Beaumont Municipal Code Ch. 10.50 Golf Cart Transportation

The City Council has been informed and advised that alternate forms of clean, non-polluting transportation, such as golf carts, are essential to maintain good air quality and the overall environmental quality of the City. The purpose of this golf cart transportation plan is to encourage the increased use of such transportation, and to establish rules and regulations for the operation of golf carts in the City.

(Ord. 953, 9-1-09)

The following words and phrases when used in this Chapter shall have the definitions respectively 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.

A. "City" means the City of Beaumont.

B. "Golf cart" means an electric powered motor vehicle having not less than three wheels in contact with the ground and an unladen weight of 1,300 pounds or less which is designed to be and is operated at not more than 25 miles per hour and is designed to carry golf equipment and not more than two persons, including the driver. (CVC Sec. 345)

C. "Golf cart travelways" means all publicly-owned facilities that accommodate golf cart travel. There shall be four categories of golf cart travelways:

1. "Golf cart routes" mean certain specified residential streets and alleys that are posted with speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less and are shared with pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists. Golf Cart Routes shall, from time-to-time, be designated by resolution of the City Council. (CVC Secs. 345 and 515)

2. "Golf cart lane" means a portion of the public roadway that is designated by signs and pavement markings for golf cart travel, to allow golf carts to travel adjacent to automobile traffic but within a separate striped space. Bicyclists may share golf cart lanes if there is not a separate bicycle lane on the roadway. Golf cart lanes shall, from time-to-time, be designated by resolution of the City Council.

3. "Golf cart shared path" means a right-of-way adjacent to motor vehicle travel lanes, designated for shared use by golf carts, pedestrians and bicyclists, with cross traffic by motor vehicles minimized. Golf cart shared paths shall, from time-to-time, be designated by resolution of the City Council.

4. "Golf course cart crossing zones" means locations on public streets for use by golf carts to cross, at any time other than during darkness, on any street, other than a state highway, which has a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less and which is immediately adjacent to a golf course. Golf course cart crossing zones shall from time-to-time, be designated by resolution of the City Council. (CVC Sec. 21115.1)

(Ord. 953, 9-1-09)

A. Generally: Golf cart travelways shall only be used by permitted golf cart operators between thirty minutes prior to sunrise and thirty minutes after sunset. Operation of golf carts during hours of darkness is strictly prohibited.

B. Design Criteria for Golf Cart Routes: Golf cart routes shall be designated parallel to local streets having a maximum posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour. All golf cart route transitions between routes and other golf cart travelways shall be clearly marked. Golf cart routes shall be shared with pedestrians, bicycles, and motorists.

C. Design Criteria for Golf Cart Lanes: Golf cart lanes shall be designated parallel to local streets having a maximum posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour. The Lanes shall be no more than six feet wide measured from the adjacent lip of gutter to the inside of the painted line, have a minimum vertical clearance of seven feet from overhead obstructions, have a smooth paved or concrete surface, and be separated from vehicle travel lanes by one solid four-inch wide white line. On approaches to intersections golf cart lanes should end with "dashed" cart lane lines beginning 200 feet from the intersection. Golf cart lanes shall be designated by appropriate pavement legends and signs posted along the route in conformance with this Chapter.

D. Design Criteria for Golf Cart Shared Paths: Golf Cart Shared Paths shall be separated from motor vehicle traffic by an elevated path at least six inches above the traffic lane, be a minimum of six feet in width in each direction, have a minimum vertical clearance of seven feet from overhead obstructions, have an improved hardened surface capable of weights of up to 1,300 pounds, and be constructed with a maximum grade of ten percent% and a radius of curvature of not less than 15 feet. Such Paths shall be designed for golf carts to be safely operated at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour unless otherwise posted, and shall clearly designate all transitions to other golf cart travelways.

1. Two-way golf cart shared paths shall have a minimum width of 14 feet with a center lane stripe plus a one foot shoulder on each side (total right-of-way of 16 feet).

E. Design Criteria for Golf Cart Crossing Zones: Except as approved by the City Council, and designated by adequate signs, markings, and other safety features, the City shall only permit golf cart crossings at signal or stop sign controlled intersections. Golf carts shall only cross such intersections within the right-hand travel lane adjacent to any marked crosswalk. Crossings shall be designated by appropriate signs in conformance with this Chapter, including a warning sign 200 feet in advance of the crossing, as well as signs at the crossing. Crossings shall to meet minimum Caltrans Highway Design Manual sight distance requirements.

F. Design Criteria for State Highway and Local Street Crossings: The City shall only permit golf cart crossings on State highways, and local streets with posted speed limits greater than 25 miles per hour, at fully-controlled intersections improved with stop signs or signals. Golf carts shall only cross such intersections within the right-hand travel lane adjacent to any marked crosswalk. No marked crossings, other than those for bicyclists and pedestrians, will be provided. Crossings shall be designated by appropriate signs in conformance with this Chapter, including a warning sign 200 feet in advance of the crossing, as well as signs at the crossing. Crossings shall to meet minimum Caltrans Highway Design Manual sight distance requirements.

