Chapter 11.20 ROAD CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS

Chapter 11.20
ROAD CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS

Sections:

11.20.010 Authority to close or restrict.

11.20.020 Load restrictions.

11.20.030 Posting—Official seal.

11.20.040 Effective date.

11.20.050 Special motor vehicle permits—Policy for load restrictions.

11.20.060 Overwidth farm equipment— Permit.

11.20.010 Authority to close or restrict.

When, during severe climatic or other conditions, the Board of Skagit County Commissioners deems it advisable, the County Engineer is hereby empowered to post any roads to the following set limits that he deems necessary. All such posted roads shall be closed to travel by vehicles whose gross weight exceeds these limitations. (Ord. 8629 (part), 1980; Res. 7013, 1977; 45 CJ 200)

11.20.020 Load restrictions.

(a) Severe Loading. Weights exceeding the below-noted severe weights will greatly damage certain county roads, therefore, it is necessary to restrict from said roads all vehicles whose gross weight (vehicle and load) exceeds the following severe load limits for the tire sizes set forth below:


Tire Size	Max. Gross Load Allowed For Each Tire	Tire Size	Max. Gross Load Allowed For Each Tire
Conventional Tires
*6.00	1400 pounds	8.25	1900 pounds
*6.50	1600 pounds	9.00	2250 pounds
*7.00	1800 pounds	10.00	2750 pounds
*7.50	1800 pounds	11.00 & over	3000 pounds
Tubeless or Special Tires with .5 Marking
*8-22.5	1800 pounds	11-22.5	2750 pounds
*9-22.5	1900 pounds	11-24.5	2750 pounds
10-22.5	2250 pounds	12-22.5 & over	3000 pounds

If vehicle has 10:00 or wider tires on the front axle and otherwise qualifies for a permit, vehicle may be allowed to have 10,000 pounds gross on said front axle under severe loading restrictions.

(b) Normal Loading. The gross vehicle weight may be increased to the following normal restrictions on some roads:


Tire Size	Max. Gross Load Allowed For Each Tire	Tire Size	Max. Gross Load Allowed For Each Tire
Conventional Tires
*6.00	1400 pounds	8.25	2800 pounds
*6.50	1600 pounds	9.00	3400 pounds
*7.00	1800 pounds	10.00	4000 pounds
*7.50	1800 pounds	11.00	4500 pounds
		12.00 & over	4500 pounds
Tubeless or Special Tires with .5 Marking
*8-22.5	2250 pounds	11-24.5	4000 pounds
*9-22.5	2800 pounds	12-22.5	4500 pounds
10-22.5	3400 pounds	12-24.5 & over	4500 pounds
11-22.5	4000 pounds

If vehicle has 10:00 or wider tires on the front axle and can meet all other tire weight requirements, said vehicle can have up to 10,000 pounds gross on said front axle and will not require a permit when under normal loading restrictions. (Ord. 10419 (part), 1985: Res. 10418 (part), 1985: Res. 8629 (part), 1980)

11.20.030 Posting—Official seal.

The restrictions imposed shall be posted on the County roads affected. The County Engineer is authorized to sign the necessary postings with his official seal. (Res. 8629 (part), 1980)

11.20.040 Effective date.

This chapter becomes effective November 10, 1980, and shall remain in effect until rescinded or superseded, all in accordance with the provisions of R.C.W. 46.44.080, Session Laws of Washington for 1961 as amended. (Res. 8629 (part), 1980: Ord. 7013, 1977; 45 CJ 199)

11.20.050 Special motor vehicle permits— Policy for load restrictions.

In accordance with R.C.W. 46.44.092 and R.C.W. 46.44.093, local authority is authorized to issue special permits to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size and weight exceeding the maximum specified in this act upon any public highway under the jurisdiction of said local authority.

(1) (a) School buses (no extracurricular activities);

(b) Milk trucks with dual tires on rear axles and on trailers;

(c) Trucks hauling produce and perishables: To obtain a permit, driver must present manifest sheet or invoice to show proof that at least fifty percent (50%) of their load is fresh produce and/or perishables;

(d) Garbage pickup required for health, e.g., schools, hospitals, and institutions. Dead animal services required for health reasons;

(e) Emergency equipment vendors hauling medical supplies (gases, drugs, etc.);

(f) Feed trucks—1/2 loads for three (3) days;

(g) Fuel trucks—one-trip basis only, allowed to haul 1/2 loads on emergency basis;

(h) Septic tank dumping—emergency basis, one trip only.

(2) After the first three (3) days of restrictions, overload permits may be issued for tire loadings up to the normal road restrictions for the following emergency services:

(a) Feed trucks—1/2 load for three (3) days;

(b) Fuel trucks—1/2 load for three (3) day limit;

(3) Permits will be issued on a trip-by-trip basis unless otherwise allowed herein.

(4) Any vehicle requiring an overload permit shall not exceed thirty-five miles per hour (35 m.p.h.) on any severe restricted road.

(5) Tires over eleven inches (11") in width may be issued an overload permit for loads up to five thousand two hundred fifty pounds (5,250 lbs.) per tire or three thousand pounds (3,000 lbs.) plus four hundred pounds (400 lbs.) per inch of tire in excess of eleven inches (11"), whichever is the lesser amount.

