that interferes with device's normal operation.
(Ordinance 643, sec. II, adopted 6/10/14; Ordinance 815 adopted 8/24/21; Ordinance 868 adopted 10/22/2024)
(a) 
All drivers of golf carts and UTVs shall be of at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver's license and shall abide by all traffic regulations applicable to vehicular traffic when using the authorized streets and parking areas of the city.
(b) 
Golf carts and UTVs shall not be operated on any sidewalk, pedestrian walkway, jogging path, park trail, or any other 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.
(c) 
No person may operate a golf cart or UTV upon any portion of a street or trafficway having a posted speed greater than 35 miles per hour.
(d) 
Golf carts and UTVs operated under this article are entitled to a 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 golf cart or UTV of the full use of a lane.
(e) 
The driver of a golf cart or UTV shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
(f) 
No driver shall operate a golf cart or UTV between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
(g) 
The driver of a golf cart or UTV 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.
(h) 
The number of occupants in a golf cart or UTV shall be limited to the number of persons for whom factory seating is installed and provided on the golf cart or UTV. The operator and all occupants shall be seated upon the seat of the golf cart or UTV and no part of the body of the operator or occupant shall extend outside the perimeter of the golf cart or UTV while the golf cart or UTV is being operated. The operator shall not permit any occupant of the cart or UTV to ride in the lap of any occupant while the cart or UTV is in motion.
(i) 
Children must be properly seated while a golf cart or UTV is in motion and may not be transported in a reckless or negligent manner. No person younger than six years of age may be transported in a golf cart or UTV unless restrained by a safety belt restraint.
(j) 
Golf carts and UTVs may only be parked in the same manner and in the same places designated for the parking of motor vehicles. The stopping, standing, or parking of golf carts and UTVs in an area where parking is not allowed or in any place that impedes the flow of traffic, pedestrian walkways or a passageway is prohibited. Golf carts and UTVs 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 or UTV.
(k) 
Golf carts and UTVs may not be used for the purpose of towing another cart, trailer, or vehicle of any kind including a person on roller skates, skateboard, or bicycle.
(l) 
Nothing in the provisions of this article shall be construed to relieve the operator of a golf cart or UTV from the duty to comply with all other applicable state and local regulations relating to the operation of a golf cart or UTV on a public road.
(m) 
All UTVs are required to have an off-highway vehicle license plate, which may be obtained from the county tax assessor-collector's office.
(Ordinance 643, sec. II, adopted 6/10/14; Ordinance 815 adopted 8/24/21; Ordinance 868 adopted 10/22/2024)
(a) 
Nothing in this section shall be construed as an assumption of liability by the city for any injuries to persons, pets, or property, which may result from the operation of a golf cart or UTV by a driver.
(b) 
Owners are fully liable and accountable for the actions of any individual that they provide permission to operate and drive said motorized golf cart or UTV, both on personal and/or city and public properties.
(Ordinance 643, sec. II, adopted 6/10/14; Ordinance 815 adopted 8/24/21; Ordinance 868 adopted 10/22/2024)
Any person found to be violating this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine as provided by section 1-10 of this code.
(Ordinance 643, sec. II, adopted 6/10/14; Ordinance 815 adopted 8/24/21; Ordinance 868 adopted 10/22/2024)