FOREST CITY SNOW REMOVAL & SNOWMOBILE ORDINANCE
FOREST CITY MUNICIPAL CODE
CHAPTER 69.13
No person shall park, abandon or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street, alley, or City-owned off-street parking area when the snow is falling and for a period of forty-eight (48) hours after cessation of a snowfall unless the snow has been removed or plowed from said street, alley or parking area.
(Code of Iowa, 321.236[1])
SNOWMOBILES
75.03 GENERAL REGULATIONS.
No person shall operate an ATV, off-road motorcycle or off-road utility vehicle with the City in violation of Chapter 321I of the Code of Iowa or a snowmobile within the City in violation of the provisions of Chapter 321G of the Code of Iowa or in violation of rules established by the Natural Resource Commission of the Department of Natural Resources governing their registration, equipment and manner of operation. (Code of Iowa, Ch. 321G & 321I)
75.04 OPERATION OF SNOWMOBILES. The operators of snowmobiles shall comply with the following restrictions as to where snowmobiles may operate within the City:
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1. Streets. Snowmobiles shall not be operated on the following streets: A. Clark Street between "G" Street and "M" Street.
B. 4th Street between "G" Street and "M" Street.
C. 6th Street between "G" Street and "M" Street.
D. "I" Street between 7th Street and Central Street.
E. "J" Street between 7th Street and Central Street.
F. "K" Street between 7th Street and Central Street.
G. "L" Street between 7th Street and Central Street.
H. All streets used for sledding, skiing, etc. These streets are designated by signs or devices in the roadway.
Snowmobiles are permitted on all other streets within the corporate limits of the City, but only for the purpose of traveling from the owner's residence to an area of permitted use or from one area of permitted use to another area of permitted use, by the most direct route.
2. Exceptions. Snowmobiles may be operated on prohibited streets only under the following circumstances:
A. Emergencies. Snowmobiles may be operated on any street in an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon the roadway renders travel by conventional motor vehicles impractical.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.9[4c])
B. Direct Crossing. Snowmobiles may make a direct crossing of a prohibited street provided all the following occur:
(1) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90°) to the direction of the street and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
(2) The snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the street;
(3) The driver yields the right-of-way to all on-coming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and
(4) In crossing a divided street, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such street with another street.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.9[2])
3. Railroad Right-of-way. Snowmobiles shall not be operated on an operating railroad right-of-way. A snowmobile may be driven directly across a railroad right-of-way only at an established crossing and notwithstanding any other provisions of law may, if necessary, use the improved portion of the established crossing after yielding to all oncoming traffic.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.13[1h])
4. Trails. Snowmobiles shall not be operated on all-terrain vehicle trails where so designated.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321G.9[4f])
5. Parks and Other City Land. Snowmobiles shall not be operated in any park, playground or upon any other City-owned property without the express permission of the City. A snowmobile shall not be operated on any City land without a snow cover of at least one-tenth of one inch.
6. Sidewalk or Parking. Snowmobiles shall not be operated upon the public sidewalk or that portion of the street located between the curb line and the sidewalk or property line commonly referred to as the "parking" except for purposes of crossing the same to a public street upon which operation is authorized by this chapter.
75.05 HOURS OF OPERATION. No snowmobile shall be operated in the City between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. except for emergency situations or for loading and unloading from a transport trailer.
75.06. THAW BAN. Snowmobiles shall not be operated during a publicized thaw ban in areas posted to prohibit such operation.