Florida Statutes for ATV Use
FLORIDA STATUTES TITLE 18 Public Lands and Property (Guidelines and regulations for ATV usage in Florida)
To view all Florida Statutes that govern ATV usage in Florida click here for the PDF from the CPSC site on ATV Safety.
Chapter 261 OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE SAFETY AND RECREATION
261.01 Short title.--This chapter may be cited as the "T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act."
261.02 Legislative findings and intent.--
(1) The Legislature finds that off-highway vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in this state and that the use of these vehicles should be controlled and managed to minimize negative effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, native wildlife, and native flora and fauna.
(2) The Legislature declares that effectively managed areas and adequate facilities for the use of off-highway vehicles are compatible with this state's overall recreation plan and the underlying goal of multiple use.
(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that:
(a) Existing off-highway vehicle recreational areas, facilities, and opportunities be improved and appropriately expanded and be managed in a manner consistent with this chapter, in particular to maintain natural resources and sustained long-term use of off-highway vehicle trails and areas.
(b) New off-highway vehicle recreational areas, facilities, and opportunities be provided and managed pursuant to this chapter in a manner that will sustain both long-term use and the environment.
(4) Nothing contained within this chapter shall be construed to require the construction or maintenance of off-highway vehicle recreation areas, facilities, or trails on public lands where such construction or maintenance would be inconsistent with the property's management objectives or land management plan.
261.03 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) "Advisory committee" means the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Advisory Committee created by s. 261.04.
(2) "ATV" means any motorized off-highway or all-terrain vehicle 50 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of 900 pounds or less, designed to travel on three or more low-pressure tires, having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control, and intended for use by a single operator with no passenger.
(3) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(4) "Division" means the Division of Forestry of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(5) "OHM" or "off-highway motorcycle" means any motor vehicle used off the roads or highways of this state that has a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and is designed to travel with not more than two wheels in contact with the ground, but excludes a tractor or a moped.
(6) "Off-highway vehicle" means any ATV, two-rider ATV, or OHM that is used off the roads or highways of this state and that is not registered and licensed for highway use under chapter 320.
(7) "Program" means the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Program.
(8) "Public lands" means lands within the state that are available for public use and that are owned, operated, or managed by a federal, state, county, or municipal governmental entity.
(9) "System" means the off-highway vehicle recreation areas and trails on public lands within the state.
(10) "Trust fund" means the Incidental Trust Fund of the Division of Forestry of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
FLORIDA STATUTES TITLE 18 Public Lands and Property
Chapter 258 STATE PARKS AND PRESERVES
258.156 Savannas State Reserve.-As used in this act:
(1) "Savannas" means the Savannas State Reserve located in St. Lucie and Martin Counties, generally described as lying within sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 24, Township 36 South, Range 40 East, sections 7, 18, 19, 29, 30, 31, and 32, Township 36 South, Range 41 East, sections 4, 5, 8, 9, 16, and 21, Township 37 South, Range 41 East, and as more particularly described in the official records of Martin and St. Lucie Counties.
(2) "Vehicle" means a motorized device, such as a motor vehicle or a piece of mechanized equipment, for the transporting of passengers, goods, or apparatus.
(3) "Firearm" means a weapon capable of firing a missile, including a pistol, rifle, or shotgun using an explosive charge as a propellant; a spearfish gun; a crossbow; or a bow and arrow.
(4) "A.T.V." means an all-terrain vehicle, a motorized vehicle which may be used on or off a road, may traverse forest or wetlands, and may have two or more wheels. For purposes of this act, a motorcycle is considered to be an A.T.V.
258.157 Prohibited acts in Savannas State Reserve
(1) It is unlawful for any person, except an on-duty law enforcement or conservation officer, to operate a vehicle or A.T.V. in the Savannas unless such person is using the provided ingress or egress to a private holding within the described boundary or using the vehicle or A.T.V. to transport a boat to a public boat ramp accessible only through state reserve property, or unless the vehicle or A.T.V. is being used in conjunction with a permitted or supervised educational field trip, a wildlife survey, or state agency natural resources management activities.
(2) It is unlawful for any person, except a law enforcement or conservation officer, to have in his or her possession any firearm while within the Savannas except when in compliance with regulations established by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission applying to lands within the described boundaries.
