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City of Canton, MO
Lewis County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (17) Index
The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to an emergency call closer than five hundred (500) feet or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a Fire Department when laid down on any street, private driveway or streetcar track to be used at any fire or alarm of fire without the consent of the Fire Department official in command.
A. 
Definitions. As used in this Section, the following terms shall mean:
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
A person licensed as a funeral director pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 333, RSMo.
FUNERAL LEAD VEHICLE OR LEAD VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle equipped with at least one (1) lighted circulating lamp exhibiting an amber or purple light or lens or alternating flashing headlamps visible under normal atmospheric conditions for a distance of five hundred (500) feet from the front of the vehicle. A hearse or coach properly equipped may be a lead vehicle.
ORGANIZED FUNERAL PROCESSION
Two (2) or more vehicles accompanying the remains of a deceased person from a funeral establishment, church, synagogue or other place where a funeral service has taken place to a cemetery, crematory or other place of final disposition, or a funeral establishment, church, synagogue or other place where additional funeral services will be performed, if directed by a licensed funeral director from a licensed establishment.
B. 
Driving Rules.
1. 
Except as otherwise provided for in this Section, pedestrians and operators of all other vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which is a part of an organized funeral procession.
2. 
Notwithstanding any traffic control device or right-of-way provision prescribed by State or local law, when the funeral lead vehicle in an organized funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection, all vehicles in the procession shall follow the lead vehicle through the intersection. The operator of each vehicle in the procession shall exercise the highest degree of care toward any other vehicle or pedestrian on the roadway.
3. 
An organized funeral procession shall have the right-of-way at all intersections regardless of any traffic control device at such intersections, except that operators of vehicles in an organized funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way to any approaching emergency vehicle pursuant to the provisions of law or when directed to do so by a Law Enforcement Officer.
4. 
All vehicles in an organized funeral procession shall follow the preceding vehicle in the procession as closely as is practical and safe under the conditions.
5. 
No person shall operate any vehicle as part of an organized funeral procession without the flashing emergency lights of such vehicle being lighted.
6. 
Any person who is not an operator of a vehicle in an organized funeral procession shall not:
a. 
Drive between the vehicles comprising an organized funeral procession while such vehicles are in motion and have the flashing emergency lights lighted pursuant to Subsection (B)(5), above, except when required to do so by a Law Enforcement Officer or when such person is operating an emergency vehicle giving an audible or visual signal;
b. 
Join a funeral procession for the purpose of securing the right-of-way; or
c. 
Attempt to pass any vehicle in an organized funeral procession, except where a passing lane has been specifically provided.
7. 
When an organized funeral procession is proceeding through a red signal light as permitted herein, a vehicle not in the organized funeral procession shall not enter the intersection unless such vehicle may do so without crossing the path of the funeral procession.
8. 
No ordinance, regulation or any other provision of law shall prohibit the use of a motorcycle utilizing flashing amber lights to escort an organized funeral procession on the highway.
C. 
Any person convicted of violating any provision of this Section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00).
No funeral, procession or parade containing two hundred (200) or more persons or fifty (50) or more vehicles except the forces of the United States Army or Navy, the military forces of this State, and the forces of the Police and Fire Departments shall occupy, march or proceed along any street except in accordance with a permit issued by the Chief of Police and such other regulations as are set forth herein which may apply.
The driver of a vehicle shall not drive within any sidewalk area except on a permanent or temporary driveway.
The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic.
No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a motor vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
[Ord. No. 695-C §1, 1-17-2012]
A. 
A person operating a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle as defined in Section 300.010 of this Code, shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle or motorized bicycle unless such motorcycle or motorized bicycle is designed to carry more than one (1) person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two (2) persons or upon another seat firmly attached to the rear of the operator of the motorcycle or motorized bicycle.
B. 
The operator of a motorized bicycle shall ride only astride the permanent and regular seat attached thereto and shall not permit more than one (1) person to ride thereon at the same time unless the motorized bicycle is designed to carry more than one (1) person. Any motorized bicycle designed to carry more than one (1) person must be equipped with a passenger seat and footrests for the passenger.
C. 
Any person riding a motorized bicycle under the age of eighteen (18) shall wear protective headgear at all times the vehicle is in motion. The protective headgear must meet the standards set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for bicycle helmets.
A. 
No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district.
B. 
Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
C. 
No person shall ride a motorized bicycle upon a sidewalk.
