Chapter 12.64
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES—SNOWMOBILES
Sections:
12.64.010 All-terrain vehicles—Registration—Defined.
12.64.020 Snowmobile—Registration—Defined.
12.64.030 Regulations—Generally.
12.64.040 Danger to wildlife—Weapons—Prohibited.
12.64.050 Accident—Report required.
12.64.060 Use on public streets—Requirements.
12.64.070 Exceptions.
12.64.080 Use by minor.
12.64.010 All-terrain vehicles—Registration—Defined.
It is unlawful for any person to own, operate, rent, demonstrate or sell any all-terrain vehicle within the city without a valid all-terrain vehicle registration as required by RCW Chapter 67.32.
For the purposes of this chapter, “all-terrain vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle capable of cross-county travel on or immediately over any one of the following or a combination thereof: land, water, snow, ice, marsh, swampland and other natural terrain. Such vehicles shall include, but are not limited to, four-wheeled vehicles, motorcycles, amphibious vehicles, ground effects or air-cushion vehicles, and any other means of land transportation deriving motive power from any sources other than muscle or wind except any vehicle designated primarily for travel on, over or in the water, farm vehicles, logging vehicles, or any military or law enforcement vehicles. (Ord. 2171 § 1, 1971)
12.64.020 Snowmobile—Registration—Defined.
It is unlawful for any person to own, operate, demonstrate or sell any snowmobile within the city without a valid snowmobile registration as required by RCW Chapter 46.10.
For the purpose of this chapter, “snowmobile” means any self-propelled vehicle capable of traveling over snow or ice which utilizes as its means of propulsion an endless belt tread, or cleats, or any combination of these or other similar means of contact with the surface upon which it is operated, and which is steered wholly or in part by skis or sled type runners, and which is not otherwise registered as, or subject to the motor vehicle excise tax in the state. (Ord. 2171 § 2, 1971)
12.64.030 Regulations—Generally.
It is unlawful for any person to operate any all-terrain vehicle or any snowmobile:
(1) At a rate of speed greater than reasonable and prudent under the existing circumstances;
(2) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or dangerous or habit-forming drugs or narcotics;
(3) In a manner so as to endanger the person or property of another;
(4) Without a lighted headlight and taillight between the hours of dusk and dawn, or when otherwise required for the safety of others;
(5) Without an adequate braking device;
(6) Without a spark arrester approved by the Department of Natural Resources;
(7) Without an adequate and operating muffler device which shall effectively blend the exhaust and motor noise in such a manner as to preclude excessive or unusual noise. All-terrain vehicles, including snowmobiles, manufactured after January 4, 1973, shall effectively maintain such noise at a level of eighty-two decibels or below on the “A” scale, at one hundred feet under testing procedures as established by the Washington State Patrol; provided, however, that all-terrain vehicles, including snowmobiles, used in organized competition may use a bypass, expansion chamber or cutout device if the area has been designated as fire-safe by the appropriate agency;
(8) Upon the paved portion or upon the shoulder or inside bank or slope of any public roadway or highway, or upon the median of any divided highway, except as hereinafter provided;
(9) In any area or in such a manner as to expose the underlying soil or vegetation, or to injure, damage or destroy trees or growing crops, or to create an erosion condition. (Ord. 2171 § 3, 1971)
12.64.040 Danger to wildlife—Weapons—Prohibited.
No person shall operate an all-terrain vehicle or a snowmobile in such a way as to endanger human life or to run down or harass deer, elk, or other wildlife, or any domestic animal, nor shall he carry, transport or convey any loaded weapon in or upon, nor hunt from, any all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile. (Ord. 2171 § 4, 1971)
12.64.050 Accident—Report required.
The operator of any all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile involved in any accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or property damage to another in the estimated amount of two hundred dollars or more, or a person acting for the operator, shall submit such reports as are required under RCW Chapter 46.52 as now enacted or as hereafter amended. It is unlawful for any person required to submit such accident report to fail to do so. (Ord. 2171 § 5, 1971)
12.64.060 Use on public streets—Requirements.
It is lawful to drive or operate an all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile across public roadways, highways, streets and alleys other than limited access highways when:
(1) Traveling along a designated “snowmobile” or “all terrain vehicle” trail; or
(2) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and
(3) The vehicle is brought to a complete stop before entering the public roadway or highway; and
(4) The operator of the vehicle yields the right-of-way to motor vehicles using the public roadway or highway; and
(5) The crossing is made at a place which is greater than one hundred feet from any public roadway or highway intersection. (Ord. 2171 § 6, 1971)
12.64.070 Exceptions.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.64.060, it is unlawful to operate a snowmobile upon a public road or street except:
(1) When such road or street is completely covered with snow or ice, and has been closed to motor vehicular traffic during the winter months; or
(2) Where such street, road, alley, trail or way open to the public is posted to permit snowmobile use;
(3) In an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon the street or road renders travel by automobile impractical. (Ord. 2171 § 7, 1971)
12.64.080 Use by minor.
No person under twelve years of age shall operate a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle on or across a public road, street, alley, trail or way open to the public. No person between the ages of twelve and eighteen years of age shall operate a snowmobile on or across a public road, street, trail, or way open to the public unless he has taken a snowmobile safety education course and been certified as qualified to operate a snowmobile by an instructor designated by the State Highway Commission as qualified to conduct such course and issue such a certificate, and he has on his person at the time he is operating a snowmobile evidence of such certification. (Ord. 2171 § 8, 1971)