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Council approves first reading to allow UTVs on designated Cedar Falls streets with safety and registration requirements
Summary
Council passed the initial reading of an ordinance amending Chapters 17 and 23 to permit off-road utility vehicles (UTVs) on city-designated streets subject to state registration, insurance, equipment and age limits; neighborhood groups pushed the initiative and staff will follow with resolution(s) designating streets.
The Cedar Falls City Council approved the ordinance's first reading to permit use of off-road utility vehicles (UTVs) on city-designated streets, subject to state and local conditions including registration, insurance and equipment requirements.
City Attorney Rogers told the council the draft incorporates Iowa code definitions and requirements for UTVs and ATVs and establishes that the city will adopt the ordinance citywide while allowing streets to be opened by subsequent council resolution for specific neighborhoods. Rogers said the intent is to make UTV operation consistent with state law and to allow neighborhoods to opt in by resolution rather than amending city code each time.
Key requirements in the draft ordinance (as presented) include: operators on designated streets must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s license; UTVs must be registered with the Iowa DNR and show proof of insurance; vehicles must have required equipment (two headlights, tail lamps, brakes, horn, mirrors, IDOT-rated tires and a muffler); seat belts or harnesses must be used; vehicles must operate on the paved portion of the street (not sidewalks or trails) and in single file; and speed on designated streets would be capped at 35 mph or the posted speed limit if lower.
Rogers said the city may exclude parks, golf courses and similar public lands from use, but if a designated street runs inside a park the ordinance permits operation on that street. The ordinance borrows operational language used by other cities to address lights, decorative bars, and single-file operation.
Public comment was supportive: Jim Newcomb (North Cedar Neighborhood Association) told council the association had discussed the proposal for several months and had no objections; Rusty Easton, who organized local side-by-side owners, said neighborhood education and voluntary safety training had been part of the outreach.
Council took a roll-call vote and approved the ordinance on its first reading. Rogers said council would subsequently consider resolution(s) that list the specific streets to be designated for UTV operation.
