[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Vernon 7-6-2000 by Ord. No. 00-04. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 7-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-04]
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the current and future statutory provisions of § 110.075 and Chs. 340 to 350, Wis. Stats., and Ch. Trans 305, Wis. Adm. Code, describing and defining regulations with respect to vehicles and traffic, exclusive of any provisions therein relating to penalties to be imposed and exclusive of any regulations for which the statutory penalty is a term of imprisonment, are adopted and by reference made a part of this chapter as if fully set forth herein. Any act required to be performed or prohibited by any current or future statute or Administrative Code incorporated herein by reference is required or prohibited by this section. Any future additions, amendments, revisions or modifications of the current or future statutes incorporated herein or of Ch. Trans 305, Wis. Adm. Code, are intended to be made part of this chapter in order to secure uniform statewide regulation of traffic on the highways, streets and alleys of the state. Throughout Chapter 290 all references to "roadway" shall mean "highway" as defined in § 340.01(22), Wis. Stats., as defined therein and interpreted by Wisconsin courts and legal authorities.
[Amended 7-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-04]
Signs shall be erected in such locations as the Town Board deems necessary to give adequate warning to the users of said roadways. The Director of Public Works shall procure, erect and maintain appropriate standard traffic signs, signals and markings conforming to the rules of the Department of Transportation giving notice of the provisions of §§ 346.57, 346.58 and 346.59, Wis. Stats. Signs shall be erected in such locations and manner as to give adequate warning to users of the street, alley or roadway in question.
[Amended 2-15-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-1; 9-6-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-02; 8-19-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-02; 3-16-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-05; 7-6-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-07; 4-2-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-04; 11-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-06; 7-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-04]
The Town of Vernon assumes the authority to establish speed limits as authorized by § 349.11, Wis. Stats. The below Town roads shall be posted with the following speed limit signs except as otherwise authorized by the Town Board pursuant to § 349.11(10), Wis. Stats., by separate resolution. Whereas portions of Town roads are noted below, the speed limit applies to both directions of traffic along those portions of road.
A. 
Forty-five miles per hour. No operator of a motor vehicle shall travel in excess of 45 miles per hour on the following roadways:
Center Drive (that portion from Artesian Avenue south to Edgewood Avenue)
Craig Avenue (that portion from Maple Avenue south to the Caldwell Road)
Denoon Road
Edgewood Avenue (that portion from Chateau Lane west to CTH ES)
Evergreen Drive (that portion from Cheri Avenue south to Artesian Avenue)
Guthrie School Road (east side only)
Henneberry Avenue
Kelsey Avenue
Maple Avenue
B. 
Thirty-five miles per hour. No operator of a motor vehicle shall travel in excess of 35 miles per hour on the following roadways:
Artesian Avenue
Big Bend Drive (that portion from Millbrook Circle north to Townline Road)
Center Drive (that portion north of Artesian Avenue) north to Skyline Avenue
Center Drive (that portion from CTH L south to Racine County line)
Center Drive (that portion from Edgewood Avenue south to the Fox River)
Cheri Avenue
Craig Avenue
Evergreen Drive (that portion from Cheri Avenue north to CTH ES)
Hillview Drive
HiLo Drive
Hunkins Road
Johnson Avenue
Marsh Avenue
Mound Avenue
Oakdale Drive (that portion from CTH ES south to Edgewood Avenue)
Ridge Road
Skyline Avenue (that portion from STH 164 to Ridge Road)
Townline Road
C. 
Thirty miles per hour. No operator of a motor vehicle shall travel in excess of 30 miles per hour on the following roadways:
Davis Avenue
Skyline Avenue (that portion from STH 164 to Big Bend Drive)
Woodland Lane
D. 
