Public Notice: City of Manchester

Manchester City Hall, 912 City Road

CITY OF MANCHESTER 

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN 

ORDINANCE No. 10 

AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW GOLF CART USE IN THE CITY OF MANCHESTER 

THE CITY OF MANCHESTER, WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN, HEREBY ORDAINS: 

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT TO SEC. 73.01 THRU SEC. 73.04 OF THE MANCHESTER CODE OF ORDINANCES 

Sec. 73.01. Operation of Golf Carts on City Streets Definitions. 

For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, certain terms and words used herein are defined as follows: 

City means the City of Manchester. 

Driver license means an operator’s or chauffeur’s license or permit to an individual by the Secretary of State under Chapter III of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.301 to MCL 257.329, for that individual to operate a vehicle, whether or not conditions are attached to the license or permit. 

Golf Cart means a vehicle designed for transportation while playing the game of golf. Vehicle is considered a golf cart if the certificate of origin states it is a golf cart or if a certificate of origin is unavailable, then a picture of the manufacturer tag with the serial number and manufacturer name that can be verified with the manufacturer that such is a golf cart is acceptable. Off-road vehicles, such as Gators, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), a multitrack or multi-wheel drive vehicle, dune buggies, go karts, or like-vehicles are not considered golf carts and further even if such vehicles are converted into golf carts they are still not considered a golf cart for purposes of this Ordinance unless the original manufacturer certifies such in writing to the City and the certificate of origin for the vehicle is changed to golf cart by the original manufacturer. A golf cart is not required to meet the vehicle safety requirements of a low-speed vehicle for approval under this section. 

Operate means to ride in or on or be in actual physical control of the operation of the golf cart. 

Operator means a person who operates or is in actual physical control of the operation of a golf cart.

Maintained portion means that portion of a road improved, designated or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic. 

Road means a road or street which is in the City of Manchester street system. Road does not include a private road. Street and road are intended to be interchangeable phrases. 

Sunset and Sunrise mean that time determined by the National Weather Service.

Sec. 73.02. Operation of Golf Carts on City Streets. 

A person may operate a golf cart on City streets, subject to the following restrictions: 

(A) A person shall not operate a golf cart on any street unless he or she is at least 16 years old and is licensed to operate a motor vehicle. 

(B) The operator of a golf cart shall comply with the signal requirements of MCL 257.648 that apply to the operation of a vehicle. 

(C) The operator of a golf cart shall obey by all sections pertaining to traffic in the Michigan Motor Vehicle. 

(D) A person operating a golf cart upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. 

(E) A person shall not operate a golf cart on a state trunk line highway (M-52). This subsection does not prohibit a person from crossing a state trunk line highway when operating a golf cart on a street of the City, using the most direct line of crossing. 

(F) Where a usable and designated path for golf carts is provided adjacent to a highway or street, a person operating a golf cart shall be required to use that path. 

(G) A person operating a golf cart shall not pass between lines of traffic but may pass on the left of traffic moving in his or her direction in the case of a 2-way street or on the left or right of traffic in the case of a 1-way street, in an unoccupied lane. 

(H) A golf cart shall not be operated on a sidewalk constructed for the use of pedestrians.

(I) A golf cart shall be operated at a speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour and shall not be operated on a highway or street with a speed limit of more than 30 miles per hour except to cross that highway or street. The City may, by resolution, designate roads or classifications of roads for use by golf carts under this subsection. 

(J) Approved golf carts may only begin to be operated 30 minutes after sunrise, and operation must be halted 30 minutes before sunset, without exception. Sunrise and sunset shall be established by the National Weather Service. 

(K) A person operating a golf cart or who is a passenger in a golf cart is not required to wear a crash helmet. 

(L) A golf cart operated on a street of the City under this section is not required to be registered under this act for purposes of section 3101 of the insurance code of 1956, 1956 PA 218, MCL 500.3101. 

(M) Registration does not apply to individuals operating golf carts during the Chicken Broil, Community Fair, parades, or other events designated by the City. Additionally, this section does not apply to police officers, City employees, and City volunteers in the performance of his or her official duties. 

(N) A golf cart shall not be operated during inclement weather or with snow and/or ice on the ground. 

(O) Golf carts shall not be used to tow trailers, passenger carts, or other items. 

(P) When driven on a street, each person riding a golf cart shall have their own seat on the golf cart. Riding on someone’s lap on a golf cart is prohibited. 

Sec. 73.03. Registration and Decals. 

(A) Golf cart owners shall register each golf cart on an annual basis by making application to the City. Such application shall include proof of insurance as a rider to a homeowner’s or renter’s policy, or in any other form of policy selected by the applicant, for coverage of personal injury or property damage resulting from operation of the subject golf cart that is valid for the year in for which the golf cart is being registered. The minimum amount of coverage shall be no less than $300,000.00. Each application shall also include a copy of the original or amended certificate of origin from the manufacturer or a picture of the manufacturer tag with the serial number and manufacturer name that can be verified with the manufacturer that attests that the vehicle is a golf cart. The City shall review and approve or deny each application and provide a list of registered golf carts to law enforcement officers enforcing municipal and state law in the State of Michigan within the City. 

(B) There shall be no charge for the registration of a golf cart, and each approved golf cart shall be issued a registration decal. The golf cart owner shall affix each decal provided by the City on a clearly visible place on the front driver side of the golf cart. The decal shall be valid for one year. 

(C) Failure to register a golf cart or renew an existing registration shall constitute a violation of this article if the vehicle continues to be used after registration is expired. 

(D) The City retains the right to refuse to issue and/or revoke any registration decal from any golf cart for any violation of the rules of this ordinance. 

(E) Any police officer may temporarily suspend any registration decal and ban further access on any public street or public property by any golf cart, when in the opinion of that officer the golf cart is being used in a manner to cause damage to public or private property or endangering members of the public. 

(F) Any campground may be issued temporary registrations for use by their customers upon proof that the campground carries insurance coverage no less than $300,000.00 per incident for personal injury or property damage for any golf cart having a temporary permit. The temporary permit shall be affixed to the golf cart on the front driver side. Temporary permits are good for five (5) days. 

Sec. 73.04. Violations and penalties. 

(A) Any person violating any provisions of this article shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction as provided for under §10.12. 

(B) A court may order a person who causes damage to the environment, a road, or other public property as a result of the operation of a golf cart to pay full restitution for that damage above and beyond the penalties paid for civil infractions. 

SECTION 2. REPEAL OF CONFLICTING PROVISIONS

All other City ordinances, City Council resolutions, and parts thereof that conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed and shall be of no further force or effect. 

SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY 

If any section, paragraph, clause, or provision of this Ordinance shall be held invalid, the invalidity of such section, paragraph, clause, or provision shall not affect any of the other provisions of this Ordinance. 

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance, or a synopsis of this Ordinance, to be published in the manner required by law within fifteen (15) days after it has been duly adopted by the City Council. The effective date shall be the 20th day after the date of publication. 

Adopted:

Published:

Effective: 

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.