Toledo City Council Golf Cart Ordinance

The original Toledo City Council document is found at council's Google Drive account. That file is a Word docx.

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ORD. 483-16 / 100-17

Establishing a Pilot Program permitting the use of golf carts and low speed vehicles on public streets within designated areas of the City of Toledo; and declaring an emergency.

SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:

Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles have become increasingly popular nationwide as alternative forms of transportation to passenger cars. The Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles passed legislation in 2013 allowing for golf carts/Low speed vehicles to operate on the streets within certain criteria. All golf/low speed vehicles must be in accordance with ORC Chapter 4511 and ORC Chapter 4513. The benefits of Golf Carts and Low Speed vehicles include that they: are relatively inexpensive to own and operate, have a much lower amount of pollution, are quiet, are easy to drive, and take up little room in traffic and parking areas. Members in the community in designated areas have expressed an interest at being able to legally use and register Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles within the City of Toledo. These vehicles after registration and certification by the law enforcement must follow all laws pertaining to motor vehicles while on and off the road.

There have been three designated areas within the City of Toledo that the Pilot Program will operate. One area is located within the Point Place community, Old West End and the last area is located within the Old West End Community and the other area is located within the Old West End Community. The Pilot Program is designed to run from April 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018. The data collected during the Pilot Program will be used to determine whether or not such a program could be expanded to additional neighborhoods throughout the city, and whether the program could be introduced permanently. NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:

SECTION 1. That a new Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 378 shall read as follows:

378. Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles

378.01 Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(a) "All-purpose vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for cross-country travel on land and water, or on more than one type of terrain, and steered by wheels or caterpillar treads, or any combination thereof, including vehicles that operate on a cushion of air, vehicles commonly known as all-terrain vehicles, all-season vehicles, mini-bikes, and trail bikes. "All-purpose vehicle" does not include a utility vehicle as defined in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code or any vehicle principally used in playing golf, any motor vehicle or aircraft required to be registered under Chapter 4503. or 4561. of the Revised Code, and any vehicle excepted from definition as a motor vehicle by division (B) of section 4501.01 of the Revised Code.

(b) "Low-speed vehicle" means a three- or four-wheeled motor vehicle, including a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart, with an attainable speed in one mile on a paved level surface of more than twenty miles per hour but not more than twenty-five miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand pounds.

© "Mini-truck" means a vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an electric motor with a

rated power of seven thousand five hundred watts or less or an internal combustion engine with a

piston displacement capacity of six hundred sixty cubic centimeters or less, has a total dry weight

of nine hundred to two thousand two hundred pounds, contains an enclosed cabin and a seat for

the vehicle operator, resembles a pickup truck or van with a cargo area or bed located at the rear

of the vehicle, and was not originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards.