City of Reedsburg, WI Chapter 608 Vehicles, All-Terrain

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Reedsburg 11-11-2019 by Ord. No. 1889-19. (Sec. 7.34 of the former Municipal Codebook). Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 608-1 Intent; applicability.

The City Council has considered the recreational and economic value of all-terrain vehicle and utility-terrain vehicle (ATV/UTV) routes and trail opportunities weighed against protecting the public safety, liability aspects, terrain involved, traffic density, and history of automobile traffic. After due consideration, this chapter is created to establish all-terrain vehicle and utility terrain vehicle routes on public roadways and trails on the City property and to regulate the operation of such vehicles on such routes and trails to provide safe and healthful conditions for the enjoyment of ATV/UTV recreation consistent with public rights and interest pursuant to City authority under Wis. Stats. §§ 62.11(5), 23.33(8) and 23.33(11).

§ 608-2 Adoption of standards.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the statutory provisions in Wis. Stats. Chs. 23, 340 to 348, and 350 establishing definitions and regulations with respect to ATVs and UTVs, and Wis. Adm. Code. Ch. NR 64, All-Terrain Vehicles, exclusive of any provisions therein relating to penalties to be imposed and exclusive of any regulations for which the statutory penalty is a fine or term of imprisonment, are hereby adopted and by reference made a part of this chapter as if fully set forth herein. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, any act required to be performed or prohibited by any statute incorporated herein by reference is required or prohibited by this chapter. Any future amendments, revisions or modifications of the statutes or administrative codes incorporated herein are made a part of this chapter in order to secure uniform statewide regulation of ATVs and UTVs, except to the extent that the provisions of this chapter are more restrictive.

§ 608-3 Designating ATV/UTV routes and trails.

Designated ATV/UTV routes include all public streets and alleys except connecting highways within the City of Reedsburg City limits except as posted. In addition, under Wis Stats. § 23.33(11)(am)4, ATVs/UTVs are authorized to operate on STH 33 (East and West Main Street) and STH 23 (South Albert Avenue) where the speed limit is 35 MPH or less. The Reedsburg Police Department may temporarily close any ATV/UTV route whenever conditions require closure.

§ 608-4 Trail and route signs.

Designated ATV/UTV route and trail signs shall be shall be installed and maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 64.12(7).

A. The City of Reedsburg is solely responsible for ATV/UTV route signage installation and no person may install any sign on a designated ATV/UTV route without written authorization of the City.

B. All required signs shall be in accordance with state statutes and administrative codes applicable to ATV/UTV routes on public streets and bridge crossings.

C. No person may erect, remove, obscure, or deface any authorized ATV/UTV route sign without written authorization of the City of Reedsburg.

§ 608-5 Operation of ATVs and UTVs.

Operation of ATVs and UTVs on designated ATV/UTV routes shall be subject to all provisions of § 23.33, Wis. Stats., which is adopted as a part of this chapter by reference. The following restrictions apply to operation of ATVs and UTVs on all city streets designated as ATV/UTV routes:

A. ATVs and UTVs may only be operated on approved ATV/UTV routes from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

B. ATVs and UTVs shall operate at a safe speed not to exceed the posted speed limits.

C. No person under the age of 16 may operate an ATV or UTV on any segment of a street or highway in the City of Reedsburg.

D. Every person who operates an ATV or UTV on any street or highway in the City of Reedsburg shall have in his or her immediate possession a valid motor vehicle operator's license. The ATV/UTV operator shall display the operator's license upon demand from any law enforcement officer, state patrol officer, inspector under Wisconsin State Stats. § 110.07(1), conservation warden, or municipal peace officer.

E. No operator or passenger of an ATV or UTV may possess in or on an ATV or UTV on any street or highway in the City of Reedsburg, any bottle or receptacle containing alcohol beverages if the bottle or receptacle has been opened, the seal has been broken, or the contents of the bottle or receptacle have been partially removed or released.

F. All ATV and UTV equipment is required to have applicable liability insurance and have proof of insurance.

§ 608-6 Notifications.

A copy of this chapter shall be sent to the Wisconsin State Patrol, Sauk County Sheriff's Department and to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

§ 608-7 Violations and penalties.

A. Except as provided in § 23.33(13)(am) to (e), Wis. Stats., any person who violates any section of this chapter or statutes adopted by reference shall pay a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $250 for each offense. Said forfeiture is exclusive of mandatory assessments and costs.

B. The penalty for operating an ATV/UTV off the roadway of a designated ATV/UTV route to include the grassy in-slope, ditches, or other highway right-of-way; other than for direct access from a trail to a roadway on a designated trail, or operating outside of permitted times for route use, or operating in excess of permitted speed; shall result in a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $250, as established in Wis. Stats. Ch. 23. Said forfeiture is exclusive of mandatory assessments and costs.

C. In addition to any forfeiture, a court may order restitution to repair any damage caused by violation of this chapter.