Hawkeye Reporter

Properly equipped ATVs and UTVs can now be operated within City limits and on any street/highway within the City limits with the following limitations and prohibitions: 

• No ATVs and UTVs allowed on First Avenue (Highway 6)
• Exceptions - UTVs and ATVs may be operated on First Avenue (Highway 6) over the most direct and accessible route between any of the following locations:  

• An all-terrain vehicle park or trail outside of the City limits.
•  A secondary road outside of the City limits on which such vehicles are authorized to operate.
• A City street on which such vehicles are authorized to operate.
• An address on First Avenue not directly accessible by an authorized City street. 
• The vehicle operator’s residence.

• No ATVs and UTVs allowed on the 100 – 2300 block of Highway 14 South
•  No ATVs and UTVs allowed on the 100 – 300 block of Highway 14 North

ATVs and UTVs cannot be operated on trails, parks, other city land, sidewalks, public ice and waterways. The ordinance does not allow the use of golf carts or snowmobiles on city streets.

Below is a brief summary of key points in the ordinance:

• Operators of ATVs and UTVs must be 18 years of age or older, possess a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and their vehicles Iowa Department of Natural Resources registration.
• ATVs and UTVs must adhere to safety equipment requirements and maintain the rules of operation that include follow noise restrictions, safety belts, horns, headlights, tail lamps, stop lamps, mirrors, mufflers, etc. 
• Children riding in UTVs must be secured in child restraint systems. 
• Animals cannot be transported in a cargo portion or bed of a UTV unless they are contained in an enclosure or securely tethered to the UTV. 
• Passengers cannot exceed the factory recommendation of the make and model being driven.
• Open containers of alcohol are not allowed and drivers may not operate the UTV or ATV while under the influence of liquor or narcotics. 
• Driving recklessly or dangerously is also prohibited.
• ATVs and UTVs are forbidden to operate on trails, city parks, sidewalks, public ice or waterways.

Penalties for violating the ordinance are $150 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 for the third and every subsequent offense. The city may also suspend an individual’s privilege to operate a UTV on city limits after two of more violations in a 12-month period. 

Original source can be found here.