A. Driver's License Required; Exception: No person shall operate a snowmobile on any city street, alley, avenue or ditch, as an emergency vehicle or otherwise, unless the operator shall have a valid driver's license on his person.
B. Application Of Traffic Laws; Violations: Any person operating a snowmobile within the corporate limits of the city shall be subject to all the traffic laws of the city as set forth in this title. (1984 Code § 33A-2)
Every person operating a snowmobile shall strictly observe all traffic signs and signals and all other traffic rules and regulations applicable thereto and shall obey the orders and directions of any police officer of the city authorized to direct or regulate traffic. Any violator shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished accordingly. (1984 Code § 33A-9)
C. Unattended Vehicles: It is unlawful for the owner or operator of a snowmobile to leave or allow the snowmobile to be or remain unattended on public property while the motor is running. (1984 Code § 33A-5)
D. Restricted And Prohibited Acts And Conditions:
1. It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile within the corporate limits of the city during the hours of one o'clock (1:00) A.M to six o'clock (6:00) A.M. of any day.
2. It shall be unlawful for any person operating a snowmobile in the corporate limits of the city to tow any person or thing in or on the public streets or roads or other city property, except through the use of a rigid tow bar attached to the rear of a snowmobile. (1984 Code § 33A-6)
3. No person shall operate a snowmobile:
a. On the portion of any right of way on the city street or avenue used for motor vehicle travel, except the most right hand lane which is used for vehicular traffic in the same direction other than on expressways or state highways. Snowmobiles may operate in the road ditch where expressways or state highways are so configured within the corporate limits.
b. On private property of another without the express permission to do so by the owner or occupant of said property.
c. On any public sidewalk provided for pedestrian travel or on boulevards within any public right of way or on any alleys, except that travel is permitted on alleys when traveling from a place of storage to the nearest street.
d. On public school grounds, park property, playgrounds, slide areas, recreational areas and golf courses and on municipal airport property without the express permission to do so by the proper authority. (1984 Code § 33A-2)
e. On Main Street, Lawler Street or Rowley Street from First Avenue South to Twelfth Avenue North, except under the road and weather conditions as declared by the chief of police, his designated representative, or Davison County emergency management director to constitute emergency travel conditions authorizing use of a snowmobile or when such vehicle is necessary as an emergency vehicle to protect the health, safety and welfare of any individual. (1984 Code § 33A-2; amd. 2005 Code)
f. In any manner so as to create loud, unnecessary or unusual noise so as to disturb or interfere with the peace and quiet of other persons. (1984 Code § 33A-2)
E. Authority To Prohibit Operation In Specific Places: The city council may, by resolution, prohibit the operation of snowmobiles within the right of way of the public roads or streets or other city property within the city when, in its opinion, the public safety and welfare so require. (1984 Code § 33A-8)
F. Interpretation Of Provisions; Exemptions:
1. None of the provisions of this chapter are to be construed to mean that snowmobiles are permitted to operate on any public street or road or other city property within the city for the purpose of recreation, but rather, the aforementioned provisions are intended to provide an exit out of the city and a return to the residence of the operator or his place of storage for a snowmobile by way of the most direct and closest route available. (1984 Code § 33A-6)
2. Notwithstanding the prohibitions of this chapter, the director of public works shall have authority to supervise and regulate events or programs in connection with the events conducted by the parks and recreation department in which snowmobiles are used. The director of public works shall have the authority to designate city park areas that he shall deem available for use of snowmobiles. If and when such park areas are designated, twelve (12) year old children or older can operate a snowmobile in the designated area; provided, that said individual is supervised by a person who has a valid driver's license on his person. (1984 Code § 33A-3)