Georgetown Idaho

ORDINANCE #35
SNOWMOBILE REGULATIONS

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, REGULATING THE USE OF SNOWMOBILES ON THE PUBLIC STREETS; REQUIRING DRIVERS’ LICENSES; REGULATING SPEED; REQUIRING FULL STOP AT INTERSECTIONS; ALLOWING OPERATION ON THE EXTREME RIGHT SIDE OF STREETS; REQUIRING THE USE OF HEAD LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT; RESTRICTING USE IN THE CITY LIMITS BETWEEN 11:00 PM AND 5:00 AM; PROHIBITING USE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHOUT CONSENT OF PROPERTY OWNERS; PROHIBITING USE ON SIDEWALKS; REQUIRING OPERATORS TO USE MOST DIRECT ROUTE TO CROSS STREET; REQUIRING OBSERVANCE OF ALL IDAHO MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS; RESTRICTING OCCUPANCY TO TWO PERSONS WHILE ON CITY STREETS; PROHIBITING THE PUSHING OR TOWING OF OTHER ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR PENALTY.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, IDAHO:

SECTION 1:  DEFINITIONS

(A).  Snowmobile:  A self propelled vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice in a natural terrain steered by skis or runners.
(b).  Operate:  To control the operation of a snowmobile.
(c).  Operator:  Person who operates or is in actual control of snowmobile.
(d).  Public Street:  street, road, alleyway, or other public thorough fare within the city limits of the City of Georgetown.

SECTION II:  REGULATIONS

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile under the following circumstances:
(a).  On private property of another without the express permission to do so by the owner or occupant of said property.
(b).  On public school grounds, park property, playgrounds, or recreational areas without express provision or permission to do so by the proper public authority.
(c).  Without having such snowmobile registered as provided for by the statutes of this state.
(d).  Within the right-of-way of any public street unless the operator shall have a valid driver’s license in his possession at the time of operating said snowmobile.
(e).  At a rate of speed in excess of the posted speed limit.
(f).  Across a public street or through any intersection thereof without first bringing said snowmobile to a full and complete stop prior to entering said street or intersection regardless of the type of traffic control displaced at the intersection, or in the absence of any such traffic control, sign, or symbol.
(g).  Within or upon any public street except the extreme right hand side thereof.
(h).  Without having the headlight and tail light illuminated regardless of the time of day or night and regardless of prevailing weather conditions.
(i).  Between the hours of 11:00 pm and 5:00 am.
(j).  Upon any public sidewalk or walkway, unless snow covered and not useable.
(k).  Across any public street except by a most direct route, this being at right angles to the side boundaries thereof.
(l).  With more than two persons, including the operator, on aid machine.
(m).  Pushing, pulling or towing any other type of conveyance or item of equipment upon eh public streets unless the same has a rigid tongue and swivel type hitching device connecting the snowmobile directly tot he other conveyance or equipment.
(n).  Driving on the city streets two or more abreast.
(o).  Regulations apply to all terrain vehicles.

SECTION III:  EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

All snowmobiles operated within the City shall have the following equipment:
(a).  Manufactures stock grade mufflers or equivalent which are properly attached and which reduce the noise of operation of the vehicle within noise level requirements of the laws of the State of Idaho and no person shall use a muffler cutout, by-pass or similar devices on said vehicle.
(b).  Adequate brakes in good working condition.
©.  At least one head light and one tail light.
(d).  A safety or so called “dead man” throttle in operating condition; a safety or “dead man” throttle is defined as a device which when pressure is removed from the accelerator or throttle causes the motor to be disengaged from driving track.

SECTION IV:  UNATTENDED VEHICLE

It is unlawful for the owner or operator to leave or allow a snowmobile to be or remain unattended on public property while the motor is running or with the keys for starting the vehicle left in the ignition.  Snowmobiles cannot be left unattended on streets or sidewalks at any time.

SECTION V:  RIGHT OF WAY

Snowmobiles must yield right of way to all motor vehicles licensed by the State of Idaho for operation on public highways, including but not limited to, the ingress and egress of same to and from private property.

SECTION VI:  LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

Law Enforcement Officers in the performance of their duties of enforcing this ordinance or other laws of the State of Idaho and/or City of Georgetown may operate a snowmobile in violation of the terms of this ordinance as their duties may require.

SECTION VII:  RESTRICTION OF OPERATION

The City Council of the City of Georgetown may, by resolution, further restrict or prohibit the operation of snowmobiles upon the public streets or other public property within the city and may restrict, extend or change the public streets upon which snowmobile operation may take place when, in their opinion, the public safety and welfare so requires.

SECTION VIII:  TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Each person operating a snowmobile within the City of Georgetown shall strictly observe all traffic signs and signals and all other traffic rules and regulations of the State of Idaho and/or county of Bear Lake and/or City of Georgetown in addition to those rules and regulations herein set forth and shall obey the orders and directions of any peace officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic.

SECTION XI:  PENALTY

Any person violating this ordinance or any portion thereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $100.00 and/or imprisonment not to exceed thirty days.

PASSED by the City Council and approved by the Mayor January 2, 1973

Leon Sorenson, Mayor
Madge H. Sorenson, Clerk