Government : Golf Cart Ordinances for the City of Vinton

Now that it's golf cart season, here are the rules of the road for golf carts within the Vinton City Limits: 

City Ordinances

Chapter 78

For use in this chapter the following terms are defined:

78.01 Definitions:

1. "Golf cart" means a three- or four-wheeled recreational vehicle used for transportation of persons in the sport of golf and which is either electric powered or gas powered and which meets the American National Standard ANSI/ILTVA Z130.1-2012. For the purpose of this section, a golf cart shall not include any vehicle that is an all-terrain vehicle, off-road utility vehicle, or snowmobile, as those terms are defined in Section 75.02 of this Code of Ordinances.
2. "Operate" means to ride in or on, other than as a passenger, use or control the operation of the golf cart in any manner, whether or not the golf cart is moving.
3. "Operator" means a person with a valid driver's license controlling the operation of the golf cart from the operator's seat.
4. "Street or highway" means the portion of a public street or highway between the curbs designed or ordinarily used for vehicle travel.

78.02 Operation Regulations

The following regulations apply to the operation of a golf cart within the City.

1.   Any operator of a golf cart must have a valid driver's license.

2.   All riders in the golf cart must remain seated at all times.

3.   At no time shall the operator of a golf cart hold any additional passenger on his or her lap or between his or her legs.

4.   No more than three people may ride in the front seat of a golf cart and no more than two people may ride in the back seat of a golf cart, if said seat exists.  While in operation, any rider must be seated on the seat and no part of the body of any rider will extend beyond the sides of the cart.

78.03 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.

78.04 Hours of Operation

Golf carts may be operated on City streets only between sunrise and sunset.

78.05 Permit Required
A person desiring to operate a golf cart in the City, pursuant to the conditions of this section, shall first obtain, via an application submitted at the City Clerk's office, a permit to allow such operation.  The fee for the permit shall be $5.00 and shall be issued by the City Administrator or the Police Chief, provided the applicant satisfies the applicable conditions of this section and such other requirements as said City officials and/or the City Council may from time to time reasonably impose.  The permit shall be affixed to the rear of the golf cart.

78.06 Proof of Liability Insurance

As part of the permit process, the owner of the golf cart must maintain and provide current proof of financial responsibility in accordance with Section 321.20B of the Code of Iowa.  The owner and operator of a golf cart are liable for any injury or damage occasioned by the negligent operation of that golf cart.  The proof of insurance must be with the golf cart whenever said golf cart is in operation.

78.07 Streets upon which Golf Carts may be Operated

A golf cart may be operated on all City streets with the following exceptions:

1.  A street which is a primary road extension (this prohibition shall include Highway 218 and Highway 150) through the City, but shall be allowed to directly cross a City street that is a primary road extension through the City.

2. East Fourth Street from Third Avenue to Ninth Avenue (the Boulevard), but shall be allowed to directly cross that street.

78.08 Careless Operation Unlawful

No person shall operate a golf cart in a careless, reckless or negligent manner, cause unnecessary tire squealing or skidding, simulate a temporary race, cause a wheel to unnecessarily lose contact with the ground, cause the golf cart to unnecessarily turn abruptly or sway, so as to endanger the person or property of another or cause injury or damage thereto.

78.09  Operating Under the Influence

No person shall operate a golf cart while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics or habit forming drugs.

78.10 Towing

No item shall be towed by a golf cart.

78.11 Trespassing on Private Property

No golf cart shall be operated upon private property without the express consent of the owner thereof.