ATVs legal on Granite Falls streets after City Council vote

Editor’s note: Information provided to a reporter for an earlier version of this story was incorrect. After the March 18 Granite Falls City Council meeting, the deputy city clerk told The Herald that the council had voted to allow all-terrain vehicles on city streets only after the county decided to permit them on county roads. That is not what happened. The City Council considered waiting on the county, but instead voted to allow off-road vehicles on city streets immediately. The new rule took effect Monday.

GRANITE FALLS — People can now ride wheeled all-terrain vehicles on city streets here.

The Granite Falls City Council voted 3-1 in favor of letting people ride off-road rigs such as quads and side-by-sides on city-owned roadways in the future. Councilman Tom FitzGerald voted no and councilman Tom Collins was not at the meeting.

It still is illegal to ride all-terrain vehicles on county roads. The city council also considered an ordinance that would have allowed the vehicles on city streets only after the county permitted them.

At this point, the county is not planning to allow wheeled all-terrain vehicles on its roads, engineer Owen Carter said. The public works department looked at reports from areas where all-terrain vehicles are allowed on streets and at details from vehicle manufacturers. They have concerns about the safety of riders and other drivers, he said.

“All-terrain vehicles aren’t designed to be on paved roads,” Carter said. “We have looked into it and we have decided that we’re not going to pursue it.”

Any policy changes would have to go through the County Council, he said.

Cities have control over their own roads. Granite Falls planning commissioner Chris Marsh brought the issue up in his town. He’s been trying to get all-terrain vehicles permitted on local streets for nearly a year.

Marsh compared riding a wheeled off-road vehicle to traveling by motorcycle. He often rides with friends from Granite Falls to Sultan. They stop for food, gas and supplies.

“We see an economic value to it,” he said. “There’s millions of dollars people invest into equipment they never get to ride around here. Ideally, we want to get our recreation back in Snohomish County.”

Granite Falls is the second city in the county to approve off-road rigs on the road.

The Sultan City Council in 2013 passed a similar ordinance, though they didn’t wait on the county. The decision came shortly after the Legislature changed state law.

Proponents envision a network of scenic byways to let people drive all-terrain vehicles between towns like Sultan and Granite Falls. They want access to forest service roads, as well.

“We’re trying to create a pattern and an example that other counties and other forests can utilize,” said Ted Jackson, who fought to get the state legislation passed. “You have that option of creating a travel and tourism economy. If you look at Granite Falls, there’s the opportunity to connect to forest roads and scenic routes.”

Opponents say the street is no place for vehicles designed to plunge through mud puddles and bump over rugged terrain. They cite safety, noise and enforcement as key concerns.

Under state law, local leaders can opt to allow all-terrain vehicles on public roads with a 35 mph speed limit or less. The rigs must be registered and licensed specifically for on-road use, and operators must have a driver’s license.

To be street-legal, a quad, three-wheeler or side-by-side needs a headlight, tail light, turn signal, mirror, horn, muffler and brakes. Liability insurance, required for driving a car on public roads, is not needed.

Former Gold Bar City Councilman Chuck Lie worries about legal problems cities, counties and individual drivers could face in an accident involving an off-road vehicle.

The Gold Bar City Council in 2013 considered allowing all-terrain vehicles on local streets, but ultimately voted it down.

“I’ve never seen city hall so packed,” Lie said. “I think these guys have chosen a hobby that’s controversial, and now they expect everyone to be OK with it.”

The state needs a cultural change to adjust to the notion of off-road vehicles on public streets, Jackson said. He thinks a shift in mind-set is possible, and he expects a boost to local businesses and tourism.

Lie disagrees.

“It’s a weird thing that they’re promising economic development, but we’re making these compromises with traffic safety,” he said.

Proponents continue to work with state and county leaders to open more roads for all-terrain vehicles, Marsh said. They plan to ask the county council to adopt an ordinance similar to those passed in Sultan and Granite Falls.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Southbound lanes on Highway 99 reopen after crash

The crash, on Highway 99 at 176th Street SW, blocked traffic for over an hour. Traffic was diverted to 168th Street SW.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Kelli Littlejohn, who was 11 when her older sister Melissa Lee was murdered, speaks to a group of investigators and deputies to thank them for bringing closure to her family after over 30 years on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘She can rest in peace’: Jury convicts Bothell man in 1993 killing

Even after police arrested Alan Dean in 2020, it was unclear if he would stand trial. He was convicted Thursday in the murder of Melissa Lee, 15.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
Search underway to find missing Everett child, 4

Ariel Garcia was last seen Wednesday morning at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive.

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.