Chapter 12.30
OVERSIZED VEHICLE-LOAD PERMITS
Sections:
12.30.020 Special permits for oversize or overweight movements.
12.30.030 Special permits – Gross weight limit.
12.30.040 Special permits – Overall width and/or height limits, exceptions.
12.30.050 Permits – Discretion of issuer – Conditions.
12.30.060 Moving of oversized loads upon city streets.
12.30.010 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions of the terms shall apply unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“City engineer” means the city engineer or his/her designee.
“Department” means department of public works.
“Director” means the public works director or his/her designee.
“Superintendent” means the public works superintendent or his/her designee. [Ord. 7-05 § 1, 2005].
12.30.020 Special permits for oversize or overweight movements.
The city of West Richland, with respect to roadways under its jurisdiction, shall issue a special permit in writing authorizing the applicant to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size, weight of vehicle, or load exceeding the maximums specified in the Chapter 46.44 RCW, Size, Weight, Load, or otherwise not in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 46.44 RCW upon any public highway, street or alley in the city. [Ord. 7-05 § 1, 2005].
12.30.030 Special permits – Gross weight limit.
A. Except as otherwise provided in subsections C and D of this section, no special permit shall be issued for movement on any city highway, street or alley where the gross weight, including load, exceeds the following limits:
1. Twenty-two thousand pounds on a single axle or on dual axles with a wheelbase between the first and second axles of less than three feet six inches;
2. Forty-three thousand pounds on dual axles having a wheelbase between the first and second axles of not less than three feet six inches but less than seven feet;
3. On any group of axles or in the case of a vehicle employing two single axles with a wheel base between the first and last axle of not less than seven feet but less than 10 feet, a weight in pounds determined by multiplying 6,500 times the distance in feet between the center of the first axle and the center of the last axle of the group;
4. On any group of axles with a wheel base between the first and last axle of not less than 10 feet but less than 30 feet, a weight in pounds determined by multiplying 2,200 times the sum of 20 and the distance in feet between the center of the first axle and the center of the last axle of the group;
5. On any group of axles with a wheel base between the first and last axle of 30 feet or greater, a weight in pounds determined by multiplying 1,600 times the sum of 40 and the distance in feet between the center of the first axle and the center of the last axle of the group.
B. The total weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles allowable by special permit under subsection A of this section shall be governed by the lesser of the weights obtained by using the total number of axles as a group or any combination of axles as a group.
C. The weight limitations pertaining to single axles may be exceeded to permit the movement of equipment operating upon single pneumatic tires having a rim width of 20 inches or more and a rim diameter of 24 inches or more or dual pneumatic tires having a rim width of 16 inches or more and a rim diameter of 24 inches or more.
D. Permits may be issued for weights in excess of the limitations contained in subsection A of this section on highways, streets or alleys or sections thereof which have been designed and constructed for weights in excess of such limitations, or for any shipment duly certified as necessary by military officials, or by officials of public or private power facilities, or when in the opinion of the director the movement or action is a necessary movement or action; provided, that in the judgment of the city engineer the structures and highway surfaces on the routes involved are capable of sustaining weights in excess of such limitations and it is not reasonable for economic or operational considerations to transport such excess weights by rail or water for any substantial distance of the total mileage applied for.
E. Application shall be made in writing on the “Moving Application For Oversized Vehicle-Load Permit” form provided by the department accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee as set by city council in the master fee schedule and the completed form shall be submitted at least 72 hours in advance of the proposed movement. [Ord. 16-14 § 3 (Att. C), 2014; Ord. 7-05 § 1, 2005].
12.30.040 Special permits – Overall width and/or height limits, exceptions.
Application shall be made in writing on the “Moving Application For Oversized Vehicle-Load Permit” form provided by the department accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee as set by city council in the master fee schedule and the completed form shall be submitted at least 72 hours in advance of the proposed movement. A special permit shall not be required for vehicles with a total outside width, including the load, of nine feet or less or for vehicles with a total height, including the load, of 14 feet or less.
