City of Charlotte

TITLE III – COMMUNITY PROTECTION

ORDINANCE NO. 2015-12

GOLF CARTS

AN ORDINANCE TO PERMIT GOLF CARTS TO BE OPERATED ON CITY STREETS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND WITH A CITY PERMIT

BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Charlotte, Iowa:

SECTION 1. PURPOSE: The purpose of this chapter is to approve the operation of golf carts on the streets or alleys of the City, as authorized by Section 432.247 of the Code of Iowa, as amended. This chapter applies whenever a golf cart is operated on any street or alley, subject to those exceptions stated herein.

SECTION 2. OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS PERMITTED: Golf carts may be operated upon the streets or alleys of the City by persons possessing a valid Iowa operator’s license, and at least sixteen (16) years of age, except as prohibited in Section 3 of this chapter.

SECTION 3. PROHIBITED STREETS: Golf carts shall not be operated upon any City street which is a primary road extension through the City but shall be allowed to cross a City street which is a primary road extension through the City. Primary road extensions are those streets that are also a State Highway. Golf Carts are also prohibited from traveling on any sidewalk.

SECTION 4. EQUIPMENT: Golf carts operated on City streets shall be equipped with adequate brakes, a slow moving vehicle sign, bicycle safety flag, and such other safety equipment required by Chapter 321 of the Code of Iowa.

SECTION 5. HOURS: Golf carts may be operated on City streets only between sunrise and sunset.

SECTION 6. SPEED: No golf cart shall be operated at a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour or that which is posted.

SECTION 7. TRAFFIC CODE: Any person operating a golf cart shall strictly adhere to all traffic signs and all other traffic rules and regulations. All orders and directions of any law enforcement officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic shall be obeyed by persons operating a golf cart.

SECTION 8. PERMITS. No person shall operate a golf car on any public street, or alley, for any purpose unless the operator possesses a City of Charlotte, permit to operate a golf cart on city streets, issued by the City Clerk.

1.  Golf cart owners may apply for a permit from the City Clerk on forms provided by the City.

2.  The Clerk shall not issue a permit until the owner/operator has provided the following:

a.  Evidence that the operator is at least 16 years of age, and possesses a valid Iowa driver’s license.

3.  The operator of a golf cart shall display the Charlotte permit sticker prominently on a rear fender or similar component.

4.  The fee for such permits shall be ten dollars ($10.00) for a two (2) year period.

5.  A temporary permit for onetime use during a campground stay or city sponsored event. The fee for a temporary permit shall be five dollars ($5.00) for dates specified on the permit.

SECTION 10. VIOLATION AND PENALTY: Any person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a municipal infraction and shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00). Any person who is in violation of this section more than one time shall be subject to a fine of three hundred dollars ($300.00) per occurrence.

SECTION 11. REPEALER CLAUSE. Any Ordinance, provision or part thereof, which differs or is inconsistent with this ordinance, is hereby repealed, to the extent of said difference or inconsistency.

SECTION 12. SEVERABILITY. If any section, provision or part of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional by a Court of competent jurisdiction, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole, or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged by a Court of competent jurisdiction, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole, or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

SECTION 13. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be in effect following final passage, approval, and publication of this ordinance as required by law.

Passed by the Council of the City of Charlotte on the 5th day of August, 2014 and approved this 5th day of August, 2014.

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Mayor Peggy Sellnau

ATTEST:

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Laurie Ganzer, City Clerk

First Reading - WAIVED, Second Reading - WAIVED, Third Reading – PASSED on August 5, 2014.

I certify that the foregoing was published as Ordinance No. 2015-012 on the 9th day of August, 2014.

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Laurie, Ganzer, City Clerk