Jurupa Valley Municipal Code Ch. 12.45 Golf Cart Transportation Plan

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State Law reference— Golf cart transportation plan, Streets and Highways Code § 1950 et seq.

This chapter is intended to establish a golf cart transportation program within the city. The Streets and Highways Code of the State of California authorizes the city to develop a Golf Cart Transportation Plan that extends the use of golf carts for transportation beyond access to golf courses. It is the further intent of the state to accommodate the functional travel needs of certain residents of the Plan area, provided the city establish golf cart lanes, minimum golf cart standards, operation requirements and permit procedures.

The City Council finds and determines that:

(1) The utilization of golf carts will reduce automobile trips and vehicular emissions, thus promoting improved air quality;

(2) Establishment of a Golf Cart Transportation Plan will serve to expand mobility to those persons not utilizing automobiles;

(3) The selected golf cart routes maximize the utilization of golf carts for golf course transportation, residential transportation, commercial/office transportation, and public/institutional transportation within the Plan area;

(4) The selected routes accommodate golf carts without an adverse impact upon traffic safety.

This chapter is established pursuant to Streets and Highways Code Division 2.5, Chapter 6 (Sts. & Hy. Code Section 1950 et seq.). The Golf Cart Transportation Plan may be amended to designate specific Plan areas by resolution of the City Council.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Golf cart means a motor vehicle having not less than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground and unladen weight less than one thousand, three hundred (1,300) pounds which is designed to be and is operated at not more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour and is designated to carry golf equipment and not more than two (2) persons, including the driver.

Golf cart lanes 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.

Plan area means that territory under the jurisdiction of the city designated for a Golf Cart Transportation Plan, including the privately owned area of any owner that consents to its inclusion on the Plan.

Minimum golf cart design criteria for operation on golf cart lanes are established. The following elements are minimum design and equipment requirements:

(1) The golf cart must be the shape and size that conforms to the industry standards for manufactured golf carts.

(2) The golf cart must have a covered passenger compartment.

(3) The golf cart must be equipped and safely operated with:

(a) Seat belts for driver and passenger;

(b) Either an unobstructed rearview mirror and left side mirror, right and left view mirrors, or a wide angle crossbar rear mirror;

(c) A windshield;

(d) Reflectors that conform to Vehicle Code Section 24607.

Minimum golf cart operator safety criteria for golf cart use on golf cart lanes have been established by the State of California. The following safety criteria for operators are 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 a recognized foreign jurisdiction in accordance with Vehicle Code Division 6 (Veh. Code Section 12500 et seq.).

(2) If physically disabled, a golf cart operator may be permitted to operate a golf cart in accordance with Vehicle Code Section 21114.5.

(3) Operators must show proof of financial responsibility established pursuant to Vehicle Code Division 7, Chapter 1 (Veh. Code Section 16000 et seq.).

The provisions of Sections 12.45.050 and 12.45.060 shall be administered and enforced by the Public Works Director, his or her staff or designees through the issuance of a golf cart permit.

The following restrictions limiting the operation of golf carts shall apply:

(1) Only those golf carts that have been retrofitted with the safety equipment specified in the Plan may be operated under the provisions of the golf cart transportation plan.

(2) Golf cart operation is limited to those golf cart lanes identified in the Golf Cart Transportation Plan and those streets within the Plan area that have a prima facie speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less.

(3) Only those golf carts having a city golf cart permit may be operated in accordance with the Golf Cart Transportation Plan.

(4) Golf cart operators may only operate golf carts on public streets between one-half (½) hour after sunrise and one-half (½) hour prior to sunset.

(5) A golf cart operator must maintain his or her golf cart in a safe condition.

Any person operating a golf cart in the plan area in violation of this chapter is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100). The City Council reserves the right to modify the fines by resolution.