CHAPTER 375
Snowmobiles, Off-Highway Motorcycles and All Purpose Vehicles
375.01   Definitions.
375.02   Equipment.
375.03   Code application; prohibited operation.
375.04   Permitted operation.
375.05   Licensing requirements of operator.
375.06   Registration of vehicles.
375.07   Accident reports.
375.08   Certificate of title.
 
CROSS REFERENCES
See sectional histories for similar State law
Lights, brakes and muffler - see OAC Ch. 4501.29
Power of trial court of record to impound registration certificate for certain violations - see Ohio R.C 4519.47
Power to regulate; municipal licensing prohibited - see Ohio R.C. 4519.48
Street or highway defined - see TRAF. 301.42
Required usage of helmets and safety glasses - see TRAF. 373.02(f)
 
375.01 DEFINITIONS.
   As used in this chapter:
   (a)   "Snowmobile" means any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for use on snow or ice, and steered by skis, runners or caterpillar treads. (ORC 4519.01(A))
   (b)   "All purpose vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for cross-country travel on land and water, or on more than one type of terrain, and steered by wheels or caterpillar treads, or any combination thereof, including vehicles that operate on a cushion of air, vehicles commonly known as all- terrain vehicles, all season vehicles, mini-bikes and trail bikes. “All-purpose vehicle” does not include a utility vehicle as defined in Ohio R.C. 4501.01 or any vehicle principally used in playing golf, any motor vehicle or aircraft required to be registered under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4503 or Chapter 4561, and any vehicle excepted from definition as a motor vehicle by Section 301.20 of this Traffic Code. (ORC 4519.01(B))
   (c)   "Owner" means any person, firm or corporation, other than a lienholder or dealer, having title to a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle, or other right to the possession thereof. (ORC 4519.01(C))
   (d)   "Operator" means any person who operates or is in actual physical control of a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle or all purpose vehicle.
   (e)   "Limited access highway" or "freeway" means a highway especially designed for through traffic and over which abutting property owners have no easement or right of access by reason of the fact that their property abuts upon such highway, and access to which may be allowed only at highway intersections designated by the Ohio Director of Transportation. (ORC 5511.02)
   (f)   "Interstate highway" means any part of the interstate system of highways as defined in subsection (e), 90 Stat. 431 (1976), 23 U.S.C.A. 103, and amendments thereof.
   (g)   “Off-highway motorcycle” means every motorcycle, as defined in Ohio R.C. 4511.01, that is designed to be operated primarily on lands other than a street or highway. (ORC 4519.01)
375.02 EQUIPMENT.
   (a)   Equipment of snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all purpose vehicles shall include, but not necessarily be limited to requirements for the following items:
      (1)   At least one headlight having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and objects at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness;
      (2)   At least one red taillight having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to be plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness;
      (3)   Adequate brakes. Every snowmobile, while traveling on packed snow, shall be capable of carrying a driver who weighs 175 pounds or more, and, while carrying such driver, be capable of stopping in not more than forty feet from an initial steady speed of twenty miles per hour, or locking its traction belt.
      (4)   A muffler system capable of precluding the emission of excessive smoke or exhaust fumes, and of limiting the engine noise of vehicles. On snowmobiles manufactured after January 1, 1973, such requirement shall include sound dampening equipment such that noise does not exceed eighty-two decibels on the "A" scale at fifty feet as measured according to SAE J192 (September 1970).
   (b)   No person shall operate any snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle in violation of this section, except that equipment specified in subsections (a)(1) and (2) hereof shall not be required on snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, or all purpose vehicles operated during the daylight hours.
   (c)   Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates subsection (b) of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars ($50.00). If the offender within the preceding year previously has committed a violation of subsection (b) of this section, whoever violates subsection (b) of this section shall be fined not less than fifteen dollars ($15.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00), imprisoned not more than three days, or both.
(ORC 4519.20)
375.03 CODE APPLICATION; PROHIBITED OPERATION.
   (a)   The applicable provisions of this Traffic Code shall be applied to the operation of snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all purpose vehicles; except that no snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle shall be operated as follows:
      (1)   On any street or highway except for emergency travel only during such time and in such manner as the State or local authority having jurisdiction over such street or highway shall designate, and except as provided in Section 375.04;
      (2)   Upon any property owned or leased by the Municipality except in areas designated for such purposes;
      (3)   On any private property, or in any nursery or planting area, without the permission of the owner or other person having the right to possession of the property;
      (4)   On any land or waters controlled by the State, except at those locations where a sign has been posted permitting such operation;
      (5)   On tracks or right of way of any operating railroad;
      (6)   During the time from sunset to sunrise, unless displaying lighted lights as required by Section 375.02.
