Police and code report: dirt bikes, ATVs and golf carts drive most nuisance calls; staff defend 800-foot rule

Police and code-enforcement staff told the council that dirt bikes, ATVs and off-highway vehicles are among the more frequent nuisance calls and that the city’s 800-foot rule — which prohibits operating certain motor vehicles within 800 feet of a dwelling — gives officers an early tool to address potential nuisances.

Staff summary: Chief Taylor said the city logged dozens of responses to dirt-bike complaints (46 in 2023, 52 in 2024) and noted golf-cart calls and ATV responses in recent years. "Most common code and violations that we respond out on currently is the business license required, the animals running at large ... and unlawful parking," he said.

Legal framing and enforcement: Staff explained the 800-foot prohibition applies to certain off-highway motors near dwellings and allows officers to respond before a continuous-nuisance case must be developed. Staff also noted a separate general-noise/nuisance prohibition exists that can be used when facts show continuous, sustained noise that rises to the legal threshold for nuisance.

Resident complaints and council concerns: Council members reported repeat addresses where riders gather and discussed the balance between enforcement and fair application. Staff said they often begin with education and warnings and escalate to citations and court referrals for repeat offenders. Council members also raised questions about how the city’s code compares with neighboring jurisdictions and asked staff to report back with comparisons.

Outcome: No code changes were adopted. Staff said it could fine-tune ordinance language to allow narrow exceptions (loading, maintenance) that do not undermine the ordinance’s ability to address continuous nuisance activity.