Ordinance No. 23-30 enacting Chapter 343 of Tiffin Codified Ordinances allowing and regulating under-speed and utility vehicle use within the City of Tiffin.
Effective July 5, 2023
The ordinance permits under-speed vehicles commonly know as golf carts and utility vehicles on city streets within certain regulations.
Steps to register your vehicle
- Setup an appointment for your vehicle to be inspected at your City of Tiffin residence. If you live outside the city limits, the vehicle must be transported to the Tiffin Police Department for the inspection. Inspection times are offered from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Chief of Police or designee will respond to your residence for the inspection on a set date and time.
- If your vehicle passes inspection, you will be provided with a copy of the signed inspection sheet and a valid inspection sticker to affix to the rear bumper of the vehicle. The inspection sheet must be with your vehicle at all times. A $25 fee is due at the time of inspection.
- Maintain valid driver's license, proof of insurance, financial responsibility and an Ohio license plate.
INSPECTION OF UNDER-SPEED AND UTILITY VEHICLES
(a) No person shall operate an under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle on the streets within the City of Tiffin unless the under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle has been inspected by the Chief of Police or their designee for compliance with the State of Ohio’s statutory requirements that are applicable to motor vehicles and this Chapter.
(b) The owner or operator of any under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle shall be required to pay an inspection fee as established by the Chief of Police. If the Chief of Police or their designee determines that the under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle complies with the State of Ohio’s statutory requirements that are applicable to motor vehicles and all tail lights, headlights, and brake lights use LED bulbs, the Chief of Police or designee shall issue the owner or operator a certificate of compliance entitling the owner or operator to operate the under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle on the streets within the City of Tiffin subject to this Chapter 343. The owner or operator shall also show the Chief of Police or their designee proof of liability insurance for the under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle before a certificate of compliance is issued.
(c) The owner of an under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle shall also comply with all requirements of Ohio law regarding proper title, registration and license plates prior to operating an under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle on any street within the City of Tiffin.
Steps to renew your vehicle registration
If your vehicle was inspected by the Tiffin Police Department in 2023 and you were issued an inspection sticker, please follow the steps below to renew your vehicle registration. Note, inspection stickers are valid for 12 months starting the date of the vehicle registration.
- Bring your 2023 inspection sheet to the Tiffin Police Department and $10 (cash only) for the renewal fee.
- You will be issued a 2024 inspection sticker to place on the back of your vehicle.
USAGE AND RESTRICTIONS
(a) No under-speed vehicle shall be permitted to travel on any city street where the speed limit is greater than 25 mph. Under-speed vehicles will be permitted to cross intersections with higher speeds, so long as they remain on a street that has a speed limit of 25 mph or less.
(b) No utility vehicle shall be permitted to travel on any city street where the speed limit is greater than 35 mph. Utility vehicles will be permitted to cross intersections with higher speeds, so long as they remain on a street that has a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
(c) The operator of an under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license.
(d) Any child who falls under the child restraint criteria set by Ohio R.C. 4511.81, or successor related provisions, is prohibited from being a passenger in an under-speed vehicle operated on any City street, right of way, or public area in the City of Tiffin.
(e) Under-speed vehicles and utility vehicles must be operated in accordance with all State of Ohio traffic laws and all applicable sections of the City of Tiffin ordinances.
(f) No person shall operate an under-speed vehicle or utility vehicle on a public sidewalk, or walking path, or multi-use trail, except to cross the sidewalk, path or trail.
PENALTY
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; and each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
