Friday, April 17, 2026 |
Photo – ATV’S – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga has begun the process of allowing off‑road vehicles to legally operate on town streets.
Last September, Saratoga Police Chief John Moore said he’d received complaints about side‑by‑sides and other off‑road vehicles operating in town. Chief Moore reminded residents that Wyoming Statute 31‑2‑232 requires all off-road vehicles to be registered and display a Wyoming Department of Transportation license plate to be driven in Saratoga.
The Saratoga Police Department hadn’t been citing ORV users, but the chief acknowledged that the vehicles were technically illegal on town streets. In response, the Saratoga Town Council directed Chief Moore to draft an ordinance designating every street in town as an ORV route, which would allow side‑by‑sides, four‑wheelers, and off‑road motorcycles to drive in town.
Before the April 15th regular Saratoga Town Council meeting, the governing body held a public hearing to discuss the completed ordinance. Chief Moore said the change will allow off‑road vehicles with valid permit stickers from the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to use the town’s roads.
Chief Moore said the new regulations mirror the state statutes for qualifying for a Multipurpose Vehicle license plate. Drivers must have a valid license and proper insurance. However, under the ordinance, only an ORV permit sticker is required to operate in town.
To qualify for a Multipurpose Vehicle plate from the Wyoming Department of Transportation, the machine must have functional headlights, taillights, brake lights, and a muffler. In addition, it must have a horn and a rear‑facing mirror. Turn signals are not required. An ORV sticker is not needed for machines already plated as Multipurpose Vehicles.
Chief Moore said that under the new ordinance, vehicles operating under an ORV sticker are prohibited from driving in town at night.
Chief Moore added that drivers under 18 will be required to wear a helmet when operating four‑wheelers and motorcycles, but not side‑by‑sides, as they are typically equipped with seat belts.
A meeting attendee asked why the ordinance was being changed at this time. Chief Moore explained that the loosened regulations will allow visitors to drive ORVs directly from Saratoga to nearby trail systems.
Chief Moore added that ORV sticker holders will be prohibited from using Highway 130. As a state highway, 130 is exempt from the town’s ORV trail designations. The police chief said users may cross the road but not travel along it.
Machines with Multipurpose Vehicle plates may legally use the highway.
Chief Moore said ORV stickers can be purchased at Shively Hardware and Shively North. The permits can also be ordered online and picked up at the Country Store.
With no further questions, Mayor Chuck Davis closed the public hearing. Later, during the regular town council meeting, the governing body unanimously approved the new ORV regulation on its first reading. Like all ordinance changes, the measure must be presented and voted on three times during three separate meetings before it can be adopted into law.
