Greater Sudbury Council Approves Citywide Snowmobile By-law

Dec 13, 2016

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Council has approved Greater Sudbury’s first citywide by-law to regulate the operation of snowmobiles. By-law 2016-230 separates snowmobiles from pedestrian activities by promoting access to the Sudbury Trail Plan via a network of secondary roads approved for snowmobile travel. At the same time, the by-law prohibits snowmobiles from travelling on sidewalks and all other municipal trails and properties that are not part of the Sudbury Trail Plan, except to cross.

“Given the popularity of snowmobiling in our community, it’s important to have one consistent by-law for the entire city so that snowmobile operators, motorists and pedestrians have a clear understanding of where and how these vehicles are permitted to travel,” said Greater Sudbury By-law Coordinator Paul Denniston.

“Over the summer, we consulted with community partners, including the Sudbury Trail Plan Association and Greater Sudbury Police Service. The intent of the by-law is to address pedestrian safety by prohibiting snowmobiles from travelling on sidewalks and other non-motorized municipal properties and to encourage use of authorized snowmobile trails by giving operators access to designated secondary roads in order to reach the trails.”

An alphabetical listing of roads designated for snowmobile travel under Motorized Snow Vehicles By-law 2016-230 is available at www.greatersudbury.ca/snowmobile and at Citizen Service Centres in Capreol, Chelmsford, Dowling, Garson, Lively, Hanmer and Sudbury.

Snowmobiles are not permitted to travel on any municipal sidewalk, on the shoulder of any municipal road, on the boulevard of any municipal road, nor on any municipal land, unless the Sudbury Trail Plan Association maintains the boulevard or municipal property as a snowmobile trail and the operator holds a valid trail permit. Snowmobile operators are permitted to cross these areas at right angles.

To address resident concerns with excessive noise, snowmobiles are not permitted to operate between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. in the City of Greater Sudbury, unless travelling to a specific destination or for emergency purposes.

Speed limits are set under provincial legislation. The Ontario Motorized Snow Vehicles Act limits snowmobiles to a maximum speed of 20 km per hour on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less and 50 km per hour on roads where the speed limit is over 50 km/h.

Greater Sudbury Police and Ontario Provincial Police will enforce the City of Greater Sudbury Snowmobile By-law. Snowmobile operators are expected to be familiar with provisions of the by-law, including time of use and designated roads, and to follow the requirements of the Ontario Motorized Snow Vehicles Act.

Residents who have questions about the Snowmobile By-law may call 3-1-1 or email bylaw@greatersudbury.ca to speak with a Greater Sudbury By-law Compliance and Enforcement Officer.

-30-