Twenty-five miles per hour. No operator of a motor vehicle shall travel in excess of 25 miles per hour on the following roadways:
A
Aberdeen Way
Alameda Court
Alameda Drive
Alma Lane
Alpine Drive
Aplin Lane
Applewood Circle
B
Bassler Lane
Beaver Trail
Benson Avenue
Bernice Lane
Brairhedge Court
Brook Court
Brookside Circle
Bullrush Court
Bywater Lane
C
Cameron Court
Cameron Drive
Carol Drive
Cartwright Court
Cedar Court
Cedar Lane
Center Drive (that portion from Skyline Avenue north to the end)
Chateau Lane
Clearview Lane
Clover Court
Crestview Court
Crestview Drive
D
Danielson Circle
Danielson Street
Darling Drive
Diane Drive
Doll Court
Duncan Court
E
Eleanor Court
Eleanor Street
Enterprise Drive
Essex Crossing
F
Fairview Circle
Fairway Court
Fernwood Court
Fernwood Drive
Forestview Court
Forestview Lane
Fox Court
Fox River Woods Drive
G
Garrett Drive
Glenecho Road
Glenview Drive
Golf View Court
Greenbriar Drive
Green Mountain Drive
H
Hartwig Avenue
Hartwig Court
Hawthorne Chasm
Heatheridge Drive
Heather Ridge Court
Hidden Lakes Court
Hidden Lakes Drive
Highland Court
Highland Drive
High Point Court
High Ridge Drive
Hilltop Lane
Horseshoe Lane
Hunters Court
Hunters Run
I
Isabella Court
Ivy Court
J
John Drive
Justin Lane
K
Karlstad Drive
Kings Peak Avenue
Kings Peak Court
King Street
Klein Lane
Knoll Drive
Kunzendorf Court
L
Lakeside Drive
Lakeview Court
Lakeview Lane
Lea Drive
Linden Court
Longview Court
Longview Drive
Lookout Circle
Lookout Lane
Lucille Court
Ludwig Drive
M
Mackenzie Court
Maplehill Drive
Mardith Avenue
Mark Trail
Martin Street
McGregor Court
Meadow Circle
Meadow View Lane
Meyers Drive
Millbrook Circle E.
Millbrook Circle S.
Millbrook Circle W.
Mission Court
Moraine Court
Mt. Everest Court
Mt. Everest Road
Mt. Rainier Drive
Mt. Whitney Avenue
N
Norway Drive
Nottingham Court
Nottingham Way
O
Oakridge Drive
Oakview Drive
Olympia Court North
Olympia Court South
Overlook Drive
P
Pamela Court
Par Avenue
Parkview Drive
Parkwood Trail
Patrick Drive
Pheasant Court
Pheasant Drive
Pheasant Hill Road
Pine Court
Pinecrest Lane
Prairieside Court
Prairieside Drive
R
Regency Road
Ridgeway Court
Ridgeway Road
River Avenue
River Oaks Drive
River Ridge Circle
Riverview Drive
Robyn Road
Rustic View Lane
S
Salem Court
Sandhill Ridge Road
Scotland Drive
Shannon Lane
Sherman Court
Sierra Madre Court
Silvercrest Drive
Somerset Lane
Sonoma Circle
Sonoma Way
South Woods Lane
Stonehill Court
Stonehill Drive
Stoneridge Court
Stony Point Court
Sugar Maple Drive
Sumac Court
Sunrise Circle
Sunset Glen Court
Sunset Glen Drive
Sunset View Drive
Susan Street
T
Terrace Court
Terrace Drive
V
Valley View Road
Vernon Hills Drive
Verta Vista Court
Verta Vista Drive
Vista Del Tierra
W
Wagner Court
West Wildwood Drive
Westwood Drive
Whitetail Trail
Wildwood Court
Wildwood Drive
Windsor Court
Woodbury Lane
Woodgate Road
Woodland Court
Woodview Lane
The following Town roads shall be designated and posted Class B highways. Although the following descriptions are given in one direction of travel, the Class B designation applies for both directions on the described road.
Name of Street
Location
Artesian Avenue
From Center Drive east to STH 164
Big Bend Drive
From Millbrook Circle north to Townline Road
Center Drive
From the Town border north to CTH L
Center Drive
From Maple Avenue north to Robyn Road
Cheri Avenue
From Evergreen Drive east to STH 164
Craig Avenue
From Maple Avenue east to CTH L
Denoon Road
From STH 164 east to the Town border
Edgewood Avenue
From CTH ES east to STH 164
Evergreen Drive
From Artesian Avenue north to CTH ES
Henneberry Avenue
From STH 164 east to the Town border
Hillview Drive
From CTH ES to CTH XX
HiLo Drive
From Edgewood Avenue to CTH XX
Karlstad Drive
From Edgewood Avenue north to CTH ES
Kelsey Avenue
From STH 164 east to the Town border
Maple Avenue
From the Town border east to CTH L
Oakdale Drive
From Edgewood Avenue north to CTH ES
Ridge Road
From CTH XX north to CTH XX
Skyline Avenue
From Ridge Drive east to Big Bend Drive
Townline Road
From STH 164 east to CTH U
Woodland Lane
From Cheri Avenue north to STH 164
A. 
