Sophia's River Ordinances

UTV Operation on Public Roadways

The operation of a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) upon a public roadway within the Township shall be permitted only when all of the following requirements are satisfied:

• The UTV is properly registered with the Province or Township Motor Vehicle Association, as applicable.

• The operator is properly restrained by a functioning seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion.

• The UTV is operated only upon roadways with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less.

• The UTV is equipped with and maintains:

  • A functional roof or overhead protective structure;

  • Operational turn signals;

  • A clearly visible and properly displayed registration plate; and

  • Operational front-facing headlights or other required forward-facing lighting.

Failure to satisfy any of the requirements of this section shall render the operation of the UTV upon a public roadway unlawful.

Prohibition of ATV Operation on Public Roadways

The operation of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) upon any public roadway within the Township is prohibited.

This prohibition shall apply regardless of whether the ATV is properly registered or equipped with required safety equipment.

The Sophia's River Police Service (SRPS) and other authorized emergency or governmental personnel may operate ATVs upon public roadways when such operation is conducted in the performance of official duties or otherwise authorized by the Township.

Municipal Parking Facilities

Municipal parking lots, spaces, and facilities designated for restricted, reserved, employee, governmental, or otherwise non-public use shall not be used for unauthorized parking.

A vehicle parked in a municipal parking facility or space not designated for public use may be subject to:

• A municipal parking citation or other applicable penalty; and/or

• Immediate removal or towing at the owner's expense.

The Township may establish and post additional restrictions, permit requirements, or reserved-use designations for municipal parking facilities.

Emergency Vehicle Access

No person shall park, stand, or leave a vehicle unattended in a manner that blocks or substantially restricts access to:

• Fire lanes;

• Emergency vehicle access routes;

• Fire hydrants;

• Ambulance entrances;

• Police, fire, or emergency service facilities; or

• Any roadway or access point specifically designated for emergency response.

Vehicles in violation may be cited and immediately towed at the owner's expense.

Abandoned or Disabled Vehicles

A vehicle left unattended upon a public roadway for an unreasonable period due to abandonment, mechanical failure, or other circumstances may be subject to removal by order of the Township Police Department or other authorized municipal official.

A disabled vehicle shall, when reasonably possible, be moved out of the active travel lanes and appropriately marked or otherwise made visible to approaching traffic.

Sidewalk and Pedestrian Access

No person shall park, stop, or leave a vehicle in a manner that obstructs a sidewalk, pedestrian crossing, curb ramp, pedestrian pathway, or other designated pedestrian access route.

Vehicles shall maintain sufficient clearance to allow safe and reasonable passage by pedestrians.

Curbside Parking

Where curbside parking is permitted, vehicles shall be parked in a lawful manner and in accordance with posted signs, pavement markings, and traffic-control regulations.

No vehicle shall be parked facing against the direction of traffic.

Commercial Vehicle and Oversized Vehicle Parking

The Township prohibits the overnight or extended parking of commercial vehicles, trailers, buses, recreational vehicles, heavy equipment, or other oversized vehicles upon residential streets or municipal parking facilities where such vehicles interfere with traffic, emergency access, snow removal, or neighborhood access.

Such restrictions shall be established by posted signage, municipal regulation, or designated parking zones.

Restriction of tractors/frontloaders without being towed/on a flatbed.

Open Burning in Public Parks

No person shall kindle, maintain, or permit a large campfire, bonfire, or other open fire within any township-owned or township-maintained city park, except where expressly authorized by the township Fire Marshal during authorized celebrations.

Burn Permit Requirement

A burn permit shall be obtained from the township Fire Marshal or other designated fire authority prior to conducting any burn pile, campfire, or other open burning activity that:

• Exceeds five (5) feet in diameter or width; or

• Exceeds three (3) feet in height.

No person shall construct or maintain a burn meeting either threshold without first obtaining the required permit.

Location of Open Burns

Open burning, including campfires, burn piles, and similar fires, shall be permitted only on private property and only with the consent of the property owner. Open burning on public property, township property, or other property not privately owned is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the township.

Fireworks in Industrial and Commercial Districts

The discharge, ignition, or use of fireworks within any designated industrial or commercial zoning district is prohibited unless prior written approval has been obtained from the Fire Marshal or an authorized representative.

The Fire Marshal may impose reasonable conditions, safety requirements, or restrictions as a condition of such approval.

Fireworks Near High-Rise Structures

No person shall discharge, ignite, or use fireworks within 500 feet of any structure with a height of 140 feet or greater, regardless of the zoning district in which the structure is located.

Enforcement

Any person who violates a provision of this ordinance shall be subject to the penalties, fines, and enforcement measures established by township law. The Fire Marshal, fire department, police department, or other authorized township officials may order the immediate extinguishment of any fire or cessation of fireworks activity conducted in violation of this ordinance.

Open Carry and Transport to Authorized Ranges

The open carrying of a firearm upon public property, public roadways, municipal property, or other locations within the Township is prohibited, except as otherwise authorized by law.

A person may openly carry or transport a firearm when moving the firearm directly from a privately owned vehicle to an authorized shooting range, provided that:

• The person is lawfully permitted to possess the firearm;

• The firearm is being transported directly to or from the range;

• The person remains on the property of the authorized shooting range, including its designated parking area, while openly carrying the firearm; and

• The firearm is not carried openly beyond the range property or its designated parking area.

Nothing in this section shall prohibit law enforcement officers, authorized security personnel, or other persons specifically exempted by applicable law from carrying firearms in the performance of their official duties.

Concealed Carry and Secure Firearm Storage

A firearm carried within the Township in a concealed manner shall be secured in a manner designed to prevent the firearm from being openly visible, unintentionally exposed, or readily accessible to unauthorized persons.

A concealed firearm shall be carried in one of the following, or another substantially equivalent secure method:

• A properly designed concealed-carry holster;

• A secured glove compartment;

• A designated firearm compartment or other secure vehicle compartment; or

• Another enclosed and secure carrying method designed to retain and conceal the firearm.

A firearm shall not be considered properly concealed or secured when it is:

• Loosely placed within a vehicle or passenger compartment;

• Left unsecured on a seat, dashboard, floor, or other exposed surface;

• Tucked into a waistband, pair of pants, shorts, or similar clothing without an appropriate holster; or

• Carried in any manner that allows the firearm to become exposed, displaced, or readily accessible through ordinary movement.

Township Firearm Ownership Documentation

Any Township resident who lawfully possesses a firearm for the purpose of concealed carry shall maintain current Township Firearm Ownership Documentation (TFOD) issued or recognized by the Township. In ordinance with Commonwealth law, if a person does not hold proper documentation for their firearm (in this case if they are a resident), they can be arrested or fined. 

The documentation shall identify the lawful firearm owner and may contain such information as is reasonably necessary for verification of lawful ownership and compliance with this ordinance.

Failure to possess or produce the required Township documentation when lawfully required to do so may constitute a violation of this ordinance, subject to any exemptions or protections established by Provincial or Commonwealth law. 

Masking & Concealing Identity 

At the request of law enforcement, private property owners, security guards, or other enforcement officials, someone may be asked to remove a mask in order to retain better contact. 

One may not set up or maintain a campsite in a city owned property.