Town of Petawawa
1865
Consolidated Version of By-law 1597/23
Being a By-law to Regulate and Govern the Operation of All-Terrain, Multi-Purpose and Recreational Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) on Highways Under the Jurisdiction of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa
As amended by By-law 1664/24 on June 3, 2024
Corporation of the Town of Petawawa
By-law 1597/23
Being a By-law to Regulate and Govern the Operation of All-Terrain, Multi-Purpose and Recreational Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) on Highways Under the Jurisdiction of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa
Whereas Section 11 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, as amended, authorizes lower-tier municipalities to provide any service or thing that the municipality considers necessary or desirable for the public;
And Whereas Section 11 (3) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, as amended, provides that a municipality may pass by-laws with respect to municipally owned roads, including parking and traffic on such highways;
And Whereas Section 191.8(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, as amended, provides that no person shall drive an off-road vehicle on a highway except in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act regulations and any applicable Municipal By-law;
And Whereas Section 191.8(3) of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990. c. H.8, as amended, provides that a municipality may pass by-laws permitting certain off-road vehicles on highways under the jurisdiction of the municipality and providing speed limits for such vehicles;
And Whereas Ontario Regulation 316/03: Operation of Off-Road Vehicles on Highways, made under the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990. c. H.8, as amended, defines an All-Terrain Vehicle and provides regulations governing the operation of All-Terrain Vehicles upon Highways;
And Whereas the operation of off-road vehicles on highways is a privilege and not a right;
And Whereas the Renfrew County ATV Club submitted a request to Council to permit off-road vehicles on municipally owned highways;
And Whereas Council of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa is desirous of permitting some off-road vehicles access to certain roads under its municipal jurisdiction;
Now Therefore be it enacted by the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa as follows:
1. Short Title
1.1 This By-law may be cited as the “Off-Road Vehicle By-law” for the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa.
2. Definitions
2.1 For the purposes of this by-law, whenever the term “Off-Road Vehicle” or “ORV” is stipulated, it shall include any of the following:
2.1.1 “All-Terrain Vehicle” means an off-road vehicle that:
a. has four wheels (no tracks), the tires of which are all in contact with the ground;
b. has steering handlebars;
c. has a seat that is designed to be straddled by the driver; and
d. is designed to carry:
i) a driver only and no passengers; or
ii) a driver and only one passenger, if the vehicle has one passenger seat that is designed to be straddled by the passenger while sitting facing forward behind the driver, and is equipped with foot rests for the passenger that are separate from the foot rests for the driver.
2.1.2 “Multi-Purpose Off-Highway Utility Vehicle” means an off-road vehicle that:
a. has four or more wheels (no tracks), the tires of which are all in contact with the ground;
b. has a steering wheel for steering control;
c. has seats that are not designed to be straddled; and
d. has a minimum cargo capacity of 159 kilograms.
2.1.3 “Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle” means an off-road vehicle that:
a. has four or more wheels (no tracks), the tires of which are all in contact with the ground;
b. has a steering wheel for steering control;
c. has seats that are not designed to be straddled; and
d. has an engine displacement equal to or less than 1,000 cubic centimetres.
2.2 For the purposes of this by-law, whenever the term “Off-Road Vehicle” or “ORV” is stipulated, it shall not include any of the following:
2.2.1 “Extreme Terrain Vehicle” means an off-road vehicle that:
a. has six or eight wheels, the tires of which are all in contact with the ground;
b. has no tracks that are in contact with the ground;
c. has seats that are not designed to be straddled; and
d. has a minimum cargo capacity of 159 kilograms.
2.2.2 “Off-Road Motorcycle” means an off-road vehicle, designed primarily for recreational use, that:
a. has steering handlebars;
b. has two wheels, the tires of which are all in contact with the ground;
c. has a minimum wheel rim diameter of 250 millimetres;
d. has a minimum wheelbase of 1,016 millimetres;
e. has a seat that is designed to be straddled by the driver;
f. is designed to carry a driver only and no passengers; and
g. does not have a sidecar.
2.3 “Boulevard” means that part of the highway situated between the curb line and the property line of the lot abutting the highway, but does not include a sidewalk or shoulder.
2.4 “Core Services” means accessing food, lodging, or fuel within the urban areas of the municipality.
