(A) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CLASS 1 ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE. An all-terrain vehicle that has a total dry weight of less than 900 pounds.
CLASS 2 ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE. An all-terrain vehicle that has a total dry weight of 900 to 1,500 pounds.
FOUR-WHEEL ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE. A four-wheel all-terrain vehicle is a motorized flotation-tired vehicle with four low-pressure tires that is limited in engine displacement to less than 800 cubic centimeters, and includes Class 1 and Class 2 all-terrain vehicles.
(B) Operation prohibited. No motorized golf carts or Class 1 four-wheel all-terrain vehicles shall be operated in the City of Granite Falls at any time on state or federal highways within the city limits or on Prentice Street from 6th Avenue to 9th Avenue, on 9th Avenue from Prentice Street to Granite Street, and on Granite Street from 9th Avenue to the intersection of Highway 212. No motorized golf carts or Class 1 or Class 2 four-wheel all-terrain vehicles shall be operated in the City of Granite Falls on streets or alleys under the jurisdiction of the city without a valid city-issued permit.
(C) Permits.
(1) Permits required. No person shall operate a motorized golf cart or four-wheel all-terrain vehicle on streets and alleys within the city limits or under the jurisdiction of the city without first obtaining a written permit from the city, except no permits will be required for parades. Said permits shall prohibit operation of a motorized golf cart or Class 1 four-wheel all-terrain vehicle on state and federal highways within the city limits; and also shall prohibit operation on school property and city park property and as otherwise noted in division (B). Said permits shall prohibit operation of a motorized golf cart or Class 1 four-wheel all-terrain vehicle from 8:00 p.m. or one-half hour after sunset, whichever is earlier, until 6:00 a.m. or one-half hour before sunrise, whichever is later. A sticker or other proof of the existence of a current valid permit provided by the city shall be displayed on the vehicle where designated by the city.
(2) Restriction of permits. Permits are restricted to persons who are 18 years of age or older.
(3) Application form. Applications for a permit to operate a motorized golf cart or four-wheel all-terrain vehicle shall be made to the City Clerk on forms furnished by the city.
(4) Permit period. Permits shall be issued for periods of one calendar year commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31 of each year, and may be annually renewed.
(5) Permit fee. A permit fee will be included in the rate resolution and will be required to be paid when an application for a permit is submitted to the City Motor Vehicle Registrar. The permit fee will not be prorated if issued after January 1 during any calendar year.
(6) Permit revocation. A permit may be revoked at any time by court order or the Yellow Medicine or Chippewa County Sheriff or Chief of Police for the City of Granite Falls if there is evidence that the permittee cannot safely operate the motorized golf cart or four-wheel all-terrain vehicle or has not complied with the terms of this section for which the permit has been issued.
(7) Work endorsement. The City Motor Vehicle Registrar may issue a permit with a work endorsement upon the request of an applicant who demonstrates that the golf cart, or Class 1 or Class 2 four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, will be used for work purposes. Said work endorsement shall allow the permittee to operate said vehicle for work purposes at any time on the streets and alleys within the city limits of City of Granite Falls, including school property and city park property, which are not otherwise restricted by federal, state or county laws, rules or regulations.
(D) Insurance required. Each applicant for a permit shall be required to furnish evidence of insurance equivalent to the insurance required for operation of a motorcycle under the provisions of M.S. § 65B.48(5).
(E) Operation of vehicles.
(1) Where operation is permitted. Permittees will be allowed to operate their golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles on all streets and alleys within the city limits which are under the jurisdiction of the city, except as herein otherwise prohibited and also except school property and city park property. The City Motor Vehicle Registrar shall prepare, post and provide to each permittee a city map which identifies the streets and alleys within the city limits which are under the jurisdiction of the City of Granite Falls and shall also designate such streets within the city limits upon which operation is prohibited.
(2) Times of operation. Motorized golf carts and Class 1 four-wheel all-terrain vehicles may not be operated on designated roadways from 8:00 p.m. or one-half hour after sunset, whichever is earlier, until 6:00 a.m. or one-half hour before sunrise, whichever is later. They shall not be operated in inclement weather or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog, or other conditions, or at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.
(3) Speed limit. The maximum speed at which a motorized golf cart or four-wheel all-terrain vehicle may be operated as permitted under the provisions of this section shall not exceed posted speed limits.
(4) Required equipment. Motorized golf carts shall display the slow moving vehicle emblem provided for in M.S. § 169.522. Four-wheel all-terrain vehicles shall display a safety flag (minimum six inches by ten inches). The top of the flag shall be a minimum of six feet from the ground. Motorized golf carts and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles shall have the equipment required by M.S. §§ 84.92 to 84.929, as permitted in this section, on the streets and alleys within the city limits which are under the jurisdiction of the city.
(5) Passengers. Permittees shall be allowed to carry one passenger who is seated in a separate seat from the one occupied by the driver, provided that the permittee and passenger follow the provisions of M.S. § 84.9257 including, but not limited to age requirements for wearing a safety helmet on a Class 1 all-terrain vehicle, and use of a seat belt provided by the manufacturer on a Class 2 all-terrain vehicle.
(6) Noise. It shall be unlawful for the permittee to create loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which is in excess of 96 decibels and which disturbs, annoys or interferes with the peace and quiet of other persons.
(F) Traffic laws.
(1) Application of traffic laws. Every person operating a motorized golf cart or four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, under permit, in the city has all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicles under the provisions of M.S. §§ 84.92 to 84.929 and M.S. Chapter 169, and traffic ordinances and laws of the city, except when those provisions cannot reasonably be applied to motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles and except as otherwise specifically provided in this section.
(2) Non-application of certain laws. The provisions of M.S. Chapter 171 are not applicable to persons operating motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles under permits issued pursuant to the provisions of this section. The provisions of M.S. Chapter 169 relating to equipment on vehicles, except for the requirements of M.S. §§ 84.92 to 84.929 and 169.70, are not applicable to motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles operated under permits issued pursuant to the provisions of this section.
(2003 Code, § 7.36) (Ord. 183, passed 5-1-2017) Penalty, see §
10.99