ORDINANCE NO. 3.043
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING AND CONTROLLING THE USE OF SNOWMOBILES ATV'S AND GOLF CARTS.
THE CITY OF ROYALTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
(a) For the purposes of this Ordinance the terms defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them.
(b) "Person" includes an individual, partnership, corporation, the state and its agencies, and any body of persons, whether incorporated or not.
(c) "Snowmobile" means a self-propelled vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice or natural terrain steered by wheels, skis or runners.
(d) "ATV" means All terrain vehicle including 3 wheelers.
(e) "Operate" means to ride in or on and control the operation of a snowmobile or atv.
(f) "Golf Cart" means any self propelled electric motorized or combustible fuel engine vehicle, manufactured for use on a golf course. Any modifications to a Golf Cart changing the mechanical operation may result in a change of classification to a class 1 or 2 ATV.
SECTION 2. UNLAWFUL USES.
EXCEPT AS HEREIN SPECIFICALLY PERMITTED, IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE, ATV OR GOLF CART WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ROYALTON:
(a) On the portion of any right of way of any public highway, street, road, trail or alley used for motor vehicle travel, except the most right hand lane (except in passing) which is used for vehicle traffic in the same direction other than on freeways, interstate, trunk, county state-aid, or county highways. Snowmobiles and ATV's may also be operated upon the ditch bottom where lawfully so posted or the outside bank of trunk, county state-aid and county highways where such highways go through the corporate limits of Royalton.
(b) On a public sidewalk provided for pedestrian travel unless being used for snow removal.
(c) On streets within the City of Royalton (except posted snowmobile / atv routes, see section 11 for Golf Carts see section 12) or being used for snow removal.
(d) On private property of another without specific permission of the owner or person in control of said property.
(e) On any other public place unless specifically permitted by other city ordinances.
(f) At any place, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs as defined in M.S. 169.122, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
(g) At a rate of speed greater than 15 M.P.H.
(h) At any place, in a careless, reckless, negligent manner or heedlessly in disregard of the rights or safety of others, or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger or cause injury or damage to any person or property.
(i) At any time to tow any person or thing on a public street or highway, except through the use of a rigid tow bar attached to the rear of the snowmobile, atv or golf cart.
(j) At any time within one hundred (100) feet of any fisherman, pedestrian, skating rink or sliding area where the operation of a snowmobile, atv or golf cart would conflict with or endanger other persons or property.
SECTION 3. CROSSING OF A STREET OR HIGHWAY
A SNOWMOBILE, ATV OR GOLF CART MAY MAKE A DIRECT CROSSING OF A STREET OR HIGHWAY, EXCEPT AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY, PROVIDED:
(a) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the street or highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing.
(b) The snowmobile, atv or golf cart is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way.
(c) The driver yields the right of way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard.
(d) In crossing a divided street or highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such street or highway with another public street or highway.
(e) If the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, the front and rear lights must be on.
SECTION 4. CITY TRAFFIC ORDINANCES SHALL APPLY TO THE OPERATION OF SNOWMOBILES, ATV'S AND GOLF CARTS UPON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, EXCEPT FOR THOSE RELATING TO REQUIRED EQUIPMENT, AND EXCEPT THOSE WHICH BY THEIR NATURE HAVE NO APPLICATION.
SECTION 5. NO SNOWMOBILE, ATV OR GOLF CART SHALL ENTER ANY INTERSECTION WITHOUT YIELDING THE RIGHT OF WAY TO ANY VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS AT THE INTERSECTION, OR SO CLOSE TO THE INTERSECTION AS TO CONSTITUTE AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD.
SECTION 6. PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD.
(a) No person under 16 years of age shall operate a snowmobile on streets or highways or make a direct crossing of a trunk, county state-aid, county highway or city street as the operator of a snowmobile. A person 16 years of age or older, but less than 18 years of age, may operate a snowmobile on streets and highways as permitted under this ordinance and make a direct crossing of such streets and highways, only if said person is in immediate possession of a valid safety certificate issued by the commissioner, as provided by M.S.A. section 84.872.
No person under 16 years of age shall operate an atv on streets or highways or make a direct crossing of a trunk, county state-aid, county highway or city street as the operator of an atv.
(b) It is unlawful for the owner of a snowmobile or atv to permit the snowmobile or atv to be operated contrary to the provisions of this section.
(c) Any person under the age of 18 years of age riding or operating a snowmobile or atv must wear a helmet.
(d) Any person over 16 years of age born after July 1st 1987 must have an ATV safety certificate.
SECTION 7. EQUIPMENT.
IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE OR ATV ANY PLACE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ROYALTON UNLESS IT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE FOLLOWING:
(a) Standard mufflers which are properly attached and which reduce the noise of operation of the motor to the minimum necessary for operation. No person shall use a muffler cut out, by-pass, straight pipe or similar device on a snowmobile or atv motor.(b) Brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the snowmobile or atv under any condition of operation.
(c) One forward headlamp will be in operation at all times the vehicle is in use. It shall also be equipped with at least one red tail lamp that can be plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet during hours of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions.
(d) All snowmobiles and Atv's must have current registration as required.
SECTION 8. EVERY PERSON LEAVING A SNOWMOBILE, ATV OR GOLF CART ON A PUBLIC PLACE SHALL LOCK THE IGNITION, REMOVE THE KEY AND TAKE THE SAME WITH HIM OR HER.
SECTION 9. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROHIBITIONS IN THIS ORDINANCE, A SNOWMOBILE OR ATV MAY BE OPERATED ON A PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE IN AN EMERGENCY DURING THE PERIOD OF TIME WHEN AND AT THE LOCATIONS WHERE, SNOW UPON THE ROADWAY RENDERS TRAVEL BY AUTOMOBILE IMPRACTICAL.
SECTION 10. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO INTENTIONALLY DRIVE, CHASE, RUN OVER OR KILL ANY ANIMAL WITH A SNOWMOBILE, ATV OR GOLF CART.
SECTION 11. SNOWMOBILE / ATV ROUTE.
PERTAINING TO THE OUTLINE OF A ROUTE OF TRAVEL FOR SNOWMOBILES AND ATV'S WITHIN THE CITY OF ROYALTON. A ROUTE MARKED WITH TRIANGULAR SIGNS: (exceptions) shortest distance from house to gas station or shortest distance from house to marked snowmobile / atv route.
(a) SEE ATTACHED MAP.
SECTION 12. LAWFUL USE OF GOLF CART.
(a) It is lawful to operate a "Golf Cart" on any City street, provided it have a City issued permit and a slow moving vehicle sign. Driver must also have a valid drivers license.
(b) Hours of operation are between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped with working headlamps and tail lamps.
SECTION 13. PENALTIES.
(a) Any person who shall violate any provision of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
THIS ORDINANCE SHALL SUPERSEDE AND REPEAL ALL PRIOR AND CONSISTENT ORDINANCES. THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE AND PUBLICATION REQUIRED BY LAW.
DATED: 8-19-08
CLERK: Carol Madsen
MAYOR: Lori Kowalczyk