2.5 “Highway” includes any open and maintained road allowance under the sole jurisdiction of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa including a common and public Highway, street, road, avenue, or laneway, and includes the part which is actually used by the general public for the passage of vehicles and all of the area between the lateral property lines thereof.
2.6 “Municipality” shall mean the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa.
2.7 “Multi-Use Pathway” means a pathway separate from the roadway that accommodates multiple modes of transportation including walking, rolling, and cycling.
2.8 “Park” means all lands owned by the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa which have been set aside for public recreation, including parks, beaches, green space, sports fields, and playgrounds.
2.9 “Shoulder” means that part of a highway immediately adjacent to the roadway where there is no barrier curb, and having a surface which has been improved for the use of vehicles with asphalt, concrete or gravel.
2.10 “Sidewalk” means those parts of a highway set aside by the municipality for the use of pedestrians.
3. General Provisions
3.1 This by-law regulates and governs the operation of all-terrain, multi-purpose and recreational off-road vehicles (ORVs) on Highways under the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa.
3.2 This by-law does not provide authority for:
3.2.1 County of Renfrew Highways;
3.2.2 Private roads;
3.2.3 Garrison Petawawa roads, both north and south townsites; and
3.2.4 Provincial Highways.
3.3 Nothing in this by-law prevents enforcement under relevant Acts or Regulations including Ontario Regulation 316/03 of the Highway Traffic Act, as amended, and the Off-Road Vehicles Act, as amended.
3.4 No person shall operate an Extreme Terrain Vehicle on a Highway under the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa.
3.5 No person shall operate an Off-Road Motorcycle on a Highway under the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa.
3.6 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle on a Highway unless it meets the equipment requirements of Ontario Regulation 316/03, as amended, and is operated in accordance with Ontario Regulation 316/03, as amended.
3.7 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle on a Highway at a rate of speed greater than:
3.7.1 20 kilometres per hour, if the speed limit established for that part of the Highway is not greater than 50 kilometres per hour; or
3.7.2 50 kilometres per hour, if the speed limit established for that part of the Highway is greater than 50 kilometres per hour.
3.8 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle on a Highway except on a designated route as described in Appendix “A” attached hereto.
3.9 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle on a County of Renfrew Highway located within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Petawawa, except on a designated route as described in Appendix “B” attached hereto. Appendix “B” is only valid if the County of Renfrew adopts a corresponding by-law to allow Off-Road Vehicle access.
3.10 Algonquin Trail Off-Road Vehicle Access Route
3.10.1 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle on a Highway to access the Algonquin Trail from their place of residence, except on a designated route as described in Appendix “C” attached hereto.
3.10.2 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle on a Highway to access their place of residence from the Algonquin Trail, except on a designated route as described in Appendix “C” attached hereto.
3.10.3 Residents are expected to take the shortest most direct route to access the Algonquin Trail from their place of residence and to return to their place of residence from the Algonquin Trail.
3.10.4 It is an offence to operate an Off-Road Vehicle on the Algonquin Trail Off-Road Vehicle Access Route if the destination of the Off-Road Vehicle is other than the operator’s/person’s place of residence or the Algonquin Trail.
3.10.5 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle on the Algonquin Trail Off-Road Vehicle Access Route unless the person resides on the route, or the person is travelling in the same Off-Road Vehicle with a person who resides on the route.
3.11 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle on a Highway except between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
3.12 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle on a Highway except from May 1 to November 30.
3.13 No person shall operate an Off-Road Vehicle:
3.13.1 Over or upon any park, playground, or beach area under the jurisdiction of the municipality.
3.13.2 Over or upon any sports field under the jurisdiction of the municipality.
3.13.3 On any municipally owned public property in the municipality without the consent of the owner, save and except the designated parking area located at Norman Behnke Hall, 11 Norman Street, which shall be made available as an Off-Road Vehicle staging area to facilitate access to the Algonquin Trail.
3.13.4 On any sidewalk, multi-use pathway, or boulevard within the municipality.
3.13.5 With an exhaust system that has been changed or altered from the installed factory stock exhaust system. Modifications are not permitted.
3.14 No person shall leave an Off-Road Vehicle within the municipal road allowance.
4. Enforcement
4.1 Where applicable, the provisions of this By-law shall be enforced by a Police Officer, or a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer as appointed by Council.
