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City of Williston, ND
Williams County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Ord. No. 469, § 1, 1-18-1972; Ord. No. 648, 7-9-1985; Ord. No. 920, 5-12-2009]
(a) 
For the purpose of this article, the following definitions are hereby adopted:
(1) 
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE/OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE - Shall mean a motor vehicle using more than two low pressure tires and with a dry weight of less than 1,200 pounds (544.31 kilograms).
(2) 
OPERATE - Shall mean to ride in or on and control the operation of a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
(3) 
OPERATOR - Shall mean every person who operates or is in actual physical control of a snowmobile.
(4) 
OWNER - Shall mean a person, other than a lienholder, having the property in or title to a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle, who is entitled to the use or possession thereof.
(5) 
PERSON - Shall mean and include an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, trustee, association, estate and its agencies and subdivision and any body of persons, whether incorporated or not, and with respect to acts prohibited or required herein shall include employees and licensees.
(6) 
ROADWAY - Shall mean that portion of a highway, street, boulevard, avenue, or alley improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
(7) 
SNOWMOBILE - Shall mean a self-propelled vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice or a natural terrain steered by wheels, skis or runners.
(8) 
STREET, HIGHWAY, BOULEVARD, AVENUE OR ALLEY - Shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of the same.
[Ord. No. 648, 7-9-1985]
[Ord. No. 469, § 2, 1-18-1972; Ord. No. 510, § 2, 9-23-1975; Ord. No. 648, 7-9-1985; Ord. No. 920, 5-12-2009]
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile or within the corporate limits of the City, subject to the following exceptions:
(1) 
A police officer may operate a snowmobile for the purpose of enforcing this article.
(2) 
In the event of an emergency, the chief of police or his designate may authorize temporary use of a snowmobile within the City.
[Ord. No. 469, § 3, 1-18-1972; Ord. No. 510, § 3, 9-23-1975; Ord. No. 648, 7-9-1985; Ord. No. 920, 5-12-2009]
Any parent or guardian who knowingly allows his or her child or ward to operate his or her snowmobile upon or over the City streets, highways, boulevards, avenues or alleys except with the permission of the chief of police or his designate in the case of an emergency shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties of this article.
[Ord. No. 469, § 2, 1-18-1972; Ord. No. 513m, 11-12-1975; Ord. No. 591, 3-23-1982; Ord. No. 648, 7-9-1985; Ord. No. 920, 5-12-2009]
(a) 
No person shall drive a snowmobile on City streets, avenues, boulevards, or alleys, except under the provisions of this article and as necessary to go from his residence to outside the City limits and return in a reasonably direct route, and then only subject to the following rules and regulation. No person shall drive:
(1) 
In a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the person or property of another or to cause injury or damage to such person's property.
(2) 
While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance.
(3) 
In any tree nursery or planting in a manner which damages or destroys growing stock.
(4) 
Without a manufacturer-installed or equivalent muffler in good working order and connected to the snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle's exhaust system.
(5) 
The driver of a snowmobile must yield the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitute an immediate hazard.
(6) 
In violation of any rules or regulations promulgated for regulating the use of snowmobiles by the state highway commissioner where applicable within the geographical limits of the City.
(7) 
While towing a sled, skid or other vehicle, unless the sled, skid or other vehicle is connected to the snowmobile by a hinged swivel and secured hitch and lighted or reflectorized at night.
(8) 
Abreast of another snowmobile upon any highway as defined in this article.
(9) 
Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except when returning to the City at a reasonably direct route to the residence of an operator.
(10) 
In any municipal park or recreation area or school grounds except when posted as open to snowmobiles within the hours permitted.
(11) 
Upon private property within the corporate limits of the City.
(12) 
At any time with more than two persons riding therein in addition to the operator.
(13) 
Without observing all traffic signs, signals, rules and regulations applying to motor vehicles when also applicable to snowmobiles.
(14) 
At a rate of speed greater than reasonable or proper under all the surrounding circumstances and in no event at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour.
(15) 
No person shall drive on any street or highway or through street except to cross, and then only at a 90° angle.
(b) 
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person under 16 years of age who is not in possession of a valid operator's license or permit to operate a snowmobile may not, except upon the lands of the person's parents or guardian, operate a snowmobile.
[Ord. No. 804, 9-23-1997]
A person may not operate a snowmobile, and an owner of a snowmobile may not knowingly permit the snowmobile to be operated, within the City without a valid policy of liability insurance in effect in order to respond in damages for liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of such snowmobile. The policy of liability insurance shall be equal to or greater than the amount required by state law.
A person violating any provisions of this section is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and such person shall be assessed a fine of at least $100.
[Ord. No. 806, §§ 1, 2, 9-23-1997]
(a) 
Any driver of a snowmobile who willfully fails or refuses to bring the snowmobile to a stop or who otherwise flees or attempts to elude, in any manner, a pursuing police vehicle or peace officer, when given a visual or audible signal to bring the snowmobile to a stop, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor for a first or second offense and a Class A misdemeanor for a subsequent offense. A signal complies with this section if the signal is perceptible to the driver and:
(1) 
If given from a vehicle, the signal is given by hand, voice, emergency light, or siren, and the stopping vehicle is appropriately marked showing it to be an official police vehicle; or
(2) 
If not given from a vehicle, the signal is given by hand, voice, emergency light, or siren, and the officer is in uniform and prominently displays the officer's badge of office.
