§ 10-12 — Yolo County Planning Code

Sec. 10-12.101. Definitions. ¶

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the definitions and meanings set forth below (whether the term is capitalized or not):

(a) "Highway" shall have the meaning set forth in section 360 of the California Highway Code, and shall include any road, street, way, or place, including the entire width of the right-of-way of any County road, upon which vehicular travel by the public is permitted.

(b) "Off-Highway Vehicle" shall have the meaning set forth in section 38006 of the California Vehicle Code, and shall include motorcycles designed for off-road use, sand buggies, dune buggies, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), jeeps, go-carts, and other similar vehicles.

(d) "Cache Creek" shall refer to the bed and banks of the waterway from the Lake/Yolo County line to the Creek's terminus in the Cache Creek Settling Basin.

(e) "Public Land" shall refer to areas, other than a highway, that are open and accessible to the public, except private lands under the immediate control of the owner or his or her agent where permission is required and has been granted to operate a motor vehicle.

(§ 2, Ord. 1465, eff. February 25, 2016, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1537, eff. August 26, 2021, and by § 2, Ord. 1548, eff. March 24, 2022)

Sec. 10-12.102. Applicability. ¶

This chapter shall not apply to the proper and legal operation of an off-highway vehicle on a highway or within any area, trail, or route specifically designated or authorized by a state or federal government agency for use by offhighway vehicles.

(§ 2, Ord. 1465, eff. February 25, 2016, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1537, eff. August 26, 2021, and by § 2, Ord. 1548, eff. March 24, 2022)

Sec. 10-12.103. Activities on the banks and bed of Cache Creek. ¶

(a) Except as may be authorized pursuant to sections 10-12.104(b), no person shall operate a motor vehicle or offhighway vehicle on the banks or bed of Cache Creek. Notice of this prohibition shall be posted at legal public access points to Cache Creek.

(b) The prohibition of subsection (a) shall not apply to the operation of a motor vehicle for the purpose of launching watercraft in appropriately designated areas, to the reasonable use of motor vehicles or off-highway vehicles by rafting concessionaires authorized by the County to operate along Cache Creek, or to ingress and egress in response to emergency medical, fire, riparian restoration conducted with a valid permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife under the direction of the County, or other law enforcement, health, and safety situations that require the use of motor vehicles or off-highway vehicles.

(§ 2, Ord. 1465, eff. February 25, 2016, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1537, eff. August 26, 2021, and by § 2, Ord. 1548, eff. March 24, 2022)

Sec. 10-12.104. Prohibition of operation on County property. ¶

(a) Subjection to the exceptions in subsection (b), no motor vehicle or off-highway vehicle shall be operated on any non-highway property owned by the County, unless otherwise posted or authorized in writing by the County.

(b) The prohibition of subsection (a) shall not apply to the operation of a motor vehicle for the purpose of launching watercraft in appropriately designated areas, to the reasonable use of motor vehicles or off-highway vehicles by rafting concessionaires authorized by the County to operate along Cache Creek, or to ingress and egress in response to emergency medical, fire, riparian restoration conducted with a valid permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife under the direction of the County, or other law enforcement, health and safety situations that require the use of motor vehicles or off-highway vehicles.

(§ 2, Ord. 1465, eff. February 25, 2016, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1548, eff. March 24, 2022)

Sec. 10-12.105. Restriction on operation on private property. ¶

No person shall drive an off-highway vehicle upon the private property of another without the prior written permission of the person or entity that owns the property. The operator shall maintain any such written permission on his or her person at all times while on such property, except that if the same document grants permission to two or more persons, a person named in the document need not have such document in his or her possession while with another person named in the document, riding not more than 300 feet away, who has such document in his or her possession.

(§ 2, Ord. 1465, eff. February 25, 2016, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1548, eff. March 24, 2022)

Sec. 10-12.106. Safety. ¶

(a) Helmets. A person shall not operate, ride, or be otherwise propelled on an off-highway vehicle on any highway or public land unless the person wears a safety helmet meeting requirements established for motorcycles and motorized bicycles, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 27802.

(b) Whip and flag. Any off-highway vehicle operating on any highway or public land shall have a whip and flag securely attached to it. Each whip shall extend at least eight feet from the surface of the ground and have at least one safety flag attached to it. This safety flag shall be a solid red or orange color and be attached within ten inches of the top of the whip. The safety flag shall be a minimum size of six inches by twelve inches and may be a pennant, triangle, square, or rectangular shape. Any additional flags may be attached to the whip but must be mounted below the safety flag. (

§ 2, Ord. 1537, eff. August 26, 2021, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1548, eff. March 24, 2022)

Sec. 10-12.107. Penalties. ¶

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d), below, a violation of this chapter is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00.

(b) A second violation of this chapter that is committed within one year of a prior violation is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $200.00.

(c) A third violation of this chapter that is committed within one year after two violations is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00.

(d) A fourth or subsequent violation of this chapter that is committed within three years after three or more violations is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment in the County jail for not more than ninety (90) days, or by both fine and imprisonment.

(§ 2, Ord. 1465, eff. February 25, 2016, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1537, eff. August 26, 2021, and by § 2, Ord. 1548, eff. March 24, 2022)

Chapter 13 YOLO HCP/NCCP