[Added 6-14-2022]
The Village of Stratford, Marathon County, Wisconsin, adopts
the following article permitting golf carts to be operated upon Village
roadways, pursuant to the authority granted the Village under § 349.18(1m),
Wis. Stats.
For purposes of this chapter, these definitions shall also apply
throughout this chapter.
A vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf
course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable
of exceeding 20 miles per hour.
A.
Allowed. The operation of golf carts on the public streets within
the Village in compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall
be permitted; however, it shall be unlawful to operate any golf cart
that is not properly registered with the Village or to operate any
golf cart at any place or in any manner not authorized herein.
B.
Exceptions. The operation of golf carts is not subject to the provisions
of this chapter under the following circumstances:
(1)
The operation of golf carts at golf courses, private clubs or on
private property, with the consent of the owner; or
(2)
The use of a golf cart in connection with a parade, a festival or
other special event, provided the consent of the sponsor is obtained
and provided such vehicle is only used during such event.
No person who does not have a valid driver's license issued
under or granted by the laws of Wisconsin or some other state may
operate a golf cart on any public street within the Village. For purposes
of this section, a learner's permit shall not be considered as
a valid driver's license, nor shall any license that has been
revoked, temporary or otherwise, or suspended for any reason be considered
as a valid driver's license during the period of suspension or
revocation.
A.
Required. No golf cart may be operated on any public street within
the Village unless the golf cart has first been registered with the
Stratford Police Department as required herein. The registration shall
be renewed thereafter in accordance with the provisions of this section.
To evidence the registration, the owner shall be issued an annual
permit which shall be displayed in a prominent, visible place on the
rear fender of the golf cart or at such other place as may be approved
by the Police Department. The permit may contain a registration number
assigned for the particular golf cart and may contain an expiration
date.
B.
Registration fee. A registration fee in the amount as may be established
and published in the Schedule of Fees adopted by the Village Board
from time to time, as amended, shall be paid to the Village at the
time the application for registration is filed with the Stratford
Police Department or for any renewal of the application.
C.
Application. The application for registration shall be made to the
Stratford Police Chief, or to some other person designated, on forms
provided by the Village. The application may, among other things,
require the owner's name, street address, mailing address, a
phone number, the make, model and identification or serial number
of the golf cart, proof of insurance and such other information as
may be reasonably required as well as a release or disclaimer of liability
by the Village for accidents involving the registered golf cart.
D.
Procedures. The Chief of Police may establish written procedures,
consistent with this chapter, setting out the process and the procedure,
including the form of the application, the checklist for items to
be inspected and the type of sticker, plate or tag evidencing the
issuance of the registration permit.
E.
Inspection. Prior to issuing the initial registration permit, the
golf cart shall be inspected at the owner's home or at the Stratford
Police Department to determine that:
(1)
The golf cart is equipped with a rear vision mirror and at least
two red rear reflectors at least three inches in height and width;
(2)
The golf cart is equipped with a reflective "slow moving sign" or
"flag" on the rear of the cart;
(3)
The brakes provided by the manufacturer of the golf cart are in proper
working order;
(4)
The golf cart has all of the standard safety features provided by
the manufacturer and has not been modified to exceed a speed of 20
miles per hour, nor otherwise modified in any way that creates a hazard;
and
(5)
Headlight/taillights and trailer requirements. A person who operates
a golf cart during hours of darkness or during daylight hours on any
highway right-of-way is required to display a lighted headlamp and
tail lamp on the vehicle, as follows:
(a)
The headlamp is required to display a white light of sufficient
illumination power to reveal any person, vehicle or substantial object
at a distance of at least 200 feet ahead of the golf cart. The headlight
shall be properly adjusted so as to not interfere with the operation
of other vehicles on the roadway.
(b)
Taillights shall be red in color and be observable during hours
of darkness to a distance of 500 feet to the rear.
(6)
The golf cart is equipped with all mechanical systems and safety
equipment required by this chapter.
F.
