McHenry City Council legalized UTVs and golf carts on city streets; here’s what you need to know

Starting May 1, non-highway vehicles such as UTVs and golf carts will be allowed on McHenry city streets.

On March 2, the McHenry City Council passed an ordinance that will allow operation of non-highway vehicles on city streets after many residents brought the idea to City Council last year.

However, non-highway vehicle operation in city streets will be limited and is intended for recreational, neighborhood use. Non-highway vehicles need to meet city requirements and not all streets will be open to such vehicles.

“This is a neighborhood thing, I want to stress that, and I also want to stress that it’s up to us, it’s up to you folks out there, this is a one-year test. Please, please, the utmost safety needs to be taken with this because if something occurs, so let’s abide by these rules,” Alderman Victor A. Santi, Ward 1, said during the March 2 meeting.

If you want to ride your UTV or golf cart in the streets, here’s what you need to know.

Does my vehicle need to be registered?

Yes, vehicles must be registered with the city and must display a city registration sticker and plate. The applications to register a non-highway vehicle is not yet available, but will be prior to May 1, according to the city.

This registration will be valid May 1 through Nov. 1 of the year it was issued. Registrations are not transferable in the event of a change in ownership of the non-highway vehicle.

Before you can start the registration process, your non-highway vehicle needs to meet city requirements.

What are the requirements?

A annual safety inspection conducted by the McHenry Police Department or a designee authorized by the Chief of Police is required.

A non-highway vehicle must have everything a car has.

The city provides a list of the required operating equipment: brakes; a steering apparatus; tires; a rearview mirror; red reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear; seat belts; a slow-moving emblem on the rear of the non-highway vehicle; a headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front and a tail lamp that emits a red light visible from at least 100 feet from the rear; brake lights; and turn signals.

A non-highway vehicle can’t have a modified exhaust system that will amplify or increase the noise of the non-highway vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the non-highway vehicle.

Registrants must provide proof of valid insurance for the non-highway vehicle and they must agree to insure the non-highway vehicle while in use on city streets.

The registrant must also agree and sign an indemnification form, releasing the city, its elected officials and its employees from liability and indemnifying and holding them harmless from any and all claims resulting from the operation of the non-highway vehicle.

Where can I drive?

The operation of a non-highway vehicle is permitted on all city streets with a posted speed limit of 25 mph or less, according to city documents.

Here’s where you can drive the non-highway-vehicles: McCullom Lake Road from Blake Boulevard to Olde Mill Lane; McCullom Lake Road between Pine Street and Kennedy Drive; Crystal Lake Road between Front Royal and Lillian Street; Cunat Drive between Bull Valley Road and Crystal Lake Road; Municipal Drive.

Driving on the following location is strictly prohibited: Green Street between John Street and Pearl Street; Main Street between Front Street and Crystal Lake Road; Pearl Street between Green Street and Richmond Road; Pearl Street between Park Street and Lincoln Road (including Pearl Street Bridge); Riverside Drive between Miller Riverfront Park and Broad Street; Waukegan Road east between Green Street and the end of the property located at 1110; Green Street; All city-owned municipal parking lots within the Downtown Business District; all city-owned parks, sidewalks, walking paths and bicycle paths; all county roads; all township roads; all state highways.

Signs will be posted across the city where operating a non-highway vehicle is prohibited.

Parking in municipal lots and shopping complexes is prohibited. Parallel parking on the side of the street is permitted, according to the city.

When can I drive?

Operation of a non-highway vehicle is permitted on streets from May 1 through Nov. 1 each year from 6 a.m to 9:30 p.m. The use of non-highway vehicles on city streets between Nov. 2 and April 30 and after hours is prohibited.