Golf carts approved on Clear Lake streets

The Clear Lake City Council took quick action on an ordinance which will allow the operation of golf carts on city streets.  The measure passed by a 3-1 vote.

City Administrator Scott Flory proposed an amendment to the City’s Code of Ordinances at a Special Meeting Tuesday, May 30.  Before the amendment was made, it was only legal to drive a golf cart only on a direct route to and from the golf course.  However, with this amendment, it is now legal to drive it on certain city streets.

  Police Chief Pete Roth brought to the Council’s attention that special event permits for golf carts are technically in violation of the ordinance, as it stood. With this amendment, it is no longer in violation.

  Main roads are excluded, and golf carts can only be driven on streets with a speed limit of 25 mph or less.

  With this legalization, the limitations that state laws put in place must remain intact.

Some limitations include: the operator must have valid driver’s license, be 18 years of age or older, obey all laws and rules

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of the road, have liability insurance, and cannot operate the cart on certain streets, trails, sidewalks, or exceed a speed of 25 mph.

  Operators also must have the required safety equipment, including the flags and permit tags.

The amendment also increases the annual registration permit fee from $5 to $25 in order to allow the extra permissions.

  Those who have already paid their permit fee for this year will need to have the proper equipment, but will not need to pay any additional fees.

  Councilman Mike Callanan opposed the amendment due to the hasty process, saying that more time was needed to discuss the decision.

  In the future, the Council indicated there may be talk of similar permissions for utility vehicles (UTVs) in Clear Lake.

Ventura

The city of Ventura passed a similar golf court ordinance earlier this year.  Under the new ordinance, operators must have a driver’s license to operate a golf cart in the community, as well as a city-issued permit and proof of liability insurance.  The permit, good for one year, is $25.  Golf carts are permitted to operate from sunrise to sunset on all city streets, except U.S. Highway 18.  No more than two persons may ride in the front seat of a golf cart and no more than two persons may ride in the back seat, if a back seat exists.

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