Chapter 12.20
CLOSURE OR RESTRICTED USE OF COUNTY ROADS
Sections:
12.20.010 Temporary closure – Posting notices.
12.20.020 Schedule of emergency load restrictions.
12.20.030 Allowances permitted when.
12.20.050 Effect on other rules.
12.20.060 Authority to implement provisions.
12.20.080 Violation – Penalty.
12.20.010 Temporary closure – Posting notices.
A. In accordance with the provisions of RCW 46.44.080, whenever due to emergency conditions the use of a county road by all vehicles, or by vehicles whose gross tire loads exceed those described in either schedule contained in CCC 12.20.020, will damage a county road or will be dangerous to traffic and the traveling public using the county road, the Public Works Director, or the County Engineer, shall close such road temporarily to all vehicles, or to any designated class of vehicles, or to any designated frequency of use or vehicle loads by any class of vehicles, as the case may be, by posting notices at each end of the closed portion of road or roads.
B. For any definite period of time, the Director of Public Works or the County Engineer may close to travel, or restrict the use of, or require special permitting for, any county road to all vehicles, or to any designated class of vehicles, or to any designated frequency of use or vehicle loads by any class of vehicles, as the case may be, whenever the county road is being constructed, altered, repaired, improved or maintained in such a manner as to require its use or any portion of its use be closed or restricted or subject to special permitting; provided:
1. That before any county road is closed or restricted to all vehicles or any class of vehicles, a notice including the effective date shall be published in one issue of a newspaper of general circulation in the county.
2. That on or prior to the date of publication of such notice, the engineer shall erect and maintain, or cause to be erected and maintained signs designating the provisions of this chapter in a conspicuous place at each end of the portion of any county road affected.
3. No county road will be closed sooner than three days after the publication and posting of the notice. [Ord. 16-107 § 1 (Exh. A), 9-13-16.]
12.20.020 Schedule of emergency load restrictions.
When imposing load restrictions or special use conditions pursuant to this chapter, the Public Works Director, or the County Engineer, shall specify and display by posted signs whichever of the following schedules of emergency load restrictions is necessary to protect the road from damage in accordance with the conditions then existing.
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Emergency Load Restrictions |
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Tire Size |
Gross Load Each Tire (in pounds) |
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7.00 |
1800 |
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7.50 |
2250 |
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8.25 |
2800 |
|
9.00 |
3400 |
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10.00 |
4000 |
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11.00 |
4500 |
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12.00 and over |
4500 |
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Tubeless or Special With .5 Marking |
|
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Tire Size |
Gross Load Each Tire (in pounds) |
|
8-22.5 |
2250 |
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9-22.5 |
2800 |
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10-22.5 |
3400 |
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11-22.5 |
4000 |
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11-24.5 |
4000 |
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12-22.5 |
4500 |
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12-24.5 and over |
4500 |
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Severe Emergency Load Restrictions |
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|
Tire Size |
Gross Load Each Tire (in pounds) |
|
7.00 |
1800 |
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7.50 |
1800 |
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8.25 |
1900 |
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9.00 |
2250 |
|
10.00 |
2750 |
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11.00 and over |
3000 |
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Tubeless or Special With .5 Marking |
|
|
Tire Size |
Gross Load Each Tire (in pounds) |
|
8-22.5 |
1800 |
|
9-22.5 |
1900 |
|
10-22.5 |
2250 |
|
11-22.5 |
2750 |
|
11-24.5 |
2750 |
|
12-22.5 and over |
3000 |
[Ord. 16-107 § 1 (Exh. A), 9-13-16.]
12.20.030 Allowances permitted when.
No allowance will be made for any second rear axle that is suspended from the frame of a vehicle independent of the regular driving axle, commonly known as a rigid trail axle. Allowance will be made for single tires only, on the front axle of any truck. [Ord. 16-107 § 1 (Exh. A), 9-13-16.]
12.20.040 Load distributions.
The load distribution on any one axle of any vehicle shall be such that it will not load the tires on the axle in excess of the prescribed load set forth in this chapter; provided, that a truck, truck tractor, passenger bus or school bus having conventional 10.00 x 20 tires or 11-22.5 tires, or larger, may carry a maximum load of 10,000 pounds on the front axle over any county road placed under emergency load restrictions. [Ord. 16-107 § 1 (Exh. A), 9-13-16.]
12.20.050 Effect on other rules.
The rule set forth in CCC 12.20.040 shall not supersede or modify any rule in force establishing load limitations on county road bridges. [Ord. 16-107 § 1 (Exh. A), 9-13-16.]
12.20.060 Authority to implement provisions.
The Director of Public Works or the County Engineer shall have the authority to implement this chapter by publishing and posting notice in accordance with RCW 47.48.020; provided, however, that in case of emergency, the Director of Public Works or the County Engineer may, without publication or delay, close county roads temporarily to all vehicles or to any designated class of vehicles or to the frequency of use or vehicle loads by any class of vehicles or place other conditions or restrictions by posting notice of same at each end of the closed portion of road or roads. Such restrictions shall be effective immediately upon posting. [Ord. 16-107 § 1 (Exh. A), 9-13-16.]
12.20.070 Special permits.
The Director of Public Works, or the County Engineer, pursuant to RCW 47.48.020 and 46.44.080, may issue special permits in writing authorizing the operation of school buses, emergency vehicles and motor trucks transporting perishable commodities or commodities necessary for the health and welfare of local residents under specified weight and speed restrictions as may be necessary to protect any county road from undue damage or to protect the traveling public, or may issue special haul road permits in writing authorizing and setting terms and conditions for existing, new, and expanded hauling operations for use of county roads that may cause accelerated deterioration of roadway surfaces and improvements or be dangerous to traffic, including but not limited to: pits and quarries, logging operations, contractors, and developers. [Ord. 16-107 § 1 (Exh. A), 9-13-16.]
12.20.080 Violation – Penalty.
When any county road or portion thereof has been closed, as provided by this chapter, any person, firm or corporation, public or private, disregarding such closing or limitations on use of such county roads or portions thereof with any vehicle or any class of vehicles, or to any designated, as the case may be, to which the county road or portion thereof is closed or restricted or conditions placed for special use thereupon by any notice or emergency notice or permit, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, in addition to any penalties for violation of the provisions of this chapter, be liable in any civil action instituted in the name of the county for any damages caused to county road or roads or portions thereof, as the case may be, as a result of disregarding such closing or use or violation of any special permit for use of such county road or roads or portions thereof with any vehicle or any class of vehicle or violation of conditions or restrictions or permit to which the road or roads or portions thereof is closed or restricted. In addition thereto, any person, firm or corporation, public or private, in violation of this chapter or portions thereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and each day during which such violation is continued or committed shall constitute a separate offense and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 90 days or both such fine and imprisonment. [Ord. 16-107 § 1 (Exh. A), 9-13-16.]