Chapter 10.22
OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS
Sections:
10.22.020 Golf cart zone created.
10.22.030 Requirements and restrictions.
10.22.040 Violation – Penalty.
10.22.010 Definitions.
The following definitions shall be used in this chapter. Where a word or term is undefined, reference shall be made to RCW Title 46.
“Golf cart” means a gas-powered or electric-powered four-wheeled vehicle originally designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting purposes and has a speed attainable in one mile of not more than twenty miles per hour. A golf cart is not a nonhighway vehicle or off-road vehicle as defined in RCW 46.09.020.
“Street” means the entire right-of-way width including the sidewalk (if present) and between the curb and boundary lines and shoulder of swale of public property when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicular travel including parking. (Ord. 2012-10 § 1(part), 2012).
10.22.020 Golf cart zone created.
A. For the purposes of permitting the incidental operation of golf carts as set forth in this chapter, the public streets with a speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour or less within the following boundaries, as shown in Figure 10.22-1, hereafter referred to as the “golf cart zone”:
Beginning at the northeast corner of South Palouse and East Alder Streets; thence northwesterly along the east curb line of South Palouse Street to the intersection of the projected curb lines of Boyer Avenue and South Palouse Street; thence northerly to the north curb line of Boyer Avenue at East Main Street; thence northeasterly along the east curb line of East Main Street to the intersection of the projected curb lines of East Main and North Park Streets; thence northwesterly along the north curb line of North Park Street to the northeast corner of North Park Street and East Rees Avenue thence northerly to the north right of way line of East Rees Avenue; thence easterly along the north right of way line of East Rees Avenue to the northwest corner of East Rees Avenue and East Sumach Street; thence northeasterly along the west right of way line of East Sumach Street to the northeasterly corner of East Sumach and Penrose Streets; thence south to the east curb line of Penrose Street; thence southerly along the east curb line of Penrose Street to the intersection of the projected curb lines of Penrose and Figueroa Streets; thence easterly along the south curb line of Figueroa Street to the southeast corner of Figueroa and North Clinton Streets; thence southerly along the east right of way line of North Clinton Street continuing on the east right of way line of South Clinton Street to the southeasterly corner of South Clinton Street and Boyer Avenue; thence westerly along the south right of way line of Boyer Avenue to the southeasterly corner of Boyer Avenue and Merriam Street; thence southerly along the east right of way line of Merriam Street to the southeasterly corner of Merriam Street and East Alder, thence westerly along the north right of way line of East Alder Street to the point of beginning.
B. The golf cart zone will be clearly identified by signage at the beginning and end of the golf cart zone on a street or road that is part of the golf cart zone, in accordance with WSDOT’s manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways.
C. Golf carts may only travel on North and East Rose Streets, East Reese Avenue, East Sumach Street, North and South Clinton Streets and East Isaacs Avenue for the sole purpose of crossing the street or avenue at designated crosswalks or intersections. (Ord. 2012-10 § 1(part), 2012).
10.22.030 Requirements and restrictions.
The following use, operational requirements, and restrictions are adopted by the city for golf carts driven in a golf cart zone.
A. Every person operating a golf cart as authorized under this chapter is granted all rights and is subject to all duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle under Chapter 46.61 RCW et seq. and Chapter 308-330 WAC.
B. No golf cart shall be operated faster than is reasonable and proper and every golf cart shall be operated with reasonable regard for the safety of the operator, passengers and other persons or property.
C. A golf cart may be operated on a street by a person within a golf cart zone as follows:
1. Every person operating a golf cart as authorized under this chapter must be at least sixteen years of age and must have completed a driver education course or have previous experience driving as a licensed driver.
2. A person who has a revoked license under RCW 46.20.285 may not operate a golf cart as authorized under this section.
3. Any person operating a golf cart, as authorized under this chapter, shall not transport more passengers than the manufacturer’s designed seating capacity. All occupants shall be seated during operation and use of the seat belts shall be mandatory while the golf cart is being operated.
D. Golf carts shall not be operated on a street during one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, unless the golf cart is equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a reflector on the rear of a type approved by the state patrol.
E. Golf carts must be equipped with reflectors, seat belts, rearview mirrors, lighted turn signals, and brake lights when operating upon streets as authorized under this chapter.
F. Accidents that involve golf carts operated upon streets as authorized under this chapter must be recorded and tracked in compliance with Chapter 46.52 RCW. The accident report must indicate that a golf cart operated within a golf cart zone is involved in the accident. (Ord. 2012-10 § 1(part), 2012).
10.22.040 Violation – Penalty.
No person may operate a golf cart on a street located outside those areas designated as golf cart zones or in such a way that is in violation of any section of this chapter. Upon a determination that a violation of this chapter has occurred, law enforcement officers may, pursuant to Chapter 7.80 RCW et seq., issue a Class I civil infraction with a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars to any person found in violation of the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2012-10 § 1(part), 2012).