GENERALLY

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 18, ch. 474, art. I

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.30 Starting and acceleration.

474.30. - Starting and acceleration. No person shall start or accelerate any motor vehicle with an unnecessary exhibition of speed on any public or private way within the city limits. Prima facie evidence of such unnecessary exhibition of speed shall be unreasonable squealing or screeching sounds emitted by the tires or the throwing of sand or gravel by the tires of said vehicle or both. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 403.025; Ord. of 1-31-75, § 1)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.120 Zones of quiet.

474.120. - Zones of quiet. No person in any zone of quiet shall make any unnecessary noise by fast driving, riding, ringing of bells, blowing of horns or whistles, or by cutting out the muffler of any motor vehicle, or in any other way tending to disturb the peace and quiet in said zone. The city engineer shall erect suitable signs to identify said zones. University Avenue Southeast from Eleventh to Eighteenth Avenues is a zone of quiet. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 875.050)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.125 Engine braking.

474.125. - Engine braking. Pursuant to the authority granted in Minnesota Session Law Chapter 350, Article 1, Section 87 (2008), Engine Brakes; Regulation by Minneapolis, it is prohibited to use an engine brake on motor vehicles along Legislative Route No. 107, also known as marked Interstate Highway 394, beginning at the South Penn Avenue interchange in the City of Minneapolis and thence extending easterly to the terminus of marked Interstate Highway 394. For purposes of this section, "engine brake" means any device that uses the engine and transmission to impede the forward motion of the motor vehicle by compression of the engine. (2014-Or-016, § 1, 4-11-14)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.130 Unnecessary sounding of horns.

474.130. - Unnecessary sounding of horns. No person shall sound the horn, siren or other signal or warning device attached to a motor vehicle in a public place between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. This section shall not apply to police, fire or public or private ambulance motor vehicles; and shall not be construed to prevent or prohibit the use or sounding of any such horn, siren, signal or warning device as a danger or warning signal when such use or sounding is necessary in the careful and proper operation of any motor vehicle on the public highways, having due regard to traffic, the condition of the highway, and the safety of persons or property, nor when such use or sounding is required by law or ordinance. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 875.020)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.140 Backing.

474.140. - Backing. No person in control of a vehicle shall back said vehicle without ample warning, and while backing, care must be exercised not to injure persons or property. No person shall back any vehicle around a corner at an intersection of streets or highways, except as provided in section 474.150. (Code 1960, As Amended., § 410.050)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.150 Bus wyeing.

474.150. - Bus wyeing. (a) A driver of a bus operating on a fixed route within the city may wye his bus at a particular regularly established terminal following an investigation and report by the city engineer, approval of the intersections at the particular terminal by the city council for such wyeing operation, and posting of notices at said intersections. The city engineer shall investigate the feasibility and safety of requiring the bus to circle a city block as an alternative to wyeing at a street intersection. (b) The investigation of such an alternative operation shall include a study of the hazard and danger to city property, such as curbs and sidewalks, which may result from the heaving of curbs and sidewalks by reason of the weight of the bus in turning at and near street corners and in the buses running over the curbs and the danger to pedestrians at the crosswalk which may result from such damage to curbs and sidewalks, and may result from the irregularity of the surface of the street at crosswalks which may be caused by ruts created by reason of the weight of the buses, the danger to catch basins, and the effect upon drainage, with the likelihood of the resulting damage to property in the neighborhood. He shall investigate the width of the street, the parking problems involved, the need for eliminating parking of vehicles to permit maneuvering of buses at corners and along streets around said block, the extent of the difficulty of enforcing parking regulations as compared with the enforcement of such regulations at the intersection where the bus would otherwise wye, and the danger to persons and property which might result from the buses traveling around said block. (c) He shall consider the extent of the lighting furnished at the street intersections and on the streets involved in the proposed movement around the block, and the hazard to persons and property during the nighttime which would result from traveling around the block. He shall investigate the feasibility and comparative safety of permitting the buses to make a "U" turn at street intersections if such an operation is possible with reasonable changes in location of curbs and sidewalks. He shall consider the density of traffic at the corners where wyes are proposed, shall make a study of the experience as to numbers of accidents at such corners to determine whether a particular intersection is accident prone. He shall consider the proximity of public playgrounds and schools and school ground areas. He shall consider the grade of streets where wyeing is proposed and consider the grades of streets on which the buses would travel if the alternative around-the-block operation were followed with particular consideration as to the hazards resulting from such grades. He shall study and consider all other factors which in his judgment enter into a determination of the relative danger or safety of the alternative operations which the buses may follow in reversing their direction at terminals. (d) In his report the city engineer shall state his conclusions as to the relative safety of the alternative methods of buses reversing their direction at terminals. The city council shall consider the report of the city engineer, and if it concludes and determines on the basis of said report that wyeing at any particular terminal by backing around a corner is safer than the alternative methods, and that such operation should be used in the interest of the public safety, health, convenience and welfare, it shall instruct the city engineer to post signs at such particular intersections, and at such other points along the street approaching said intersection as the city engineer shall deem advisable, giving notice that buses wye at such intersection. Following such investigation, report and determination, and following the posting of such notices, buses are authorized to wye at such intersections by backing around the corner. After intersections for wyeing of buses have been established, the city engineer shall investigate the conditions at each of said intersections from time to time and if he determines that changed conditions affecting safety warrant it, he shall make a report to the city council and recommend a corresponding change in the manner of reversing direction of buses at the terminals involved. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 410.060)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.230 One-way streets and alleys established.