General parking. The restrictions on stopping and parking vehicles found in §§ 346.50 through 346.55, Wis. Stats., are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this section with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein. For the purpose of this section the definitions of words and phrases contained in Ch. 340, Wis. Stats., are hereby adopted by reference and made a part hereof with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.
B. 
Temporary parking signs. Any area marked temporarily by the Department of Public Works with "no parking" and/or "tow away" signs shall be included in the areas where parking is prohibited.
C. 
Warning tickets. The Department of Public Works Director has discretion to issue warning tickets.
D. 
"No parking" signs. When signs are erected in any block giving notice thereof, no person shall at any time park a vehicle upon those streets or portions of streets. Said signs shall be placed, erected and maintained pursuant to § 290-2 of this chapter.
E. 
Snow emergency parking.
(1) 
Definition of snowstorm: a driving snowstorm accompanied by moderate to heavy snow falling at a minimum rate of one inch per hour and accumulating to at least four inches or more, which is accompanied by a strong wind in excess of 25 miles per hour, or driving snow in such a manner as to produce a congestion of traffic or impede the operation of emergency vehicles.
(2) 
Declaration of emergency. The Chairperson of the Town Board or, in his/her absence, the Director of Public Works shall declare a snow emergency during the period of a driving snowstorm or immediately thereafter, whenever traffic becomes congested by reason of said snowfall and the operation of emergency vehicles, including snow removal equipment and machinery, is impeded.
(3) 
Duration of emergency. Such emergency shall exist so long as traffic remains congested and the operation of emergency vehicles is impeded, or likely to be impeded, by the falling of snow and the congestion of traffic upon the streets, alleys or public parking lots of the Town.
(4) 
Notice of emergency. The Town Chairperson, or other authorized officials, may proclaim the state of emergency through the press, radio or other public means of communication and may designate and authorize police officers and snow removal personnel to inform the citizenry of the existence of the emergency.
(5) 
Parking prohibited during emergency. No person shall park any vehicle on a main street, alley or public parking lot during the period of a snow emergency or immediately thereafter until such main street, alley or public parking lot has been cleared of snow, unless with reasonable diligence the person could not avoid it.
(6) 
Negligent parking on side streets. No person shall permit any vehicle to park or stop upon any uncleared street, alley, or parking lot, either during a driving snowstorm, immediately thereafter, or during a state of declared emergency, in such manner as to interfere with snow removal equipment, unless with reasonable diligence he could not avoid it.
(7) 
Removal of vehicles. Any traffic officer, the Director of Public Works or designee may remove any vehicle which may interfere with the operation of any snow removal equipment or any emergency vehicle. The cost of removing such vehicle may be charged to the owner or operator thereof, and the removal may be made by the Town Department of Public Works with Town help or by a commercial towing service. Cars removed and towed away shall be stored in a safe place and restored to the owner or operator of such car upon payment of a towing fee, after following required procedures.
[Amended 3-16-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-05]
F. 
Commercial vehicle parking. No overnight parking allowed. No person shall park a semitruck, commercial trailer, bus, other vehicle of a commercial or industrial nature or vehicular equipment of a commercial or industrial nature on any street in any zoning district which permits one-family, two-family or multifamily dwellings as a permitted use for a period of time longer than 30 minutes, except when actively involved in the use of contractors from sunrise to sunset. Any vehicles parked on Town roads must comply with state statutes.
G. 
Special parking limitations. No person shall park, or cause to be parked, any vehicle, attended or unattended, upon the right-of-way of the following roadways, or portions thereof, within the Town of Vernon:
[Amended 7-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-04]
(1) 
On the east and west side of Big Bend Drive, north of Skyline Ave, 250 feet north and 250 feet south of the fill (hydrant) pipe located adjacent to the Town Fire Pond No. 1.
(2) 
On the east and west side of Edgewood Avenue from CTH ES south to a point approximately 500 feet from the intersection of Edgewood Avenue and CTH ES, said point to be posted by a sign indicating that parking is prohibited.
(3) 
On the west side of the Center Drive Fox River Bridge, said point to be posted by a sign indicating that parking is prohibited.
(4) 
On the east and west sides of the portion of Marsh Avenue consisting of the area from Marsh Avenue's termination to the distance of 500 feet from the Marsh Avenue termination, said point to be posted by a sign indicating that parking is prohibited.
(5) 
On the east and west side of Scotland Drive, said point to be posted by a sign indicating that parking is prohibited.
(6) 
On the east and west side of Heather Ridge Drive, said point to be posted by a sign indicating that parking is prohibited.
