Section 25.09. Operation on highways and public lands; authorization by governmental agencies  


Latest version.
  • 1. Highways. (a)  Highways  or  portions  thereof
      upon  which  snowmobile  travel  is  permitted,  when  designated  by  a
      governmental  agency  as  provided  in  section  25.05,  shall   be   so
      designated,  in  the  case  of  state  highways  by  the state agency or
      authority having jurisdiction to regulate traffic thereon, in  the  case
      of  county  highways  within  a town outside of a city or village by the
      town governing body, in the case of county highways  within  a  city  or
      village  by the city or village governing body, and in the case of city,
      town or village highways, by the city, town or village  governing  body,
      respectively.  No  county  highway shall be designated without the prior
      written  approval  of  the  county   superintendent   of   highways   or
      commissioner  of  public  works,  as  the case may be. Such designations
      shall be by regulation or order, if by a state agency or  authority  and
      by local law or ordinance, if by a governing body.
        (b)  Such  designated highways or portions thereof shall be identified
      by markers in such manner as may be provided by rules and regulations of
      the commissioner.
        (c) All signs or markers shall be in conformity  with  the  manual  of
      uniform  traffic control devices, and shall be erected at the expense of
      the state or municipality, provided however, that the  municipality  may
      accept  funds  or  contributions therefor from private persons, clubs or
      associations interested in the promotion of snowmobiling.
        (d) Any regulation, order, local law or ordinance which  designates  a
      highway  or  portion  thereof which may be used for snowmobile operation
      may  include  rules  and  impose  restrictions   and   conditions,   not
      inconsistent with the provisions of this article, for the regulation and
      safe  operation  of  snowmobiles  on  the  highways  so designated. Such
      regulation or order of the commissioner of transportation or  local  law
      or  ordinance  of  a  municipality  may establish the minimum age of the
      operator  and  other  reasonable  requirements  for  operation  on  such
      highways,  but may not require the operator of the snowmobile to possess
      a motor vehicle license and may not impose a fee for  the  use  of  such
      highways.
        2.  Property  other than highways. In designating public lands, waters
      and properties other than highways which  may  be  used  for  snowmobile
      operations,  a  governmental  agency,  other  than  a  municipality,  by
      regulation or order, and a municipality, by ordinance or local law,  may
      impose restrictions and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions
      of this article, for the regulation and safe operation of snowmobiles on
      such  public  property,  such  as  travel on designated trails, proof of
      liability insurance coverage for the  snowmobile,  minimum  age  of  the
      operator, hours of operation, and other reasonable requirements, but may
      not  require  the  operator of the snowmobile to possess a motor vehicle
      operator's license or impose a fee for the use of such public  lands  or
      waters  or  access  thereto,  except  the  usual charge, if any, for the
      admission to such property, parking privileges or services provided.
        3. Copies of all regulations, orders, local laws or ordinances adopted
      by such governmental agencies shall be filed with the office.
        4. The provisions of this section shall  not  apply  to  operation  as
      emergency vehicle.