ATV Routes or ATV Route Signing Applications: WisDOT Review Process

Statute references: ss. 23.33(8)(b)1. and 3.
Municipality or county:

1. Designate a state highway segment as an ATV route by enacting an ATV ordinance or amending an existing ordinance.
2. Submit a copy of the approved ordinance to the transportation region office (region) along with an email or letter requesting WisDOT ATV route approval.
3. The region reviews the route order request and may deny or tentatively approve it.
4. If the region tentatively approves the request, it may require the municipality or county to develop a separate Memorandum of Agreement that outlines their various route maintenance responsibilities and costs that become part of an ATV route order.
5. The region reviews the ordinance to determine if it meets statutory intent:
• The region may request that ordinance revisions be made before route order approval can occur.
• Revisions are made and the new ordinance is enacted.
• Ordinance is resubmitted to the region.
6. The region submits its recommendation to Central Office, Bureau of Highway Maintenance (BHM).
7. BHM reviews, consults with the region, then either approves or denies the request.
8. If BHM approves, it develops an ATV route order, which is sent to municipal and county clerks, DNR, local law enforcement, and State Patrol.
9. The municipality or county submits an ATV route signing permit application to the region.
10. The region traffic section reviews the application to determine if the proposed signs and locations are correct. Adjustments may be needed to not conflict with regulatory and other signing.
11. The region approves the ATV route signing permit.
12. The municipality or county may erect the ATV route signs. On state highways, only county highway departments working under contract for WisDOT shall install the signs. Note: WisDOT does not pay for sign materials or installation.
13. ATVs may legally operate on the state highway ONLY after signs have been erected.

ATV route designation may be denied because:

• Route and/or trail alternatives exist locally that provide connectivity even if it means a longer trip.
• State highway right-of-way is wide enough or adjacent local property is available to build an ATV trail, which provides a safer travel alternative (due to high traffic volumes, roadway geometrics, crash history, etc.).
• The route segment is located on an alternate Interstate route this is used for incident management.

Statute references: ss. 23.33(4)(d)3.b. and (11)(am)3.
Municipality AND county:

1. Enact an ATV ordinance or amend an existing one to authorize the operation of ATVs to cross a bridge 1,000 feet or less in length between two specific termini, which typically are non-dead-end roads or trails that ATVs can travel. The ordinance must also enumerate the five items in (11)(am)3.(a)-(e)
2. Either the municipality or county submits an ATV route signing permit application to the transportation region office (region) along with a copy of both ATV ordinances. WisDOT will not begin the application review process until ordinances are enacted by both units of government.
3. The region reviews each ordinance to determine if it meets statutory intent.
• The region may request that ordinance revisions be made before the ATV route signing permit is approved.
• Revisions are made and the new ordinance(s) is(are) enacted.
• Ordinance is resubmitted to the region.
4. If the ordinances meet statutory intent, the region traffic section reviews the signing application to determine if the proposed signs and locations are correct. Adjustments may be needed to not conflict with regulatory and other signing.
5. The region approves the ATV route signing permit.
6. The municipality or county may erect the ATV route signs. On state highways, only county highway departments working under contract for WisDOT shall install the signs. Note: WisDOT does not pay for sign materials or installation.
7. ATVs may legally operate on the state highway ONLY after signs have been erected.

Statutory reference: s. 23.33(11)(am)4.
Municipality only:

1. Enact an ATV ordinance or amend an existing one to authorize the operation of ATVs on state highways with a posted speed of 35 mph or less within its municipal boundary.
2. Submit an ATV route signing permit application to the transportation region office (region) along with a copy of the ATV ordinance.
3. The region reviews the ordinance to determine if it meets statutory intent.
• The region may request that ordinance revisions be made before the ATV route signing permit is approved.
• Revisions are made and the new ordinance is enacted.
• Ordinance is resubmitted to the region.
4. If the ordinance meets statutory intent, the region traffic section reviews the signing application to determine if the proposed signs and locations are correct. Adjustments may be needed to not conflict with regulatory and other signing.
5. The region approves the ATV route signing permit.
6. The municipality or county may erect the ATV route signs. On state highways, only county highway departments working under contract for WisDOT shall install the signs. Note: WisDOT does not pay for sign materials or installation.
7. ATVs may legally operate on the state highway ONLY after signs have been erected.

Statutory reference: s. 23.33(8)(e)3.
Municipality or county:

1. Enact an ATV ordinance designating all of its roads as ATV routes.
2. Submit an ATV route signing permit application to the transportation region office (region) along with a copy of the ATV ordinance.
3. The region reviews the ordinance to determine if it meets statutory intent.
• The region may request that ordinance revisions be made before the ATV route signing permit is approved.
• Revisions are made and the new ordinance is enacted.
• Ordinance is resubmitted to the region.
4. If the ordinance meets statutory intent, the region traffic section reviews the signing application to determine if the proposed signs and locations are correct. Adjustments may be needed to not conflict with regulatory and other signing.
5. The region approves the ATV route signing permit.
6. The municipality or county may erect the D11-10A signs. On state highways, only county highway departments working under contract for WisDOT shall install the signs. Note: WisDOT does not pay for sign materials or installation.