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.
Chapter 6Golf Cart Transportation Plan
Section § 1950
This law allows cities or counties in California to create a transportation plan specifically for golf carts within their areas. The plan should address travel needs, ensure the safety of golf cart drivers, and be inclusive of all legal age drivers with varying skill levels.
golf cart transportation plan city transportation plan county transportation plan golf cart travel needs driver safety transportation inclusivity plan area functional travel needs legal age drivers golf cart driver skills local transportation planning golf cart safety urban planning for golf carts
Section § 1951
This section explains key terms related to golf cart transportation plans in a city or county. A "plan area" is the territory designated for such a plan, including private land if the owner agrees. A "golf cart" is a small vehicle with at least three wheels, weighs less than 1,300 pounds, and is meant to carry golf gear and up to two people at speeds up to 25 mph. "Golf cart lanes" are public facilities marked for golf cart use, often shared with pedestrians, cyclists, and other traffic within the designated area.
The following definitions apply to this chapter:
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1951(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1951(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1951(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.
golf cart transportation plan plan area golf cart golf cart lanes motor vehicle unladen weight 25 miles per hour golf equipment public facilities designated roadways shared pathways pedestrian sharing bicyclist sharing motorist sharing city jurisdiction county jurisdiction
Section § 1953
Cities or counties in California can create a plan for golf cart transportation, but they need an ordinance or resolution to do it. This plan has to be reviewed by their local transportation agency and any relevant traffic enforcement groups. While state highways can't be used for golf cart travel, crossings or specific lanes might be allowed, but only if state authorities and the local police agree.
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1953(a) A city or county may, by ordinance or resolution, adopt a golf cart transportation plan.
(b)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1953(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1953(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.
golf cart transportation plan local ordinance county resolution transportation agency review traffic law enforcement state highway crossing golf cart lane transportation plan approval local police agreement state highway restrictions
Section § 1955
This law requires transportation plans to include several elements focused on accommodating golf carts while ensuring traffic safety. It includes choosing routes that safely integrate golf carts and consider commuters, coordinating with other transport modes, and involving citizens in planning. The plan must be flexible and align with long-term transport goals, provide facilities for golf carts, and designate parking areas in commercial centers and public spaces. It also calls for special road features like paving and signage for golf carts but forbids establishing golf cart lanes on state highways without department approval.
The transportation plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following elements:
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1955(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1955(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1955(c) Citizens and community involvement in planning.
(d)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1955(d) Flexibility and coordination with long-range transportation planning.
(e)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1955(e) Provision for golf cart related facilities including, but not limited to, special access points and golf cart crossings.
(f)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1955(f) Provisions for parking facilities, including, but not limited to, community commercial centers, golf courses, public areas, parks, and other destination locations.
(g)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1955(g) Provisions for special paving, road markings, signage and striping for golf cart travel lanes, road crossings, parking, and circulation.
(h)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1955(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.
golf carts route selection traffic safety commuter needs transportation interfacing community involvement long-range planning golf cart facilities special access points parking provisions special paving road markings signage for golf carts golf cart travel lanes state highway restrictions
Section § 1957
If a city or county in California decides to implement a golf cart transportation plan, they must set minimum design guidelines for the construction of golf cart lanes and establish uniform signs and markers for safety and traffic control. However, creating separate golf cart lanes isn't required in specific areas: residential districts with certain conditions such as low population or many golf courses, and certain streets in La Verne adjacent to universities or retirement communities under strict conditions. These include low speed limits and the ability to safely handle both golf carts and other vehicles.
In La Verne, only golf carts owned by associated institutions and used by employees for specific tasks are permitted, alongside other stipulations like equipping the carts with headlights and seatbelts. Moreover, 'golf cart' here broadly includes utility and shuttle style carts used for maintenance and transportation.
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(a) If a city or county adopts a golf cart transportation plan, it shall do both of the following:
(1)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(a)(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(a)(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b) The construction of separated golf cart lanes, as required under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), does not apply in any of the following locations:
(1)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(1) 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.
(2)Copy CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)
(A)Copy CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)(A) The City of La Verne, on those street and highway segments for which the city council makes a finding that the street or highway segment is suitable to safely permit the use of regular
vehicular traffic and also the driving of golf carts, and makes a separate finding that the construction of separated golf cart lanes is infeasible given the physical space limitations of the street or highway segment. In addition, these street or highway segments shall meet all of the following requirements:
(i)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)(A)(i) Have speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less, as established by an engineering and traffic survey.
(ii)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)(A)(ii) Be immediately adjacent to or surrounded by the campus of a university or a retirement community.
(iii)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)(A)(iii) Provide a route between unconnected portions of the campus of a university or the real property of a retirement community, or provide direct access to an otherwise inaccessible portion of the campus of a university or the real property of a retirement community.
(iv)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)(A)(iv) Be approved for purposes of this paragraph by the law enforcement agency with primary traffic jurisdiction over the street or highway segments.
(v)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)(A)(v) Accommodate golf carts without adversely impacting traffic safety or the travel needs of commuters and other users, according to a safety determination made by a traffic engineer.
(vi)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)(A)(vi) Be limited to golf carts owned by the university or retirement community and equipped with a windshield, headlights, brake lights, and seatbelts.
(vii)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)(A)(vii) Limit the use of golf carts to employees of the university or retirement community acting within the scope and course of employment for the maintenance or security of the university or the retirement community.
(B)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1957(b)(2)(A)(B) Notwithstanding Section 1951 of this code and Section 345 of the Vehicle Code, for purposes of this paragraph, “golf cart” includes, but is not limited to, a utility style golf cart, used for transporting maintenance equipment, and a shuttle style golf cart.
golf cart transportation plan separated golf cart lanes traffic control devices right-of-way designation residence district exemptions City of La Verne university campus access retirement community routes safety determination law enforcement approval traffic engineer safety utility style golf cart shuttle style golf cart maintenance equipment transport university employee use
Section § 1959
This law allows a city or county to create a golf cart transportation plan. They can acquire land or easements to build golf cart lanes and establish a transportation plan specifically for golf carts.
A city or county that adopts a golf cart transportation plan may do the following:
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1959(a) Acquire, by dedication, purchase, or condemnation, real property, including easements or rights-of-way, to establish golf cart lanes.
(b)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1959(b) Establish a golf cart transportation plan as authorized by this chapter.
golf cart transportation golf cart lanes real property acquisition easements rights-of-way dedication purchase condemnation transportation plan local government city authority county authority lane establishment transport infrastructure urban planning
Section § 1961
If a city or county in California decides to create a golf cart transportation plan, they must include certain elements. First, the plan should set minimum design standards for golf carts, which could involve features like headlights, brake lights, mirrors, and seatbelts.
Second, there must be a permit process ensuring that golf carts meet these design standards. This can also cover permit renewal and driver education.
Third, the plan should set safety requirements for drivers, requiring them to have a valid California driver's license and insurance.
Finally, golf carts can only be driven on designated lanes and roads listed in the plan, and these carts must have the necessary safety gear. Violating these rules can lead to a fine up to $100.
A city or county that adopts a golf cart transportation plan shall adopt all of the following as part of the plan:
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1961(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1961(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1961(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)Copy CA Streets and Highways Code § 1961(d)
(1)Copy CA Streets and Highways Code § 1961(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)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1961(d)(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).
golf cart transportation plan minimum design criteria safety devices permit process operator education safety criteria valid driver's license financial responsibility designated golf cart lanes retrofit safety equipment fine for violations permit renewal golf cart maintenance roadway restrictions seatbelts and windshields