474.230. - One-way streets and alleys established. The one-way streets and alleys established by the city council as of July 1, 1960 (Chapters 9:17 and 9:18, 1948 Compilation of Ordinances) are continued in effect, and the council may add to or modify the said routes by appropriate ordinances from time to time. The city traffic engineer shall maintain in his office at all times a complete listing of all one-way streets and alleys, which said listing is hereby incorporated in this Code the same as if fully set forth herein. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 443.010)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.240 Driving on one-way streets and alleys.

474.240. - Driving on one-way streets and alleys. No person shall drive or operate, or cause to be driven or operated, any vehicle on any one-way street or alley except in the direction permitted on said street or alley. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 443.020)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.250 Authorized emergency vehicle on one-way streets.

474.250. - Authorized emergency vehicle on one-way streets. The driver of any authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, may enter against the run of traffic on any one-way street or highway where there is authorized division of traffic, to facilitate traveling to the area in which an emergency has been reported. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 640.233)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.330 Driving or operating on public property.

474.330. - Driving or operating on public property. No vehicle other than government vehicles shall be driven or operated on any public property not at the time open to the use of such vehicles. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 407.270; Ord. of 9-28-73, § 2)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.370 Jumping rides.

474.370. - Jumping rides. No person shall ride in or jump into or upon any vehicle without the consent of the driver and no person shall, when riding, allow any part of the body to project beyond the limits of any motor vehicle, except when signaling as required, nor shall any person board or alight from, nor hang on to any motor vehicle when such motor vehicle is in motion. This section shall not apply to any person whose employment makes it necessary to ride in or upon a vehicle otherwise than herein provided, when engaged in the necessary duties of such employment. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 407.170)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.380 Safety zones.

474.380. - Safety zones. No vehicle shall at any time be driven through a safety zone. The city engineer may mark pavements and erect signs, indicating the location and extent of safety zones at such places established therefor by the city council. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 407.180)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.390 Reserved.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.420 Speed on city streets.

474.420. - Speed on city streets. The city engineer may establish speed limits for city streets under the city's jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions set forth at Minnesota Statutes Section 169.14. A comprehensive listing and the procedures relied upon to establish speed limits under this section 474.420 shall be kept on file by the director of public works, and will be made readily available for public inspection. (Ord. No. 2019-063, § 1, 12-13-19)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.470 Speed on bridges.

474.470. - Speed on bridges. (a) No person shall drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a street or highway at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when such structure is signposted as provided in this section. (b) The city engineer may request the commissioner of highways to conduct an investigation of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a street or highway, and if the commissioner shall find that such structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible he shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles which such structure can withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating such maximum speed to be erected and maintained at a distance of one hundred (100) feet before each end of such structure. (c) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this section, proof of said determination of the maximum speed by the commissioner and the existence of said signs shall constitute conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 404.060)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.550 Thru streets established.

474.550. - Thru streets established. The thru streets established by the city council as of July 1, 1960 (Chapter 9:19, 1948 Compilation of Ordinances) are continued in effect, and the council may add to or modify the said thru streets by appropriate ordinances from time to time. The city traffic engineer shall maintain in his office at all times a complete listing of all thru streets, which said listing is hereby incorporated in this Code the same as if fully set forth herein. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 444.010)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.560 Obedience to through streets and stop intersections.

474.560. - Obedience to through streets and stop intersections. The city council may designate through streets or highways and erect stop or yield signs at entrances thereto or may designate any intersection as a stop or yield intersection by erecting like signs at one or more entrances to such intersection. With reference to state trunk highways, the city council may designate through highway or stop or yield intersections only with the consent of the commissioner. (a) Every driver of a vehicle shall stop at any such stop sign or at a clearly marked stop line before entering an intersection except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal. (b) The driver of a vehicle shall stop as required by this section at the entrance to a through highway and shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles which have entered the intersection from the through highway or which are approaching so closely on the through highway as to constitute an immediate hazard, but the driver having so yielded may proceed, and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection on the through highway shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicles so proceeding into or across the through highway. (c) The driver of a vehicle shall likewise stop in obedience to a stop sign, as required herein, at an intersection where a stop sign is erected at one or more entrances thereto although not a part of a through highway, and shall proceed cautiously, yielding to vehicles not so obliged to stop which are within the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, but may then proceed. (d) The driver of every vehicle on any highway in this city shall bring such vehicle to a complete stop before crossing or entering upon an intersecting highway, where and when there is in place on the approaches to or within such intersecting highway any light, sign, standard or marking upon which appears the word "STOP" or the words "STOP, SCHOOL." (e) Folding type stop signs erected at any designated school crossing location, may be operated and used to regulate traffic so as to require a stop during the hours between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on those days the school is in session. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 409.030)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.620 Definitions.

