Ord 67 Regulating Registration of SnowmobilesVillage of Mendota Heights
Dakota County, Minnesota
ORDINANCE NO. 61 `
SNOWMOBILE ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REGIS-
TRATION OF SNOWMOBILES AND REGULATING
THE USE THEREOF.
The Village Council of the Village of Mendota Heights does hereby
ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions For the Purposes of this Ordinance:
A. "Snowmobile" means a self-propelled vehicle designed for
,-._,travel on snow or ice or on a natural terrain steered by wheels,
skis, or runners.
B. "Owner." means a person, other than a lien holder, having
the property in or title to a snowmobile or entitled to the use
or� p sioast-:,-, on thereof
C. era or means every person who operates or is in actual
physica1control of a snowmobile.
D. "Operate" means to ride in or on and control the operation
of a snowmobile.
E. "Register" means the act of assigning a registration number
to a snowmobile.
F. "Roadway" means that portion of a street, highway or road
which is improved, designed., or ordinarily used for vehic. uliar
travel.
SECTION 2. Snowmobile Registration
Except as herein provided, no person shall operate, any snowmobile
upon any publicly owned easements, trails, accesses, lands, lakes'.
rivers or streams unless such snowmobile has been registered in
accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.
SECTION 3. Exceptions
No registration hereunder shall be required for the following
described snowmobiles:
A. Snowmobiles owned and used by the United States, any
State, City, Village or municipality.
B. Snowmobiles registered in a Country other than the United
States temporarily used within this State.
C. Snowmobiles covered by a valid license of another State and
which have not been within this State for more than thirty (30)
consecutive days.
SECTION 4. Operation
A. Except as herein provided no person shall operate a snowmobile
upon the roadway, shoulder, or inside bank or slope of any trunk,
county, or state aid highway, or village road in the Village of Mendota
Heights. No person shall operate a,snowmobile within the.right-of-way
of any trunk, county, or state aid highway, or village street between
the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.
No snowmobile shall be operated at any time within the right-of-way
of any interstate highway or freeway within the Village of Mendota
Heights.
B. A,snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or highway
provided:
1) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately ninety
(90) degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place
where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing:, and
2) The snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing
the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway or street; and
3) The driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming
traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard.
C. A snowmobile may be operated upon a public street or highway
other than as provided by subparagraph B hereinabove in an emergency
during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon the
roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.
D. A snowmobile may be operated anytime, anywhere, within the
Village of Mendota Heights under emergency circumstances by
any police officer or duly authorized official, agent, or employee
of the Village.
SECTION 5. Operation Generally
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snow-
mobile in the following unsafe or harassing ways:
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 operator or the person or property of another or to cause injury
or damage thereto;
C. While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics
or habit forming drugs.
D. Without a lighted head and tail light after sunset and before.
sunrise or when otherwise required for safety.
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SECTION 6.
It is unlawful for any person:
A. To leave or allow a snowmobile to.be or remain
unattended on public property;
B. To operate a snowmobile on private property of another
without permission of the owner of said property;
C. To operate a snowmobile on publicly owned.land including
school, park property, playgrounds, and recreation areas,
except where permitted by this ordinance.
D. To operate a snowmobile in a manner so as to create a
loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which disturbs, annoys
or interferes with the peace and quiet of other persons;
E. To operate a snowmobile within one hundred (100) feet of
any skating rink or sliding area, or in any other area where
the operation would conflict with use or endanger other persons
or property.
SECTION 7.
All snowmobiles shall have the following equipment:
A. Standard mufflers which are properly attached and which
reduce the noise of operation of the machine to the minimum
noise necessary for operating the machine and no person shall
use a muffler cut-out, by-pass, or similar device on said machine.
B. A head and taillight if the snowmobile is operated after dark.
C. Brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and
hold a snowmobile.
D. A safety or so called "deadman" throttle in operating
condition. A safety or I'deadman" throttle as used hereunder
is defined as a device which, when pressure is removed from the
accelerator or throttle, causes the motor to be disengaged
from the driving track.
SECTION 8.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this ordinance, the Chief of Police
or any duly authorized official of the Village shall have authority
tosupervise and regulate events or programs conducted by the Village
in which snowmobiles are used. The Village Council shall have the
authority to designate Village park areas that it shall deem available
for such use.
SECTION 9.
Any person violating the terms of this ordinance shall, upon
conviction thereof, be fined a sum not to exceed One Hundred ($100.00)
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Dollars or shall be imprisoned for a period not to exceed ninety
(90) days.
SECTION '10.
This Ordinance shall be in force and effect after its publication
according to law.
Enacted and ordained into an Ordinance this-,-.,16 day of February,,
1968.
ATTEST
ell
William F. Cal -ins
Clerk
VILLAGE COUNCIL
THE VILLAGE OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
By
Donald L.'Huber
Mayor
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