Off-Road Vehicles on Town Streets

The Town of Arnprior has adopted an Off-Road Vehicles By-Law to regulate the use of off-road vehicles on Town roads within the Town of Arnprior. It is important to understand that Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, Off-Road Vehicles Act, the County of Renfrew’s Off-Road Vehicle By-law, and the County of Renfrew’s Algonquin Trail Regulation By-Law also govern the use of off-road vehicles. It is the ORV operator’s responsibility to research the ORV by-law in the municipality they wish to ride.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, the Town of Arnprior regulates where ORV use can occur, times of use and speed limits. The Town’s authority is limited to municipal roadways.

It is important to note that the municipal By-law reflects the same types of ATVs designated in the Highway Traffic Act. Operators should familiarize themselves with the ATV and ORV required specifications before heading out on the roads. Particular attention should be made to Ontario Regulation 316/03, as amended, regarding the operation of off-road vehicles on highways.

To learn more about the use of these types of vehicles, and familiarize yourself with the municipal by-law, as well as relevant Highway Traffic Act and Off-Road Vehicles Act regulations, please see the list of frequently asked questions and resources below. We encourage you to review these questions before operating your off-road vehicle within the Town of Arnprior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I permitted to drive my off-road vehicle on local roads?

Yes. Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) users are permitted to drive their off-road vehicles on most local roads in order to access the Algonquin Trail / Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail.

When am I permitted to drive my off-road vehicle on Town roads?

Off-road vehicles are not permitted between 11:00 PM one day until 7:00 AM the following day (overnight hours). They are permitted on roadways to access the Algonquin Trail between May 1 and November 30 inclusive in any year when the trail is open to off-road vehicles.

What roads am I permitted to drive on?

Off road vehicles are permitted on most residential roads in order to access the Algonquin Trail / Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail; however, there are some exceptions as outlined below for high-traffic and other designated roads.

What roads are off-road vehicles prohibited on?

Off-road vehicles are not permitted on the following roads:

John Street North from Meehan Street to Robert Simpson Park
Elgin Street West from Daniel Street North to Division Street
Ottawa Street from John Street North to Harrington Street
Madawaska Street from Elgin Street West to the easterly side of the Madawaska River Bridge
Daniel Street between Madawaska Street and Baskin Drive
White Lake Road between Staye Court Drive and Vanjumar Drive

You can view the Town of Arnprior road network showing the prohibited roads denoted in red on Google Maps.

What are the speed limits for off-road vehicles on municipal roads?

An off-road vehicle shall not be driven at a rate of speed greater than 20 km per hour on all municipal roads regardless of the posted speed limit.

Can I drive my off-road vehicle through municipal parks, trails, sports fields, playgrounds, cemeteries and walking trails?

No. Off-road vehicles are prohibited from any municipally owned or municipally maintained lands such as parks, playgrounds, beaches, sports fields, cemeteries, and the Nick Smith Centre except designated parking areas made available as an off-road vehicle staging area.

Do I need a licence and insurance to drive my off-road vehicle?

Yes, similar to driving a motor vehicle, off-road vehicles users must be licensed and off-road vehicles must be registered and insured when operating on Town streets.

Who enforces the off-road vehicle By-law?

The Town's Off Road Vehicles By-Law is enforceable by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers, or other such persons appointed by the Municipality.
Provisions related to the Highway Traffic Act and Ontario Regulation 316/03 are enforceable by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

What should I do if I encounter a driver who is operating their vehicle outside of the permitted use?

Please contact the OPP at 9-1-1 for emergencies or 1-888-310-1122 for non-emergencies for ORV-related complaints relating to:

Speed while driving on roads
Riders without helmets
Damage to private property
Trespassing
Dangerous operation of an ORV
Suspected impaired driver

Please contact Municipal Law Enforcement Services (MLES) at 613-809-7048 for ORV-related complaints relating to:

Damage to road infrastructure (signs, ditches, road shoulders, road surface)
Damage to public parks, trails, and other municipal property
Modified exhaust systems / noise in excess of regular ridership
Riding in public parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, etc.

Where can I find more information on the Algonquin Trail / Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail?

The Algonquin Trail / Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail is owned and operated by the County of Renfrew and Lanark County for the benefit of local residents and visitors. You can learn more on the Ottawa Valley Trail website.

Resources

Town of Arnprior - Off-Road Vehicle By-Law No. 6647-16
Town of Arnprior - By-Law No. 7321-22 (Amend ORV By-Law)
County of Renfrew - Algonquin Trail By-law No. 119-18
County of Renfrew - Off-Road Vehicles on County Roads By-Law No. 56-23
County of Renfrew - Algonquin Trail / Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail Website
Ontario Ministry of Transportation - Driving an Off-Road Vehicle
Ontario Provincial Police - Ride Safe Brochure