Signed it.

 

How do they asses the tax if the ATV isn't registered? I'm in Virginia Beach and never heard such a thing.

 

Signed. I was #29. They only need 50.

 

Are push lawn mowers next?

Signed, Luck! :banana:

 

yeah they are like lawnmowers. fun fact to you pay road tax on gas for the machiens as well :|

 

While I understand and sympathize with your frustration with the tax situation in Portsmouth, Va., I don't think this petition is what you think it is. MoveOn.org is a political organization funded and backed by George Soros. If you read the fine print underneath where you fill out your info, you are agreeing to get political emails, etc., from them. Basically, these "petitons" which anybody can start and put online using this website is just a tool to get people on MoveOn.org.CivicAction and MoveOn.org.PoliticalAction's mailing lists. I seriously doubt that the Portsmouth, VA., city council or whoever is responsible when it comes to taxes, will put any credence to an online petition signed by people from all over the country or world for that matter. Every petition I've ever signed, I had to be a registered voter and live within the jurisdiction of the area involved.

Not trying to rain on your parade but it sounds like getting rid of this ridiculous tax is going to take a lot of legwork and knocking on doors to have any effect.

I did a quick look up of Portsmouth and it looks like any petition presented as an ordinance initiative, requires signatures equaling 30% of the electors voting for governor in the last gubernatorial election for a successful petition and it must be filed within 30 days after the first signature is gathered. There is more to this, but I left it off.

Are you sure that this is a fee for license plates that you don't have to have and not a titling fee? I believe I read somewhere that the titling fee is $10.00.

I found this on a VA dmv website.

Effective July 1, 2006, new all-terrain vehicles or off-road motorcycles powered by a gasoline or diesel engine displacing more than 50 cubic centimeters must be titled. You may request to have a used all-terrain vehicle or off-road motorcycle titled for the purpose of recording a lien, documenting proof of ownership or any other reason. All-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles are not required to be registered.
Effective July 1, 2006, new all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles can ONLY be sold by licensed motorcycle dealers.
Operation of all-terrain vehicles on any public highway or other private property is prohibited by Virginia State Code § 46.2-915.1, unless authorized by proper authorities, to the extent necessary to cross a public highway by the most direct route, or operated by law-enforcement officers, firefighters, or rescue squad personnel responding to emergencies.
Operators of all-terrain vehicles must be at least age 16. However, children between the age of 12 and 16 may operate all-terrain vehicles if powered by engines of no more than 90 cubic centimeters displacement. Children less than age 12 may operate all-terrain vehicles powered by engines of no more than 70 cubic centimeters displacement.
Any person operating an all-terrain vehicle must wear a protective helmet.

Also this....

§ 46.2-679.1. All-terrain vehicles.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plate and decals, or pay a registration fee for any all-terrain vehicle.

(2006, c. 896.)

 

Everyone, thank you so much for your help! We're closing in fast on the 50 signatures.

Are you sure that this is a fee for license plates that you don't have to have and not a titling fee? I believe I read somewhere that the titling fee is $10.00.

The fee is being assessed by the municipality, not the state.

 

In WA you've got to have a discovery pass, or other pass to ride public lands. You also have to license your vehicle each year. Granted in WA the licensing fees aren't what vehicles are, but the funds are supposed to go towards maintaining public roads (that we cannot drive ATV's on legally) and Public land. ATV's cannot drive on roads, but the vehicles that are used to get them to public lands can. Which are already taxed for that use. so it's a double taxation situation. sounds similar to what the OP has to deal with. Gas tax is paid on them as well.

an online petition is not going to do squat though, as stated above you need voters in your area to sign the petition and there will be a LOT of leg work/door knocking to get this done.

 

Kevin108.thanks for posting that tax document. I can see now why you are upset with this. From what I read published by the state, you don't have to pay a registration fee for ATV's to the state. Looks like that license fee is not for state license plates but for a "license" for Portsmouth. (Do you actually get any kind of tag or sticker for your machine?) IAW, a sneaky way to get more money and end run the state requirements. I found this on a search of Portsmouth..

City of Portsmouth, Virginia - City Treasurer

Good luck on your endeavor, but I think it's going to take a lot more work than an online petition. Those clowns in Portsmouth aren't going to give up a cash cow like this.