The Fair Oaks Ranch City Council last week unanimously approved an ordinance amendment allowing the use of off-highway and utility vehicles on city streets while implementing additional safety requirements to ensure the safety of the city’s residents.
Article 12.04 of the Chapter 12 of the FOR Code of Ordinances was amended to allow the use of the UTVs, which the ordinance defines as a motor vehicle equipped with one or more seats and four or more tires which is designed for off-highway use, at least 50 inches wide and is not designed for farming or lawn care. Much like golf carts, the ordinance limits the use of the vehicles to streets with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less.
Several unique requirements for UTVs were added to the ordinance beyond the requirements already set out for golf carts operated on city streets. The city will require UTVs to have a license plate issued by a local tax assessor-collector, who will require an inspection of the off-highway vehicle – something that is not required by state statute and is expected to help ensure a safer environment for FOR residents.
