Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Off Road Vehicles Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs off-road vehicle ordinance allowing sheriff, commissioners to restrict roads
Summary
Bill 1-25 to establish rules for off-road and restricted vehicles moved forward with a favorable recommendation. The draft borrows state definitions, applies traffic-code penalties, requires minimum insurance, and gives the sheriff and commissioners authority to limit usage on specific roads for safety.
St. Joseph County committee members voted to forward Bill 1-25, an ordinance establishing local rules and restrictions for off-road vehicles, after staff said they revised the draft to incorporate state definitions and clarify enforcement.
The petitioner, identified as Thomas, introduced the bill; county legal staff explained that the revised ordinance incorporates Indiana statute definitions for snowmobiles and off-road vehicles, merges those into a single “restricted vehicle” category, and applies the county traffic code and ordinance penalties where gaps exist. A staff attorney told the committee the county ordinance provides for enforcement and a maximum ordinance penalty of $500 where the traffic code does not apply.
The draft also requires proof of financial responsibility. Committee discussion referred to the Indiana minimum limits for motor vehicle insurance, which the staff attorney said are $25,000 for bodily injury or death and that the ordinance treats restricted vehicles as motor vehicles while on county roadways.
Council members and staff emphasized safety and local control. Councilwoman Shabazz, who presented the item in committee, said the sheriff’s office favored the ability to restrict specific roads when traffic or safety conditions warrant. One council member noted concerns from suburban residents about off-road vehicles on neighborhood streets; staff said restricting particular roads would be an available remedy.
The committee asked that the final, revised version of the ordinance be circulated to all council members before full-council consideration. The committee moved the ordinance forward with a favorable recommendation.
Quotes in the meeting included a staff explanation that “we've incorporated the state limits since we are treating them as a regular … vehicle on the roadway,” and a council remark that the flexibility to restrict roads “is a very reasonable compromise.”
