Garfield, Palouse consider ordinance for ATV use

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Feb 19, 20140

A new ordinance which would allow operation of licensed ATVs and golf carts inside the city limits is taking shape for Garfield and Palouse.

Palouse Police Chief Jerry Neumann began working on it last summer, to form a new policy to allow the vehicles on city streets with certain restrictions.

The Palouse City Council’s policy and administration committee is now reviewing the proposal, after receiving it at a Jan. 28 council meeting.

The week before, Neumann spoke about the proposal to the Garfield City Council, which then briefly discussed the matter.

Neumann said the notion for an ATV ordinance had its origin with the Revised Code of Washington, which allows for towns to make their own ordinances on matters such as ATVs.

“Because of the development of the (ATV) industry, some of the rules have changed,” said Palouse mayor Michael Echanove.

The requirements for Neumann’s inside-city limits proposal include that riders need to be at least 16 with a driver’s license. All drivers must wear a helmet, except for those operating in golf carts.

“The intention of it is for access into town and out of town to recreational areas,” said Neumann. “It’s not a noisemaker. It’s not for people just to buzz around town.”

The four and two-wheel ATVs included in the proposal require working headlights and brake lights.

Each vehicle would need to have a Washington state issued road-use license, which is attached to the ATV. These licenses are above and beyond the regular off-road vehicle licenses.

“I’m all for it,” said Palouse Mayor Michael Echanove. “I particularly like the golf cart part of it. A real green way to travel around town.”

Overall, Neumann said he modeled the proposal after a similar one that took effect in the 2000s in Okanogan County.

Idaho towns, including neighboring Potlatch, also have more open ATV rules.

“If Idaho is open we can give riders from there a point of destination,” Neumann said, referring to Palouse and Garfield. “While here, they may buy gas or food. Economically, we hope it would fly. People in the ATV community have shown a lot of support for it.”