Question: Is it legal to drive snowmobiles within the city limits? We live close to the Northwest Arterial and once the snow falls we hear snowmobiles traveling along the road every night.
Answer: The current Dubuque City Code does not specifically address snowmobile use in the city.
It does, however, ban the operation of snowmobiles on frozen waterways, such as the Mississippi River.
Dubuque Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Scott Baxter said officers would utilize the Iowa State Code instead of the Dubuque City Code to determine any enforcement action necessary when it comes to snowmobiles.
The Iowa State Code states a snowmobile shall not be operated on public highways under any of the following conditions:
* On the roadway portion of a highway and adjacent shoulder, or at least five feet on either side of the road.
* On limited access highways and approaches.
* For racing.
* Abreast with one or more other snowmobiles on a city highway.
People are also not allowed to operate a snowmobile in any park, wildlife area or preserve, except on designated snowmobile trails.
The Iowa State Code states a registered snowmobile may be operated under the following conditions:
* Upon city highways that have not been plowed during the snow season.
* On a portion of county roadways that have not been plowed during the snow season or are not maintained or utilized for the operation of conventional two-wheel drive motor vehicles.
* On highways in an emergency during the period of time when snow upon the roadway renders travel by conventional motor vehicles impractical.
* On the roadway or shoulder when necessary to cross a bridge or culvert, or to avoid an obstruction, if the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before entering the roadway or shoulder and the driver yields the right-of-way.
In addition to the laws listed in the Iowa State Code, trespass and other laws could be applied in certain snowmobile situations.
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