(b) 
Any person who violates this section must be assessed a fine of at least $500.
[Ord. No. 920, 5-12-2009]
(1) 
An individual may operate a registered and insured off-highway vehicle on any City street except divided four-lane roadways within the City limits. An individual may not operate an off-highway vehicle on the roadway, shoulder, or inside bank or slope of any road, street or highway except as provided in this chapter. Except in emergencies, an individual may not operate an off-highway vehicle within the right-of-way of any controlled-access City street. An individual may operate a registered off-highway vehicle on a gravel, dirt, or loose surface roadway. All terrain vehicles must observe all City speed limits.
(2) 
The operator of an off-highway vehicle may make a direct crossing of a street or highway only if:
a. 
The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90° to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
b. 
The off-highway vehicle is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway;
c. 
The operator yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and
d. 
In crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of the highway with another public street or highway.
(3) 
Unless an individual is operating a Class 1 off-highway vehicle, an individual may not operate an off-highway vehicle unless it is equipped with at least one headlamp, one tail lamp, and brakes, all in working order, which conform to standards prescribed by rule of the director, except when under the direct supervision of an off-highway vehicle instructor teaching a certified off-highway vehicle safety training course, the requirement for a headlamp and tail lamp may be waived.
(4) 
The emergency conditions under which an off-highway vehicle may be operated other than as provided by this chapter are only those that render the use of an automobile impractical under the conditions and at the time and location in question.
(5) 
An individual may not operate an off-highway vehicle in the following ways, which are declared to be unsafe and a public nuisance:
a. 
At a rate of speed greater than reasonable or proper under all the surrounding circumstances.
b. 
In a careless, reckless, or negligent manner so as to endanger the person or property of another or to cause injury or damage to another person or the property of another person.
c. 
While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance.
d. 
Without a lighted headlamp and tail lamp except when used by an off-highway vehicle instructor during a certified off-highway vehicle safety training course.
e. 
In any tree nursery or planting in a manner that damages growing stock.
f. 
Without a manufacturer-installed or equivalent muffler in good working order and connected to the off-highway vehicle's exhaust system.
g. 
On any private land where the private land is posted prohibiting trespassing. The name and address of the person posting the land and the date of posting must appear on each sign in legible characters. The posted signs must be readable from outside the land and be placed conspicuously at a distance of not more than 880 yards (804.68 meters) apart. Land entirely enclosed by a fence or other enclosure is sufficiently posted by posting of these signs at or on all gates through the fence or enclosure.
(6) 
An individual may not operate an off-highway vehicle without having in possession a valid driver's license or permit.
(7) 
When an off-highway vehicle is operated within the right-of-way of any road, street, or highway, during times or conditions that warrant the use of lights by other motor vehicles, the off-highway vehicle must be operated in the same direction as the direction of other motor vehicles traveling on the side of the roadway immediately adjacent to the side of the right-of-way traveled by the off-highway vehicle.
(8) 
An individual may not operate an off-highway vehicle within the right-of-way of any highway while towing a sled, skid, or other vehicle, unless the object towed is connected to the off-highway vehicle by a hinged swivel and secure hitch.
(9) 
An individual under the age of 18 years may not operate, ride, or otherwise be propelled on an off-highway vehicle unless the person wears a safety helmet meeting United States department of transportation standards.
(10) 
An operator of an off-highway vehicle may not carry a passenger while operating the vehicle unless the off-highway vehicle is equipped and recommended by the manufacturer to carry a passenger and the passenger is carried as recommended by the manufacturer.
(11) 
Unless otherwise provided by law, an off-highway vehicle may be operated on an aggregate road surface only when designated as part of an active off-highway vehicle trail by the managing entity.
(12) 
A person who is performing pest control or survey work for a political subdivision may operate an all-terrain vehicle on the bottom, back-slope, inside slope, and shoulder of a highway other than a controlled-access highway.
[Ord. No. 920, 5-12-2009]
To operate an off-highway vehicle on a paved City street or gravel, dirt, or loose surface roadway under Subsection (1) of § 10-390, the off-highway vehicle must be equipped with a mirror, a horn, a speedometer and odometer, a brake light, a lighted headlamp, and a motor of at least 350 cubic centimeters.
[Ord. No. 920, 5-12-2009]
Except as otherwise provided in this section, an individual under 16 years of age who is not in possession of a valid operator's license or permit to operate an off-highway vehicle may not, except upon the lands of the individual's parent or guardian or as a participant in an organized sporting event that involves the use of off-highway vehicles, operate an off-highway vehicle.
[Ord. No. 920, 5-12-2009]
Violation of Subdivision (b), (c) or (g) of Subsection (5) of § 10-390 is a Class B misdemeanor. Violation of any other provision of § 10-390 is an infraction for which a fee of $20 must be assessed. Failure to register an off-highway vehicle is an infraction, for which a fee of $50 must be assessed. If the individual provides proof of registration since the violation, the fee may be reduced by one-half.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its final passage, approval and publication.