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*State law reference—Traffic generally, Minn. Stats. ch. 169; powers of local authorities, Minn. Stats. §§ 169.022, 169.04.
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ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Sec. 70-1. Definitions.
Any term used in this chapter and defined in Minn. Stats. § 169.01 has the meaning given it by that statute.
(Code 1987, § 700.01)
Sec. 70-2. Penalty.
Any person convicted or violating any provision of this chapter is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
(Code 1987, § 700.80)
Sec. 70-3. Establishment of safety zones, lanes of traffic, etc.
To assist in the direction and control of traffic, to improve safe driving conditions at any intersection or dangerous location, and to warn pedestrians or drivers of motor vehicles of dangerous conditions or hazards, the Chief of Police may establish safety zones, lanes of traffic, and stop intersections, and he may order installation by the city engineer of stop signs, yield signs, warning signs, signals, pavement markings, or other devices. No regulation may be established on a trunk highway unless the consent of the commissioner of transportation is first secured.
(Code 1987, § 700.50)
Sec. 70-4. Police duties.
The Police Department shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and the state traffic laws. Police officers are authorized to direct all traffic within the city, either in person or by means of visible or audible signal, in conformity with this chapter and the state traffic laws. During a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers of the Police Department may direct traffic as conditions require notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter and the state traffic laws. Officers of the Fire Department may direct or assist the police in directing traffic at the scene of a fire or in the immediate vicinity.
(Code 1987, § 700.75)
Sec. 70-5. Turning.
(a) Restrictions on turns. The Council by resolution may, whenever necessary to preserve a free flow of traffic or to prevent accidents, designate any intersection as one where the turning of vehicles to the left or to the right or both, is to be restricted at all times or during specified hours. The city engineer shall mark by appropriate signs any intersection so designated. No intersection on a trunk highway shall be so designated until the consent of the commissioner of transportation to such designation is first obtained. No person shall turn a vehicle in any such intersection contrary to the directions of such signs.
(b) U-turns. The Council may, by resolution, designate streets or portions of streets on which no person shall turn a vehicle so as to reverse its direction.
(Code 1987, § 700.05)
Sec. 70-6. Through streets; one-way streets.
The Council by resolution, may designate any street or portion of street as a through highway or a one-way roadway where necessary to preserve the free flow of traffic or to prevent accidents. The city engineer shall post appropriate signs at the entrance of such street.
(Code 1987, § 700.10)
Sec. 70-7. Stop at sidewalks; driving on sidewalks.
(a) The driver of a vehicle within a business or residential district emerging from an alley, driveway, or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or into the sidewalk area and shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and all other traffic on the sidewalk.
(b) No person shall ride or drive, except for crossing at an alley, driveway, building, or other authorized crossing, any motor vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, motor scooter, motorized bicycle, skateboard, or other vehicle or device which is operated in a dangerous or hazardous manner upon any sidewalk within the limits of this municipality.
(Code 1987, § 700.11; Ord. No. 13-1988, 7-26-1988)
Sec. 70-8. Speed limit in school zones.
The Council by resolution may establish school speed limit zones. Upon the erection of appropriate signs designating the beginning and ending of such speed limit zones, no person shall drive a vehicle within the zones designated by this chapter in excess of 20 miles per hour when children are present, going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours or during school recess periods.
(Code 1987, § 700.15)
Sec. 70-9. Truck restrictions.
The City Council by resolution may designate streets on which travel by commercial vehicles in excess of 18,000 pounds gross weight per single axle and 9,000 pounds per single wheel is prohibited. The city engineer shall erect appropriate signs on such streets. No person shall operate a commercial vehicle on such posted streets in violation of the restrictions stated. In the case of vehicles not equipped with pneumatic tires, the foregoing weight restrictions shall be reduced by 40 percent.
(Code 1987, § 700.20)
Sec. 70-10. Seasonal weight restrictions.
