ATVs / UTVs Within City Limits

On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, the City of Columbus Common Council has approved Ordinance No. 777-22. This Ordinance creates Article 12 of Chapter 98 of the City of Columbus Code of Ordinances concerning all-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles.

ATVs and UTVs are allowed on any city streets as the proper signage for all streets constituting the routes have been acquired and properly posted as required by law.

AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE ARTICLE 12 OF CHAPTER 98 OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND UTILITY-TERRAIN VEHICLES The Common Council of the City of Columbus, Columbia County, Wisconsin, does ordain as follows: 

1. Article XII – All-Terrain Vehicles and Utility-Terrain Vehicles is created to now read as follows: 

Sec. 98-316. – Definitions. 

(a) “Roadway” means that portion of a highway within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Columbus between the regularly established curb lines or that portion which is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, excluding the berm or shoulder. On a divided highway, the term “roadway” refers to each roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively. 

Sec. 98-317. – Operation on or Near Roadways. 

(a) The City of Columbus Common Council hereby authorizes all roadways under its jurisdiction with a speed limit of 35 mph or lower as the route for All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and Utility-Terrain Vehicles (UTV). 

(b) The ATV/UTV route may be altered, amended or terminated by future motion of the City Council. 

(c) The provisions of Section 23.33 of the Wisconsin Statutes as amended from time to time are adopted as the law of the City of Columbus and incorporated herein by reference. (d) This Section shall remain in effect until May 1, 2024. 

Sec. 98-318. – Municipal Use of All-Terrain Vehicles and Utility Terrain Vehicles. 

(a) Employees and agents of the City of Columbus shall be allowed to operate an ATV or UTV for municipal work or services on all roadways and within all parks and public spaces.

2. Severability. If any portion of this Ordinance or its application on any person or circumstances is held invalid, the validity of this Ordinance as a whole or any other provision herein or its application shall not be affected. 

3. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect upon proper signage for all streets constituting the routes being acquired and properly posted as required by law.