10.06A.050 Type A permits—Terms—General.

(a)    Overlegal Loads. Permits are required for all loads over the allowed legal limits for height, weight, width, and/or length on the streets, roads, highways, and rights-of-way of Clark County. Travel on roads within any city, or on, or across, any state highway may require separate permits. Clark County adopts the legal limits of the state of Washington in WAC 468-38-050, Chapter 46.44 RCW and amendments as included in this title, and other relevant statutes, regulations and non-haul routes as designated in Clark County Code Section 10.08A.040.

Permits will be issued by the Clark County department of public works pursuant to the requirements of this section and the rules promulgated by the director of public works or his designee as authorized by Section 10.06A.030.

(1)    Except as otherwise provided in RCW 46.44.091(3) and (4), no special permit shall be issued for movement on any county facility where the gross weight, including load, exceeds the following limits established in RCW 46.44.091 or as amended as follows:

(i)     Twenty-two thousand (22,000) pounds on a single axle or on dual (tandem) axles with a wheelbase between the first and second axles of less than three (3) feet, six (6) inches;

(ii)    Forty-three thousand (43,000) pounds on dual (tandem) axles having a wheelbase between the first and second axles of not less than three (3) feet, six (6) inches but less than seven (7) feet;

(iii)    Weight is estimated as per WSDOT empirical formula for triple axles (tridem) having a wheelbase between the first and third axles of not less than seven (7) feet but less than twelve (12) feet. The legal load limit for a tridem axle is specified in the RCW 46.44.041.

(b)    Permits will be issued to cover all overlegal moves within the county. These moves fall into the following categories:

(1)    Equipment moves—single trips, including, but not limited to, trucks, trailers and mobile homes over eight and one-half (8 1/2) feet wide;

(2)    Equipment moves—multiple trips on a thirty (30) day or per-year basis. Fixed load vehicle permits may be obtained, subject to the following:

(i)    Continuous operation of a three (3) axle fixed load vehicle having less than sixty-five thousand (65,000) pounds gross weight, for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

(ii)     Continuous operation of a four (4) axle fixed load vehicle meeting the requirements of RCW 46.44.091(1) and weighing less than eighty-six thousand (86,000) pounds gross weight, not to exceed thirty (30) days.

(iii)    Continuous operation of a five (5) axle fixed load vehicle meeting the requirements of subsection (a)(1) of this section, and weighing less than one hundred seven thousand (107,000) pounds gross weight, not to exceed thirty (30) days. Additional permit conditions may apply, including, but not limited to, pavement adequacy analysis, route restriction and other special conditions. The permit for five (5) axle vehicles shall be route specific and may include multiple routes within the same permit.

(3)    Road closure—activities that require temporary closure of roads, streets, lanes, or sidewalks for loading/unloading, storage, or repair purposes. Road closure includes all activities where traffic flow in one (1) direction is completely prevented from proceeding in that direction on roads with multiple lanes in each direction, or completely blocking two (2) or three (3) lane roads. Housemoves are excluded from Type A permit requirements, except as stated in Sections 10.06A.070 and 10.06A.080.

(c)    Permits for overlegal movings are subject to the following terms:

(1)    The permittee is responsible for providing all necessary escort cars and traffic control devices required by the director of public works.

(2)    Except for thirty (30) day or annual permits, the county sheriff will be consulted prior to the issuance of such permits at the discretion of the issuing agency and be advised of the exact times of any movements. The permittee will be required to pay for any necessary patrolling by the sheriff and any work provided by the department of public works. A bond or other acceptable surety as set forth in Section 10.06A.070(c)(14) shall be provided by the entity seeking the permit in order to secure payment of any costs.

(3)    Arrangements for the disconnection and connection of any utilities or other facilities in the right-of-way shall be the responsibility of the permittee and any expenses in connection therewith shall be paid by the permittee. The permittee shall bring proof acceptable to the director of public works or his designee demonstrating that the necessary arrangements with utilities or other facilities have been made.

(d)    Permits for Single Trips.

(1)    A permit will be required on a single-trip basis for each overlegal load for those who do not have an annual permit/thirty (30) day permit or for loads not qualified for an annual permit/thirty (30) day permit.

(2)    Based upon the circumstances of an individual move, the director of public works or his designee may require additional conditions of the individual move. Any such conditions shall be placed on the permit and stated as a special condition of the permit.

(3)    The applicant must submit a complete application to the department of public works prior to obtaining a permit.

