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ORDINANCE NO. 26-13 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Kos AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF A NEW CHAPTER TITLED LOW-SPEED VEHICLES WITHIN TITLE TEN – BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES AND SNOWMOBILES, IN PART FOUR OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. WHEREAS, the increasing popularity and availability of low-speed vehicles within residential communities has resulted in a growing number of such vehicles operating on public streets within the City; and WHEREAS, the operation of low-speed vehicles on public roadways presents unique traffic safety considerations, including differences in speed capabilities, vehicle size, and visibility, which may affect the safe and orderly flow of traffic; and WHEREAS, the City recognizes the need to balance the convenience and benefits of low-speed vehicle use with the responsibility to ensure the peace, health, safety, and welfare of motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and residents; and WHEREAS, the Ohio Revised Code authorizes municipalities to regulate the operation of low-speed vehicles on public streets under their jurisdiction, including the establishment of standards for registration, inspection, equipment, and permissible roadways; and WHEREAS, the City presently does not have a comprehensive set of local regulations specifically addressing the operation of low-speed vehicles within its Traffic Code; and WHEREAS, Council desires to adopt a new and comprehensive set of ordinances governing the registration, inspection, equipment requirements, and lawful operation of low-speed vehicles within the City in order to promote safe travel, maintain orderly traffic control, and protect the peace, health, safety, and welfare of all persons within the City; and WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 9 of the Avon Lake City Charter, Council has the authority to codify ordinances of the City as it determines necessary; and WHEREAS, this Council determines that this Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare of the community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVON LAKE, STATE OF OHIO: Section No. 1: That Council hereby creates a new Chapter 480 Low-Speed Vehicles, which may be amended from time to time in accordance with the recommendations of Council and/or the Administration and/or public safety. ORDINANCE NO. 26-13 Page | 2 Section No. 2: That it is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the adoption of this Ordinance were taken in an open meeting of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council and any of its committees, which resulted in such formal actions, were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements, including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code. Section No. 3: That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the earliest period allowed by law. 1st reading: 2/23/2026 2nd reading: 3/09/2026 3rd reading: PASSED: 03/23/2026 ____________________________ President of Council POSTED: 03/27/2026 Approved: 03/24/2026 ATTEST: _________________________ ____________________________ Clerk of Council Mayor 1 | P a g e #2002757v7<SSEG> - Chp 480 - Low Speed Vehicles (ie Golf Carts & Utility carts) CHAPTER 480 Low-Speed Vehicles (Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles) § 480.01 DEFINITIONS (a) “Certificate of Compliance” means the document provided to the owner of a Low-Speed Vehicle by the Vehicle Inspector identifying that the Low-Speed Vehicle meets all necessary requirements of this Chapter. (b) “Golf cart” means a Low-Speed Vehicle with an attainable speed on a paved, level surface of not more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour, a gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand (3,000) pounds, and primarily intended to transport people. (c) “Motor vehicle” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 402.01 of the Codified Ordinances. (d) “Occupant restraining device” shall mean a safety belt, shoulder belt, harness, or other device that satisfies the minimum federal safety standards established by the United States Department of Transportation. With respect to children under the age of eight (8) the following apply: (1) Children under the age of four (4) or under forty (40) pounds in weight must be seated in a child safety seat which must be installed to manufacturer specifications. (2) Children between the ages of four (4) and eight (8) or under forty-nine (49) inches in height must be seated in a child booster seat installed to manufacturer specifications. (e) “Low-Speed Vehicle” means a self-propelled, three (3) or four (4) wheeled vehicle, including but not limited to a golf cart or a utility vehicle, with an attainable speed on a paved, level surface of not more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour and a gross vehicle weight of less than 3,000 pounds. (f) “Utility vehicle” means a Low-Speed Vehicle designed with a bed, principally used for the purpose of transporting material or cargo for short distances in connection with construction, agricultural, forestry, grounds maintenance, lawn and garden, materials handling, or similar activities. (g) “Validation sticker” means the self-adhesive sticker provided by the Police Department to the owner of a Low-Speed Vehicle identifying the Low-Speed Vehicle has received a Certificate of Compliance and been properly registered in accordance with Section 436.14 of the Codified Ordinances. (h) “Vehicle” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 402.01 of the Codified Ordinances. (i) “Vehicle Inspector” shall mean the Chief of Police or persons designated by the Chief of Police to inspect vehicles subject to this Chapter for compliance with this Chapter or the State of Ohio’s statutory requirements generally applicable to motor vehicles. 