Denial and revocation. The initial registration of a golf cart may
be denied or subsequently revoked by the Stratford Police Department
if it is determined that:
(1)
The application contains any material misrepresentation;
(2)
Financial responsibility requirements of the State of Wisconsin (liability
insurance) have not been met;
(3)
The golf cart is not in compliance with the requirements set out
above;
(4)
The golf cart has been altered or customized and no longer meets
the definition of a golf cart;
(5)
Equipment supplied by the manufacturer, especially safety equipment,
has been removed from the golf cart or the vehicle identification
or serial number removed; or
(6)
Other good cause shown, including repeated violations of this chapter.
G.
Financial responsibility. The owner of a golf cart required to be
registered with the Village for use on the public streets of the Village
shall maintain in full force and effect and continuously throughout
any period of registration.
H.
Disqualified vehicles. ATVs, four-wheel utility vehicles and other
similar utility vehicles which are not manufactured for operation
on a golf course and golf carts which have been modified so that it
no longer meets the definition of a golf cart may not be registered
as a golf cart nor shall such vehicles be operated on the public roads
within the Village unless such vehicles are otherwise registered with
and allowed under the motor vehicle laws of the State of Wisconsin.
I.
Noise limits. No person may manufacture, rent, sell or operate a
golf cart that is constructed in such a manner that noise emitted
from the vehicle exceeds 75 decibels on the A scale as measured in
the manner prescribed under rules promulgated by the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources.
Golf carts shall not be operated on the public streets of the
Village, except in full compliance with the provisions of this section.
A.
Hours of operation. Operators may not operate a golf cart on a golf
cart route at any time before or after operating hours. Operating
hours are designated as 5:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m.
C.
Motor vehicle laws. All laws regarding the use of motor vehicles
in the State of Wisconsin and all ordinances regarding the use of
motor vehicles in the Village, not inconsistent therewith, shall be
observed, except that no golf cart may be operated at a speed in excess
of 20 miles per hour.
(1)
All golf cart operators shall observe a speed limit of 20 miles per
hour (mph) on the designated and posted roadway/alley or the posted
roadway/alley speed limit, whichever is lower. Lower speed limits
may be designated on certain portions of roadway routes as deemed
appropriate and indicated by signage. This speed limit shall also
apply while operating on private property.
(2)
Golf cart operators shall slow to 10 mph when within 150 feet of
a residence or business, including when operating on private property
held open to public golf cart use. This speed limitation does not
apply to a person operating a golf cart on a roadway that is designated
as a golf cart route.
(3)
Golf cart operators shall slow to 10 mph, yield and exercise extreme
caution on the frozen surface of public waters or on a golf cart trail
when within 100 feet of another person not operating a motor vehicle,
golf cart, all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, or snowmobile.
This restriction does not apply to operation of a golf cart when competing
in a sanctioned derby or race.
(4)
Golf cart operators shall not exceed a speed of 10 mph when within
100 feet of a fishing shanty.
(5)
Golf cart operators shall not exceed a speed of 15 mph when the golf
cart is being operated on a roadway or adjacent to a roadway with
a snow removal device attached, if the golf cart is more than 150
feet from a dwelling.
D.
Right-of-way. The operator of a golf cart shall yield the right-of-way
to overtaking motor vehicles.
E.
Village property and sidewalks. Golf carts shall not be operated
on any sidewalk, pedestrian walkway, jogging path, greenway, park,
trail except for official police business or by Village personnel
while on Village business. Golf carts may not be operated on public
property that is closed to golf cart operation or on which the operation
of a golf cart is prohibited by law. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, golf carts shall not be operated on property owned
or leased by the Village except with the express written consent of
the Village Clerk and/or the Chief of Police and upon the terms and
conditions as may be set forth in such written permission.
F.
Private property. Golf carts may not be operated on the private property
of another without the consent of the owner or lessee. Failure to
post private property does not imply consent for golf cart use.
G.
Golf cart capacity. The seating capacity (normally no more than four
passengers) shall not be exceeded nor shall the operator or any passenger
be permitted to stand while the golf cart is in operation.
H.
Commercial purposes. Golf carts may not be used as a taxicab or bus
or for the commercial carrying of passengers or the hauling of freight.
I.