(4)    The applicant must provide sufficient proof of insurance, as required under Type B permits under Section 10.06A.070(c)(6).

(e)    Thirty (30) day or annual permits will be issued for all overlegal moves, except housemoves and other moves which do not meet the criteria for a thirty (30) day or annual permit. The annual permit allows the mover to make as many moves as necessary during the life of the permit, which begins on the date of issuance. The loads shall not exceed the limitations set forth in this section. If a load shall exceed the limitations set forth in this section, then the applicant shall be required to apply for a single-trip permit. Special conditions may apply to annual permits as set forth in subsection (d)(2) of this section. The following limitations apply to thirty (30) day and annual-trip permits:

(1)    Gross weight: equal to maximum allowed by the state of Washington special permits;

(2)    Overall height: May not exceed fourteen (14) feet, zero (0) inches;

(3)    Overall width: May not exceed fourteen (14) feet, zero (0) inches. Manufactured homes—overall width may be fifteen (15) feet with eave overhang;

(4)    Overall length (single-unit vehicles): Exceeding forty (40) feet but less than seventy (70) feet;

(5)    Overall length (combination-unit vehicles): Exceeding seventy-five (75) feet but less than one hundred (100) feet;

(6)    Overhang for thirty (30) day and annual permits is measured as and limited to being over fifteen (15) feet from the center of the last axle up to one-third the total length of the vehicle and load;

(7)    If the move is to be on multi-lane roadways only, then the standards set by the Washington State Department of Transportation may be used for all applicable regulations as determined by the director of public works or his designee. This election of standards for multi-lane use does not eliminate the need for a permit under this section.

(f)    The above-listed restrictions shall be listed on the face of each annual permit/thirty (30) day permit issued. Additionally, the permit shall list additional restrictions as follows:

(1)    Weight limited to maximum axle loadings and gross weight permitted by the special permit regulations of the Washington State Highway Commission;

(2)    All permit moves or trips that will cross any restricted bridge within the county shall be required to contact the department of public works two (2) business days before such a move across any bridge to receive approval to cross the proposed bridge(s). The department of public works shall make a determination if the bridge(s) to be crossed is (are) structurally sufficient to allow the proposed load to cross. If it is determined that the bridge(s) cannot adequately accept the proposed load, the public works department will assist the permittee in locating an acceptable alternate route.

(g)    Escort Cars. When escort cars are required, the permit holder shall provide the escort cars to the standards established by the state of Washington under WAC 468-38-100. Escort cars may be passenger automobiles or two (2) axle trucks. All escort cars shall provide unobstructed front and rear vision, be in safe operational condition, be properly licensed, be driven by properly licensed drivers, and be insured with limits established under Section 10.06A.070(c)(6).

(1)    Escort cars shall travel at a distance of approximately three hundred fifty (350) feet to eight hundred (800) feet in front of and to the rear of the escorted load.

(2)    An “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign shall be required on the permitted vehicle when the overall dimensions of the vehicle or load do not exceed the measurements described in Table 10.06A.050-1. The sign must be mounted on the roof of the permitted vehicle and be visible to the vehicles approaching from the front and rear of the permitted vehicle. Two (2) rotating amber (yellow) warning lights shall be affixed on top of the permitted vehicle. The warning lights shall be visible to the approaching vehicles from the front and rear of the permitted vehicle from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet during daylight hours. The warning lights and the vehicle headlights of the permitted vehicle shall be activated while traveling in public right-of-way. The “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign must be at least ten (10) inches high, and between five (5) feet and eight (8) feet in width. The letters shall be black and eight (8) inches high with a one (1) inch stroke on yellow background.

(3)    Escort car requirements are stated in Table 10.06A.050-1 below, provided the county engineer or designee may impose additional requirements as necessary, depending on load, traffic and roadway conditions:

Table 10.06A.050-1—Escort Vehicle Requirements 

NET VEHICLE AND LOAD WIDTH

SINGLE UNIT VEHICLE LENGTH*

SINGLE TRAILER LENGTH*

DOUBLE TRAILER LENGTH*

LOAD OVERHANG**

SIGN, LIGHTS, or ESCORT VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS***

 

 

 

 

FRONT AND/OR REAR

 

≤8'6"

≤40'

≤53'

≤61'

≤3'

≤15'

No permit required

≤8'6"

≤40'

≤53'

≤61'

>3'

>15'

Permit only

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8'7" – 9'

≤40'

≤53'

≤61'