2 | P a g e #2002757v7<SSEG> - Chp 480 - Low Speed Vehicles (ie Golf Carts & Utility carts) Words not defined herein shall have the ordinary meaning given to such words except where expressly defined by another Codified Ordinance. § 480.02 INSPECTION OF LOW-SPEED VEHICLES. (a) Each Low-Speed Vehicle intended to be operated on a public street is subject to inspection and approval by the City. Appointments for inspections can be scheduled through the Police Department upon payment of an equipment inspection fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and completion of a Low-Speed Vehicle application which shall identify the name, address, and phone number of the owner of the Low-Speed Vehicle. (b) Each Low-Speed Vehicle intended to be operated on a public street within the City must possess the following: (1) Working brakes and braking system including lights; (2) Properly working steering mechanism; (3) Windshield; (4) Working horn; (5) Two working headlights; (6) At least one working taillight; (7) Directional signals; (8) Rearview mirror; (9) License plate mounting equipment and source of illumination; (10) Occupant restraint system; (11) Appropriate tires free from major bumps, bulges, breaks, or other unsafe condition; and (12) A slow-moving vehicle placard on the rear bumper. (c) If the Low-Speed Vehicle complies with the requirements of this Chapter, the Vehicle Inspector shall complete and issue a Certificate of Compliance to the Low-Speed Vehicle owner. If the Vehicle Inspector determines that the Low-Speed Vehicle does not comply with the requirements of this Chapter, the Vehicle Inspector shall note on the Vehicle Inspection Sheet what items were non-compliant and provide a copy of same to the owner. (1) The owner may request a second inspection at no additional charge within 30 days of a failed inspection upon proof that the items deemed non-compliant have been remedied. If after the second inspection the Low-Speed Vehicle is still not found to be compliant with this Chapter, a new Low-Speed Vehicle application and payment of the inspection fee must be submitted. 3 | P a g e #2002757v7<SSEG> - Chp 480 - Low Speed Vehicles (ie Golf Carts & Utility carts) (2) After 30 days, the registration application shall be canceled and a new registration application and payment of the fee set forth herein shall be required before a new inspection is scheduled. (d) Upon receipt of a Certificate of Compliance, the owner of a Low-Speed Vehicle shall present the Certificate of Compliance to the Police Department along with proof of registration for road use in accordance with Section 436.14 of the Codified Ordinances and obtain a validation sticker. (e) A validation sticker issued under this Section shall be valid for a period of three years from date of issuance. (f) Any Low-Speed Vehicle that has been modified for equipment or increased/decreased speed and no longer meets the criteria after inspection and approval will be immediately denied further operation and become subject to a citation. § 480.03 OPERATION OF LOW-SPEED VEHICLE. The owner or operator of a Low-Speed Vehicle upon public streets within the City shall comply with all generally applicable motor vehicle laws pertaining to operation, licensing, and registration of motor vehicles including, without limitation, speed, safety, and insurance requirements. (a) No person shall operate a Low-Speed Vehicle upon public streets within the City without being in possession of a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and valid registration. (b) No person possessing a temporary instruction permit or a probationary license shall operate a Low-Speed Vehicle in violation of Sections 436.03 or 436.04 of the Codified Ordinances. (c) No person shall operate a Low-Speed Vehicle upon public streets or in any public location within the City while under the influence of intoxicating beverages or substances. (d) Each Low-Speed Vehicle operated upon public streets within the City must have a validation sticker issued in accordance with this Chapter, which shall be placed on the rear of the vehicle and plainly visible. (e) Each occupant of a Low-Speed Vehicle must use an appropriate occupant restraining devices while the Low-Speed Vehicle is being operated on public streets within the City. There shall be no more than two seating positions per row of seats and not more than one person per occupant restraining device. (f) No Low-Speed Vehicle shall be operated on any sidewalk, except to cross the sidewalk. Notwithstanding anything in this Chapter to the contrary, Low-Speed Vehicles may be operated on sidewalks for the limited purpose of snow removal. 4 | P a g e #2002757v7<SSEG> - Chp 480 - Low Speed Vehicles (ie Golf Carts & Utility carts) (g) No Low-Speed Vehicle shall be operated on any public street within the City where the posted speed limit is in excess of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or has been specifically designated as a street where Low- Speed Vehicles are prohibited. (1) Except as otherwise provided herein for purposes of crossing only, no Low-Speed Vehicle may be driven upon the following roads within the City: A. Avon Beldon Road (State Route 83) B. Electric Boulevard C. Jaycox Road D. Krebs Road E. Lake Road F. Lear Road G. Miller Road H. Moore Road I. Pin Oak Parkway J. Walker Road (2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a Low-Speed Vehicle from crossing a street where the posted speed limit is in excess of twenty-five (25) miles per hour provided that the crossing is made at a 90-degree angle, at an intersection, and does not impede motor vehicles legally operating on the street being traversed. (h) No Low-Speed Vehicle may be driven upon public streets or in public spaces unless it is in full compliance with this Chapter and has been registered with the State of Ohio in accordance with Section 436.14 of the Codified Ordinances. (i) Vehicles used for public safety or governmental purposes shall be exempt from the requirements of this Chapter when operated in the course of official duties. § 480.04 MODIFICATION OF LOW-SPEED VEHICLE. (a) No one shall modify a low-speed vehicle to increase the speed, cargo, or seating capacity beyond that established by the manufacturer at the time such was put into commerce. (b) Any modification of a low-speed vehicle which removes the Low-Speed Vehicle from the definition of a Low-Speed Vehicle. may be cause for revocation of the validation sticker or refusal to issue Certificate of Compliance in accordance with Section 480.02(f). 5 | P a g e #2002757v7<SSEG> - Chp 480 - Low Speed Vehicles (ie Golf Carts & Utility carts) § 480.99 PENALTY. Except where a higher penalty is imposed by another provision within the Codified Ordinances, whoever violates this chapter is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; for each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.