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Council debates draft golf‑cart and utility‑vehicle ordinance; no vote taken
Summary
Council discussed a model ordinance to regulate golf carts, UTVs and other special‑purpose vehicles on city streets; members supported insurance and equipment standards, debated age limits and allowable routes, and directed staff to draft a simplified ordinance that accounts for UTVs and restricts sidewalk operation.
Park City council held extended discussion Tuesday on a draft ordinance to regulate the use of golf carts, worksite utility vehicles (UTVs) and similar special‑purpose vehicles on city streets; no formal vote was taken.
The draft ordinance presented to council would allow operation on streets with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less, limit use to daylight hours (sunrise to sunset), require a valid driver’s license and at least one rear‑view mirror and a slow‑moving‑vehicle emblem for golf carts. Staff also proposed registration (a one‑time $25 sticker) and insurance requirements. The presenter noted that state law prescribes some minimum requirements — for example, seat belts and lighting rules apply when the vehicle is equipped with them — and that cities may set additional requirements.
Council members raised several issues: whether UTVs and side‑by‑side vehicles should be treated separately from golf carts, whether vehicles with headlights/taillights should be allowed after dark, how to allow residents in higher‑speed corridors to reach destinations without routing onto highways, and whether to require annual registration or ongoing insurance verification. Several council members favored allowing UTVs (worksite utility vehicles) more flexibility than low‑speed golf carts, and many council members said liability insurance should be required for vehicles operating on public streets.
Council also discussed enforcement and sidewalks. Members asked staff to define “sidewalk” broadly so that motorized vehicles would be prohibited on park trails and other pedestrian paths as well as traditional sidewalk areas. The draft will be simplified and returned to council for further review; staff said the proposed language in the packet was a comprehensive model and that a shorter, clearer ordinance could be written to reflect council direction.
No motion was made; staff will prepare a revised draft ordinance that incorporates council guidance on insurance, equipment, allowable routes and a broad definition of sidewalks.
