Posted: 1/7/04

County ATV ordinance takes effect

A new ordinance regulating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in Washington County became effective Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004. Under the new county rules, ATVs are banned from the right of way of all county roads and county state aid highways. Washington County Ordinance Number 168, enacted on Nov. 18, 2003, prohibits all but official law enforcement, agricultural, or highway maintenance uses of ATVs adjacent to county roads. This ban is in response to safety concerns from residents and maintenance issues stemming from the damage that ATVs have caused. Repair of ATV damage requires extensive maintenance efforts that often last only a few days before areas are again torn up, the county said. The first violation of the ordinance is a petty misdemeanor, punishable by a $120.00 fine. Convictions for subsequent violations are misdemeanors, subject to a fine of up to $1000 and 90 days in jail.

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