Chapter 10.30 MOTORIZED RECREATION VEHICLES (MRVS) – WHEELED ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND GOLF CARTS

Chapter 10.30
MOTORIZED RECREATION VEHICLES (MRVS) – WHEELED ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND GOLF CARTS

Sections:

10.30.010 Definitions.

10.30.020 Responsible operation.

10.30.030 Unlawful activities.

10.30.040 Exemptions.

10.30.050 Violations – Penalty.

10.30.060 Roads listing.

10.30.010 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, motorized recreation vehicles “MRVs” shall refer to any of the following, except where singled out:

(1) Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicle (WATV) – Washington Chapter 23, 2013 Laws 2nd Special Session.

“Wheeled all-terrain vehicle” means (ESH 1632 Session Law) any motorized non-highway vehicle (all-terrain vehicle “ATV”) with handlebars, that is 50 inches or less in width, has a seat height of at least 20 inches, weighs less than 1,500 pounds, and has four tires having a diameter of 30 inches or less, or a utility-type vehicle (“UTV,” “side-by-side”) designed for and capable of travel over designated roads, that travels on four or more low-pressure tires of 20 psi or less, has a maximum width less than 74 inches, has a maximum weight less than 2,000 pounds, has a wheelbase of 110 inches or less, and satisfies at least one of the following:

(a) Has a minimum width of 50 inches;

(b) Has a minimum weight of at least 900 pounds; or

Note: WATVs must be street licensed and are limited to 35 miles per hour or less on public roadways by state statute.

(2) Golf Carts – RCW 46.04.1945 – Golf Cart Zones – RCW 46.08.175.

“Golf cart” means a gas-powered or electric-powered four-wheeled vehicle originally designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting purposes and has a speed attainable in one mile of not more than 20 miles per hour. A golf cart is not a non-highway vehicle or off-road vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.365.

Note: Golf carts are limited to “zones” and are limited to 25 miles per hour or less on public roadways by state statute. (Ord. 454 § 1, 2015)

10.30.020 Responsible operation.

MRVs shall operate on roadways approved by state statute and where approved by Skykomish town ordinance:

http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/watv.html

(1) MRV General Rules.

(a) A person may not operate a motorized recreation vehicle (MRV) upon a public roadway of this state, not including non-highway roads and trails, without (i) first obtaining a valid driver’s license issued to Washington residents in compliance with Chapter 46.20 RCW or (ii) possessing a valid driver’s license issued by the state of the person’s residence if the person is a nonresident.

(b) A person who operates a MRV vehicle under this section is granted all rights and is subject to all duties applicable to the operator of a motorcycle under RCW 46.08.175 and 46.37.530 and Chapter 46.61 RCW, unless otherwise stated in this chapter, except that MRVs may not be operated side-by-side in a single lane of traffic.

(c) Wheeled all-terrain vehicles are subject to Chapter 46.55 RCW. Any person who violates this section commits a traffic infraction.

(d) The crossing of any one of these streets or avenues shall be permitted by an MRV if:

(i) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the street or avenue and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;

(ii) The vehicle is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or roadway of the street or avenue;

(iii) The operator yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic that constitutes an immediate potential hazard;

(iv) The crossing is made only at an intersection of such street or avenue with another street or avenue; and

(v) Both the headlight and taillight of the vehicle are on when the crossing is made.

(e) Reported accidents that involve MRVs operated upon streets and highways as authorized under this section must be recorded and tracked in compliance with Chapter 46.52 RCW.

(2) WATVs must:

(a) Be street licensed, display valid tabs and have registrations readily accessible.

(b) Maintain in working order all DOL declaration requirements for roadway access:

(i) A head lamp meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.030 and 46.37.040, to be used whenever the vehicle is in motion on a road.

(ii) One tail lamp meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.525. If it is a UTV you will need two tail lamps meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.070.

(iii) A stop lamp meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.200.

(iv) Reflectors meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.260.

(v) For night travel, turn signals are required meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.200.

(vi) A brake system maintained in good operating condition.

(vii) A mirror on the left or right handlebar. If it is a UTV you will need two mirrors meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.400.

(viii) A horn or warning device meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.380.

(ix) A spark arrester as approved by Department of Natural Resources (RCW 46.37.470) that meets a United States Forest Service qualified spark arrester.

(x) An adequate manufacturer’s muffler system in good working condition (a muffler that meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s specifications); and not exceeding state statute of 86 decibels meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.470.

(xi) Eye protection, i.e., a pair of glasses, goggles, windshield, or a face shield of a type conforming to rules adopted by the State Patrol meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.430 and WAC 204-10-026.

(xii) Seatbelts on UTVs meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.510.

(xiii) Helmets required on ATV operators.

