Chapter 10.44
GOLF CARTS
Sections:
10.44.020 Operation prohibited on city streets – Exception.
10.44.030 Chief of police authorized to issue permits.
10.44.060 Permit – Renewal procedure.
10.44.070 Designated shoulders, sidewalks and bicycle lanes.
10.44.080 Chief of police authorized to promulgate rules.
10.44.090 Permit – Revocation or suspension.
10.44.110 Sale or transfer of golf cart – New permit required.
10.44.120 Penalty for violations.
10.44.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:
A. “Golf cart” means a motorized vehicle having three or more wheels which is capable of carrying passengers and which is designed for use and commonly used as a means of transporting persons while they are engaged in the playing of golf on a golf course. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.020 Operation prohibited on city streets – Exception.
No person shall operate any golf cart upon the streets, alleys, public ways or sidewalks of the city of East Wenatchee, provided that golf carts may be operated on designated shoulders, sidewalks and bicycle lanes of the city if such golf cart has been issued and has in full force and effect a permit from the city of East Wenatchee to be so operated. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.030 Chief of police authorized to issue permits.
The chief of police is hereby authorized to issue permits for the operation of golf carts on designated shoulders, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes. No permit shall be issued except upon written application to the chief of police. Such application shall be signed by the owner of the golf cart and shall be in such form as the chief of police shall prescribe. The application shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
A. The name, address and telephone number of the owner of the golf cart for which the permit is sought;
B. The make, model and serial number of the golf cart for which the permit is sought;
C. The dimensions of the golf cart, including the length, wheel base, and width; and
D. Such other information as the chief of police shall reasonably require. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.040 Permit – Denial.
The chief of police is hereby authorized and directed to deny any permit for any golf cart which, in the opinion of the chief of police, cannot be operated safely on the designated shoulders, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.050 Permit – Term.
All permits issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be valid until December 31st of the year for which they are issued, and all renewals thereafter shall be for a period of one calendar year commencing January 1st of the year for which the permit is issued and terminating and expiring December 31st of the same year. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.060 Permit – Renewal procedure.
All permits to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be renewed by following the same procedure as required for an original application. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.070 Designated shoulders, sidewalks and bicycle lanes.
The mayor, city attorney and chief of police shall designate shoulders, sidewalks and bicycle lanes within the city where golf carts containing a valid permit may be operated in accordance with the rules promulgated pursuant to EWMC 10.44.080. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.080 Chief of police authorized to promulgate rules.
The chief of police is hereby authorized to promulgate and enforce rules for the operation of golf carts on designated shoulders, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes as he may deem necessary to ensure the public peace and safety. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.090 Permit – Revocation or suspension.
The chief of police may, at any time, suspend or revoke any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter whenever the permittee or any person operating a golf cart with the permission of the permittee:
A. Has violated the provisions of this chapter or any city ordinance in the operation of the golf cart;
B. Has made any false statement in connection with the application or renewal of any permit required by this chapter;
C. Has operated the golf cart in an unsafe manner; or
D. Has repeatedly violated any rule or combination of rules for the operation of golf carts promulgated by the chief of police. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.100 Hearing required.
Whenever the chief of police determines that there is cause for suspending or revoking any permit issued pursuant to this chapter, the chief of police shall notify the person holding said permit by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, of his determination. Notice mailed to the address on the permit shall be deemed received three days after mailing. The notice shall specify the grounds for suspension or revocation of the permit. The notice shall also specify that the holder of the permit may request a hearing before the city council on the revocation or suspension by filing a written request for such a hearing with the chief of police within five days after the notice of suspension or revocation is received or deemed received. The permittee may appear at the hearing and be heard in opposition to such revocation or suspension. The revocation or suspension shall be effective upon receipt of the notice from the chief of police and shall remain in effect pending the hearing by the city council. Following the hearing, the city council may affirm the revocation, reinstate the permit, or reinstate the permit with conditions. The decision of the city council shall be final and all appeals from such decision must be made to the Douglas County superior court of the state of Washington within 10 days after decision by the city council. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.110 Sale or transfer of golf cart – New permit required.
Upon the sale or transfer of any golf cart which has been issued a permit pursuant to this chapter, the permit issued to the prior owner shall automatically expire on the date of such sale or transfer and the new owner must apply for and obtain a new permit pursuant to the procedures established by this chapter prior to operating such golf cart on the designated shoulders, sidewalks and bicycle lanes of the city. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)
10.44.120 Penalty for violations.
Any persons violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or rules promulgated by the chief of police as authorized by this chapter shall have committed a civil infraction and shall be assessed a monetary penalty not to exceed $250.00. (Ord. 94-9 § 1, 1994)