The operators of all-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, golf carts and snowmobiles shall comply with the following restrictions as to where all-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, golf carts and snowmobiles may be operated within the city.
(A) Streets. All-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, golf carts and snowmobiles shall not be operated at any time within the right-of-way or upon any interstate, highway, freeway, road or streets within the city except as provided in division (B) below (see Iowa Code § 321G.9(4a)).
(B) Exceptions. All-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, golf carts and snowmobiles may be operated on prohibited streets only under the following circumstances.
(1) Emergencies. All-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles 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 (see Iowa Code § 321G.9(4c)).
(2) Direct crossing. All-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, golf carts and 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 ATV all-terrain vehicle, off-road utility vehicle, off-road motorcycle, or 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 that street with another street.
(3) License. A valid driver's license shall be required to operate on or across a public highway within the city with an all-terrain vehicle, off-road utility vehicle, off-road motorcycle, golf cart and snowmobile.
(4) City-approved events. All-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, and golf carts shall be allowed to operate on city streets and parks during participation in a city-approved event but shall be restricted to the designated area, operate at speeds of ten mph or less, and shall be always operated by a person with a valid driver's license.
(5) City services. City employees or contractors working for the city shall be allowed to operate all-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, and golf carts on city streets, trails, parks, and other city owned property to provide city services, maintain city property, provide police, and fire services or to facilitate other types of city services or projects.
(C) Railroad right-of-way. All-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, golf carts and snowmobiles shall not be operated on an operating railroad right-of-way. An all-terrain vehicle, off-road utility vehicle, off-road motorcycle, golf cart 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 (see Iowa Code § 321G.13(8)).
(D) Trails. All-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, shall not be operated on snowmobile trails and snowmobiles shall not be operated on all-terrain vehicle trails except where so designated (see Iowa Code § 321G.9(4f and g)).
(E) Parks and other city land. All-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, golf carts 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.
(F) Sidewalk or parking. All-terrain vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles, golf carts 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 subchapter.
(1999 Code, § 75.04) (Am. Ord. 2022-11, passed 9-6-2022) Penalty, see §
75.99