City Council
A majority of all members elected to the council constitutes a quorum. (Sect. 2-28)

Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages not including beer and wine may be sold in the city limits between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m., Monday through Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 1 a.m. Beer and wine may be sold from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week. (Sect. 5.5)

Animals
Dogs and other domestic animals are not allowed to leave the property of the owner and should be tethered, roped or tied to a leash. (Sect. 7-2, 7-18)

No resident within the city limits not in an industrial zone may not own more than two dogs or two cats. More than two dogs is considered a kennel. (Zoning regulations). Exception to requirements — any person who presently owns, keeps or maintains more than three licensed cats other than as authorized by this section may retain their licensed cats. If for any reason one of the cats is lost, sold, given away, dies, is removed or leaves the premises then such cat may not be replaced if three or more cats remain on the premises. To qualify for the exception, owners were required to license their cats by Jan. 1, 2005. (Sect. 7-26)

No person may own or keep a dog that disturbs any neighborhood or person with loud, continued or frequent barking. Dogs may also not be allowed to bark at or chase pedestrians or vehicles. (Sect. 7-21)

It is unlawful to allow any person to set dogs to fighting or by any act, gesture or word encourage a dog or dogs to fight. (Sect. 7-22)

No dog of dangerous, vicious or fierce propensities or tendencies may be at large at any time within the limits of the city, as well as residents are not allowed to harbor any such dog. If any dog bites or attempts to bite any person, it shall be presumed dangerous. No dog may be declared dangerous or vicious that inflicts injury or damage on a person commiting willful trespassing or other crime, upon premises occupied by the owner of the dog. It can also not be declared vicious for taking action to defend or protect a human being or itself from an unjustified attack or assault by another animal or person. If a dog is determined to be dangerous and has not previously been determined to be a dangerous dog under this section, the court may order the police department to dispose of the dog in a humane manner. Or it may require the owner to remove the dog from the city limits. If it has previously been determined to be a vicious dog, the court shall order the police department to dispose of the dog in a humane manner. (Sect. 7-26)

Any person having custody of a dog or cat shall have the responsibility for the disposal of feces in a sanitary manner. (Sect. 7-30)

Bicycles
Operators of bicycles must comply with all signs and signals, must not hold onto any vehicle in motion, and no more than one passenger is permitted on a bicycle. Bicycles cannot be ridden on sidewalks within the business district and in residential districts riders must defer to pedestrians and yield the right of way. (8-41 to 8-46)
Bicycles ridden one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise must have an operating light on the front of the bicycle that must emit at least 500 feet to the front and a red reflector visible 500 feet to the rear. (8-5)

Fire prevention
It is unlawful to intentionally and without reasonable cause raise any alarm of fire within the city. (Sect. 14-1)

Garbage and trash
It is unlawful to burn garbage or refuse within the corporate limits of the city, unless a burn permit is issued by the Fire Chief. (Sect. 16-7).

Dead animals are not to be buried in the city limits nor within one mile of the limits, except in grounds provided by the city. (Sect. 16-20) Dead animals may be disposed of in the landfill.

Garbage accumulation should be removed by the householder or tenant at his own expense at least once each week during the months of May, June, July, August, September and October of each year and once every two weeks during the rest of the year. (Sect. 16-22)

For the purpose of collection, the weight of any garbage container, package or bundles meant to be emptied by hand may not weigh in excess of 80 pounds. (Sect. 16-25)

Highly flammable or explosive materials may not be placed in containers for regular collection or disposal but should be disposed as directed by the fire chief. (Sect. 16-31)

Yard waste is banned from landfill disposal. Yard waste is accepted for disposal in the tree disposal area at the landfill separate from the landfill cells. (Sect. 16-39)
It is unlawful for a garbage collection company to collect garbage within the city limits between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Noise
It is unlawful to operate a motor driven or operated lawn mower or to do any demolition work in the city between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. (Sect. 23-2)

The sounding of a vehicle horn is prohibited except as a danger warning. (Sect. 23-5)

The use of radios, sound systems, television or musical instrument is unlawful if they can be heard 50 feet from the building or vehicle played between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (Sect. 23-6). Also yelling or shouting that can be heard 50 feet between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (Sect. 23-7)

It is unlawful to ignite any fireworks with the exception of June 28 through midnight July 4. (Sect. 23-14)

Offenses, miscellaneous provisions
It is unlawful to discharge any toy pistol, toy gun, air gun, blank cartridge, revolver or any other gun, slingshot at any time, under any circumstances within the city. (Sect. 24-47)

It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 16 years to be in the streets, alleys, or parks of the city between 10:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult. (Sect. 24-107)

The mayor may proclaim a state of emergency if he/she determines that a emergency exists within the city as a result of mob violence or civil disobedience causing danger of injury to persons or damage to property. In a state of emergency, the mayor shall have power to impose a curfew in the city requiring all people to remove themselves from the streets and public places. Physicians, nurses, ambulance operators, utility personnel, firemen and law enforcement may be exempted. (Sect. 24-118)

To hold or organize a parade, meeting or assembly or procession of persons or vehicles on the streets or sidewalks of a city must be apply and be granted a permit. (Sect. 24-134)

Parks and Recreation
It is unlawful to ride or lead a horse or operate any type of motor driven vehicle including snowmobiles, motorbikes and all terrain vehicles in any city park. (Sect. 25-1, 2)

Police
In the case of an emergency, the mayor may appoint special police. The mayor may appoint any male between the ages of 18 and 50 to aid in enforcing the law of the city. (Sect. 30-5)

Streets and sidewalks
It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant of a building to clear the sidewalks bordering the property in front of the residence or business. Sidewalks must be free of snow and ice during the day. (Sect. 34-40) It is unlawful for snow or ice to be removed from roofs, driveways, parking lots, streets or alleys and be placed on any street or alley in the city. (Sect. 34-41).

Vegetation
Owners or occupants of property within the city limits must keep their lots and nearby streets and alleys free of any growth  of 12 inches or more in height of weeds, grasses, or worthless vegetation. (Sect. 38-14) Owners or occupants of property with trees within the city limits must trim branches extending lower than eight feet over sidewalks and 12 feet six inches over streets.  (Sect. 38-14)

Zoning
The city’s jurisdiction for planning and zoning extends from the city limits in a two-mile radius. The city has zoning and building code jurisdiction in this area. (Zoning regulations).

The planning commission, along with Hanna:Keelan Associates and a steering committee of residents and leaders recently updated the city’s comprehensive plan. This process is undertaken every 10 years, in order to develop how the city will look in the next decade.