N.Y. Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law § 25.09: Operation on highways and public lands; authorization by governmental agencies

§ 25.09 Operation on highways and public lands; authorization by

governmental agencies. 1. Highways. (a) Highways or portions thereof

upon which snowmobile travel is permitted, when designated by a

governmental agency as provided in section 25.05, shall be so

designated, in the case of state highways by the state agency or

authority having jurisdiction to regulate traffic thereon, in the case

of county highways within a town outside of a city or village by the

town governing body, in the case of county highways within a city or

village by the city or village governing body, and in the case of city,

town or village highways, by the city, town or village governing body,

respectively. No county highway shall be designated without the prior

written approval of the county superintendent of highways or

commissioner of public works, as the case may be. Such designations

shall be by regulation or order, if by a state agency or authority and

by local law or ordinance, if by a governing body.

(b) Such designated highways or portions thereof shall be identified

by markers in such manner as may be provided by rules and regulations of

the commissioner.

(c) All signs or markers shall be in conformity with the manual of

uniform traffic control devices, and shall be erected at the expense of

the state or municipality, provided however, that the municipality may

accept funds or contributions therefor from private persons, clubs or

associations interested in the promotion of snowmobiling.

(d) Any regulation, order, local law or ordinance which designates a

highway or portion thereof which may be used for snowmobile operation

may include rules and impose restrictions and conditions, not

inconsistent with the provisions of this article, for the regulation and

safe operation of snowmobiles on the highways so designated. Such

regulation or order of the commissioner of transportation or local law

or ordinance of a municipality may establish the minimum age of the

operator and other reasonable requirements for operation on such

highways, but may not require the operator of the snowmobile to possess

a motor vehicle license and may not impose a fee for the use of such

highways.

2. Property other than highways. In designating public lands, waters

and properties other than highways which may be used for snowmobile

operations, a governmental agency, other than a municipality, by

regulation or order, and a municipality, by ordinance or local law, may

impose restrictions and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions

of this article, for the regulation and safe operation of snowmobiles on

such public property, such as travel on designated trails, proof of

liability insurance coverage for the snowmobile, minimum age of the

operator, hours of operation, and other reasonable requirements, but may

not require the operator of the snowmobile to possess a motor vehicle

operator's license or impose a fee for the use of such public lands or

waters or access thereto, except the usual charge, if any, for the

admission to such property, parking privileges or services provided.

3. Copies of all regulations, orders, local laws or ordinances adopted

by such governmental agencies shall be filed with the office.

4. The provisions of this section shall not apply to operation as

emergency vehicle.