Special Use Vehicles: ATVs, UTVs, and Golf Carts
On Thursday, October 24, 2019, the City Council adopted amendments to the Snowmobile and ATV Ordinance. The new Snowmobile and Special Use Vehicle Ordinance will go into affect next Thursday, October 31, 2019. The full ordinance is available for viewing at City Hall or by following the link at the bottom of this page.
The newly adopted ordinance requires that owners of Special Use Vehicles (i.e. ATVs, UTVs, and Golf Carts) get a permit from the City in order to operate the vehicles on City streets. The permit costs $30 and requires proof of insurance complying with Minnesota Statutes section 65B.48. Permits will be issued starting October 31, 2019 at City Hall during our regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM).
Special use vehicle permits are valid for a specified three year period. The first three year period will begin on January 1, 2020 and go through December 31, 2022. Any permit issued in 2019 will be valid for the 3 year period starting January 1, 2020.
Under the ordinance special use vehicles:
- Must be permitted by the City
- May not operate on sidewalks
- May not operate on shared use paths (except those along County Road 2 and County Road 91)
- May not operate in parks
- May not operate between 1 AM and 6 AM (unless returning home from somewhere outside the City)
In addition, all special use vehicle operators should be aware of the equipment requirements and age restrictions as outlined in the ordinance. These requirements are as follows:
Equipment Requirements
- ATVs and UTVs
- Mufflers
- Brakes
- Safety Throttle
- Lights (when operating between dusk and dawn)
- Reflective material
- Golf Carts
- Slow moving vehicle emblem
Age Restrictions
- ATVs and UTVs
- 16 years of age or older with safety certificate issued by the commissioner of natural resources and valid driver’s license.
- 15 years of age or older with safety certificate issued by the commissioner of natural resources, valid learner’s permit, and accompanied by person 18 year of age or older who also meets the age requirements.
- 12-14 years of age only for the purposes of going to or returning from an area of permissible operation outside the City limits. Operators must have a safety certificate issued by the commissioner of natural resources and be accompanied by a person 18 year of age or older who also meets the age requirements.
- NOTE: Any person born prior to July 2, 1987 is NOT required to have a safety certificate issued by the commissioner of natural resources.
- Golf Carts
- 16 years of age or older with valid driver’s license.
- 15 years of age or older with valid learner’s permit and accompanied by person 18 year of age or older who also meets the age requirements.
For more detailed information regarding these and other requirements, please reference the full ordinance.
Please keep in mind that the adopted ordinance applies only within the City limits. County roads are under the jurisdiction of Scott County and would be regulated under MN State Statue and County Ordinance.
If you’d like additional information or have questions regarding City Ordinance, call City Hall at 952.461.2777.