Chapter 10.18
EMERGENCY LOAD LIMITATIONS ON COUNTY ROADS
Sections:
10.18.010 Declaration of purpose.
10.18.020 Scope and construction of terms.
10.18.040 Emergency load limitations.
10.18.050 Special permits for authorized vehicles.
10.18.060 Maximum speed permitted on posted roads.
10.18.010 Declaration of purpose.
It is declared that the policy of the board of county commissioners is to:
A. Establish and post load limitations upon county roads during load sensitive periods;
B. Request the Washington State Patrol’s assistance with weight control enforcement. (Ord. 1995-05 (part))
10.18.020 Scope and construction of terms.
The definitions in this section shall control the meaning of terms used herein. Where no definition is expressly stated herein, a term shall have that meaning clearly indicated by, or reasonably implied from, the context in which such term is used. (Ord. 1995-05 (part))
10.18.030 Definitions.
A. “Authorized emergency vehicle” means any vehicle of any fire department, sheriff’s office, Skamania County road department, prosecuting attorney, Washington State Patrol, ambulance service, which need not be classified, registered or authorized by the State Patrol.
B. “Commodity necessary for health and welfare” means anything provided to the public which is necessary to provide essential shelter, food or fuel to people and animals.
C. “County engineer” means the county engineer, the county director of public works, or his or her designee
D. “County road” means every public highway or road or part thereof in the county road log or part thereof, outside the limits of incorporated within Skamania County and is within a city or town and which has not been designated as a state highway.
E. “Gross weight” means the total vehicle weight including load.
F. “Load sensitive periods” means any period designated by the county engineer.
G. “Perishable commodity” means a product of agriculture, aquaculture, or manufacture which by its nature is subject to destruction, decay, deterioration or spoilage except under proper conditions.
H. “Person” means and includes every natural person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or organization.
I. “Pneumatic tire” includes every tire of rubber or other resilient material designed to be inflated with compressed air to support the load thereon.
J. “School bus” means every motor vehicle used regularly to transport children to and from school or in connection with school activities, which is subject to the requirements set forth in the most recent edition of “Specifications for School Buses” published by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, but does not include buses operated by common carriers in urban transportation of school children.
K. “Service necessary for health and welfare” means any service provided to the public which is necessary to maintain essential power, gas, communications, garbage, sewer and water services for the public.
L. “Tire width,” in the case of pneumatic tires, means the maximum overall normal inflated width, as stipulated by the manufacturer, when inflated to the pressure specified and without load thereon.
M. “Truck” means any motor vehicle designed or used for the transportation of commodities, merchandise, produce, freight, animals or other things.
N. “Vehicle” means and includes every device capable of being moved upon a public highway and in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway. (Ord. 1995-05 (part))
10.18.040 Emergency load limitations.
A. When the county engineer determines that vehicles whose gross tire loads will seriously damage or destroy a county road, the county engineer may impose limits on vehicles weights, except for authorized emergency vehicles.
B. The emergency load limitations imposed by this section shall become effective upon the county engineer erecting signs designating the load limitations (visible to the operator of a vehicle as the operator enters the restricted area), and shall remain in effect until the county engineer removes the signs. (Ord. 1995-05 (part))
10.18.050 Special permits for authorized vehicles.
A. In accordance with RCW 46.44.092 and RCW 46.44.093, the county engineer is authorized, during load-sensitive periods, to issue special permits for the operation (upon any county road within the county) of a vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeding the maximum loads.
1. Emergency vehicles, operating for the purpose of conducting their official function, shall be exempt from obtaining a specially issued permit;
2. School buses operating in their official function shall be considered as emergency vehicles for permit purposes;
3. Trucks hauling perishable commodities. To obtain a permit, drivers must show proof that at least fifty percent of their load is fresh produce and/or perishables;
4. Feed trucks (on trip bases only): allowed to haul half loads on emergency basis;
5. Fuel trucks (on trip basis only): allowed to haul half loads on emergency basis;
6. Vehicles providing service necessary for health and welfare.
B. A permit issued to a vehicle in one of the classes of vehicles listed in subsection A of this section shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. The gross weight of such vehicle shall not exceed that amount determined by multiplying the total number of tires concentrated upon the surface of the road times the maximum allowable gross weight per tire;
2. No allowance shall be made for any second gear axle suspended from the frame of the vehicle independent of the regular driving axle, otherwise known as “rigid tail-axles;”
3. Allowance will be made for single tires only on the front of a vehicle;
4. The load distribution on any axle of a vehicle shall be such that it will not load the tires on said axle in excess of the prescribed load, as set forth above, and any loading in excess of the specified maximum will be considered a violation of this chapter;
5. In an attempt to comply with requirements of this section, the power unit of any combination shall be sufficiently designed to lawfully handle the designated weight;
6. The following limits on vehicle weights are for determining allowable loads and shall apply to vehicles receiving permits under this section:
|
Conventional Pneumatic Tires |
Tubeless or Special Pneumatic Tires with .5 Marking |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Gross Load |
Tire |
Gross Load |
|
Tire Width |
Each Tire |
Width |
Each Tire |
|
7.00* |
1800 lbs. |
8-22.5* |
1800 lbs. |
|
7.50 |
2000 lbs. |
9-22.5 |
2200 lbs. |
|
8.25 |
2200 lbs. |
10-22.5 |
2600 lbs. |
|
9.00 |
2600 lbs. |
11-22.5 |
3200 lbs. |
|
10.00 |
3200 lbs. |
11-24.5 |
3200 lbs. |
|
11.00 |
3600 lbs. |
12-22.5 |
3600 lbs. |
|
*And Under |
|||
If a vehicle has ten-inch or wider tires on the front axle and otherwise qualifies for a permit, the vehicle may be allowed to have ten thousand pounds gross weight on such front axle under emergency load limitations.
C. Tires over eleven inches in width may be issued a special permit for loads of three thousand pounds plus four hundred pounds per inch of tire in excess of eleven inches, up to five thousand two hundred fifty pounds per tire.
D. Any vehicle requiring a special permit under this section shall not exceed twenty-five miles per hour on any county road subject to emergency load limitations. (Ord. 1998-02 (part); Ord. 1995-05 (part))
10.18.060 Maximum speed permitted on posted roads.
Except where applicable law specifies a lower speed, the county engineer may post a reduced speed limit upon any county road under emergency load limitations. (Ord. 1995-05 (part))
10.18.070 Penalty.
Any person violating any emergency load limitations on a county road during a load-sensitive period shall be in violation of this chapter. A violation of this ordinance shall constitute a traffic infraction subjecting the violator to the monetary penalties provided in RCW 46.44 and 46.61, as hereinafter amended. (Ord. 1998-02 (part); Ord. 1995-05 (part))
10.18.080 Action for damage.
Any person operating a motor vehicle upon any county road in violation of any provision of this chapter shall be liable under RCW 46.44.110 and RCW 46.44.120 for any damage caused to such county road as the result of such violation. (Ord. 1995-05 (part))