(7) 
Center Drive on both sides of the roadway next to Heather Ridge Park.
H. 
Night parking.
[Amended 1-3-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-01; 7-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-04]
(1) 
No person, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity shall park or cause to be parked any vehicle of any kind or description on any public street or roadway in the Town of Vernon between the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. during any period of the year commencing December 1 and ending April 1 of any year unless temporarily authorized by the Department of Public Works Director or designee.
(2) 
No person, partnership, corporation or other legal entity shall park or cause to be parked any vehicle of any kind or description weighing 14,000 pounds or more on any public street or roadway in the Town of Vernon between the hours of 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. during any period of the year unless temporarily authorized by the Department of Public Works Director or designee.
I. 
Removal of vehicles. The Town Department of Public Works, law enforcement personnel or a designee may remove or cause to be removed from a Town roadway or right-of-way any vehicle which is involved in a violation of this chapter. The removal of a vehicle may be done by Town personnel or by an independent contractor pursuant to agreement with the Town. The vehicle shall be stored at a safe place. The owner or other person designated by the owner may recover possession of the removed vehicle upon payment to the Town or the independent contractor of the cost of removal and storage. The Town Board shall, by resolution, from time to time, set the removal and storage fees to be charged. The Town may contract with an independent contractor regarding the removal and storage of vehicles on such terms as the Town Board in its discretion deems advisable, after following required procedures.
[Amended 7-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-04]
[Amended 7-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-04]
A. 
Prohibition. No person shall cause to be put, or allow to remain, any object within the right-of-way of any Town of Vernon public roadway, including but not limited to the traveled part of the roadway, which object obstructs the public roadway or interferes with the use and maintenance of the roadway, except as allowed by law.
B. 
Signage. If the circumstance exists that a vehicle involved in providing services for the Town or its residents obstructs a Town road, the owner or operator of that vehicle must post sufficient signage in order to adequately notify people traveling on that road.
[Amended 6-19-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-02]
A. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
[Amended 8-19-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-05]
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE
Has the meaning specified under § 340.01(2g), Wis. Stats., as amended from time to time.
CONTIGUOUS
To be contiguous for purposes of this section, the real property must satisfy all of the following requirements:
(1) 
The entire property must:
(a) 
Either be a single parcel with a single tax identification number; or
(b) 
Be two or more parcels with separate tax identification numbers, only if all of the following are true:
[1] 
Each parcel must have a common boundary line or edge, which is not merely a point of contact, with another parcel that makes up the entire property; and
[2] 
All of the parcels that make up the entire property must be in identical ownership; and
[3] 
The entire property must be treated and occupied by the property owner as a single unit for a use permitted by the applicable zoning district; and
[4] 
There must be no gaps or obstructions between the parcels, whether by public right-of-way, body of water, physical construction or otherwise.
(2) 
If a public right-of-way, body of water, physical construction or other obstruction crosses a parcel of land, the parcel as a whole does not qualify as contiguous property. In that event, each severed portion shall constitute a separate parcel for purposes of this section.
OFF-THE-ROAD VEHICLE
Any two-wheeled self-propelled vehicle designed or adapted and used for riding over unpaved ground or gravel surfaces. Such vehicles may be equipped with rugged tires and flexible suspension and are called by various names: dirt bike, pit bike, chopper bike, sport bike, street bike, exercise bike, mini bike, and scrambler that are combustion-engine operated. "Off-the-road vehicle," as used in this section, does not include all-terrain-vehicles and snowmobiles, as defined in § 340.01 (2g) and (58a), respectively, Wis. Stats., as amended from time to time.
OPERATOR
A person who operates a vehicle herein regulated, who is responsible for the operation of a vehicle herein regulated or who is supervising the operation of a vehicle herein regulated.
SNOWMOBILES
Has the meaning specified under § 340.01(58a), Wis. Stats., as amended from time to time.
TRACKS
Any real property within the Town where repetitive operation of any vehicle(s) regulated by this section has worn down a specific area on private property and/or where changes have been made to the original contour of the landscape for riding of any vehicle(s) regulated by this section.
B. 
Snowmobiles.
(1) 
The restrictions and prohibitions concerning the operation of snowmobiles found in Ch. 350, Wis. Stats., as now or hereinafter amended, are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this section with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein. For the purpose of this section, the definitions of words and phases contained in Ch. 350, Wis. Stats., as now or hereafter amended, are adopted by reference and made part hereof with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.