≤3'

≤15'

Permit only

8'7" – 9'

≤40'

≤53'

≤61'

>3'

>15'

ONE ESCORT VEHICLE

8'7" – 9'

>40'

>53'

>61'

≤3'

≤15'

ONE ESCORT VEHICLE

8'7" – 9'

>40'

>53'

>61'

>3'

>15'

TWO ESCORT VEHICLES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9'1" – 10'

≤40'

≤53'

≤61'

≤3'

≤15'

SIGN+WARNING LIGHTS

9'1" – 10'

≤40'

≤53'

≤61'

>3'

>15'

ONE ESCORT VEHICLE

9'1" – 10'

>40'

>53'

>61'

≤3'

≤15'

ONE ESCORT VEHICLE

9'1" – 10'

>40'

>53'

>61'

>3'

>15'

TWO ESCORT VEHICLES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10'1" – 11'

≤40'

≤53'

≤61'

≤3'

≤15'

ONE ESCORT VEHICLE

10'1" – 11'

≤40'

≤53'

≤61'

>3'

>15'

TWO ESCORT VEHICLES

10'1" – 11'

>40'

>53'

>61'

—

—

TWO ESCORT VEHICLES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

>11'

 

 

 

 

 

TWO ESCORT VEHICLES

< means “less than,” ≤ means “less than or equal to,” > means “greater than.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Length criteria subject to restriction as noted here

68' – 80'

One escort vehicle is needed

80'1" – 110'

Two escort vehicles are needed

110'1" or longer

Three escort vehicles may be necessary

** Rear overhang is measured from the center of last rear axle to the end of the load.

Maximum permissible rear overhang, except where specifically permitted by RCWs and WACs, is 1/3 of the total length of the trailer plus load.

Example: Length of trailer = 50', Rear load projection length beyond trailer = 10' (No front load projection assumed) Permissible rear overhang measured from center of the rear axle = (50+10)/3 = 20'

 

*** Extra requirements may be imposed by the County Engineer or designee depending upon the type of load, route conditions or other pertinent factors.

 

The vehicle length, width, height and loads are subject to RCWs and WACs stated below and other applicable State Laws:

 

Legal dimensions WAC 468-38-100; Maximum width RCW 46.44.010; Maximum height RCW 46.44.020; Maximum length RCW 46.44.030; Over weight/Over axle RCW 46.44.090, 46.44.091; Nondivisible loads WAC 468-38-050, 468-38-070; Temporary Additional Tonnage RCW 46.44.095; WAC 468-38-030; Auto/Boat carriers WAC 468-38-270(2); Saddle mounts RCW 46.44.037; Manufactured homes WAC 486-38-120.

(4)    Additional escort cars in excess of those required in Table 10.06A.050-1 may be required as determined by the director of public works or his designee based on the circumstances of the movement(s) anticipated, conditions of the routes to be used, or other conditions that may affect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

(5)    When dictated by heavy traffic and/or hazardous conditions, the escort car operator shall signal by hand or by radio to the towing vehicle driver when he/she can proceed without conflict with the approaching traffic. In addition, the rear escort car operator shall advise the towing vehicle driver as to clearance between the vehicle, load, and other objects that the vehicle and load are approaching, and accumulations of overtaking traffic, so the driver can provide the opportunity to pass the towing vehicle.

(6)    Two (2) four (4) inch minimum flashing amber lights or a single rotating flashing beacon will be displayed on the top, above the roof line of the escort cars and plainly visible to surrounding traffic, and shall meet SAE Standard Specifications (SAE J59 5b). These amber lights will operate at all times during the movement of oversize units. In addition, all signs required by the state of Washington shall be displayed pursuant to WAC 468-38-140.

(h)    Highway Commission Regulations Govern Issuance of Permits. The provisions set forth in the publication “Overweight/Oversize Vehicle Permits,” issued by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Maintenance and Operations Permit Office, Revised 1995 Edition and any subsequent revisions, will govern the issuance of permits for overlegal loads not otherwise covered in this chapter.

(i)    Loading or offloading any load requiring a permit under this section on a county road or right-of-way shall require the use of a state-certified flagger to control traffic. The use of a certified flagger may also be required in special circumstances as required by the director of public works or his designee. Any such special requirement for a certified flagger shall be listed on the permit. (Sec. 1 of Ord. 1997-12-11; amended by Sec. 1 of Ord. 2007-06-05; amended by Sec. 1 of Ord. 2008-06-02)