474.620. - Definitions. Agency means the law enforcement agency primarily responsible for traffic control. Automated traffic law enforcement system means an electronic system consisting of a photographic, video or electronic camera and a vehicle sensor installed to work alone or in conjunction with an official traffic controller and to automatically produce photographs, video or digital images of each vehicle violating a standard traffic control signal. Owner means the person or entity identified by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, or registered with any other state vehicle registration office, as the registered owner of a vehicle, or a lessee of a motor vehicle under a lease of six (6) months or more. Recorded image means images recorded by an automated traffic law enforcement system on: (1) Two (2) or more photographs; (2) Two (2) or more microphotographs; (3) Two (2) or more electronic images; (4) Videotape; or (5) Any other medium; and which show the rear of the motor vehicle and, on at least one (1) image or portion of tape, clearly identify the registration plate number of the motor vehicle. (2004-Or-104, § 1, 9-3-04)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.630 Traffic control signal.

474.630. - Traffic control signal. (a) Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one (1) at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red and yellow shall be used except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend or symbol. The lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles as follows: (1) Green indication: a. Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited. b. Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. (2) Steady yellow indication: a. Vehicular traffic facing a circular yellow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection, except for the continued movement allowed by any green arrow simultaneously indicated. b. Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow arrow signal is thereby warned that the protected vehicular movement permitted by the corresponding green arrow indication is being terminated. (3) Steady red indication: a. Vehicular traffic facing a circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown, except as follows: 1. The driver of a vehicle which is stopped as close as practicable at the entrance to the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then at the entrance to the intersection in obedience to a red or stop signal, and with the intention of making a right turn may make such right turn, after stopping, unless an official sign has been erected prohibiting such movement, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic lawfully proceeding as directed by the signal at said intersection; or 2. The driver of a vehicle on a one-way street which intersects another one-way street on which traffic moves to the left shall stop in obedience to a red or stop signal and may then make a left turn into said one-way street, unless an official sign has been erected prohibiting the movement, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at said intersection. b. Vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow signal, with the intention of making a movement indicated by the arrow, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a permissive signal indication is displayed. (2004-Or-104, § 2, 9-3-04)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.640 Violation.

474.640. - Violation. If a motor vehicle is operated in violation of section 474.630 and the violation is detected by a recorded image taken by an automated traffic law enforcement system, the owner of the vehicle or the lessee of the vehicle is guilty of a petty misdemeanor. Notwithstanding any other law, a peace officer may issue a citation to the owner or lessee of the vehicle through the United States mail. (2004-Or-104, § 3, 9-3-04)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.650 Citation.

474.650. - Citation. When a violation, as set forth by section 474.640, is detected by an automated traffic law enforcement system, the agency shall, within twenty-one (21) days of the violation, mail to the owner a citation, which shall include: (1) The name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle. (2) The registration number of the motor vehicle involved in the violation. (3) The violation charged. (4) The location where the violation occurred. (5) The date and time of the violation. (6) A copy of the recorded images. (7) The fine amount and the date by which the fine should be paid. (8) A signed statement by a technician employed by the agency that, based on inspection of recorded images, the motor vehicle was being operated in violation of a traffic control device. (9) Information advising the person alleged to be liable under the ordinance: a. Of the manner, time, and place in which liability as alleged in the citation may be contested in the district court; and b. Warning that failure to pay the penalty or to contest liability in a timely manner may result in a suspension of the owner's driving privileges. (2004-Or-104, § 4, 9-3-04; 2005-Or-049, 6-17-05)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.660 Evidence.

474.660. - Evidence. (a) In the prosecution of a violation, as set forth by section 474.640, captured by an automated traffic law enforcement system, prima facie evidence that the vehicle described in the citation was operated in violation of this section, together with proof that the defendant was at the time of such violation the owner or lessee of the vehicle, shall constitute in evidence a rebuttable presumption that such owner or lessee was the person who committed the violation. The presumption shall be rebutted if the owner or lessee: (1) Provides a sworn affidavit delivered by United States mail to the city or agency that he or she was not the owner or lessee of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation and provides the name and current address of the person operating the motor vehicle at the time of the violation; or (2) Submits a copy of a police report showing the vehicle had been reported as stolen in a timely manner before the date of the violation. (b) If the city or agency finds that the person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under paragraph (a)(1) of this section identifying the person driving the vehicle at the time of the violation, the city or agency shall issue a citation to the identified driver through the United State mail, no later than fourteen (14) days after receipt of this information. (2004-Or-104, § 5, 9-3-04)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 474.670 Severance.

474.670. - Severance. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of sections 474.620 to 474.660 is held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction it shall in no way affect the validity of any remaining portion of these sections. (2004-Or-104, § 6, 9-3-04)

Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MICOOR_TIT18TRCO_CH474VEOP_ARTIGEFetched: 11/2/2026