The operators of snowmobiles shall comply with the following restrictions as to where snowmobiles may be operated within the city:
(A) Streets. Snowmobiles shall be operated only upon streets which have not been plowed during the snow season and on such other streets as may be designated by resolution of the Council. In addition to the general prohibition of snowmobiles on all city streets, as defined, snowmobiles are specifically prohibited on all of the Mill Creek Parkway right-of-way, the city recreational trail and all flood control levees.
(Iowa Code § 321G.9(4)(a))
(B) Exceptions. Snowmobiles may be operated on prohibited streets only under the following circumstances.
(1) Emergencies. 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.
(Iowa Code § 321G.9(4)(c))
(2) Direct crossing. Snowmobiles may make a direct crossing of a prohibited street provided:
(a) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the street and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
(b) The snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the street;
(c) The driver yields the right-of-way to all on-coming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and
(d) In crossing a divided street, the crossing is made only at an intersection of the street with another street.
(Iowa Code § 321G.9(2))
(C) Railroad right-of-way. Snowmobiles shall not be operated on an operating railroad right-of-way. A 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.
(Iowa Code § 321G.13(8))
(D) Trails. Snowmobiles shall not be operated on all-terrain vehicle trails except where so designated.
(Iowa Code §§ 321G.9(4)(f))
(E) Parks and other city land. 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.
(F) Sidewalk or parking. 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.
(1999 Code, § 75.04) (Ord. 2266, passed 5-27-2003; Ord. 2669, passed 2-23-2021) Penalty, see § 10.99