G. Design Criteria for Signs and Pavement Markings: Except in gated communities, all golf cart routes, lanes, and paths shall be identified with signs and/or pavement markings spaced not more than 300 feet apart, in each direction. All golf cart travelway transitions and travelways shared with bicycles and pedestrians shall also be identified with signs and pavement markings.

(Ord. 953, 9-1-09)

The following minimum design criteria shall be required to be met for golf carts proposed to be operated on golf cart paths, lanes, routes, and crossings.

A. Golf carts shall be electrically powered.

B. Golf carts shall be of a shape and size that conforms to industry standards for manufactured golf carts.

C. Golf carts shall present an unobstructed view to the rear from the driver's seat.

D. Golf carts shall have a covered operator and passenger compartment

(Ord. 969, 6/2010)

Golf carts shall have the following minimum safety equipment:

A. Brake lights, conforming to CVC 24603;

B. Front and rear turn signal indicator lights, conforming to CVC 24952 and 24953;

C. Either left side and right side mirrors, left side and rear view mirrors, or a multidirectional cross bar rear mirror, conforming to CVC 26709;

D. Head lamps, conforming to CVC 24400 and 24410, except the minimum mounting height shall be 16 inches;

E. Tail lights, conforming to CVC 24600;

F. Reflectors, conforming to CVC Section 24607;

G. Parking brake, conforming to CVC 26450;

H. Horn conforming to CVC 27000;

I. Windshield, conforming to CVC 26700;

J. Seat belts, for both driver and passenger position, in a two-point lap belt mounting, conforming to CVC 27315;

K. A golf cart locking device to prevent unauthorized movement and theft;

L. A backup buzzer.

(Ord. 953, 9-1-09)

The following safety criteria for operators are the minimum criteria set and adopted by the City Council:

A. Golf cart operators shall be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license.

B. Golf cart operators shall comply with the financial responsibility requirements established by the Calif. Vehicle Code, Section 16000 et seq.

C. Golf cart operators shall maintain golf carts in a safe condition, ensure that it is safely loaded, and shall ensure that an unobstructed view to the rear is maintained at all times while in operation on travelways.

D. Each golf cart operator and passenger shall wear a seatbelt at all times.

F. Golf cart operators shall comply with all of the rules of the road that pertain to automobiles, and shall not operate a cart under the influence of intoxicants.

G. Golf carts shall bear a valid City golf cart permit while in operation on travelways. Possession of a valid City golf cart permit does not authorize travel on public streets not designated by the City Council as golf cart routes and lanes.

(Ord. 953, 9-1-09)

No golf cart shall be operated on golf cart travelways without bearing a valid City-issued golf cart permit. Prior to the issuance of a golf cart permit, the following shall be required:

A. Operators shall attend a training presentation describing the requirements of the City Golf Cart Transportation Program;

B. An equipment inspection of the golf cart by the City or its authorized agent;

C. Payment of an annual permit fee in an amount established from time-to-time by Resolution of the City Council to allow the City to recover a portion of the cost of inspection, enforcement and golf cart facility maintenance. It shall be the operator's responsibility to ensure that the golf cart permit shall be renewed every July, at which time each golf cart shall be re-inspected; and

D. A current permit decal showing proof of compliance shall be visibly posted on the left rear fender of each permitted golf cart.

(Ord. 953, 9-1-09)

Efficient use of golf cart transportation is dependent upon convenient access to the golf cart circulation system at both ends of local trips. This access is provided via the golf cart parking facilities which should be made available for golf carts at home and at local destinations, such as retail centers, parks and other recreation facilities, medical offices, and educational facilities.

Recognizing the potential for extensive golf cart use, floor plans for residences should feature options for dedicated golf cart parking facilities, including a dedicated electric outlet for recharging electric golf carts.

In order to promote golf cart travel, golf carts should be given preferential parking at all golf-cart accessible public and private facilities, including retail centers, parks and other recreational facilities, medical offices, and educational facilities. Parking spaces shall comply with Chapter 17.06, Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards, in the City of Beaumont Municipal Code.

(Ord. 953, 9-1-09)

In the discretion of the Enforcement Officer, any person violating any provision of this Chapter 10.50 shall be issued an administrative citation pursuant to Beaumont Municipal Code Sections 1.17.200 et seq., or shall be guilty of an infraction pursuant to Beaumont Municipal Code Section 1.16.010. In either case, the amount of the fine shall be in the appropriate amount set forth in Section 1.16.030 of this Code. Each such violation shall be deemed a separate offense as specified in Beaumont Municipal Code Section 1.16.040.

(Ord. 953, 9-1-09)