75.01 PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to
regulate the operation of all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles
within the City.
75.02 DEFINITIONS. For use in this chapter the
following terms are defined:
1. “All-terrain vehicle” or “ATV” means a motorized
flotation-tire vehicle with not less than three (3) low
pressure tires, but not more than six (6) low pressure tires,
or a two-wheeled, off-road motorcycle, that is limited in
engine displacement t o less than eight hundred (800) cubic
centimeters and in total dry weight to less than seven
hundred fifty (750) pounds and that has a seat or saddle
designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for
steering control. Two-wheeled, off-road motorcycles shall
be considered all-terrain vehicles only for the purpose of
titling and registration and not for the purpose of
regulation.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.1[1])
2. “Snowmobile” means a motorized vehicle weighing
less than one thousand (1,000) pounds which uses sledtype
runners or skis, endless belt-type tread, or any
combination of runners, skis or tread, and is designed for
travel on snow or ice.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.1 [18])
75.03 GENERAL REGULATIONS. No person shall
operate an ATV or snowmobile within the City in violation of the
provisions of Chapter 321G of the Code of Iowa or rules
CHAPTER 75 ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND SNOWMOBILES
established by the Natural Resource Commission of the
Department of Natural Resources governing their registration,
numbering, equipment and manner of operation.
(Code of Iowa, Ch. 321G)
75.04 PLACES OF OPERATION. The operators of
ATV’s and snow-mobiles shall comply with the following
restrictions as to where ATV’s and snowmobiles may be operated
within the City:
1. Streets. ATV’s and snowmobiles shall not be operated
on the following streets:
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.9[4a])
A. Highway 75, except where shoulder or ditch
exists.
B. Highway 3 — Plymouth Street, except where
shoulder or ditch exists.
C. Central Avenue.
D. School and college classrooms during normal
school hours — 1 block radius and churches — during
hours of occupancy.
E. Hospital area off limits at all times.
F. Downtown Business District — 2 blocks all ways
of intersection of Central Avenue and Plymouth
Street.
G. Any park area designated as off limits by the
Parks and Recreation Board.
2. Exceptions. ATV’s and snowmobiles may be operated
on prohibited streets only under the following
circumstances:
A. Emergencies. ATV’s and snowmobiles may be
operated on any street in an emergency during the
period of time when and at locations where snow upon
the roadway renders travel by conventional motor
vehicles impractical.
CHAPTER 75 ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND SNOWMOBILES
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.9[4c])
B. Direct Crossing. ATV’s and snowmobiles may
make a direct crossing of a prohibited street provided:
( 1 ) The crossing is made at an angle of
approximately ninety degrees (90°) to the
direction of the street and at a place where no
obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
( 2 ) The ATV or snowmobile is brought to a
complete stop before crossing t he street;
( 3 ) The driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming
traffic which constitutes an immediate
hazard; and
( 4 ) In crossing a divided street, the crossing is
made only at an intersection of such street with
another street.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.9[2])
3. Railroad Right-of-way. ATV’s and snowmobiles shall
not be operated on an operating railroad right-of-way. An
ATV or snowmobile may be driven directly across a railroad
right-of-way only at an established crossing and
notwithstanding any other provisions of law may, if
necessary, use the improved portion of the established
crossing after yielding to all oncoming traffic.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.13[8])
4. Trails. ATV’s shall not be operated on snowmobile
trails and snowmobiles shall not be operated on all-terrain
vehicle trails except where so designated.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.9[4f and g])
5. Parks and Other City Land. ATV’s and snowmobiles
shall not be operated in any park, playground or upon any
other City-owned property without the express permission
of the City. A snowmobile shall not be operated on any City
land without a snow cover of at least one-tenth of one inch.
CHAPTER 75 ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND SNOWMOBILES
6. Sidewalk or Parking. ATV’s and snowmobiles shall not
be operated upon the public sidewalk or that portion of the
street located between the curb line and the sidewalk or
property line commonly referred to as the “parking” except
for purposes of crossing the same to a public street upon
which operation is authorized by this chapter.
7. Driveways. ATV’s and snowmobiles shall come to a
complete stop before crossing a driveway.
75.05 HOURS OF OPERATION. Snowmobiles shall be
operated in the City only between the hours of six o’clock (6:00)
a.m. through twelve o’clock midnight on Sunday through
Thursday and from six o’clock (6:00) a.m. Friday and Saturday
through two o’clock (2:00) a.m. Saturday and Sunday except for
emergency situations or for loading and unloading from a
transport trailer.
75.06 NEGLIGENCE. The owner and operator of an
ATV or snowmobile are liable for any injury or damage occasioned
by the negligent operation of the ATV or snowmobile. The owner
of an ATV or snowmobile shall be liable for any such injury or
damage only if the owner was the operator of the ATV or
snowmobile at the time the injury or damage occurred or if the
operator had the owner’s consent to operate the ATV or
snowmobile at the time the injury or damage occurred.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.18)
75.07 ACCIDENT REPORTS. Whenever an ATV or
snowmobile is involved in an accident resulting in injury or death
to anyone or property damage amounting to two hundred dollars
($200.00) or more, either the operator or someone acting for
the operator shall immediately notify a law enforcement officer
and shall file an accident report within forty-eight (48) hours, in
accordance with State law.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.10)