Park City council delays ordinance on golf carts and UTVs after debate over definitions and nighttime use

Park City Council on Tuesday, April 22, voted to table a proposed ordinance that would regulate the operation of golf carts, worksite utility vehicles and utility task vehicles (UTVs) in the city, after council members raised concerns about definitions, enforcement and nighttime operation.

Councilmembers said the ordinance needs clearer definitions and registration rules to distinguish a standard golf cart from larger, faster, “tricked-out” carts and UTVs. The measure was tabled so staff can revise definitional language and return the item for further discussion.

The measure drew sustained debate over where different vehicle types would be allowed and whether any of them should be permitted to operate after dark. Councilmember Charles Schwenke, who led much of the discussion, said the draft attempted to track state definitions but still left enforcement challenges. Schwenke said some owners might modify a golf cart to make it faster and that the city needs a workable way to classify such vehicles when they are presented for registration.

Councilmember Linda Westhoefer urged codifying the state-based definitions in the ordinance so officers and residents have a clear standard. "I think the purpose... is so the registration section — you're not listing golf carts and UTVs and worksite utilities everywhere," Westhoefer said, arguing that explicit definitions would reduce disputes at registration and enforcement.

Several councilmembers, including Mayor (unnamed) and George Glover, said public-safety concerns about mixing slower carts with heavier, faster traffic — and with high-volume destinations such as casinos and event venues — made them wary of allowing night operation for all vehicle types. Councilmember Jim Schroeder and Councilmember Terry Osborne emphasized the role of clear registration standards for enforcement: if a vehicle can be shown to travel faster than 25 mph, it could be registered as a worksite utility vehicle and treated differently than a traditional golf cart.

Staff said revisions will clarify three categories (golf cart, worksite utility vehicle and UTV), remove the umbrella term “special purpose vehicle” where it causes confusion, and add statutory language from state traffic code defining the vehicle classes. Councilmember Brandy Bailey and others suggested staff return with suggested decal/registration classes and explicit daylight/nighttime rules. Councilmember Troy Hill said he had heard mixed views from constituents and was comfortable delaying the decision to give more time for public input.

The council approved a motion to table the ordinance and directed staff to bring revised language back in two meetings. The motion to table passed unanimously, 8-0.

The ordinance was initially drafted to allow worksite utility vehicles and UTVs to operate on streets with posted speed limits up to 55 mph (subject to lighting requirements at night) while limiting traditional golf carts to roads with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less and, as written, sunrise to sunset. That distinction — and how to classify upgraded or larger golf carts that may exceed typical speed limits — was at the center of the debate.

Staff said the revised draft will: (1) add statutory definitions from the state traffic code for golf carts and worksite utility vehicles; (2) clarify registration and decal procedures so police can verify vehicle classification at time of registration; (3) remove ambiguous umbrella terminology; and (4) return with a clear proposal on nighttime restrictions. The council set no final rules on night operation, leaving that decision for the revised draft.

The ordinance will be brought back for consideration after staff makes the requested changes and allows additional time for councilmembers and the public to review the revised definitions and operational rules.