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Home My WebLink About01(A) - Electric Recreation Vehicle Discussion Report ITEM: 1A CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: August 12, 2025 PREPARED BY: Jason Wedel, City Manager PRESENTED BY: Jason Wedel Phil Englin – Police Commander AGENDA ITEM: Electric Recreation Vehicle Discussion RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion with the City Council related to electric recreational vehicles. Staff will be looking for direction as to whether a city ordinance is needed to specify where and how certain types of vehicles may be operated within the city limits. BACKGROUND: There has been a proliferation of a wide variety of electric recreational vehicles over the last several years. This includes e-bikes, e-motorcycles, scooters, and hover boards. These products can be seen in Prior Lake on the sidewalks, trails, parks and roadways. The use of these vehicles has generated feedback from residents asking city staff about the rules that apply to these vehicles. Some of these vehicles are governed under State statutes and some are not. Staff will break down all of the various products that are being used and the existing rules and statues that apply. The City Council will be asked for input on how best to communicate the existing laws on these vehicles to the public and if there is a need for a city ordinance to address those vehicles that are not covered by state statute. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Summary of Existing Regulations 2. Prior Lake Golf Cart Ordinance City of Prior Lake | 4646 Dakota Street SE | Prior Lake MN 55372 - CODE OF ORDINANCES Chapter 6 - MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC ARTICLE V. GOLF CARTS, UTILITY VEHICLES, AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES Prior Lake, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances Created: 2025-04-30 11:02:09 [EST] (Supp. No. 1) Page 1 of 3 ARTICLE V. GOLF CARTS, UTILITY VEHICLES, AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES Sec. 6-131. Purpose. Pursuant to its authority under Minn. Stats. § 169.045, the city authorizes the operation of motorized golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles and mini trucks on designated roadways as permitted under this article. (Prior Code, § 904.100) Sec. 6-132. Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: All-terrain vehicle means a motorized vehicle with: (1) Not fewer than three but not more than six low-pressure or non-pneumatic tires; (2) A total dry weight of 2,000 pounds or less; and (3) A total width from outside of tire rim to outside of tire rim that is 65 inches or less. The term "all-terrain vehicle" includes a Class 1 all-terrain vehicle and Class 2 all-terrain vehicle. The term "all- terrain vehicle" does not include a golf cart, mini truck, dune buggy, or go-cart or a vehicle designed and used specifically for lawn maintenance, agriculture, logging, or mining purposes. Designated roadways means the roadways on which the off-road vehicle may operate which, for purposes of this article, are all public streets under city jurisdiction with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. Mini truck means a motor vehicle that has four wheels; is propelled by an electric motor with a rated power of 7,500 watts or less or an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 660 cubic centimeters or less; has a total dry weight of 900 to 2,200 pounds; contains an enclosed cabin and a seat for the vehicle operator; commonly resembles a pickup truck or van, including a cargo area or bed located at the rear of the vehicle; and was not originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards required of motor vehicles in 49 CFR 571.101 to 571.404 and successor requirements. The term "mini truck" does not include: (1) A neighborhood electric vehicle or a medium-speed electric vehicle; or (2) A motor vehicle that meets or exceeds the regulations in 49 CFR 571.500 and successor requirements. Motorized golf cart means a self-propelled vehicle of the type and style designated for and commonly used by patrons of golf courses, including three- or four-wheeled vehicles specifically designed for disability mobility equipped with the proper slow-moving vehicle signage and rearview mirrors. The term "motorized golf cart" specifically excludes vehicles commonly known as all-terrain vehicles or ATVs. Off-road vehicle means motorized golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles and mini trucks. Utility task vehicle means a side-by-side, four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 1,200 cubic centimeters or less, and has a total dry weight of 1,800 but less than 2,600 pounds. (Prior Code, § 904.200) Created: 2025-04-30 11:02:09 [EST] (Supp. No. 1) Page 2 of 3 Sec. 6-133. Permit. (a) Required. No off-road vehicle may be operated on designated roadways or any public right-of-way or public property without first obtaining a permit from the city. (b) Application. Every application for an off-road vehicle permit must be made on a form supplied by the city. (c) Fees. The city council may establish a fee for a permit which fee shall be specified in the city fee schedule. (d) Term of permit. Permits are effective for three calendar years beginning January 1 and ending December 31 and may be renewed. (e) Insurance required. The applicant must provide evidence of insurance complying with the provisions of Minn. Stats. § 65B.48 with the permit application. (Prior Code, § 904.300) Sec. 6-134. Operating conditions. (a) Designated roadways. Off-road vehicles may only be operated on designated roadways. (b) Prohibited operation. The operation of off-road vehicles is expressly prohibited on all public bike trails, walking trails and sidewalks except in the case of the signed ADA access from Kop Parkway to Watzl's Beach. (c) Time of operation. Off-road vehicles may only be operated on the designated roadways from sunrise to sunset. They shall not be operated in inclement weather or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog or other conditions, or at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet. (d) Slow-moving emblem and rearview mirrors. (1) Off-road vehicles must display the slow-moving emblem as described in Minn. Stats. § 169.522 when operated on designated roadways. (2) Off-road vehicles must be equipped with a rearview mirror. (e) Crossing intersecting highways. Off-road vehicles may cross any street or highway at signalized intersections. (f) Application of traffic laws. Every person operating an off-road vehicle on designated roadways has all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under Minn. Stats. ch. 169 except when those provisions cannot reasonably be applied to motorized golf carts and except as otherwise specifically provided in Minn. Stats. § 169.045, subd. 7. (g) Insurance required. Every off-road vehicle operator shall have proof of insurance in possession while operating the off-road vehicle on designated streets and shall produce such proof of insurance on demand of a police officer as specified in Minn. Stats. § 169.791. (Prior Code, § 904.400) Sec. 6-135. Suspension or revocation of permit. (a) Generally. A permit may be suspended or revoked at any time by the city manager or designee if the permittee has violated any of the provisions of this article or of Minn. Stats. ch. 169 or if there is evidence the permittee cannot safely operate the off-road vehicle on the designated roadways. The city manager or designee will determine if the permit should be suspended or revoked after providing the permittee with five days' written notice and considering any information provided by the permittee. Any police officer may Created: 2025-04-30 11:02:09 [EST] (Supp. No. 1) Page 3 of 3 temporarily suspend a permit prior to the hearing if, in the police officer's professional judgment, public safety would otherwise be endangered. (b) Appeal of permit revocation. A permittee may appeal the decision of the city manager or designee to revoke or suspend a permit to the city council. Such an appeal must be filed in writing within five business days of the city manager's decision. The city council will conduct an appeal hearing to determine if the revocation or suspension should be sustained. (Prior Code, § 904.500) Sec. 6-136. Exemption. The city manager or designee may waive the requirements of this article for the operation of off-road vehicles as part of a community event, as defined in chapter 4, article XIII. (Prior Code, § 904.500) Sec. 6-137. Violation; penalty. Any person violating the terms of this article may have his/her permit to operate an off-road vehicle in the city suspended or revoked as set forth in section 6-135. In addition, any person violating the terms of this article shall, upon conviction of any such violation, be found guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished in accordance with the penalties established by state law. (Prior Code, § 904.700; Ord. No. 121-04, 5-1-2021)