Looks like Roslyn legalized SxS and forgot to tell us? This video is from 8/06/2025 on 3rd Street in Roslyn.
Next Public Hearing August 12th: possible legalization of utv/atv/side-by-sides in Roslyn
Past Public Hearing was July 22: possible legalization of utv/atv/side-by-sides in Roslyn
Note that Roslyn is lumping UTV with ATV with Side by Sides and IMO they are different vehicles used for different purposes.
Roslyn should NOT lump these different types of vehicles together — especially since ATVs are smaller and controlled via a handle bar vs. Side by Sides having full car type controls such as steering wheel, brake pedal, emergency brake, mirrors, seat belts, etc.
Key Differences between ATVs – UTVs – Side-by-Sides
- ATVs are better for solo riders who want to explore trails or do light utility work.
- UTVs are built for utility and teamwork—great for farms, construction, or group adventures.
- Side-by-Sides are a type of UTV, but are often used for quick-easy trips, short travels as well as recreation.
UTV/ATV/SXS are more agile than traditional vehicles and that makes them more suitable for small town use.
FIRE – EMERGENCY! – Think about how much easier it would be to get out of Roslyn if we had side-by-sides at our residences. It is very common for 1st responders to utilize side-by-sides so why can’t residents have the option to use such as well? SR-903 is the only paved road in and out of Roslyn — a real constraint in any mass evacuation, and one more reason residents should have every legal option available to them.
Even the Roslyn Fire Department realizes the value and importance of having side by sides in our area.
Is This the Same Side-by-Side?
Video of a red side-by-side driving through Roslyn — compare it to the department photos above.
Roslyn Is the Outlier — Not the Norm
The City of Cle Elum has its own WATV — Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicle — ordinance on the books — Chapter 10.36 of the Cle Elum Municipal Code — covering definitions, use on city streets, restrictions, registration requirements, and penalties. Kittitas County has done the same for unincorporated county roads, under County Code § 10.24.020. Both took the same basic step: pass a local ordinance authorizing WATV/SxS/UTV operation on qualifying roads, as state law requires. Roslyn hasn’t taken that step — yet.
That’s not for lack of trying. Roslyn actually had an explicit ban on off-road vehicles on the books since 1989 (Ordinance 651, later codified as RMC § 10.05.080) — a blanket prohibition on operating any wheeled motorized off-road vehicle on public land within city limits. On October 14, 2025, following that summer’s public hearings on possible UTV/ATV/SxS legalization, the City Council passed Ordinance 1222, repealing that decades-old ban outright. As of this writing, the current code shows the section marked simply “Repealed by Ord. 1222” — with no new WATV-authorization chapter added to replace it.
That’s genuine progress, not a mistake to correct. Clearing a 36-year-old blanket prohibition is the harder political lift — passing the kind of straightforward WATV ordinance Cle Elum and Kittitas County already have on the books is the easier, more technical step that’s left. Roslyn has already done the hard part. Finishing the job would put city residents’ SxS and UTV operation on solid legal footing, and bring Roslyn in line with its closest neighbors.
Absolutely legalize such. At the very least, legalize WA State street legal side-by-sides within Roslyn city limits.
IMO: Roslyn, WA should allow permanently disabled people to use WA State licensed street legal side by sides within city limits
They are common for our area. They are already nearly everywhere you look and have been for years.
UTV/ATV/Side-by-Sides are more agile than traditional vehicles, making them ideal for narrow streets, alleys, and tight parking spaces such as those we all experience here in Roslyn, WA.
Environmental Benefits of Gas-Powered UTVs/ATVs/SXSs in Small Towns
Fuel Efficiency for Short Trips
They generally consume less fuel than full-sized trucks or SUVs for short, low-speed trips, which are common in small towns.
Lower Road Wear
Their lighter weight compared to traditional vehicles means they cause less damage to roads and infrastructure, reducing the need for frequent repairs.
Compact Design
They take up less space and are easier to park, which can help reduce the need for large, paved areas and promote more efficient land use.
Multi-Purpose Use
They serve multiple roles—transportation, hauling, and utility work—potentially reducing the need for multiple vehicles.
Make UTV/ATV/WATV Legal in Roslyn, WA
Registering wheeled all-terrain vehicles (WATV) | Washington State Department of Licensing
Disabled parking eligibility | Washington State Department of Licensing
Where Can You Use Your Street Legal ATV (WATV) in Washington State? — Northwest Portal
1990’s Sidekick next to 2020’s Side-by-Side
Why are 1990’s Sidekicks allowed to drive in Roslyn, WA but 2020’s side-by-sides are illegal?
Per a Kittitas County Sherriff’s Facebook post:
“KNOW THE LAW FOR UTV’S ON PUBLIC ROADS
Washington State law permits the use of UTV’s, or ‘side-by-sides’, on certain public roads when local governments allow. In 2014, Kittitas County Commissioners passed such an ordinance with input from the Sheriff’s Office and our County’s Department of Public Works.“
“UTV’S may operate on state routes within a city or town where the speed limit is 35mph or lower“
Can I ride my ATV or SxS on public roads in Washington?
Per The Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance:
Yes, if you have a WATV plate and ride on roads in specific counties with speed limits under 35 MPH. For more on this visit the WATV page on the WA DOL site or visit UTV Adventures WATV page. For a history of the WATV law, see HB 1632.
Note: Your mileage may vary depending on the local laws.