A. 
No person shall operate an all-terrain vehicle, as defined in Section 300.010, upon the streets and highways of this City, except as follows:
1. 
All-terrain vehicles owned and operated by a governmental entity for official use;
2. 
All-terrain vehicles operated for agricultural purposes or industrial on-premises purposes between the official sunrise and sunset on the day of operation.
B. 
No person shall operate an off-road vehicle, as defined in Section 304.001, RSMo., within any stream or river in this City, except that off-road vehicles may be operated within waterways which flow within the boundaries of land which an off-road vehicle operator owns, or for agricultural purposes within the boundaries of land which an off-road vehicle operator owns or has permission to be upon, or for the purpose of fording such stream or river of this State at such road crossings as are customary or part of the highway system. All Law Enforcement Officials or Peace Officers of this State and its political subdivisions shall enforce the provisions of this Subsection within the geographic area of their jurisdiction.
C. 
A person operating an all-terrain vehicle on a street or highway pursuant to an exception covered in this Section shall have a valid license issued by a State authorizing such person to operate a motor vehicle, but shall not be required to have passed an examination for the operation of a motorcycle, and the vehicle shall be operated at speeds of less than thirty (30) miles per hour. When operated on a street or highway, an all-terrain vehicle shall have a bicycle safety flag, which extends not less than seven (7) feet above the ground, attached to the rear of the vehicle. The bicycle safety flag shall be triangular in shape with an area of not less than thirty (30) square inches and shall be dayglow in color.
D. 
No person shall operate an all-terrain vehicle:
1. 
In any careless way so as to endanger the person or property of another;
2. 
While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance; or
3. 
Without a securely fastened safety helmet on the head of an individual who operates an all-terrain vehicle or who is being towed or otherwise propelled by an all-terrain vehicle, unless the individual is at least eighteen (18) years of age.
E. 
No operator of an all-terrain vehicle shall carry a passenger, except for agricultural purposes.
F. 
A violation of this Section shall be a misdemeanor.
G. 
Exception. In order to promote the compatible, normal and safe movement of traffic and pedestrians on the streets, alleys and sidewalks of the City of Canton, Missouri, the utilization of "all-terrain vehicles" including, but not limited to, three-wheelers and four-wheelers on streets, alleys and sidewalks within the City of Canton, Missouri, is hereby prohibited, except that "all-terrain vehicles" equipped with an agricultural implement or with a snow blade may be operated on the streets and alleys of the City of Canton, Missouri, to move from one location where said implement or snow blade is to be used for its intended purpose to another such location.
[Ord. No. 690-C §§1—2, 1-17-2012; Ord. No. 706-C §1, 9-17-2012]
A. 
Definition. As used in this Section, the following definition shall apply:
GOLF CART
Any motorized or electric vehicle designed to be used for transporting persons and equipment while playing golf and designed primarily for off-highway use.
Golf carts are typically sixty (60) inches or less in width and travel on three (3) or four (4) or more low pressure tires.
As used in this Section, the term golf cart shall include utility vehicles such as, but not limited to, a Kawasaki Mule and John Deere Gators.
B. 
Golf Carts Prohibited—Exceptions, Operation Of Golf Carts Under An Exception—Prohibited Uses—Penalty.
1. 
No person shall operate a golf cart, as defined in Subsection (A) hereof, upon the streets, alleys and highways of this City except as follows:
a. 
Golf carts owned and operated by a governmental entity for official use.
b. 
Golf carts operated exclusively for agricultural or industrial on-premises purposes.
c. 
Golf carts whose operators carry a special permit issued by this City. The City Clerk shall prepare an application form for the special permit and charge a yearly fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for each permit issued beginning January 1, 2012, however, no veteran of the United States Military or Canton resident over the age of fifty-five (55) shall be required to pay a registration fee to receive a permit.
d. 
Golf carts operated as part of a parade or other special event on the highways or streets of the City, if the parade or special event has been approved by the Board of Aldermen of the City.
2. 
A person operating a golf cart as herein defined on a street, highway or alley pursuant to an exception covered in this Section shall have a valid operator's or chauffeur's license. In addition, all golf carts operated within the City of Canton, Missouri, shall comply with the financial responsibility requirements of Section 390.140 of the Municipal Code of the City of Canton, Missouri.
a. 
The vehicle shall be operated at the speed of less than twenty-five (25) miles per hour.
b. 