The city engineer or designee may prohibit the operation of vehicles upon any street under his jurisdiction or impose weight restrictions on vehicles to be operated on such street whenever the street, by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other climatic conditions, will be seriously damaged or destroyed unless the use of vehicles on the street is prohibited or the permissible weights thereof reduced. He shall erect and maintain signs plainly indicating the prohibition or restriction in the manner required by law. This prohibition or restriction shall be effective from March 15 through May 15 of every year, and for such other periods as the city engineer or designee shall determine necessary and appropriate. No person shall operate a vehicle on a posted street in violation of the prohibition or restriction. The operator of a vehicle that has been lawfully detained may be required by an officer, or his designee, to submit the vehicle and load to a weighing by means of portable or stationary scales.
(Code 1987, § 700.25; Ord. No. 03-2002, 2-24-2002; Ord. No. 04-2005, 3-20-2005)
Sec. 70-11. Removing keys.
No person shall leave a motor vehicle, except a truck which is engaged in loading or unloading, unattended on any street, used car lot, or unattended parking lot without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, and removing all ignition keys from the vehicle.
(Code 1987, § 700.55)
Sec. 70-12. Exhibition driving prohibited.
No person shall turn, accelerate, decelerate, or otherwise operate a motor vehicle within the city in a manner which causes unnecessary engine noise or backfire, squealing tires, skidding, sliding, swaying, throwing of sand or gravel, or in a manner simulating a race. Unreasonable squealing or screeching sounds emitted by tires, or the throwing of sand and or gravel by the tires, is prima facie evidence of a violation of this article.
(Code 1987, § 700.60)
Sec. 70-13. Careless driving off highway.
No person shall drive any vehicle in such a manner on any public or private grounds or parking lot or on the frozen surface of any body of water within the limits of the harbor limit, adjacent to the limits of the harbor limit, or adjacent to the limits of the city so as to indicate a disregard for the safety of persons or property.
(Code 1987, § 700.65)
Sec. 70-14. Driving in parks.
No person shall drive or operate unauthorized motor vehicles in any public park except on roads, trails, or designated parking areas.
(Code 1987, § 700.70; Ord. No. 25-2006, 12-24-2006)
Secs. 70-15—70-31. Reserved.
ARTICLE II. STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING*
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*State law reference—Authority to regulate standing or parking of vehicles, Minn. Stats. § 169.04(1); stopping, standing and parking, Minn. Stats. § 169.32 et seq.
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Sec. 70-32. Parking restrictions.
(a) Angle and parallel parking. The City Council may by resolution designate streets where angle parking is required. On any such street, every vehicle parked shall be parked with the front of the vehicle facing the curb or the edge of the travel portion of the street at an angle of approximately 60 degrees and facing between the painted or other markings on the curb or street indicating the parking space. On all other streets, cars shall be parked parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway in accordance with law. Every vehicle when parked where parking spaces are marked shall be parked in a single space marked for vehicle parking by painted lines on the street or curb, and no part of the vehicle shall extend into any other marked space.
(b) No parking, stopping, or standing zones. The City Council may, by resolution, designate certain streets or portions of streets as taxistands, or no parking or no stopping or standing zones, and may limit the hours in which the restrictions apply. The city engineer shall mark by appropriate signs each zone so designated. Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or a traffic control device, no person shall stop or park a vehicle in an established no stopping or standing zone when stopping or standing is prohibited. No vehicle shall be parked in a no parking zone during hours when parking is prohibited except that a vehicle may be parked temporarily in such zone for the purpose of forming a funeral procession and a truck may be parked temporarily between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any business day for the purpose of loading or unloading where access to the premises is not otherwise available.
(c) Time limit parking zones. The City Council may, by resolution, designate certain areas where the right to park is limited during hours specified. The city engineer shall mark by appropriate signs each zone so designated. During the hours specified on the sign, no person shall park a vehicle in any limited parking zone for a longer period than is so specified.
(d) General time limit. No vehicle shall be parking for more than 30 minutes between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.; and no vehicle shall in any case be parked upon any street in any one place for a longer continuous period than 24 hours.