(2) 
Applicability of rules of the road to snowmobiles. The operator of a snowmobile upon a roadway shall, in addition to the provisions of Ch. 350, Wis. Stats., be subject to §§ 346.04, 346.06, 346.11, 346.14(1), 346.18, 346.19, 346.20, 346.21, 346.26, 346.27, 346.33, 346.35, 346.37, 346.40, 346.44, 346.46, 346.47, 346.48, 346.50(1)(b), 346.51, 346.52, 346.53, 346.54, 346.55, 346.87, 346.88, 346.89, 346.90, 346.91, 346.92(1) and 346.94(1), (2), (9), (10), (11) and (13), Wis. Stats.
(3) 
Additional regulations.
[Amended 7-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-04]
(a) 
Speed. No person shall operate a snowmobile upon any public right-of-way or roadway within the Town at a speed in excess of that permitted or posted for other motor vehicles.
(b) 
Unattended vehicles. No person shall leave or allow a snowmobile owned or operated by him to remain unattended on any public roadway or public property while the motor is running or with the starting key left in the ignition.
(c) 
Operation on private premises restricted. No person shall operate a snowmobile on any private property not owned or controlled by him/her within the Town without the express consent or permission of the owner.
(d) 
Public nuisance prohibited. In addition to constituting a violation of this chapter, any public nuisance attributed to an operator will be subject to the provisions of Town of Vernon Code Chapter 230.
(e) 
Noise regulated. Noise resulting from, and/or related to, the operation of a snowmobile under this section shall be subject to the provisions of Town of Vernon Code Chapter 221.
C. 
All-terrain vehicles.
(1) 
The restrictions and prohibitions concerning the operation of all-terrain vehicle found in § 23.33, Wis. Stats., as now or hereinafter amended, are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this section with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein. For the purpose of this section, the definitions of words and phases contained in § 23.33, Wis. Stats., as now or hereafter amended, are adopted by reference and made part hereof with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein. Any violation of any provision of § 23.33, Wis. Stats. for which a forfeiture may be imposed shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
(2) 
Public nuisance prohibited. In addition to constituting a violation of this chapter, any public nuisance attributed to an operator will be subject to the provisions of Town of Vernon Code Chapter 230.
(3) 
Noise regulated. Noise resulting from and/or related to the operation of an all-terrain vehicle shall be subject to the provisions of Town of Vernon Code Chapter 221.
D. 
Off-the-road vehicles.
[Amended 8-19-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-05]
(1) 
No person may operate an off-the-road vehicle within the Town on any property less than seven contiguous acres in size.
(2) 
An off-the-road vehicle may be operated on property that is seven or more contiguous acres in size with the consent of the adult property owner. Any adult property owner within the Town having not less than seven contiguous acres of property may operate and/or permit operation of an off-the-road vehicle on their property subject to the following restrictions:
(a) 
No operator shall operate any off the road vehicle within 100 feet from any property line.
(b) 
Only the property owner(s) and/or or occupant(s) of the real estate may operate an off-the-road vehicle under this section.
(c) 
Public nuisance prohibited. In addition to constituting a violation of this chapter, any public nuisance attributed to operation of any off-the-road vehicle will be subject to the provisions of Town of Vernon Code Chapter 230.
(d) 
Noise regulated. Noise resulting from and/or related to the operation of any off-the-road vehicle shall be subject to the provisions of Town of Vernon Code Chapter 221.
E. 
Regulating tracks.
(1) 
No person shall cause or permit the creation or establishment of a track for the operation of any vehicle regulated under this section by means of, or resulting from, earth altering activities in violation of Waukesha County Zoning Code.
(2) 
Public nuisance prohibited. Any public nuisance attributed to a violation of this section will be subject to the provisions of Town of Vernon Code Chapter 230.
(3) 
Noise prohibited. Noise resulting from, or related to, the operation of a track will be subject to the provisions of Town of Vernon Code Chapter 221.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 290-8, Snowmobiles, was repealed 6-19-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-02. See now § 290-7.
[Amended 11-21-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-1]
A. 
Except as otherwise provided, penalties for a violation of this chapter shall be as described in Chapter 1, § 1-10 of this Code.
[Amended 2-16-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-03]
B. 
Any forfeiture for violation of the state statutes adopted by reference in this chapter shall conform to the forfeiture permitted to be imposed for violation of such statutes as set forth in the Uniform Deposit and Misdemeanor Bail Schedule of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference, including any variations or increases for subsequent offenses, which schedule is adopted by reference.
[Added 3-16-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-05]