2005 California Streets and Highways Code Sections 1950-1961 CHAPTER 6. GOLF CART TRANSPORTATION PLAN

1950.  It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this
chapter, to authorize any city or county to establish a golf cart
transportation plan for a plan area in the city or county.  It is the
further intent of the Legislature that this transportation plan be
designed and developed to best serve the functional travel needs of
the plan area, to have the physical safety of the golf cart driver's
person and property as a major planning component, and to have the
capacity to accommodate golf cart drivers of every legal age and
range of skills.
1951.  The following definitions apply to this chapter:
   (a) "Plan area" means that territory under the jurisdiction of a
city or county designated by the city or county for a golf cart
transportation plan, including the privately owned land of any owner
that consents to its inclusion in the plan.
   (b) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle having not less than three
wheels in contact with the ground and unladen weight less than 1,300
pounds which is designed to be and is operated at not more than 25
miles per hour and is designated to carry golf equipment and not more
than two persons, including the driver.
   (c) "Golf cart lanes" means all publicly owned facilities that
provide for golf cart travel including roadways designated by signs
or permanent markings which are shared with pedestrians, bicyclists,
and other motorists in the plan area.
1953.  (a) A city or county may, by ordinance or resolution, adopt a
golf cart transportation plan.
   (b) The transportation plan shall have received a prior review and
the comments of the appropriate transportation planning agency
designated under subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 29532 of the
Government Code and any agency having traffic law enforcement
responsibilities in that city or county.
   (c) The transportation plan shall not include the use of any state
highway, or any portion thereof, except that a crossing of, or a
golf cart lane along, a state highway may be included in the plan, if
authorized by the department and the law enforcement agency having
primary traffic enforcement responsibility of that highway or portion
thereof.
1955.  The transportation plan shall include, but is not limited to,
all of the following elements:
   (a) Route selection, which includes a finding that the route will
accommodate golf carts without an adverse impact upon traffic safety,
and will consider, among other things, the travel needs of commuters
and other users.
   (b) Transportation interfacing, which shall include, but not be
limited to, coordination with other modes of transportation so that a
golf cart driver may employ multiple modes of transportation in
reaching a destination in the plan area.
   (c) Citizens and community involvement in planning.
   (d) Flexibility and coordination with long-range transportation
planning.
   (e) Provision for golf cart related facilities including, but not
limited to, special access points and golf cart crossings.
   (f) Provisions for parking facilities, including, but not limited
to, community commercial centers, golf courses, public areas, parks,
and other destination locations.
   (g) Provisions for special paving, road markings, signage and
striping for golf cart travel lanes, road crossings, parking, and
circulation.
   (h) No adopted transportation plan shall include the establishment
of a golf cart lane along, or that cross, a state highway unless
authorized by the department.
1957.  (a) If a city or county adopts a golf cart transportation
plan, it shall do both of the following:
   (1) Establish minimum general design criteria for the development,
planning, and construction of separated golf cart lanes, including,
but not limited to, the design speed of the facility, the space
requirements of the golf cart, and roadway design criteria.
   (2) In cooperation with the department, establish uniform
specifications and symbols for signs, markers, and traffic control
devices to control golf cart traffic; to warn of dangerous
conditions, obstacles, or hazards; to designate the right-of-way as
between golf carts, other vehicles, and bicycles; to state the nature
and destination of the golf cart lane; and to warn pedestrians,
bicyclists, and motorists of the presence of golf cart traffic.
   (b) The construction of separated golf cart lanes, as required
under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), does not apply in a residence
district, as defined in Section 515 of the Vehicle Code, located
within any city containing a population of less than 50,000 residents
with a geographical area of more than 20 square miles in which city
there are at least 20 golf courses, if the speed limit in that
district is 25 miles per hour or less.
1959.  A city or county that adopts a golf cart transportation plan
may do the following:
   (a) Acquire, by dedication, purchase, or condemnation, real
property, including easements or rights-of-way, to establish golf
cart lanes.
   (b) Establish a golf cart transportation plan as authorized by
this chapter.
1961.  A city or county that adopts a golf cart transportation plan
shall adopt all of the following as part of the plan:
   (a) Minimum design criteria for golf carts,  that may include, but
not be limited to, headlights, turn signals, safety devices,
mirrors, brake lights, windshields, and other devices.  The criteria
may include requirements for seatbelts and a covered passenger
compartment.
   (b) A permit process for golf carts that requires permitted golf
carts to meet minimum design criteria adopted pursuant to subdivision
(a).  The permit process may include, but not be limited to, permit
posting, permit renewal, operator education, and other related
matters.
   (c) Minimum safety criteria for golf cart operators, including,
but not limited to, requirements relating to golf cart maintenance
and golf cart safety.  Operators shall be required to possess a valid
California driver's license and to comply with the financial
responsibility requirements established pursuant to Chapter 1
(commencing with Section 16000) of Division 7.
   (d) (1) Restrictions limiting the operation of golf carts to
separated golf cart lanes on those roadways identified in the
transportation plan, and allowing only those golf carts that have
been retrofitted with the safety equipment specified in the plan to
be operated on separated golf cart lanes of approved roadways in the
plan area.
   (2) Any person operating a golf cart in the plan area in violation
of this subdivision is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine
not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100).