St. Louis County to hold hearing on ATV Ordinance

The St. Louis County Board will host a public meeting in May on a proposed ATV ordinance. 

The ordinance would allow ATV operators to legally drive on all St. Louis County roads. 

Recent changes to state law gave counties the authority to regulate the use of ATVs on county roads. 

Last fall, the County Board voted that an ATV usage policy is needed, recognizing that many ATV trails require use of county roads to travel from one to the next. 

The proposed ordinance includes the following: 

• Provides for ATV operation on all roads outside cities.

• Provides for a permit process for county roads within city limits. In these instances, the county will confer with the city.

• Provides for a permit process for any county roads on an as-needed basis. This will be issue driven and will be a collaborative process with the ATV clubs. 

• Does not include conditions for speed, headlights, helmets required under the age of 18 and unsafe operation, because they are already covered by state statute and rules.

• Provides a mechanism for the County Board to close or restrict roads if needed.

• Provides a mechanism for the Public Works Director to close roads quickly in the event of damage or safety issues. These actions are subsequently reviewable by the County Board.

• Provides for an Official All-Terrain Vehicle Map that will be posted on the county website. This will be the document that road users and enforcement refer to. It will be updated as needed through action of the Executive ATV Permit Committee or as a result of County Board action.

The meeting to discuss the ordinance will take place on Tuesday, May 24 at 9:45 a.m. in the Hibbing City Council Chambers. 

The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the draft ordinance .