When operated on a street or highway, a golf cart shall have a bicycle safety flag which extends not less than seven (7) feet above the ground attached to the rear of the vehicle. The bicycle safety flag shall be triangular in shape with an area of not less than thirty (30) square inches and shall be a fluorescent color including, but not limited to, fluorescent chartreuse, fluorescent orange-yellow, fluorescent orange, fluorescent red, fluorescent pink, fluorescent magenta, fluorescent blue, and fluorescent green, or any other color that is classified as a fluorescent color.
3. 
Any person operating a golf cart pursuant to this Section shall abide by the following:
a. 
Shall not operate in any way so as to injure the person or property of another.
b. 
Any golf cart operated at any time from one-half (½) hour after sunset to one-half (½) hour before sunrise, and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles at a distance of five hundred (500) feet ahead, shall have affixed to the golf cart the following equipment:
(1) 
Two (2) approved headlamps capable of diming.
(2) 
Two (2) rear lamps that when lighted will exhibit a red light plainly visible to the rear of the cart and which will shine brighter when brakes are applied by the operator of the golf cart.
(3) 
At least one (1) approved red reflector at the rear of the golf cart.
c. 
Shall comply with all traffic and signage rules and ordinances as the same would apply to a motor vehicle.
4. 
A violation of this Section shall be a misdemeanor, and any person so convicted shall be subject to the general penalties provided for in Section 100.220 of the Municipal Code of the City of Canton, Missouri.
No person riding upon any bicycle, motorized bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself/herself to any vehicle upon a roadway, nor shall the driver of a vehicle knowingly pull a rider behind a vehicle.
No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any controlled access roadway except at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.
It shall be unlawful for the directing officer or the operator of any railroad train to direct the operation of or to operate the same in such a manner as to prevent the use of any street for purposes of travel for a period of time longer than five (5) minutes; provided that this Section shall not apply to a moving train or to one stopped because of an emergency or for repairs necessary before it can proceed safely.
No vehicle shall at any time be driven through or within a safety zone.
[CC 1985 §76.110]
A. 
Every person operating a motor vehicle within the City of Canton, Missouri, shall drive the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed so as to not endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care.
B. 
Any person convicted of violating the terms of this Section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor under Section 100.220 of this Code and upon conviction shall be subject to punishment by imprisonment or a fine, such imprisonment not exceeding ninety (90) days, or by both a fine and imprisonment.
A. 
Upon all public roads or highways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right-half of the roadway, except as follows:
1. 
When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction pursuant to the rules governing such movement;
2. 
When placing a vehicle in position for and when such vehicle is lawfully making a left turn in compliance with the provisions of this Title;
3. 
When the right-half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair; or
4. 
Upon a roadway designated by local ordinance as a one-way street and marked or signed for one-way traffic.
B. 
It is unlawful to drive any vehicle upon any highway or road which has been divided into two (2) or more roadways by means of a physical barrier or by means of a dividing section or delineated by curbs, lines or other markings on the roadway, except to the right of such barrier or dividing section, or to make any left turn or semi-circular or U-turn on any such divided highway, except at an intersection or interchange or at any signed location designated by the State Highways and Transportation Commission or the Department of Transportation. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to emergency vehicles, law enforcement vehicles or to vehicles owned by the Commission or the Department.
C. 
Whenever any roadway has been divided into three (3) or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules in addition to all other consistent herewith shall apply:
1. 
A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.
2. 
Upon a roadway which is divided into three (3) lanes a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway ahead is clearly visible and such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn, or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of such allocation.
3. 
Upon all highways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic thereon shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except as otherwise provided in Sections 304.014 to 304.026, RSMo.
4. 
Official signs may be erected by the Highways and Transportation Commission or the Highway Patrol may place temporary signs directing slow moving traffic to use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes to traffic moving in the same direction and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such sign.
5. 
Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right and, except when a roadway has been divided into traffic lanes, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half (½) of the main traveled portion of the roadway whenever possible.
D. 
All vehicles in motion upon a highway having two (2) or more lanes of traffic proceeding in the same direction shall be driven in the right-hand lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or when preparing to make a proper left turn or when otherwise directed by traffic markings, signs or signals.
A. 
The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to the limitations and exceptions hereinafter stated:
1. 
The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle; and
2. 
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and shall not increase the speed of such driver's vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
B. 
The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
1. 
When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;
2. 
Upon a City street with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of vehicles in each direction; or
3. 
