Ordinances

 

 

 

New Fine Schedule

The city council recently adopted a new fine schedule for various offenses.  Officers will cite these violations with a city ordinance citation and the violator will have the choice of paying the ticket at the police department or contesting it in court.  Unpaid citations will be referred to the City Attorney for prosecution where fines and costs can easily exceed $500.

 

Parking Violations	Fine Amount
Routine Parking Violation	$45
Handicapped parking violation	$250
Parked on a Snow Route	$60 plus tow
Blocking a Fire Lane	$60
Overweight Parking-Semis or dump trucks parked overnight on the street	$60
Other City Violations	Fine Amount
Curfew Violations	$100
Possession of tobacco by minors	$100 first Offense $400 Second Offense $600 Third Offense
Trespass	$100
Loitering	$100
Open Alcohol	$100
Vehicle Noise (muffler, stereo or engine braking)	$60
Disorderly Conduct	$100
Fighting	$100
Public Intoxication	$100
Offensive language	$100
Unlawful Public Smoking (Adult)	$100

 

Curfew

Curfew in the City of Genoa 11 PM.

This applies to persons under the age of 17 years who do not have parental permission to be out.

Loud Music, Exhaust, Seatbelts, Bumper Height & Unsafe Equipment

The community is sensitive to loud noise coming from vehicles.  If you can hear the noise from more than 100 feet away a violation is present and State statutes provide for hefty fines starting at $75.  As an alternative, officers may issue citations under local ordinance that do not require a court appearance and carry a lesser fine.  

 Failure to wear a seat belt is now a primary enforcement offense.  This means that you can be stopped just because an officer observes you, or your passengers, not buckled-up. 

 There are restrictions on bumper height that need to be considered if you are inclined to alter your vehicles suspension.

 Cracked windshields, broken or inoperable lights, tinted windows, bald tires and many other unsafe vehicle equipment problems are likely to result in a traffic stop.  In most cases officers will not cite the violation unless the driver has been previously warned but please try to keep your vehicles well maintained.

 The driver of the vehicle is responsible for any and all violations present and they will receive the citation.  Just because you don’t own the vehicle, may have bought the vehicle from someone else in this condition or had it repaired or modified by some business does not excuse you from the responsibility of complying with the law.  There have been cases where persons have paid to have window tinting or suspension enhancements installed by a garage only to find themselves in violation.  Similarly, stating to an officer that you have been driving for months or years in violation without being stopped will not get you out of a ticket. 

Disorderly Conduct, Fighting, Offensive Language & Tobacco Possession

Local ordinances prohibit any conduct that may alarm other persons, fighting, swearing in public and having cigarettes or chewing tobacco on your person if you are less than 18.  Officers will cite these violations whenever they are notified of a violation.  The fine is $100 but more severe offenses can result in an actual arrest.