Grantsville amends off‑highway vehicle rules; council designates crossing points and asks police for August report

Grantsville City Council on April 2 adopted Ordinance 2025‑21, amending chapter 17‑4 of the municipal code to clarify the rules governing off‑highway vehicles (OHVs) on city streets and trails. The ordinance specifies that non‑street‑legal OHVs may be operated on public streets only by operators 18 and older; street‑legal OHVs may be operated by drivers 16 and older when the vehicle complies with state requirements. The council also specified authorized crossing points and directed the police chief to deliver a status report to the council at the first meeting in August.

Why it matters: OHV rules have been a recurring source of dispute in Grantsville, with residents urging the council to balance recreational access and public safety. The rewrite seeks to align local rules with state law while clarifying permitted crossings and enforcement expectations.

Key changes and council direction The ordinance sets age distinctions and affirms that OHV operation on city streets must comply with Utah state law. During debate the council added a clarification naming four authorized crossing points where OHVs may cross higher‑classification streets: West Street, Cooley Street, Center Street and Hill Street. The council also gave direction that the police chief should report to the council on enforcement and compliance, with the first report requested for the council's first meeting in August.

Public comments and council discussion Several residents addressed the council in support of relaxing aspects of the existing local rules to allow more recreational riding from private driveways to nearby trails. Derek Dalton, who had been involved in drafting proposed changes, told the council the revisions are "a good compromise" and that he hoped enough votes would pass the changes. Krista McFarling and Brandon McFarland told the council the ability to ride from their driveways was a reason their families moved to Grantsville and said they supported the proposed changes.

Police perspective and education The police chief urged the council to base a final position on data and to monitor impacts as traffic and development increase. "Informed decisions come based on data, not emotions," the chief said during deliberations. Council members discussed an outreach and education plan — including social media, utility bill notices and flyers — to communicate the ordinance changes to residents.

Outcome and next steps Councilmembers moved and seconded adoption of Ordinance 2025‑21 with the clarified crossing points and a direction that the police chief report back in August on compliance and enforcement. The motion carried, with council members voting in favor. The city indicated it will publish the ordinance, distribute plain‑language guidance to residents and make the ordinance available when residents sign up for utilities or visit city offices.