Traffic, Motor Vehicles, and Other Vehicles
Section 1300 - Highway Traffic Regulation
1300.01 - State highway regulation act adopted by reference
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 169, “The highway traffic act”, is adopted by reference and is as much a part of this code as if fully set forth herein. A violation of chapter 169 as herein adopted is a violation of this code.
1300.03 - Definitions
For purposed of this chapter, the terms defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 169.01, as adopted herein, have the meanings given by that section.
Section 1305 - Streets; Traffic
1305.01 - Emergency street closings
Subdivision 1 - Reasons
In an emergency the city clerk-treasurer, fire chief, or the maintenance engineer may close off any public street, alley, or area to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, including parked cars to reroute traffic when necessary to control or prevent a riot, to fight, or prevent the spreading of a fire, to control or prevent a riot, to fight or fight the spreading of a fire, to control or remove explosives, to repair electrical service, gas, water, or sewer main, or to prevent damage to life, limb, or property that might result from any traffic or other hazard.
Subd. 2 - Procedure
The maintenance engineer may close off or prohibit vehicular traffic on a public street or alley or portion thereof in order to effect the orderly installation, repair, maintenance, or snow removal of any streets. Prior to closing as street or alley both the fire and police department must be notified.
Subd. 3 - Temporary closing
The fire chief, may order the temporary closing off or the temporary designation of one way traffic or to reroute any or all vehicular traffic on any public street, alley, or area when it appears necessary to control vehicular or pedestrian traffic or crowds resulting from any large public gathering, prior to, during, and after a public or private convention, assembly, parade, carnival, circus, political rally, or sports events where the use of public street, park, or other public property is necessary or incidental to the holding or convening of any of the foregoing activities.
Subd. 4 - Barrier; warnings
A street or area may be closed to vehicular or pedestrian traffic or to parked cars at any hour by stationing of a police officer at both ends of said street or area, who may then direct traffic, or during the daylight hours by posting or erecting suitable signs, flags, or barriers at both ends of the street area so designated, stating the restriction imposed and by whose authority the restriction is imposed, or at night by placing of suitable barriers and warning lights or flasher signals at both ends of the street or areas so designated. Drivers must obey police officers and barriers, flags, signs, lights, or signals so placed.
Subd. 5 - Emergency traffic restrictions
The fire chief may make and enforce necessary traffic control restrictions in time of emergency, provided that public notice of such restrictions in time of emergency, provided that public notice of such restrictions be published, or broadcast, or posted in at least two public places, and further, that any such restrictions be reviewed by the council at the nest regular council meeting, following the establishment of such emergency restrictions, at which time such restrictions may be continued or abandoned by resolution of the council.
1305.03 - Cutting across public or private property
It is unlawful to disobey the instructions of an official traffic control device within the meaning to this section, unless at the time otherwise directed by a police officer, by driving into or across public or private property so as to obviate the need to comply with the traffic control device.
1305.05 - Unreasonable acceleration
It is unlawful to start or accelerate any motor vehicle with an unnecessary exhibition of speed on a public or private way within the city limits. Unreasonable squealing or screeching sounds emitted by the tires or the throwing of sand or gravel by the tires of the vehicle or both is prima facie evidence of unnecessary exhibition of speed.
Section 1310 - Parking Regulations
1310.01 - Weight restrictions
It is unlawful to leave or park on or within the limits of any public street in any residential area in the city, any of the following;
- A semi-trailer.
- Overnight parking of a combination vehicle unit in excess of 50 feet in length.
- A vehicle carrying flammable or hazardous substances which could threaten health and public safety.
1310.03 - Parking zones
The city council may by resolution designate certain streets or portions of streets as no parking, or no stopping, or standing zones, and may limit the hours in which the restrictions apply. The city may mark, by appropriate signs, each zone so designated. Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer, it is unlawful to stop or park a vehicle in an established no parking or standing zone where stopping or standing is prohibited. A vehicle may not be parked in a “no parking” zone during hours when parking is prohibited, except for the purpose of forming a funeral procession, and a truck may be parked temporarily for a single period of no longer than two hours on any business day for the purpose of loading or unloading where access to the premises is not otherwise available.
1310.05 - Time limit parking
The council may by resolution designate certain areas where the right to park is limited during hours specified and such areas will be marked by appropriate signs. During the hours specified on the sign, it is unlawful to park a vehicle in a limited parking zone for a longer period than so specified.
1310.07 - General time limit
Subdivision 1 - General rule
It is unlawful to park a vehicle upon any street, alley, or way, or in a municipal parking lot in any one place for a continuous period longer than 48 hours.
Subd. 2 - Measure of time limit
A vehicle moved a distance of not more than one block during any limited parking period, is deemed to have remained stationary. It is unlawful to obliterate, erase, or remove any mark or sign placed on a vehicle by a police officer for the purpose of measuring the length of time such vehicle has parked.
1310.09 - Prima facie violation
The presence of a motor vehicle, trailer, or implement on a public street when standing or parked in violation of this section is prima facie evidence that the registered owner of the vehicle, trailer, or implement did or authorized the violation.
1310.11 - Winter parking rules
Subdivision 1
It is unlawful to park a motor vehicle or any vehicle on a public street, alley, or way, or in a municipal parking lot from and including November 1, to and including March 31, after the hours of 2:30 a.m. and before 7:00 a.m.
Subd. 2 - Exemptions
All vehicles shall be exempt from the winter parking rule.
- Thanksgiving Eve.
- Christmas Eve.
- New Year’s Eve.
1310.13 - Penalty
Violation of subsection 1310.11 is petty misdemeanor and punishable by fine of $25.00. A person violating the provisions or other provisions of this section is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and upon conviction will be punished by a fine of not more than $100.00.
Section 1315 - Sale Of Unclaimed Motor Vehicles
1315.01 - Abandoned motor vehicle law adopted by reference
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 168B, is adopted by reference and is as much a part of this code as if fully set forth herein. A violation of the statutes adopted herein by reference is a violation of this code.
Section 1320 - Driver’s License and Registration Of Motor Vehicles
1320.01 - Adoption by reference
Subdivision 1 - Motor vehicle registration act
Minnesota Statutes, sections 168.011, 168.055, 168.056, 168.09, 168.10, 168.11, 168.27, 168.36, 168.39, 168.41, 168.44 are adopted by reference and are as much a part of this code as if fully set forth herein.
Subd. 2 - Driver’s license law
Minnesota Statutes, section 171.01, 171.02, 171.03, 171.05, 171.08, 171.09, 171.11,171.17, 171.18, 171.20, 171.22, 171.23, and 171.24 are adopted by reference and are as much a part of this code as if fully set forth herein.
Subd. 3 - Violations
A violation of a statute adopted by reference herein is a violation of this code.
