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Yerington council rejects off-highway-vehicle ordinance after safety concerns
Summary
The Yerington City Council voted 2-1 Feb. 23 against adopting an ordinance to regulate off-highway vehicles, with supporters saying it would promote tourism and opponents citing highway safety and congestion near town.
The Yerington City Council voted 2-1 on Feb. 23, 2026 to decline adoption of Bill No. 434, an ordinance that would add Chapter 16 to Title 6 of the Yerington Municipal Code to regulate off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and expand police authority over OHV advertising and operations.
Interim City Manager Jerry Bryant presented the measure at its second reading, saying the ordinance was intended to bring more off-road tourism to Yerington and that initial development at the Y‑HILL off-road site has been authorized. Bryant also said grant funding covered implementation costs and that the change would give the Yerington Police Department clearer enforcement authority.
Councilman Matthew Galvin opposed the ordinance, telling colleagues he was concerned about driver safety on the highway and increased congestion for residents if OHV traffic intensified. Councilman Omar Lopez moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilman Nick Beaton seconded. The motion did not carry; Beaton and Lopez voted in favor and Galvin opposed.
Supporters argued the rules would enable regulation and promotion of off-road recreation to benefit tourism. Opponents focused on public-safety tradeoffs associated with bringing more OHV traffic onto and near public roads.
No formal amendment or referral was adopted at the meeting. The council did not schedule further hearings on the ordinance during the Feb. 23 session.
The council adjourned routine business and moved on to other agenda items following the vote.