         (Ord. 28-19. Passed 12-23-19.)
   (b)   Whoever violates this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), imprisoned not less than three nor more than thirty days, or both. (ORC 4519.40)
375.04 PERMITTED OPERATION.
   Snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all purpose vehicles may be operated as follows:
   (a)   To make a crossing of a highway, other than a freeway or limited access highway, whenever the crossing can be made in safety and will not interfere with the movement of vehicular traffic approaching from any direction on the highway, and provided that the operator yields the right of way to any approaching traffic that presents an immediate hazard;
   (b)   On highways in the County or Township road systems whenever the local authority having jurisdiction over such highway so permits;
   (c)   Off and alongside a street or highway for limited distances from the point of unloading from a conveyance to the point at which the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle is intended and authorized to be operated.
   (d)   On the berm or shoulder of a highway, other than a highway as designated in Ohio R.C. 4519.40(A), when the terrain permits such operation to be undertaken safely and without the necessity of entering any traffic lane;
   (e)   On the berm or shoulder of a county or township road, while traveling from one area of operation of the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle to another such area. (ORC 4519.41)
375.05 LICENSING REQUIREMENTS OF OPERATOR.
   (a)   No person who does not hold a valid, current motor vehicle driver's or commercial driver's license, motorcycle operator's endorsement or probationary license issued under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4506 or 4507, or a valid, current driver’s license issued by another jurisdiction, shall operate a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle on any street or highway, on any portion of the right of way thereof, or on any public land or waters. This subsection shall not be construed to permit the holder of such a license to operate a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle in violation of Section 375.03.
   (b)   No person who is less than sixteen years of age shall operate a snowmobile, off- highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle on any land or waters other than private property or waters owned by or leased to such person's parent or guardian, unless accompanied by another person who is eighteen years of age, or older, and who holds a license as provided in subsection (a) hereof, except that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources may permit such operation on State controlled land under its jurisdiction when such person is less than sixteen years of age and is accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a licensed driver eighteen years of age or older.
   (c)   Whoever violates this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), imprisoned not less than three nor more than thirty days, or both. (ORC 4519.44)
375.06 REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES.
   (a)   Except as provided in Ohio R.C 4519.02(B), (C) and (D), no person shall operate any snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle unless the snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle is registered and numbered in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4519.03 and 4519.04.
   (b)   Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00). If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of subsection (a) of this section, whoever violates subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00). (ORC 4519.02)
375.07 ACCIDENT REPORTS.
   (a)   The operator of a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle involved in any accident resulting in bodily injury to or death of any person or damage to the property of any person in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall report the accident within forty-eight hours to the Chief of Police, and, within thirty days, shall forward a written report of the accident to the Ohio Registrar of Motor Vehicles on a form prescribed by the Registrar. If the operator is physically incapable of making the reports and there is another participant in the accident not so incapacitated, the participant shall make the reports. In the event that there is no other participant, and the operator is other than the owner, the owner, within the prescribed periods of time, shall make the reports.
   Any law enforcement officer or other person authorized by Ohio R.C. 4519.42 and 4519.43, who investigates or receives information of an accident involving a snowmobile, off- highway motorcycle, or all purpose vehicle shall forward to the Registrar a written report of the accident within forty-eight hours. (ORC 4519.46)
   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
375.08 CERTIFICATE OF TITLE.
   (a)   No person shall do any of the following:
      (1)   Operate in this Municipality an off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle without having a certificate of title for the off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle, if such a certificate is required by Ohio R.C. Chapter 4519 to be issued for the off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle, or, if a physical certificate of title has not been issued for it, operate an off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle knowing that the ownership information relating to the motorcycle or vehicle has not been entered into the automated title processing system by a clerk of a court of common pleas;
      (2)   Operate in this Municipality an off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle if a certificate of title to the off-highway motorcycle or all- purpose vehicle has been issued and then has been canceled;
      (3)   Fail to surrender any certificate of title upon cancellation of it by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and notice of the cancellation as prescribed in Ohio R.C. Chapter 4519;
      (4)   Fail to surrender the certificate of title to a clerk of the court of common pleas as provided in Ohio R.C. Chapter 4519, in case of the destruction or dismantling of, or change in, the off-highway motorcycle or all- purpose vehicle described in the certificate of title;
      (5)   Violate any provision of Ohio R.C. 4519.51 to 4519.70 or any lawful rules adopted pursuant to those sections;
      (6)   Operate in this Municipality an off-highway motorcycle or all-purpose vehicle knowing that the certificate of title to or ownership of the motorcycle or vehicle as otherwise reflected in the automated title processing system has been canceled.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) or imprisoned not more than ninety days, or both.
(ORC 4519.66)