4.2 That every person who contravenes any provision of this By-law is guilty of an offence and shall, upon conviction be subject to such fines as may be provided for pursuant to the provisions of the Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.33, as amended.
4.3 No person shall obstruct, hinder or otherwise interfere with a Police Officer, Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, or another duly appointed individual in the lawful carrying out of their duties and responsibilities under the provisions of this By-law.
4.4 Failure to stop when directed by a Police Officer or Municipal Law Enforcement Officer shall be an offence of obstruction.
5. Severability/Effective Date
5.1 If any section, clause or provision of this By-law is for any reason declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the by-law as a whole or any part thereof, other than the section, clause or provision so declared to be invalid, and it is hereby declared to be the intention that all remaining sections, clauses or provisions of this By-law shall remain in force and effect until repealed, notwithstanding that one or more provisions thereof shall have been declared to be invalid.
5.2 That Appendix “A”, Town of Petawawa Designated Routes, attached hereto, is deemed to form part of this by-law.
5.3 That Appendix “B”, County of Renfrew Designated Routes, attached hereto, is deemed to form part of this by-law subject to the County of Renfrew adopting a corresponding by-law.
5.4 That Appendix “C”, Algonquin Trail Off-Road Vehicle Access Route, attached hereto, is deemed to form part of this by-law.
5.5 That it is hereby recognized that this By-law may be revoked and repealed at any time by Council of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa.
5.6 This by-law shall come into force and effect upon the date of final passing thereof.
By-law read a first and second time this 4th day of July, 2023.
By-law read a third time and passed this 4th day of July, 2023.
“Original Signed”
Signature of the Mayor
“Original Signed”
Signature of the Clerk
Appendix “A” to By-law 1597/23
Town of Petawawa Designated Routes
As per Section 3.8, below is a description and a map of the designated routes that Off-Road Vehicles are permitted to travel on within the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa:
ORVs may travel on the following portions of Town of Petawawa municipal roads to access core services:
Appendix A Map – Town of Petawawa Designated Routes
Appendix “B” to By-law 1597/23
County of Renfrew Designated Routes
As per Section 3.9, below is a description and a map of the designated routes that Off-Road Vehicles are permitted to travel on County of Renfrew Highways located within the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa, subject to the County of Renfrew adopting a corresponding by-law:
Appendix B Map – County of Renfrew Designated Routes
Appendix “C” to By-law 1597/23
adopted by By-law 1664/24 on June 3, 2024
Algonquin Trail Off-Road Vehicle Access Route
As per Section 3.10, below is a description and five (5) maps of the designated routes that Off-Road Vehicles are permitted to travel on within the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa and the County of Renfrew to access the Algonquin Trail.
Residents are expected to take the shortest most direct route to access the Algonquin Trail and to return to their place of residence from the Algonquin Trail.
It is an offence to operate an Off-Road Vehicle on the Algonquin Trail Off-Road Vehicle Access Route if the destination of the Off-Road Vehicle is other than the operator’s/person’s place of residence or the Algonquin Trail.
The residents of the above-noted streets are to access the Algonquin Trail via New Street.
The residents of the above-noted streets are to access the Algonquin Trail via Gutzman Road/Petawawa Boulevard/Black Bay Road intersection or Laurentian Drive/Petawawa Boulevard intersection.
The residents of the above-noted streets are to access the Algonquin Trail via Gutzman Road/Petawawa Boulevard/Black Bay Road intersection or Laurentian Drive/Petawawa Boulevard intersection.
The residents of the above-noted streets are to access the Algonquin Trail via Radtke Road/Petawawa Boulevard/Airport Road intersection or Biesenthal Road.
The residents of the above-noted streets are to access the Algonquin Trail via Achray Road or Biesenthal Road or Airport Road (via Biesenthal Road).
COUNTY OF RENFREW
BY-LAW NUMBER 91-24
A BY-LAW TO REGULATE THE OPERATION OF OFF-ROAD VEHICLES ON COUNTY OF RENFREW ROADS
WHEREAS Section 191.8, subsection (3), the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 8, as amended, provides that a municipality may pass by-laws:
(a) permitting the operation of off-road vehicles or classes of off-road vehicles on any highway within the municipality that is under the jurisdiction of the municipality, or on any part or parts of such highway, subject to any limitations prescribed under clause (2.1) (b);
(b) prohibiting the operation of off-road vehicles on any highway within the municipality that is under the jurisdiction of the municipality, or on any part or parts of such highway, in accordance with a regulation under clause (2.1) (a).
