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Ordinance 925
An Ordinance Authorizing and Regulating the Use/ Operation of Electric or Gas Powered Golf Carts Within City of Farmer City
Whereas, residents of the City of Farmer City have requested the City to permit the use of golf carts for travel on the City streets; and
Whereas, the City Council for the City of Farmer City have considered the volume, speed, and character of traffic on the City streets; and
Whereas; it is the intent of this Ordinance to regulate the use of motorized golf carts within the corporate limits of the City of Farmer City as authorized by State of Illinois compiled statutes.
NOW, Therefore, be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Farmer City:
Section 1 – Policy Statement
This Ordinance is adopted in the interest of public safety. Golf Carts are not designed or manufactured to be used on public street and roads hereinafter referred to as “streets”, and that the City of Farmer City does not advocate or endorse their safety issues. This Ordinance is not to be relied upon as determination that operation of golf carts on streets is safe or advisable even if done in accordance with the Ordinance. All persons operating golf carts must be observant of and attentive to the safety of themselves and others, including their passengers, other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. All persons who operate or ride golf carts on city streets inside the City of Farmer City do so at their own risk and peril. The City of Farmer City disavows any liability for permitting golf carts to be operated on the City streets. Use of a golf cart on public streets is a privilege, not a right.
Section 2 – Definitions
Golf Cart;- a vehicle specifically designed and intended for the purposes of transporting one or more persons and their golf clubs or maintenance equipment while engaging in the playing of golf. Supervising the play of golf, or maintaining the condition of the grounds on a public or private golf course. 625 ILCS 5/1-123.9.
Street; – the entire width between boundary lines of every way publicly maintained, when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel
625 ILCS 5/1-201.
Section 3 – Rules and Regulations
Golf carts may only be operated on streets within the City of Farmer City in accordance with the following rules and regulations:
A. Any person who operates a golf cart in the City of Farmer City assumes full
responsibility for all liability associated with the operation of the cart.
B. Any person who operates a golf cart must be at least 18 (eighteen) years of age
and possess a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle issued by the
State of Illinois or any other state.
C. Any person who operates a golf cart must possess proof of liability insurance for
personal injury and property damage with limits of liability not less than the
minimum required by the State of Illinois for the operation of a passenger
vehicle.
D. Golf carts may only be operated on streets from sunrise to sunset.
E. Golf carts may not be operated when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke,
fog, or other conditions or at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly
see persons and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.
F. Golf carts shall be equipped with headlights and taillights and illuminated at all
times when operated on City streets as required by 625 ILCS 5/12-201
G. Golf carts may not be operated other than on dedicated streets, alleys, and
parking areas within the City of Farmer City.
H. Golf carts may be operated on City streets which have posted speed limits of 30
miles per hour or less, but golf carts may not exceed 20 miles per hour. This
section does not prohibit golf carts from crossing a road or street at a stop
intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit greater than
30 miles per hour.
I. Golf carts shall not be operated on Illinois state highways. Golf carts may only
cross highways at posted stop intersections.
J. Any person who operates a golf cart on City streets must obey and adhere to all
State of Illinois traffic laws.
K. Any person who operates a golf cart on City streets must yield right of way to all
vehicles approaching or overtaking them at all times.
L. The maximum occupancy of golf carts traveling on City streets will be one per
bucket seat or three per bench dependent upon number of available seat belts
M. Golf carts are ONLY allowed to park in handicapped parking spaces if the driver or
at least one passenger has a valid handicap parking sticker and that sticker is
clearly visible in the cart.
N. All golf carts operated on city streets must be inspected by the person(s)
designated by the City Manager, and must have valid permit documentation from
The City of Farmer City properly displayed on the rear of the golf cart on the
driver’s side.
O. Golf carts may only be operated on city streets beginning April 1st. and ending
on November 30th. of each calendar year.
Section 4- Equipment
Golf carts shall be properly equipped with the following;
a. Horn
b. Brakes and brake lights
c. Turn signals
d. A steering wheel apparatus
e. Tires
f. Rearview mirror
g. Approved “Slow Moving Vehicle” emblem on rear of vehicle (625 ILCS 5/12-709)
h. Headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front
which must be illuminated when in operation
i. Tail lamp that emits a red light visible from a distance of 100 feet from the rear
which must be illuminated when in operation
J. Any additional requirements which may be amended to 625 ILCS 5/11 – 1426.1.
K. All requirements set forth in Chapter 625 of the Illinois Complied Statutes
Section 5 – Permits
A. No person shall operate a motorized golf cart without obtaining a permit from
The City of Farmer City as provided in this section.
B. Permits shall be granted for a period of one year and may be renewed annually.
C. The annual cost for a permit shall be set at $100.00, insurance coverage
will be verified prior to the issuance of a permit.
D. The City of Farmer City retains the right to refuse to issue and/or revoke any
permit for any golf cart at any time for any reason that he/she feels is necessary
must complete the attached permit application form. The
completed forms will be maintained by the City of Farmer City. The City may
issue visible proof of compliance that must be attached to the rear of the golf
cart.
Section 6 – Enforcement
1. Any act constituting a violation of this Ordinance or failure to comply with any
of its requirements within the permit’s valid year is subject to a fine, suspension,
or permanent revocation of a permit.
2. Fines are;
a. A first offense is a fine of $50.00
b. A second offense is a fine of $100.00 and suspension of privileges for 30
days.
c. A third offense is a $200.00 fine and suspension of privileges for at least one
year from the date of suspension or permanent revocation as recommended to
the City Manager. Permanent revocation could be attributed to gross –
negligence and/or endangerment to others and self.
3. Anyone caught driving while permit is suspended will lose privileges for
one year from date of violation.
4. Any fine levied for a violation of the Ordinance is to be paid to the City Clerk
Within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the violation. Any failure to pay
will result in the issuance of a summons to appear in DeWitt County court.
Section 7 – Violation
Any failure of an individual to abide by this ordinance or otherwise secure a
permit provided herein when operating a golf cart upon the streets of the City
of Farmer City shall subject the violator to a fine of $500.00
Section 8 – Severability
Should any part of this Ordinance be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this ordinance.
Section 9 – Effective Date
The City Clerk is hereby directed to publish this ordinance immediately after it’s
passage.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, This ordinance shall become effective January 1st., 2014 after its passage, approval and publication according to law.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FARMER CITY,
COUNTY OF DEWITT, ILLINOIS THIS 7th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2013
AYES: 5 NAYES: ___ ABSTAIN: ___ ABSENT: ___
ATTESTED:
____________________ ___________________
/s/Michael Jenkins, Mayor /s/Sandra I. Shaw, City Clerk
