CHAPTER 72: SNOWMOBILES
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CHAPTER 72: SNOWMOBILES
Section
72.01 Intent
72.02 Definitions
72.03 Application of traffic ordinances
72.04 Restrictions
72.05 Stopping and yielding
72.06 Persons under 18
72.07 Equipment
72.08 Unattended snowmobiles
72.09 Emergency operation permitted
§ 72.01 INTENT.
It is the intent of this chapter to supplement M.S. § 84.81 through 84.91, and M.S. Chapter 169,
as these statues may be amended from time to time and Minn. rules parts 6100.5000 through
6100.6000, as these rules may be amended from time to time, with respect to the operation of
snowmobiles. These statues and rules are incorporated herein by reference. This section is not
intended to allow what the state statues and rules prohibit, nor to prohibit what the state statues and
rules allow.
§ 72.02 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly
indicates or requires a different meaning.
DEADMAN THROTTLE or SAFETY THROTTLE. A device which, when pressure is
removed from the engine accelerator or throttle, causes the motor to be disengaged from the
driving mechanism.
OPERATE. To ride in or on and control the operation of a snowmobile.
OPERATOR. Every person who operates or is in actual physical control of a snowmobile.
OWNER. A person, other than a lien holder having the property in or title to a snowmobile, or
entitled to the use or possession thereof.
PERSON. Includes an individual, partnership, corporation, the state and its agencies and
subdivision, and any body of persons, whether incorporated or not.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The entire strip of land traversed by a highway or street in which the
public owns the fee or an easement for roadway purposes.
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ROADWAY. That portion of a highway or street improved, designed or ordinarily used for
vehicular travel.
SNOWMOBILE. A self-propelled vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice, steered by skis
or runners.
STREET. A public thoroughfare, roadway, alley or trail used for motor vehicular traffic which
is not an interstate, trunk, county-state aid, or county highway.
§ 72.03 APPLICATION OF TRAFFIC ORDINANCES.
The provisions of Ch. 70 of this code shall apply to the operation of snowmobiles upon streets
and highways, except for those relating to required equipment, and except those which by their
nature have no application. Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.04 RESTRICTIONS.
(A) It is unlawful for any person to enter, operate or stop a snowmobile within the limits of the
city:
(1) On the roadway of any street, except the most right hand lane then available for traffic
or as close as practicable to right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and
passing another vehicle stopped in the lane or proceeding in the same direction, or in making a left
turn. Snowmobiles may also be operated upon the outside slope of trunk, county-state aid and
county highways where the highways are so configured within the corporate limits.
(2) On a public sidewalk provided for pedestrian travel.
(3) On boulevards within any public right-of-way.
(4) On private property of another without specific permission of the owner or person in
control of the property.
(5) Upon any school grounds, except as permission is expressly obtained from responsible
school authorities.
(6) On public property, playgrounds and recreation areas, except areas previously listed or
authorized for the use by resolution of the City Council, in which case the use shall be lawful, and
snowmobiles may be driven in and out of those areas by the shortest route.
(7) On streets as permitted by this chapter at a speed exceeding 10 miles per hour.
(8) During the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 12:01 a.m.
to 8:00 a.m. on other days closer than 100 feet from any residence. This provision is not intended
to prohibit snowmobiles from operating on city streets during the hours specified herein.
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(B) It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile within the limits of the city:
(1) So as to tow any person or thing in a public street or highway except through use of a
rigid tow bar attached to the rear of the snowmobile; provided, that a disabled snowmobile may be
towed to a private residence or a place of business where snowmobiles are repaired without the
use of a rigid tow bar.
(2) Within 100 feet of any fisherman, pedestrian, skating rink or sliding area where the
operation would conflict with use or endanger other persons or operation.
(3) To intentionally drive, chase, run over or kill any animal. Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.05 STOPPING AND YIELDING.
No snowmobile shall enter any uncontrolled intersection without making a complete stop. The
operator shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles or pedestrians at the intersection, or so
close to the intersection as to constitute an immediate hazard. Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.06 PERSONS UNDER 18.
(A) No person under 14 years of age shall operate on streets or make a direct crossing of a city
street as the operator of a snowmobile. A person 14 years of age or older, but less than 18 years of
age, may operate a snowmobile on streets as permitted under this chapter and make a direct
crossing of those streets only if he or she has in his or her immediate possession a valid
snowmobile safety certificate issued pursuant to M.S. § 84.872, as it may be amended from time to
time.
(B) It is unlawful for the owner of a snowmobile to permit the snowmobile to be operated
contrary to the provision of this section. Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.07 EQUIPMENT.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile any place within the limits of the city
unless it is equipped with the following:
(A) Standard mufflers which are properly attached and which reduce the noise of operation of
the motor to the minimum necessary for operation. No person shall use a muffler cutout, by-pass
straight pipe or similar device on a snowmobile motor.
(B) Brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the snowmobile under
any condition of operation.
(C) A safety or so called deadman throttle in operating condition.
(D) When operated between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before
sunrise, or at times of reduced visibility, at least one clear lamp attached to the front, with
sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead during
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the hours of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions. The head lamp shall be so aimed that
glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of an oncoming snowmobile operator. It shall also be
equipped with at least one red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear during
hours of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions.
§ 72.08 UNATTENDED SNOWMOBILES.
Every person leaving a snowmobile on a public place shall lock the ignition, remove the key
and take the same with him or her. Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.09 EMERGENCY OPERATION PERMITTED.
Notwithstanding any prohibitions in this chapter, a snowmobile may be operated on a public
thoroughfare in an emergency during the period of time and at locations where snow upon the
roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.