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the County of Renfrew enacts as follows:
1. Definitions.
In this By-law,
“Highway” shall include a common and public highway, street, avenue, parkway and driveway, any part of which is intended for use or used by the general public for the passage of vehicles and includes the area between the lateral property lines thereof.
“Off-Road Vehicle” shall mean an off-road vehicle within the meaning of the Off-Road Vehicles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 0.4, as amended.
2. Regulation of Off-Road Vehicles on Highways.
An Off-Road Vehicle shall not be operated on Highways unless it meets and is operated in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 316/03 Operation of Off-Road Vehicles on Highways under the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, as amended by O. Reg. 315/20.
3. General.
Operation of Off-Road Vehicles shall be permitted on all Highways under the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the County of Renfrew with the exceptions of those Highways or parts of such Highways listed on Schedule “I” attached to this By-law.
4. Penalties.
Any person who contravenes any section of this By-law is guilty of an offence and upon conviction is liable to a fine as provided for in the Provincial Offences Act.
5. Validity.
If any section, clause or provision of this By-law is for any reason declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the By-law as a whole or any part thereof other than that section, clause or provision so declared to be invalid and it is hereby declared to be the intention that all the remaining sections, clauses or provisions of the By-law shall remain in full force and effect until repealed, notwithstanding that one or more provisions thereof shall have been declared to be invalid.
6. THAT By-laws 27-21, 56-23, and 77-23 are hereby repealed.
7. THAT this By-law shall come into force and take effect immediately upon the date of its passing.
READ a first time this 29th day of May, 2024.
READ a second time this 29th day of May, 2024.
READ a third time and finally passed this 29th day of May, 2024.
PETER EMON, WARDEN
GWEN DOMBROSKI, CLERK
SCHEDULE I
| County Road/Name | From | To | Municipality |
| 1- Madawaska Boulevard, Elgin Street | East limit of the Madawaska River Bridge | The intersection with County Road 10 (Division Street) | Arnprior |
| 2- Daniel Street and White Lake Road | Madawaska Street | County Road 10 (Baskin Drive) | Arnprior |
| 2- White Lake Road | Staye Court Drive/Winners Circle | County Road 45 (Vanjumar Drive) | Arnprior |
| 16 Victoria Street | Laurentian Drive | Petawawa Boulevard | Petawawa |
| 25- Laurentian Drive | Victoria Street | 333 Laurentian Drive | Petawawa |
| 26 Doran Road | Algonquin Trail | Evergreen Drive | Petawawa |
| Except for: | Airport Road south intersection limit | Airport Road north intersection limit | Petawawa |
| 26 Doran Road | Achray Road | Highway 17 | Petawawa |
| 35- Boundary Road East | Jean Avenue | Trafalgar Road | Laurentian Valley |
| 37- Murphy Road | Algonquin Trail | Highway 17 | Petawawa |
| 51- Pembroke St. W. and Petawawa Boulevard | Pembroke City Limit | Limestone Trail | Laurentian Valley Petawawa |
| Except for: | Black Bay Road south intersection limit | Black Bay Road north intersection limit | Petawawa |
| And | Laurentian Drive south intersection limit | Laurentian Drive north intersection limit | Petawawa |
| And | Radtke Road/Airport Road south intersection limit | Radtke Road/Airport Road north intersection limit | Petawawa |
| And | Golf Course Road/B-Line Road south intersection limit | Golf Course Road/B-Line Road north intersection limit | Petawawa/Laurentian Valley |
| 51-Petawawa Boulevard | 2991 Petawawa Boulevard | Paquette Road | Petawawa |
| Except for: | Canadian Forces Drive south intersection limit | Canadian Forces Drive north intersection limit | Petawawa |
| And | Civic Centre Road south intersection limit | Civic Centre Road north intersection limit | Petawawa |
| And | Mohns Avenue south intersection limit | Mohns Avenue north intersection limit | Petawawa |
| 52- Raglan Street | Highway 60 | Pine Street | Renfrew |
| 55- Paquette Road | Highway 17 | Petawawa Boulevard | Petawawa |