Parking. Golf carts may only be parked in the same manner and at
the same places designated for the parking of motor vehicles. The
stopping, standing or parking of golf carts in areas where parking
is not allowed or in any place that impedes the flow of traffic, pedestrian
walkways or a passageway is prohibited.
J.
Towing. Golf carts may not be used for the purpose of towing another
cart, trailer or vehicle of any kind, including a person on roller
skates, skateboard or bicycle.
K.
Insurance. All operators shall have a liability insurance policy
in force on any golf cart operated on a golf cart route. The liability
insurance policy must have the following minimum coverages:
L.
Possession/consumption of open intoxicants prohibited. It shall be
unlawful for any person to possess an open intoxicant container/receptacle
while operating, or as a passenger on, a golf cart on any golf cart
route within the Village of Stratford.
M.
Restrictions on equipment. No golf cart may be operated within the
Village of Stratford unless it complies with all noise, registration,
and other equipment standards as established in the Wisconsin Statutes,
Wisconsin Administrative Code, or the Village of Stratford Code of
Ordinances.
N.
Miscellaneous. No person may operate a golf cart:
(1)
In any careless way so as to endanger the person or property of another.
(2)
With any crossbow in his or her possession, unless the crossbow is
not cocked or is unloaded and enclosed in a carrying case.
(3)
With any bow in his or her possession, unless the bow does not have
an arrow nocked.
(4)
With any firearm in his or her possession, unless the firearm is
unloaded or is a handgun, as defined in § 175.60(1)(bm),
Wis. Stats. This limitation does not apply to a firearm that is placed
or possessed on a golf cart that is stationary, as defined in §
167.31(1)(fg), Wis. Stats.
(5)
With a passenger riding in or on any part of a golf cart that is
not designed or intended to be used by passengers.
(6)
Unless he or she, and every occupant of the golf cart, is seated
on a seat that is original to the golf cart as manufactured.
O.
Operations restrictions. Because the Village of Stratford Village
Board designates all Village streets and alleys as official designated
routes (except STH 153 and STH 97), golf carts operating on Village
of Stratford streets, roads, and other public property shall comply
with the following:
(1)
Golf carts shall be operated on the extreme right side of the roadway
and travel with the flow of traffic.
(2)
Golf carts shall be operated in single-file, with headlights and
taillights in operation at all times.
(3)
Golf cart operators shall yield the right of way to all other vehicular
traffic and pedestrians.
(4)
No racing-type golf carts, golf cart conversions, or converted drive
trains will be allowed on Village of Stratford streets, alleys or
public ways.
P.
Route markers.
(1)
Erection of trail markers. Village of Stratford Department of Public
Works personnel are directed and authorized to procure, erect and
maintain appropriate route, trail, and/or speed limit signs and markers
as required by the Wisconsin Statutes.
(2)
Trail status/closure. The Chief of Police, upon the recommendation
of law enforcement or public works personnel, shall have the authority
to declare designated golf cart routes and trails open or closed.
Such closure and opening information shall be posted.
(3)
Signs and markers to be obeyed. No person shall fail to obey any
route or trail sign, marker or speed limit or other control device
erected in accordance with this section or traffic sign or signal
under authority of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Q.
Storage restrictions. No more than three golf carts may be parked
outside of a building or garage on a residential property for more
than 24 hours.
R.
Required notifications. The Village of Stratford shall submit a copy
of this article upon adoption to the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, Wisconsin State Patrol and the County Sheriff's Department
of Marathon County, as required by law.
A.
Disclaimer. Golf carts are not designed for nor manufactured to be
used on public streets, and the Village neither advocates nor endorses
the golf cart as a safe means of travel on public streets, roads and
highways. The Village in no way shall be liable for accidents, injuries
or death involving the operation of a golf cart.
B.
Assumption of risk. Any person who owns, operates or rides upon a
golf cart on a public street, road or highway within the Village does
so at his or her own risk and peril and assumes all liability resulting
from the operation of the golf cart.
If any section, clause, provision or portion of this article
or any underlying statute or administrative code section adopted by
reference herein is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court
of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.
This article becomes effective upon passage and publication.