(3) Any person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable s provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
To view all Florida Statutes that govern ATV usage in Florida click here for the PDF from the CPSC site on ATV Safety.
Chapter 261 OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE SAFETY AND RECREATION
261.01 Short title.--This chapter may be cited as the "T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act."
261.02 Legislative findings and intent.--
(1) The Legislature finds that off-highway vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in this state and that the use of these vehicles should be controlled and managed to minimize negative effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, native wildlife, and native flora and fauna.
(2) The Legislature declares that effectively managed areas and adequate facilities for the use of off-highway vehicles are compatible with this state's overall recreation plan and the underlying goal of multiple use.
(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that:
(a) Existing off-highway vehicle recreational areas, facilities, and opportunities be improved and appropriately expanded and be managed in a manner consistent with this chapter, in particular to maintain natural resources and sustained long-term use of off-highway vehicle trails and areas.
(b) New off-highway vehicle recreational areas, facilities, and opportunities be provided and managed pursuant to this chapter in a manner that will sustain both long-term use and the environment.
(4) Nothing contained within this chapter shall be construed to require the construction or maintenance of off-highway vehicle recreation areas, facilities, or trails on public lands where such construction or maintenance would be inconsistent with the property's management objectives or land management plan.
261.03 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) "Advisory committee" means the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Advisory Committee created by s. 261.04.
(2) "ATV" means any motorized off-highway or all-terrain vehicle 50 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of 900 pounds or less, designed to travel on three or more low-pressure tires, having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control, and intended for use by a single operator with no passenger.
(3) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(4) "Division" means the Division of Forestry of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(5) "OHM" or "off-highway motorcycle" means any motor vehicle used off the roads or highways of this state that has a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and is designed to travel with not more than two wheels in contact with the ground, but excludes a tractor or a moped.
(6) "Off-highway vehicle" means any ATV, two-rider ATV, or OHM that is used off the roads or highways of this state and that is not registered and licensed for highway use under chapter 320.
(7) "Program" means the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Program.
(8) "Public lands" means lands within the state that are available for public use and that are owned, operated, or managed by a federal, state, county, or municipal governmental entity.
(9) "System" means the off-highway vehicle recreation areas and trails on public lands within the state.
(10) "Trust fund" means the Incidental Trust Fund of the Division of Forestry of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
FLORIDA STATUTES TITLE 18 Public Lands and Property
Chapter 258 STATE PARKS AND PRESERVES
258.156 Savannas State Reserve.-As used in this act:
(1) "Savannas" means the Savannas State Reserve located in St. Lucie and Martin Counties, generally described as lying within sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 24, Township 36 South, Range 40 East, sections 7, 18, 19, 29, 30, 31, and 32, Township 36 South, Range 41 East, sections 4, 5, 8, 9, 16, and 21, Township 37 South, Range 41 East, and as more particularly described in the official records of Martin and St. Lucie Counties.
(2) "Vehicle" means a motorized device, such as a motor vehicle or a piece of mechanized equipment, for the transporting of passengers, goods, or apparatus.
(3) "Firearm" means a weapon capable of firing a missile, including a pistol, rifle, or shotgun using an explosive charge as a propellant; a spearfish gun; a crossbow; or a bow and arrow.
(4) "A.T.V." means an all-terrain vehicle, a motorized vehicle which may be used on or off a road, may traverse forest or wetlands, and may have two or more wheels. For purposes of this act, a motorcycle is considered to be an A.T.V.
258.157 Prohibited acts in Savannas State Reserve
(1) It is unlawful for any person, except an on-duty law enforcement or conservation officer, to operate a vehicle or A.T.V. in the Savannas unless such person is using the provided ingress or egress to a private holding within the described boundary or using the vehicle or A.T.V. to transport a boat to a public boat ramp accessible only through state reserve property, or unless the vehicle or A.T.V. is being used in conjunction with a permitted or supervised educational field trip, a wildlife survey, or state agency natural resources management activities.
(2) It is unlawful for any person, except a law enforcement or conservation officer, to have in his or her possession any firearm while within the Savannas except when in compliance with regulations established by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission applying to lands within the described boundaries.
(3) Any person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable s provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.