Chapter 10.28
SNOWMOBILES AND OTHER OFF-ROAD VEHICLES
Sections
10.28.020 Compliance with state law
10.28.040 Operation on highways and other locations
10.28.050 Applicability of regulations—parental responsibility
10.28.060 Snowmachine authorized area of operation
10.28.070 Driver’s license required
For statutory provisions regarding off-road vehicles, see 13 AAC 02.430 and 02.455, and AS 05.30 and 28. For vehicle equipment and inspection, see KCC 10.12.010; for adoption of definitions, see KCC 10.04.050.
10.28.010 Definitions
For the purposes of this chapter, “highway” shall be deemed as meaning any street, road, highway, alley, or bike trail from property line to property line, officially classified as a public right-of-way by the city.
“Off-road vehicles” shall be deemed as, but not limited to, snow machines, all-terrain vehicles, three-wheelers, and motorcycles not licensed for use upon the highways. [Ord. 730, 1984]
10.28.020 Compliance with state law
(a) All provisions of Alaska Statutes regulating the registration, operation, and equipment of off-road vehicles apply in addition to any specific ordinances of the city, and shall be enforced as city ordinances at the discretion of the city pursuant to the authority enacted in AS 28.01.010(b).
(b) All provisions of AAC 13 and AS 28 regulating traffic and the operation of motor vehicles upon streets or highways shall apply to the operation of off-road vehicles except those which by their nature can have no application.
(c) Every person operating a snowmachine or other off-road vehicle upon a highway has the rights and is subject to the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this chapter, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature have no application. [Ord. 1391 §10, 2020; Ord. 921 §§1, 2, 1991; Ord. 730, 1984]
10.28.030 Use regulated
No person shall operate or ride upon an off-road vehicle within the city limits:
(a) In or upon a park or other city-owned property, except in areas as provided in this chapter which are designated as off-road vehicle areas;
(b) On private property of another without the express permission to do so by the owner or authorized occupant of the property;
(c) In a careless, reckless, or negligent manner so as to endanger or likely to endanger the safety of any person or property of any other person;
(d) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotics, or drugs;
(e) To intentionally drive, chase, run over, or kill any animals;
(f) The prohibitions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section apply to any vehicle, whether licensed or not, when operated off public streets, highways, roads, or rights-of-way. [Ord. 1391 §11, 2020; Ord. 777, 1985; Ord. 730, 1984]
10.28.040 Operation on highways and other locations
A snow machine or off-road vehicle may not be operated on a roadway in violation of 13 AAC 02.455. [Ord. 1431 §16, 2023; Ord. 1391 §12, 2020]
10.28.050 Applicability of regulations—parental responsibility
(a) No parent or guardian may authorize or knowingly or unknowingly permit a child to violate any provision of this chapter.
(b) Every person operating a snowmobile or other off-road vehicle upon a highway has the rights and is subject to the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this chapter, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature have no application. [Ord. 730, 1984]
10.28.060 Snowmachine authorized area of operation
(a) It is unlawful to operate a snowmachine on any city property or right-of-way except in those portions of U.S. Survey 3945 lying northwesterly of Pillar Mountain Road and southwesterly of the upper reservoir.
(b) Transportation to and from the designated area shall only be by truck or trailer to that part of Pillar Mountain Road below the city chlorinator building near the lower reservoir. Use of snowmachines for transport within the city limits to the designated area is prohibited. [Ord. 1391 §13, 2020]
10.28.070 Driver’s license required
A driver or operator of an off-road vehicle or snowmachine shall be required to have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license or permit. [Ord. 1431 §17, 2023; Ord. 1391 §14, 2020]
10.28.080 Exceptions
Upon recommendation by the city manager and approved by the city council, controlled special events may be excepted from specific portions of this chapter, when satisfactory evidence is shown that the public health, safety, and welfare are protected. [Ord. 730, 1984]
10.28.090 Time restriction
Repealed by Ord. 1391. [Ord. 730, 1984]
10.28.100 Authorized area of operation
Repealed by Ord. 1391. [Ord. 730, 1984]
10.28.110 Driver’s license required
Repealed by Ord. 1391. [Ord. 730, 1984]