UTV/Golf Cart Ordinance for Review and Comment
RULES AND REGULATIONS
UTV’s and Golf Carts may only be operated on the Village streets in accordance with the following rules and regulations:
(A) Any person who operates a UTV or Golf Cart in the Village of Apple River will take full responsibility for all liability associated with its operation.
(B) Any person who operates a UTV or Golf Cart must be at least sixteen (16) years of age and possess a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle issued by the State of Illinois or another State.
(C) No person shall operate, and no owner shall permit another person to operate a UTV or Golf Cart on a Village street unless: 1) the UTV or Golf Cart is covered by a liability insurance policy as required by Section 7-601 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/7-601); and 2) the operator of the UTV or Golf Cart carries with him proof of liability insurance as required by Section 7-602 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 57-602).
(D) UTV’s or Golf Carts shall only be allowed to be operated on Village streets between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset, as established by the National
Weather Service. UTV’s or Golf Carts may be operated at any time of the day or night if equipped with a yellow flashing light visible for at least 100’ from the rear of the vehicle.
(E) No person shall operate a UTV or Golf Cart on a Village street in excess of the posted speed limits.
(F) UTV’s or Golf Carts may not be operated on Stagecoach Trail except to cross said road at intersections, in a path 90 degrees or as direct as possible across said highway, to the nearest intersecting street.
(G) UTV’s or Golf Carts shall have their headlights and taillights on at all times when operated on Village streets.
(H) UTV’s or 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.
(I) UTV’s or Golf Carts may not be operated on the sidewalks.
(J) UTV’s or Golf Cart drivers must yield the right-of-way to overtaking vehicles at all times.
(K) Any person who operates a UTV or Golf Cart on the streets of the Village of Apple River must adhere to all applicable state laws concerning the possession and use of alcoholic
beverages and all illegal drugs, as well as all other State traffic laws.
(L) The maximum occupancy of UTV’s or Golf Carts traveling on Village streets shall be equal to the amount of safety belts or passenger restraints on the UTV or Golf Cart.
(M) Each driver and passenger of a UTV or Golf Cart shall wear a properly fastened and adjusted seat safety belt. Children must be secured in a child restraint system as required
pursuant to the Child Passenger Protection Act (625 ILCS 25/1 et seq).
(N) UTV’s or Golf Carts are only allowed to park in handicapped parking spaces if the
driver or at least one passenger has a valid handicapped parking sticker.
(O) The operator of a UTV or Golf Cart shall obey all ordinances of the Village of Apple River and all provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code, as amended from time to time.
(P) The operator of a UTV that is being used to plow snow will need to have a flashing orange light and backup beeper.
(Q) The parents of any operator who is a minor, who violates the provisions of this ordinance, shall be subject to the penalties imposed by this ordinance.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
(A) Steering Wheel Apparatus
(B) Seat belts for each passenger
(C) Tires
(D) Turn Signals – front and rear
(E) Rearview Mirror
(F) Brakes and Brake Lights on rear
(G) Headlights – emit white light visible from at least 500 feet
(H) Taillights – emit red light visible from at least 100 feet
(I) Standard factory exhaust
(J) Red reflector warning devices – front and rear
(K) Approved “slow moving vehicle” emblem attached to the rear
(L) Yellow flashing light visible for at least 100 feet from rear of vehicle (if operated one half hour before sunrise or after sunset)
PERMITS
(A) No person shall operate a UTV or Golf Cart without obtaining a permit from the Village of Apple River as provided in this section. Permits will be issued for each calendar year January 1 to December 31 and there will be no proration.
(B) Permits shall be granted for a period of ownership of the UTV or Golf Cart by the person who received the permit and will remain valid as long as they continue to meet the
requirements.
(C) The annual cost of a permit is $20.00 per UTV or Golf Cart from January 1 to December 31 and they are non-transferable. Proof of insurance coverage will be required and verified before issuing or renewing a permit.
(D) UTV or Golf Cart owners must complete a permit application form supplied by the Village and contain the following information: Name, Address, Phone number, Make, Model,
Serial number, Name of Insurance carrier and policy number.
(E) After completion of the application and payment of the permit fee, the applicant shall present the UTV or Golf Cart to the designated inspection representative for the Village, or the Ordinance Enforcement Officer, for an inspection to determine whether the UTV or Golf Cart may be operated on the Village streets. If the applicant and UTV or Golf Cart are qualified under the terms and conditions of this ordinance, the Village shall issue a permit as visible proof of compliance, which shall be valid for the duration of the ownership of the UTV or Golf Cart by the person receiving the permit. The license will be displayed on the rear of the UTV or Golf Cart.
ENFORCEMENT
(A) Any person found to be in violation of any provision of this Chapter 19, Section 19-3, shall, after being given an initial 5-day warning, be fined as follows:
· First Offense: $50.00
· Second Offense: $75.00
· Third Offense: $100.00
· Fourth or more Offense: $200.00
Each day a continuing violation exists may be deemed a separate offense.
The Village’s Ordinance Enforcement Officer will use his/her discretion when issuing warnings and citations. Persons receiving chronic warnings and violations on this Ordinance may lose their right to an approved license from the Village for their UTV/Golf Cart.
(B) The license of an operator of a UTV or Golf Cart issued pursuant to this ordinance
may be suspended by the Village, or the Ordinance Enforcement Officer, if 1) there is any material misrepresentation made by the applicant on the application or, 2) the required liability insurance is no longer in full force and effect or, 3) there is evidence that the license holder can no longer safely operate the UTV or Golf Cart or, 4) for any reason that he/she feels is appropriate to insure the safety and well-being of the citizens of the Village of Apple River.
(C) The Ordinance Enforcement Officer, or a Village designee, shall issue a notice of suspension of a permit in writing and either hand deliver the notice to the license holder or send the notice by certified mail to the license holder at the address on the application. The suspension of a permit shall be effective immediately after personal service, or on the third day after the post mark of the certified mail receipt.
(D) Upon investigation by the recommendation of the Village of Apple River, the Village Board may suspend or revoke a permit granted hereunder upon a finding that there is evidence that the Permittee cannot safely operate a UTV or Golf Cart on Village streets or for any reason that they feel is appropriate to insure the safety and well-being of the citizens of the Village of Apple River.
(E) Repeat offenders may have the privileges revoked permanently by the Village of Apple River Board.