(xiv) Shall be equipped with a bicycle safety flag which extends not less than six feet above ground attached to the rear of the vehicle. The safety flag shall be triangular in shape and shall be day-glo in color.

(d) Have participated in a state WATV certification course once DOL has implemented it.

(e) Reported accidents that involve WATVs operated upon streets and highways as authorized under this section must be recorded and tracked in compliance with Chapter 46.52 RCW.

(f) Insurance is not required by state statute but is available and highly recommended especially in case of bodily injury.

(g) Can only travel at a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour and shall observe posted speed limits if lower than 35 miles per hour.

(h) Must travel in single file; no parallel group riding.

(i) Yield to pedestrian and livestock crossings.

(j) Must stay on public roadways.

(k) Must securely attach all cargo to the vehicle in such a manner that the cargo remains secured without any assistance of the operator.

(3) Golf carts must (RCW 46.08.175):

(a) Every person operating a golf cart as authorized under this section (RCW 46.08.175) is granted all rights and is subject to all duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle under Chapter 46.61 RCW.

(b) Every person operating a golf cart as authorized under this section must be at least 16 years of age and must have completed a driver education course or have previous experience driving as a licensed driver.

(d) Travel on roads of 25 miles per hour and shall observe posted speed limits if lower than 25 miles per hour.

(e) Golf carts must be equipped with reflectors, seat belts, and rearview mirrors when operated upon streets and highways as authorized under this section (RCW 46.08.175).

(f) For night travel, turn signals are required meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.200 or 46.61.310.

(g) Headlights to be used whenever the vehicle is in motion on a road.

(h) Reported accidents that involve golf carts operated upon streets and highways as authorized under this section must be recorded and tracked in compliance with Chapter 46.52 RCW. The accident report must indicate that a golf cart operating within a golf cart zone is involved in the accident.

(i) Eye protection, i.e., a pair of glasses, goggles, windshield, or a face shield of a type conforming to rules adopted by the State Patrol meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.430 and WAC 204-10-026.

(j) Shall be equipped with a safety flag which extends not less than six feet above ground attached to the rear of the vehicle. The safety flag shall be triangular in shape and shall be day-glo in color. (Ord. 454 § 1, 2015)

10.30.030 Unlawful activities.

MRV operational unlawful activities shall include the following and any other violation of federal, state, county statutes or ordinances.

(1) Furthermore, no person shall operate a MRV within town limits so as to:

(a) Operate machines that have been equipped with an exhaust system which has a cutout, bypass or similar device.

(b) Operate with the spark arrester removed or modified, except for use in a closed-course competition event.

(d) Trespass on private roadways and property.

(e) Cause environmental damage (maliciously destroying vegetation or spewing of soils and gravel) on public and private landscapes and roadways.

(f) Drive on posted “local access only” public roadways.

(g) Drive under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance (RCW 46.09.470).

(h) Nonparental transport of minor passenger under 18 years of age.

(2) WATV operators are prohibited from picking up school children using ATVs or ATVs modified for WATV roadways.

(3) Golf cart operators are:

(a) Prohibited from operating a golf cart as authorized under this section at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise (unless equipped with turn signals).

(b) Prohibited from operating a golf cart with a revoked license under RCW 46.20.285 and may not operate a golf cart as authorized under this section. (Ord. 454 § 1, 2015)

10.30.040 Exemptions.

(1) Appropriate agency that engages in emergency management, as defined in RCW Title 37, RCW 46.09.310, or search and rescue, as defined in RCW 38.52.010, or a law enforcement agency, as defined in RCW 16.52.011, within the scope of the agency’s official duties.

(2) Some applicable segments of this chapter may be suspended while in parades which have been authorized by the state of Washington, any department, board, commission or political subdivision of the state of Washington.

(3) Safety flags shall not be required by nonresident touring travelers. (Ord. 454 § 1, 2015)

10.30.050 Violations – Penalty.

(1) Causing environmental damage to public and private landscapes (equal to three times damages by state statute).

(2) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be fined $100.00 for each offense. The fact that a vehicle which violates this chapter is registered in the name of a person shall be considered prima facie proof that such person was in control of the vehicle at the time of such violation. In addition to any penalties for violation hereof, the town of Skykomish police department may impound any all-terrain vehicle, utility-type vehicle or golf cart when operated in violation of state law, county or town ordinance, in the same situation as any violation in connection with a motor vehicle. (Ord. 454 § 1, 2015)

10.30.060 Roads listing.

(1) WATV. All roads open unless closed and identified in subsections (1)(a) and (b) of this section.

(a) Roads closed list: none.

(b) Local access roads only list: none.

(2) Golf Carts. Zone is same as city limits unless closed and identified in subsections (2)(a) and (b) of this section.

(a) Roads closed list: none.

(b) Local access roads only list: none. (Ord. 454 § 1, 2015)