UTVs Allowed On Lake Ozark City Streets, With A Few Limits

LAKE OZARK, Mo. — Outdoor enthusiasts love Lake of the Ozarks for its body of water and stunning landscapes, which lends itself to the recreational use of off-road vehicles. Navigating Lake Ozark's city streets and highways on a utility vehicle, however, has been a no-go, until now.

Last Tuesday, a new ordinance was passed by the Lake Ozark Board of Alderman which expanded the legal use of UTVs on its streets and highways, with restrictions.

For most residents, the key change is that this allows them to drive the vehicle within three miles of their home.

A special $15 permit can also be acquired to drive on other roads with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less.

If a UTV doesn't travel above 25 mph, then a slow-moving vehicle emblem has to be displayed, and it can't operate between sunset and a half hour before sunrise.

Here's the nitty-gritty details for the ordinance. Section 340.115 is amended as follows:

1. UTVs and recreational off-highway vehicles are generally prohibited operating on city highways, except under specific circumstances:

- When owned and operated by the government for official use

- When operated for agricultural or industrial on-premises purposes during daylight hours, unless properly equipped with lighting

- When operated by handicapped individuals on secondary roads between sunrise and sunset

- When operated within three (3) miles of the operator's primary residence

- When issued a special permit, allowing operation on city streets with speed limits of 45 mph or less, except on federal, state, or county highways, where limited to crossing intersections with speed limits below 45 mph

- Special permits require inspection by the Lake Ozark Police Department with proof of financial liability and liability insurance. The fee is $15 and is valid for a year

2. Off-road vehicles may only be operated within waterways on land owned or permitted by the operator, or for agricultural purposes within such boundaries

3. Operators must possess a valid motor vehicle license, and are exempt from motorcycle examination requirements

4. Operators cannot act in a careless way that endangers a person or property, must not be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, and still have to comply with general traffic ordinances

- Vehicle requirements like headlamps, tail lamps, reflectors, mirrors, seat belts, parking brakes, and a horn or alert sound must be in compliance, as well as the number of passengers the UTV allows

- When on the road under Lake Ozark's jurisdiction, a recreational off-highway vehicle must have a roll bar or cage construction to reduce the risk of injury in case of a roll over

This ordinance became effective upon passage by the BOA on April 23, 2024.