(6) Where a specific hardship occurs, overload permits will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The County Engineer, at his discretion, shall issue said special permits in accordance with the provisions of the above act but reserves the right to alter the provisions concerning issuance of said permits, provided that (1) said changes are made to more closely coordinate with established rules by the Washington State Department of Transportation for State Routes within the County, and (2) not making said changes to coordinate with Department of Transportation would make enforcement of provisions significantly more difficult for Washington State Patrol and other enforcing agencies. The County Auditor shall hereby designate a collecting agent for all fees provided for by this act. (Ord. 10419 (part), 1985: Res. 10418 (part), 1985: Ord. 8629 (part), 1980; Res. 697, 1948; 23 CJ 286)

11.20.060 Overwidth farm equipment— Permit.

(1) The Skagit County Engineer is hereby authorized to issue permits for the movement of overwidth farm equipment on roads under the jurisdiction of Skagit County.

(2) The issuance of such permits will be governed by the following regulations:

(a) FARM IMPLEMENTS:

(i) “Farm implements” means every device capable of being driven, pulled, or trailored upon a highway which, when operated, directly affects the fertilizing, tilling, planting, cultivation, or harvesting of crops of the soil, including feed crops for livestock.

(ii) “Farm implements” does not include:

[a] Implements having a gross weight of forty-five thousand (45,000) pounds or more;

[b] Those more than twenty (20) feet wide;

[c] Those not equipped with pneumatic tires without prior approval of the County Engineer;

[d] Those more than fourteen (14) feet wide if not used for the harvesting or planting of crops.

(b) Farm implements less than fourteen (14) feet in width do not require a special permit for movement on County roads during daylight hours. All farm implements will require a permit for nighttime movements. All farm implements greater than fourteen (14) feet in width will require a permit for movement on County roads.

(d) The movement of farm implements, whether exempt from obtaining a permit or not, shall be subject to the following regulations:

(i) WIDTH: If more than eight (8) feet, the implement must display bright red flags at least twelve (12) inches square so as to wave freely on the two corners nearest the centerline.

(ii) DISTANCE: A farm implement must allow at least five hundred (500) feet between it and another vehicle so as not to impair the visibility of an overtaking vehicle. If five (5) or more vehicles line up behind a farm implement, the farm implement is to pull off the roadway as soon as practicable.

(iii) LEAD ESCORT VEHICLE: A lead escort vehicle shall be required whenever any portion of the farm implement extends beyond the center line of the road on which it is traveling. For those roads which are not marked by center line, a lead escort vehicle will be required for all farm implements greater than twelve (12) feet in width. Such lead escort vehicle (pilot car) shall have an overhead flashing beacon during nighttime hours or a flag during daylight hours.

(iv) A flag person may be used instead of an escort vehicle when authorized by permit:

[a] A flag person shall be an agent or employee of the person moving the farm implement and must be at least sixteen (16) years old. The flag person shall have a red flag not less than twelve (12) inches square mounted on a staff, and may ride in the cab or in another vehicle. A flag person is required if stipulated in the permit.

[b] The flag person may get out of the vehicle and direct traffic whenever traffic is obstructed, or where necessary to infringe on the opposite lane of traffic. The flag person shall warn traffic of the approaching load at danger points.

(v) Posting a route may be used in lieu of the requirement for pilot cars. The following conditions must be met:

[a] The intended route can be no more than two (2) miles along public roads.

[b] Signs must be posted on the shoulder of the right side of the roadway no more than twelve (12) feet from the edge of the traffic lane.

[c] Signs shall read “OVERSIZE VEHICLE MOVING AHEAD” and be posted on a square at least thirty-six (36) inches on each side in black lettering on a yellow background. They shall be removed as soon as possible after the farm implement has left the County road.

[d] Signs shall not rest on the ground and must be visible to vehicles approaching or turning onto the portion of the County road to be traveled.\

[e] They shall be placed: (1) In advance to the point where the farm implement enters the County road, (2) in advance of the exit point, and (3) a sign on each side of the County road near each access, public or private, to inform the driver of a vehicle turning onto the County road in either direction.

(e) HOURS OF MOVEMENT: Implements may be moved at any time for operations directly involved with the planting of crops and the harvesting of crops. Movements outside of daylight hours during these operations will be governed by nighttime restrictions, as set forth in Subsection (i) below.

At all other times, movement will be restricted to daylight hours only (i.e., one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset). When visibility is less than one thousand (1,000) feet or when hazardous conditions exist such as fog, ice, and hazardous material spills, nighttime restrictions will apply.

(i) NIGHTTIME RESTRICTIONS: When allowed, the following restrictions shall apply to nighttime moves. Lead escort vehicles will be required for all implements which extend beyond the center line of the road. On those roads which do not have a center line, lead escort vehicles will be required.

The farm implement or transporting vehicle shall also be equipped with rear red lights and red reflectors. In addition, it shall display four (4) inch, double-face, flashing amber lights mounted one on each side at the widest point on the farm implement so as to be visible to oncoming and overtaking traffic.

Farm implements not equipped with the above lights shall be followed by an escort vehicle. (Ord. 10149, 1984)