City of Mascoutah Approves Non-Highway Vehicles
Below are the Non-Highway Vehicle Regulations that were adopted by the City Council on Monday, November 4, 2019.
**Please Note: We are not taking permit applications at this time. Please watch our website and Facebook page for more details.**
CHAPTER 24 - MOTOR VEHICLE CODE,
ARTICLE VIII – NON-HIGHWAY VEHICLE REGULATIONS
24-8-1 DEFINITIONS:
COUNTY ROADS: Any highway or road under the jurisdiction of St. Clair County, Illinois,
GOLF CART: A vehicle specifically designed and intended for the purposes of transporting one or more persons and their golf clubs or maintenance equipment while engaged in the playing of golf, supervising the play of golf, or maintaining the condition of the grounds on a public or private golf course, as defined under 625 ILCS 5/1‐123.9, except equipment such as lawnmowers and tractors.
NEIGHBORHOOD VEHICLE: A self‐propelled, electronically powered four (4) wheeled vehicle; or a self-propelled, gasoline powered, four (4) wheel vehicle with an engine displacement under one thousand two hundred (1,200) cubic centimeters; which is capable of attaining in one mile a speed of more than twenty (20) miles per hour, but not more than twenty five (25) miles per hour, and which conforms to federal regulations under title 49 CFR part 571.500, except equipment such as lawnmowers and tractors.
RECREATIONAL OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE: Any motorized off-highway device designed to travel primarily off-highway, 64 inches or less in width, having a manufacturer's dry weight of 2,000 pounds or less, traveling on 4 or more non-highway tires, designed with a non-straddle seat and a steering wheel for steering control, except equipment such as lawnmowers and tractors, as defined under 625 ILCS 5/1-168.8.
STATE ROADS: Any highway or road under the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois, including IL Rt 4 (Jefferson Street), IL Rt 161, I-64, IL 177 (Main St), CO HWY. 93 (Sixth St.), and N County, Rd.
CITY STREETS: Any street within the corporate limits of the City of Mascoutah, excluding State Roads and County Roads.
24-8‐2: OPERATION ON STREETS:
A. It shall be lawful for a qualified person to operate a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle on designated streets within the City, subject to the provisions of this Article.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle on any street in the City, unless:
1. The driver is at least eighteen (18) years of age and has a valid driver's license,
2. The vehicle is properly titled with the Illinois Secretary of State, if required,
3. Has the minimum required liability insurance as set out in 625 ILCS 5/7‐601 et seq., and maintains proof of said insurance specifically for the golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle to be operated on City streets within the permitted vehicle,
4. Has been properly registered with the City of Mascoutah and must display such registration as required in section 24-8-3 of this Article, and
5. Has the following required, operable equipment:
a. Brakes,
b. Steering wheel apparatus,
c. Tires,
d. An interior rearview mirror,
e. Red reflectorized warning devices in the rear, Orange/Yellow in the front.
f. A slow moving emblem on the rear of the vehicle,
g. A headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the front, illuminated at all times when operated on City streets,
h. A tail lamp that emits a red light visible from at least one hundred feet (100') from the rear, illuminated at all times when operated on City streets,
i. At least two (2) brake lights which emit a red light visible from a distance of one hundred feet (100’) from the rear,
j. Turn signals mounted to the front and rear of the vehicle,
k. Seatbelts for each seat,
l. Windshield, and
m. Horn.
C. All persons eligible to operate a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle on designated streets of the City must comply with the following requirements:
1. Must not exceed the posted speed limit.
2. Shall only be operated from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm daily.
3. Shall not be operated in inclement weather, nor when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog or other conditions, or at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of five hundred feet (500’).
4. Each driver and passenger of a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle shall wear a properly fastened and adjusted seat safety belt. Children must be secured in a child restraint system as required pursuant to the Child Passenger Protection Act.
5. A person who drives or is in actual physical control of a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle on a roadway while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is subject to 625 ILCS 5/11-500 through 11‐502.
6. A golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle may not be operated on sidewalks, trails, the Berm Trail, or other public property not accessible to or authorized to vehicular traffic.
7. A golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle may not be operated on streets, highways and roads under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation (Illinois Routes 4, 161, 177 and I-64).
8. A golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle may not be operated on or cross over City streets with a posted speed limit in excess of thirty-five (35) miles per hour.
9. A golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle operated in city parks will adhere to the rules and regulations of the Code of Ordinances of Mascoutah, Chapter 31 – Recreation and Parks.
10. Nothing in this Article shall permit the use of all‐terrain vehicles, as defined under 625 ILCS 5/1-101.8, off highway motorcycles, as defined under 625 ILCS 5/1-153.1, lawnmowers, tractors, and any other vehicle which is not described within the foregoing definitions of "GOLF CART," "NEIGHBORHOOD VEHICLE,” or “RECREATIONAL OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE.”
