JACKSON CENTER UNCONVENTIONAL VEHICLES

Village Council adopted Ordinance 2022-017 on June 28, 2022 to authorize the use of golf carts and "side-by-sides" (e.g. Rangers, Razors, Gators, Kubota's etc.) on Village streets. Substitute Senate Bill 114, which was passed by the 129th General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Kasich in 2013, imposes certain requirements on municipalities that authorize the use of such vehicles on municipal streets. This Bill was codified in Title 45 of the Ohio Revised Code and the relevant provisions thereof became effective on January 1, 2017. The Village has revised its local laws and inspection program for golf carts and "side-by-sides", as required by Substitute Bill 114, and the Ohio Revised Code, to continue to allow such vehicles on Village streets. Below are the requirements to operate Unconventional Vehicles on municipal streets in the Village of Jackson Center.

Subject to the requirements set forth herein, the use of Under-speed vehicles, Low-speed vehicles, Utility vehicles and Mini-trucks (collectively referred to as "Unconventional Vehicles") shall be permitted on the Village streets where the speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour or less.

1. "Under-speed vehicle" means a three- or four-wheeled vehicle, including a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart, with an attainable speed on a paved level surface of not more than twenty miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand pounds.  (Commonly known as a golf cart)
2. "Low-speed vehicle" means a three- or four-wheeled motor vehicle with an attainable speed in one mile on a paved level surface of more than twenty miles per hour but not more than twenty-five miles per hour and with an gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand pounds.
3. "Utility vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle designed with a bed, principally for the purpose of transporting material or caro in connection with construction, agricultural, forestry, grounds maintenance, lawn and garden, materials handling, or similar activities.  (e.g. Ranger, Razor, Gator, Kubota or other similar vehicles)
4. "Mini-truck" means a vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an electric motor with a rated power of seven thousand five hundred watts or less or an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of six hundred sixty cubic centimeters or less, has a total dry weight of nine hundred to two thousand two hundred pounds, contains an enclosed cabin and a seat for the vehicle operator, resembles a pickup truck or van with a cargo area or bed located at the rear of the vehicle, and was not originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards.
5. "Owner" includes any person or firm, other than a manufacturer or dealer that has title to a motor vehicle, except that, in sections 4505.01 to 4505.19 of the Revised Code, "owner" includes in addition manufacturers and dealers.
6. "Operator" includes any person who drives or operates a motor vehicle upon the public highways.
7. "Unconventional Vehicle" as used in this chapter collectively references Utility vehicle, Low-speed vehicle, Under-speed vehicle, and Mini-truck.
8. Any term not defined in this section shall have the same meaning as defined in the Ohio Revised Code.

Prior to the operation of an Unconventional Vehicle on Village streets, the Unconventional Vehicle must pass an inspection conducted by the Jackson Center Police Department ("JCPD").  Inspection Form

1. The inspection fee for an Unconventional Vehicle is $5.00.

• Inspection fee is covering the cost of pre-printed Village of Jackson Center Unconventional Vehicle permit sticker. Said sticker will be valid for two years.

At the time of inspection, the Owner/Operator of the Unconventional Vehicle must present the following to the JCPD:

1. Drivers License
2. Proof of insurance
3. Payment for the inspection fee
4. If your Unconventional Vehicle is an Under-speed vehicle or a Low-speed vehicle, you will need to provide documentation of the gross vehicle weight.
5. If your Unconventional Vehicle is a mini-truck, you will need to provide documentation of the unladen weight of the vehicle.

If an Unconventional Vehicle passes inspection, the Owner/Operator will be issued a Village of Jackson Center Unconventional Vehicle permit sticker and a copy of the inspection form for their records. The sticker must be placed on the windshield in the lower left-hand corner (driver side). The sticker must be visible at all times while operating the vehicle on Vilalge streets. If an inpsection sticker is lost, damaged or destroyed, a replacement sticker must be obtained from the JCPD at the cost of $5.00.

Prior to operation of an Unconventional Vehicle on Village streets, the vehicle must be registered in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code chapter 4503 and titled in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4505. Out of state unconventional Vehicles are not permitted on Village streets.

All Unconventional Vehicles must be operated in accordance with all applicable state and local traffic laws, including but not limited to the following:

1. Anyone who operates an Unconventional Vehicle on Village streets must possess a valid driver license.
2. The Unconventional Vehicle must have the required license plates, valid registration and the Village of Jackson Center Unconventional Vehicle inspection sticker.
3. The Unconventional Vehicle must have at least minimum liability insurance coverage as required by the State of Ohio.

All Unconventional Vehicles, at a minimum, must have the following properly functioning equipment:

1. Brakes
2. Brake lights (2)
3. Head lights (2)
4. Tail lights (2)
5. Warning devices / reflectors (e.g. turn signals)
6. Steering mechanism
7. Windshield
8. Rearview mirror
9. Horn
10. Tires (e.g. no major bumps, bulges, or unsafe conditions)
11. A properly placed inspection sticker issued by the Jackson Center Police Department

A violation of Ordinance 2022-017 shall be a minor misdemeanor. If within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.