Town of Thornapple

Rusk County, Wisconsin

2008-01 ATV and UTV

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Town of Thornapple
Rusk County

1. AUTHORITY: The Town Board of the Town of Thornapple has the specific statutory authority, powers and duties pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes.

2. PURPOSE: Following due consideration of the recreational value and to ensure public health, safety and welfare insofar as they are affected by ATV and UTV travel, this ordinance has been created.

3. SCOPE: An ordinance designating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and Utility-Terrain Vehicles (UTV) routes pursuant to WI. Statutes 23.33 (8) (b). The applicable Provisions of 23.33 regulating ATV and UTV operation pursuant to routes are adopted.

4. ROUTES: ALL Township Roads.

5. CONDITIONS:

  1. Speed limits – 35 mph except when State law restricts speed to 10 mph within 100 feet of pedestrians and when within 150 feet of a dwelling.
  2. All persons under the age of 16 must follow guidelines as stated in WI Statutes 23.33 (5).
  3. DNR registration required.
  4. Proof of Insurance MUST be carried on the ATV and/or UTV.
  5. ATV and/or UTV shall come to a complete stop at all intersections of US State, County or Town roads.
  6. ATV and/or UTV shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicular traffic and pedestrians.
  7. ATV and/or UTV shall be operated on the extreme right side of the road and must travel in single file and shall display a headlamp and trail lamp at all times.
  8. Owners of ATV and UTVs shall be responsible for the safe operations of their machines whether they are on them or not.
  9. Routes must be signed in accordance with NR 64.12 and NR 54.12 (7) (c).
  10. A motion by Jerry Geilser and a second by Jack Christman that the Town of Thornapple will pay for all ATV and/or UTV road signs. Motion was carried.

6. ENFORCEMENT: Any law enforcement officer of DNR, Rusk County Sheriff’s Department, or Wisconsin State Patrol shall enforce this ordinance. No ATV or UTV travel is permitted from dusk to dawn, except vehicles fro non-recreational purposes.

7. PENALTIES: Wisconsin State ATV and UTV penalties as found in 23.33 (13) (a) WI. Statutes are adopted by reference.

8. SEVERABILITY: The provision of this ordinance shall be deemed severable and it is expressly declared that the Town of Thornapple would have passed the other provisions of this ordinance irrespective of whether or not one or more provisions may be declared invalid. If any provisions of this ordinance or application of this ordinance or application of any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance and application of such provisions to other person’s circumstances shall not be deemed affected.

9. EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon passage and publication provided by law.

Adopted as Amended to include UTV travel this 8th day of October, 2013.