(e) Impoundment. Any police officer may remove a vehicle from a street to a garage or other place of safety when the vehicle is left unattended and constitutes an obstruction to traffic or hinders snow removal or street improvement or maintenance operations. Such vehicle shall not be released until the fees for towing and storage are paid in addition to any fine imposed for violation of this article.
(f) Establishment of fire lanes. The Council upon report and recommendation of the City Manager and Fire Chief may order the establishment of fire lanes on public or private property as may be necessary in order that the travel of fire equipment may not be interfered with, and that access to fire hydrants or buildings may be obstructed. When a fire lane has been ordered to be established pursuant to this article, a sign bearing the words "No Parking - Fire Lane" or a similar message shall be placed designating the restricted area. When the fire lane is on public property or a public right-of-way, the sign or signs shall be erected by the city, and when on private property, they shall be erected by the owner at his own expense within 30 days after he has been notified of the order. After a sign or signs have been duly erected, no person shall park a vehicle or otherwise occupy or obstruct the fire lane.
(g) Parking to display vehicle or property for sale. No vehicle shall be parked on any city-owned parking lot, parking lot participating in the CBD parking program, or other public property other than streets for the purpose of displaying it, or any property contained on or in it, for sale. No person shall park, nor shall the land owner allow to be parked, more than one vehicle on private property, whether residential, commercial, industrial, or other in the city for the purpose of such display. This restriction does not apply to businesses holding licenses or permits from the city that allow such display.
(h) Prima facie violation. The presence of any motor vehicle on any street when standing or parking in violation of this Code is prima facie evidence that the registered owner of the vehicle committed or authorized the commission of the violation.
(Code 1987, § 700.30; Ord. No. 112-2000, 10-8-2000)
Sec. 70-33. Truck zones, loading zones, etc.
(a) Establishment. The City Council may by resolution establish spaces in streets as loading zones or truck zones. The hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. of any day except Sunday, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day or such other time as the City Council may specify in the resolution establishing the zone shall be the loading zone or truck zone hours. The city engineer shall mark each such zone by appropriate signs.
(b) Truck zone prohibitions. During truck zone hours, no person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle except a truck in a truck zone. No person shall stop, stand, or park a truck in a truck zone during truck zone hours except to receive or discharge passengers or freight and then only for a period no longer than is necessary for the purpose.
(c) Loading zone prohibitions. During loading zone hours, no person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle in a loading zone except to receive or discharge passengers or freight and then only for a period no longer than is necessary for the purpose. No person shall occupy a loading zone with a vehicle other than a truck for more than five minutes during such hours.
(d) Property owner initiative. Any person desiring the establishment of a loading zone or truck zone abutting premises occupied by him shall make written application therefor to the City Council. If the Council grants the request, the proper city officer shall bill the applicant for the estimated cost of placing signs and of painting the curb. When the amount is paid to the Finance Director, the Chief of Police shall install the necessary signs and paint the curb.
(e) Semitrailer parking. No person shall allow a semitrailer to stand or be parked unattached from a tractor unit for any length of time on any street in the city except in an emergency in order to change tractors.
(f) No truck parking zones. The Council may by resolution establish no truck parking zones, and the city engineer shall mark by appropriate signs any zones so established. Such zones shall be established where heavy traffic by trucks or other traffic congestion makes parking by trucks a hazard to the safety of vehicles or pedestrians. No person shall park a truck of more than one ton capacity between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any week day upon any street in any such zone, but parking of such vehicle for a period of not more than 30 minutes shall be permitted in such zone for the purpose of having access to abutting property when such access cannot conveniently be secured otherwise.
(Code 1987, § 700.35)
Sec. 70-34. Bus stops and taxistands.
(a) Designation. The City Council by resolution may designate spaces on streets in the city where vehicles engaged in carrying passengers for hire shall stand or park. The Chief of Police shall mark by appropriate sign any bus stop or taxistand so established.
(b) Parking restrictions. Except for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers, no driver of any vehicle other than a bus shall stand or park at a bus stop and no driver of any vehicle other than a taxicab shall stand or park in a taxistand.
