ATV Ordinance
TOWN OF GUILFORD: ATV ORDINANCE
REGULATING ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES
SECTION I. AUTHORITY.
Under authority granted in 24 V.S.A. Chapter 59, 24 V.S.A. § 2291(4), and 23 V.S.A. § 3510, the Selectboard of the Town of Guilford hereby adopts the following civil ordinance regulating the time, manner, and location of operation of all-terrain vehicles within the town.
SECTION II. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the health and safety of operators of all-terrain vehicles and of the residents of the Town and to protect the animals, property and environment of the Town.
SECTION III. DEFINITIONS.
A. “All-terrain vehicle,” or “ATV,” means any non-highway recreational vehicle, except snowmobiles, when used for cross-country travel on trails or on any one of the following or a combination thereof: water, snow, ice, marsh, swampland and natural terrain.
B. “Operate” shall include any attempt to operate and shall be construed to cover all matters and things connected with the presence and use of all-terrain vehicles whether they be in motion or at rest.
SECTION IV. OPERATION OF ATVs.
A. All ATVs must be registered and operated according to the requirements of 23 V.S.A. Chapter 31.
B. All-terrain vehicles shall not be operated on any town highways.
C. All-terrain vehicles shall not be operated on public bike paths or hiking trails or on V.A.S.T. /any snowmobile trails, except on own property.
D. All speed limits and traffic control devices apply to the operation of ATVs on Town highways.
E. ATVs may not be operated within the Town between 9 P.M. and 7 A.M., Monday through Friday or between 10 P.M. and 9 A.M. on Saturday and Sunday.
F. ATVs shall not be operated on any Town property including the Town’s recreation field, on the public green in the center of town, in any burial ground, on the school premises or in the parking lot of any church, hospital or nursing home in the Town.
SECTION V. PENALTIES.
First offense............................................... $25.00, waiver fee $15.00
Second offense.......................................... $50.00, waiver fee $30.00
Third and each subsequent offense............. $100.00, waiver fee $75.00
ATV Ordinance, September 8, 2008
SECTION VI. ENFORCEMENT.
This is a civil ordinance and shall be enforced by the Constable. through the Judicial Bureau.
SECTION VII. SEVERABILITY.
If any section of this ordinance is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such finding shall not invalidate any other part of this ordinance.
SECTION VIII. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This ordinance shall become effective 60 days after its adoption by the Guilford Selectboard and shall supersede and replace all previous ordinances regulating the time, manner, and location of operation of all terrain vehicles. If a petition is filed under 24 V.S.A. § 1973, that statute shall govern the taking effect of this ordinance.
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DATE
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SIGNATURES
Any questions or inquiries may be made to:
Katie Buckley
Administrative Assistant Selectboard
236 School Road
Guilford, VT 05301
1-802-254-6857
