Golf Carts on City Streets?
ORDINANCE NO. 239 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 62 GENERAL TRAFFIC REGULATIONS BE IT ENACTED BYTHE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANBORN, IOWA:\
SECTION I. ENACTMENT. The Sanborn Code Chapter 62 General Traffic Regulations: Section 62.07 Golf Garts, shall be amended to establish regulations for the operation of golf carts on city streets in accordance with Iowa Code Section 321.247, in order to promote public safety and welfare, as shown by the underlined: 62.07 Golf Carts.
DEFINITIONS ‘Golf Cart’ means a motorized vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and not capable of exceeding twenty-five (25) miles per hour.
PERMITTED STREETS Golf carts may be operated only upon city streets with a posted speed limit of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less, except as otherwise provided herein.
PROHIBITED STREETS Golf carts shall not be operated upon U.S. Highway 18 within the city limits except for the purpose of crossing at an intersection. Crossings shall be made at approximately a right angle and only when it can be accomplished safely.
OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS No person shall operate a golf cart on city streets unless the person is at least sixteen (16) years of age and possesses a valid driver’s license.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS Golf carts operated on city streets shall be equipped with the following: (a) Adequate brakes; (b) A slow-moving vehicle emblem or safety flag; (c) A rearview mirror; (d) A seat for each riding passenger; (e) Headlights and taillights if operated between sunset and sunrise or during periods of reduced visibility.
INSURANCE The owner of a golf cart shall provide proof of financial liability coverage in accordance with Iowa law for motorized vehicles and shall maintain such coverage during operation on city streets.
HOURS OF OPERATION Golf carts may be operated only between sunrise and sunset unless equipped with proper lighting as required herein.
COMPLIANCE WITH TRAFFIC LAWS Operators of golf carts shall comply with all applicable state and local traffic laws and regulations.
PENALTIES (a) A violation of this chapter shall constitute a municipal infraction pursuant to Chapter 4 (Municipal Infractions) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Sanborn, Iowa, and Iowa Code Section 364.22. (b) Civil Penalties. Unless otherwise provided, violations shall be subject to the following civil penalties: (1) First Offense: $65.00 (2) Second Offense (within 12 months): $130.00 (3) Third and Subsequent Offenses (within 12 months): $260.00 (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the City may seek civil penalties up to the maximum amounts authorized under Iowa law, currently $750.00 for a first offense and $1,000.00 for repeat offenses, when warranted by the severity of the violation. (d) Each day a violation occurs or is permitted to exist constitutes a separate offense. (e) In addition to civil penalties, the City may: (1) Seek criminal charges and/or penalties.\
SECTION II. SEVERABILITY If any section, provision, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid, such judgment shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole.\
SECTION III. WHEN EFFECTIVE. The ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval, and publication as provided by law.\
PASSED AND APPROVED, by the Council the 13th day of April 13, 2026. Daniel Verrips Mayor ATTEST: Wendy Ewoldt City Clerk I Certify that the foregoing amendment will become official after Ordinance 239 is published. Attest: Wendy Reed, City Clerk First Reading: 4/13/2026 Second Reading: Waived Third Reading: Waived Final Approval: 4/13/2026. Published 5/8/2026