24-8‐3: REGISTRATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD VEHICLES:
A. A permit shall be issued within seven (7) days upon the approval of an application from an owner of a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle to operate upon the streets and roadways within the jurisdiction of the City of Mascoutah, except where expressly prohibited.
B. Any person requesting a permit shall submit an application to the City of Mascoutah on a form supplied by the City which shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
1. A complete application on the form designated by the City,
2. A copy of a valid Illinois driver’s license for the applicant,
3. Proof of valid insurance information, which meets the requirements of 625 ILCS 5/7‐601 et seq., specifically for the golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle to be operated on City streets,
4. Signed & notarized waiver of liability by applicant of the vehicle releasing the City from any and all future claims resulting from the operation of their golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle pursuant to this Article or any other ordinance of the City of Mascoutah on a form designated by the City, and
5. Obtain a physical inspection from the City of Mascoutah Police Department to ensure that the vehicle is safe to operate on City streets and is in compliance with the requirements of this Article. Proof of a passing inspection shall be required for issuance of a permit.
6. Upon issuance, said permit shall be displayed on the front windshield of the vehicle as may be administratively required by the City.
C. Inspection Fee: $25 payable to the City of Mascoutah. Inspections shall be conducted on Wednesdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays, or by appointment.
D. Fee: An annual registration and permit fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for residents inside City limits and one hundred dollars ($100.00) for all applicants outside City limits. The fee shall be submitted at the time of the application for the permit, and subject to renewal thereafter.
E. Permit Renewal: A permit shall be valid from May 1st to April 30th and may be renewed upon application of the owner, in compliance with subsection B of this section. Renewal permit fees:
Fifty dollars ($50.00) for residents inside City limits
One hundred dollars ($100.00) for all applicants outside City limits.
F. Transferability: A permit is nontransferable.
G. Change of Contact Information: It shall be the duty of the permit holder to inform the Mascoutah Police Department of any change of address, phone number, or insurance coverage, within ten (10) business days of such change.
H. Denial of Permit: A permit may be denied for any of the following reasons:
1. The vehicle is not properly titled with the Illinois secretary of state, if required,
2. The insurance information for the vehicle cannot be verified,
3. The registered owner does not have a valid driver's license,
4. The owner has provided any false information in their application,
5. The vehicle does not conform to the requirements of this Article,
6. The applicant or a permitted operator had two or more convictions for violation of this Article within the preceding year; or
7. A permit issued to another individual for the same vehicle is under suspension.
I. False Information: It shall be unlawful for anyone to provide false information in the application for a permit to operate a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle.
24-8-4: OPERATION OF golf carts, neighborhood vehicles, or recreational off-highway vehicles ON CERTAIN STREETS AND ROADS:
A. Prohibited Streets: Except as expressly authorized in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle as follows:
1. Any street which has a posted speed limit of greater than thirty-five (35) miles per hour.
2. On the following roadways except to make a direct crossing of the prohibited roadway at an intersection:
IL Rt 4 (Jefferson Street),
IL Rt 161,
IL 177 (Main St),
CO HWY. 93 (Sixth St.),
N County, Rd
3. Direct crossings of prohibited roadways shall be made as follows:
a. The crossing shall be made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the prohibited roadway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
b. The golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle shall be brought to a complete stop before attempting a crossing;
c. The operator of the golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle shall yield the right of way to all pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and
d. That the crossing shall be made only at an intersection of the prohibited roadway with a City street.
24-8-5: OBEDIENCE OF VEHICLE CODE:
A. Every operator of a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle shall obey all sections of 625 ILCS 5/1‐100 et seq., the Illinois Vehicle Code, and all provisions of this Article.
B. The City may suspend or revoke a permit granted hereunder upon a finding that the holder thereof has violated any of the provisions of this Article or if there is evidence that the permit holder cannot safely operate the golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle on the designated roadways.
C. Every person operating a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle pursuant to permit hereunder on designated City streets has all the rights and duties applicable to a driver of any other vehicle pursuant to the state highway traffic laws and regulations except when those provisions cannot reasonably be applied to golf carts, neighborhood vehicles, or recreational off-highway vehicles.
24-8-6: PENALTIES:
A. A violation of this Article shall be punishable by a minimum fine of not less than seventy-five dollars ($75.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00).
B. A second conviction for a violation of this Article within one year of the date of a prior conviction shall result in suspension of permit, to be reinstated only by the City Manager.
C. Upon conviction of operating a golf cart, neighborhood vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle on a State or County road, other than crossing at the designated locations, shall result in a fine no less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) and the suspension of permit for one year.