(c) Bus and taxi parking. No driver of any bus shall stand or park the bus upon any street except at a bus stop. Except for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or for a reasonable time while on personal errands, no driver of any taxicab shall stand or park upon any street except at a taxistand.
(Code 1987, § 700.40)
Sec. 70-35. Winter parking.
(a) No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle or permit it to stand on any street between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. from November 15 to April 15 in each succeeding year. Variances to this article may be granted by the Council in cases where abutting property owners cannot provide off-street parking in accordance with the provisions of this article and where other special circumstances exist which are beyond the owner's control, and conditions affect abutting property owners so that a strict application of the provisions of this article deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of his land. The Council may consider such things as:
(1) Topographic conditions;
(2) Nonconforming uses where limited public right-of-way and inability to get vehicles off the public street make it impossible for the owner to provide off-street parking;
(3) The effect the variance will have on public safety and the public welfare.
(b) All variances shall terminate on April 15 of each year and new application must be filed for the following year.
(Code 1987, § 700.45)
Secs. 70-36—70-58. Reserved.
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*State law reference—Snowmobiles, Minn. Stats. § 84.81 et seq.; local snowmobile regulation, Minn. Stats. § 84.87.
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Sec. 70-59. Definitions.
Any term used in this article and defined in Minn. Stats. § 84.81, has the meaning given to it by that section.
(Ord. No. 26-2006, § 705.05, 12-24-2006)
Sec. 70-60. Intent.
It is the intent of this article to supplement Minn. Stats. §§ 84.81—84.915, and Minn. Stats. chs. 168—171 with respect to the operation of snowmobiles. This article is not intended to allow what the state statutes prohibit, or to prohibit what the state statutes expressly allow.
(Ord. No. 26-2006, § 705.01, 12-24-2006)
Sec. 70-61. Drivers certificate.
No person between the ages of 14 and 18 years shall operate a snowmobile on a public street or highway or on any public land or ice covered public waters unless the operator shall have a valid snowmobile safety certificate issued by the state under Minn. Stats. § 84.86. No person under the age of 14 years shall operate a snowmobile on city streets, highways, public lands, or ice covered public waters.
(Ord. No. 26-2006, § 705.10, 12-24-2006)
Sec. 70-62. Lamps, brakes, mufflers, and safety throttle.
No snowmobile shall be operated on a public street or highway or on any public lands or ice covered public water unless it is equipped with the following:
(1) Standard mufflers which are properly attached and which reduce the noise of operation of the snowmobile to a noise level which shall not be a disturbance to residents of the area of operation, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, by-pass, or similar device on said snowmobile.
(2) A safety or so-called "deadman" throttle in operating condition; the term "safety" or "deadman" throttle is defined as a device which, when pressure is removed from the accelerator or throttle, causes the motor to be disengaged from the driving track.
(Ord. No. 26-2006, § 705.15, 12-24-2006)
Sec. 70-63. Restrictions on operation.
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile in the following ways:
(1) No snowmobile shall be driven within 100 feet of any fisherman, pedestrian, skating rink, or sliding area in excess of ten miles per hour.
(2) No snowmobile shall be driven in any area if the operation would conflict with or endanger other persons or property.
(3) No snowmobile shall be operated in any cemetery.
(4) No snowmobile shall be operated on private property of another without permission of the owner or lawful occupant of said property.
(5) No snowmobile shall be operated in a manner so as to create a loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise with disturbs, annoys, or interferes with the peace and quiet of other persons.
(6) No snowmobile shall be operated between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. of each day on city streets, highways, roadways, and public lands that do not abut public waters.
(Ord. No. 26-2006, § 705.20, 12-24-2006)
Sec. 70-64. Unattended.
It is unlawful for the owner or operator of any snowmobile to leave or allow a snowmobile to be or remain unattended on public property while the motor is running or with the key to start said snowmobile in the ignition switch or if said snowmobile does not have an ignition switch which can be locked.
(Ord. No. 26-2006, § 705.25, 12-24-2006)