Upon a one-way street.
The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under the foregoing conditions when such movement may be made in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the paved or main traveled portion of the roadway. The provisions of this Subsection shall not relieve the driver of a slow-moving vehicle from the duty to drive as closely as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway.
C. 
Except when a roadway has been divided into three (3) traffic lanes, no vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the centerline of a highway or public road in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken.
D. 
No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:
1. 
When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve of the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction.
2. 
When the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred (100) feet of any bridge, viaduct, tunnel or when approaching within one hundred (100) feet of or at any intersection or railroad grade crossing.
The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonably safe and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and the condition of the roadway. Vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall be so operated, except in a funeral procession or in a duly authorized parade, so as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles as to enable any other vehicle to overtake or pass such vehicles in safety. This Section shall in no manner affect Section 304.044, RSMo., relating to distance between trucks traveling on the highway.
[Ord. No. 465-C §§1—3, 9-21-1998]
A. 
Scooters, Skateboards, Skates And Inline Skates Prohibited On Certain Sidewalks. No person shall ride, operate or use a scooter, skateboard, skates or inline skates on any sidewalk within the area designated as "B-1" Central Business District by the zoning ordinances of the City of Canton, Missouri, and being that area shown on the official zoning map of the City of Canton, Missouri, designated as "B-1" Central Business District.
B. 
Right-of-Way On Streets. All persons using scooters, skateboards, skates and inline skates on the public streets, roads and highways of the City of Canton, Missouri, shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic on these streets, roads and highways in the City of Canton, Missouri.
C. 
Punishment.
1. 
Any person over the age of seventeen (17) years convicted of violating the provisions of this Section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 100.220 of this Code
2. 
Any person under the age of seventeen (17) years violating the provisions of this Section may be considered a "delinquent child" and should be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the juvenile law of the State of Missouri.
[Ord. No. 724-C §§1—3, 2-18-2014]
A. 
Stopping For School Bus Control Arms. The driver of a vehicle upon any street or highway within the City of Canton, Missouri, upon meeting or overtaking, from either direction, any school bus which has stopped on the street or highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children, and whose driver has in the manner prescribed by law given the signal to stop, shall stop the vehicle before reaching such school bus and shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion or until signaled by its driver to proceed.
B. 
Identification Of Driver. If any vehicle is witnessed by a Peace Officer or the driver of a school bus to have violated the provisions of this Section and the identity of the operator is not otherwise apparent, it shall be a rebuttable presumption that the person in whose name such vehicle is registered committed the violation. In the event that charges are filed against multiple owners of a motor vehicle, only one (1) of the owners may be convicted and court costs may be assessed against only one (1) of the owners. If the vehicle which is involved in the violation is registered in the name of a rental or leasing company, and the vehicle is rendered or leased to another person at the time of the violation, the rental or leasing company may rebut the presumption by providing the Peace Officer or prosecuting authority with a copy of the rental or lease agreement in effect at the time of the violation. No prosecuting authority may bring any legal proceeding against a rental or leasing company under this Section unless prior written notice of the violation has been given to that rental or leasing company by registered mail at the address appearing on the registration, and the rental or leasing company has failed to provide a rental or lease agreement copy within fifteen (15) days of receipt of such notice.
C. 
Penalties For Violation. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership or other entity convicted of violating the provisions and terms of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to the punishment provided for in Section 100.220 of the Municipal Code of the City of Canton, Missouri.
[Ord. No. 749-C §§1—2, 4-20-2015; Ord. No. 865-C, 10-17-2022]
A. 
Engine compression braking devices on any commercial vehicle, as defined in Section 301.010, RSMo., may only be used within the City limits of the City of Canton if the truck is equipped with an adequate muffler (factory muffler or equivalent aftermarket muffler) which is properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. If the truck's exhaust system is equipped with a muffler cut-off, bypass, or similar device, that device shall not be activated when the engine brake is being utilized. Unmuffled engine braking systems shall only be utilized within the City limits by commercial motor vehicles in emergency situations to protect life or property.
B. 
Engine braking systems on rescue vehicles, City and State vehicles are exempt from this Section if used in the performance of official duties.
C. 
Penalty. Upon a conviction of a violation of this Section, a penalty as imposed by Section 100.220 of the Municipal Code of the City of Canton, Missouri, as regulated by Section 479.353, RSMo., shall be imposed by any court of competent jurisdiction.