A. Special permits may not be issued for movements on city highway, street or alley or section thereof in excess of the following widths:
1. On two-lane highways, 14 feet; or
2. On multiple-lane highways where a physical barrier serving as a median divider separates opposing traffic lanes, 20 feet; or
3. On multiple-lane highways without a physical barrier serving as a median divider, 32 feet.
B. The width limits in subsection A of this section shall apply except under the following condition:
1. Permits may be issued for widths of vehicles in excess of the width limitations on highways or sections of highways that have been designed and constructed for width in excess of such limitations as determined by the city engineer.
C. Special permits shall not be issued for movements on city highway, street or alley or sections thereof for vehicles with a total height, including the load, greater than 14 feet which cannot safely accommodate the extra height as determined by the city engineer.
D. In the case of buildings, the limitations referred to in subsection A of this section for movement on any city highway, street or alley or section thereof may be exceeded under the following conditions:
1. Controlled vehicular traffic shall be maintained in one direction at all times;
2. The maximum distance of movement shall not exceed five miles; additional contiguous permits shall not be issued to exceed the five-mile limit; provided, that when the city engineer determines a hardship would result, this limitation may be exceeded upon approval of the public works director;
3. Prior to issuing a permit, an authorized department employee may make a visual inspection of the building and route involved determining that the conditions listed herein shall be complied with and that structures or overhead obstructions may be cleared or moved in order to maintain a constant and uninterrupted movement of the building;
4. Special escort or other precautions may be imposed to assure movement is made under the safest possible conditions, and the West Richland police department shall receive written 24-hour notice of when and where the movement is to be made.
E. The limitations referred to in this section may be rescinded when certification is made by military officials, or by officials of public or private power facilities, or when in the opinion of the Washington State Department of Transportation the movement or action is a necessary movement or action; provided further, that in the judgment of the city engineer the structures and highway surfaces on the routes involved are capable of sustaining widths and/or heights in excess of such limitation. [Ord. 16-14 § 3 (Att. C), 2014; Ord. 36-09 § 1, 2009; Ord. 7-05 § 1, 2005].
12.30.050 Permits – Discretion of issuer – Conditions.
The director is authorized to issue or withhold such special permit at his/her discretion, although where a mobile home is being moved, the verification of a valid license under Chapter 46.70 RCW as a mobile home dealer or manufacturer, or under Chapter 46.76 RCW as a transporter, shall be done by the city’s building department. If the permit is issued, the city may limit the number of trips, establish seasonal or other time limitations within which the vehicle described may be operated on the city highways, streets and alleys indicated, or otherwise limit or prescribe conditions of operation of the vehicle or vehicles when necessary to assure against undue damage to the road foundation, surfaces, or structures or safety of traffic and may require such undertaking or other security as may be deemed necessary to compensate for injury to any roadway or road structure. [Ord. 7-05 § 1, 2005].
12.30.060 Moving of oversized loads upon city streets.
A. The permittee, by the acceptance of such permit, agrees to put the streets over which such transportation is made in as good order and condition as they were prior to such use, and agrees to clean up and remove all debris deposited thereon by reason of such use, otherwise to forfeit to the city the said deposit, in addition to all damages, for which he/she may be the cause, and for which he/she may be liable or responsible.
B. All removals made under such permits shall be done in a careful manner and shall be prosecuted with diligence, and shall be under supervision and control, and to the satisfaction and approval of the superintendent.
C. No person, firm or corporation owning or having charge of the transportation of any building on the public streets shall permit such building to stand on any street, alley or public grounds within the city limits.
D. When the cutting of any wires, or temporary removal or displacing of any pole or poles of any public or private telegraph, telephone, electric light, or any other wire, passing along or over any other highway, street, or alley becomes necessary for the transportation of any load, the person in charge of such removal shall, at least six hours in advance of reaching the same, notify the person or persons having charge of and control over such wire or wires, and the person so notified shall cause such wires to be promptly cut, temporarily displaced, or removed and replaced, after being first paid or tendered the reasonable cost and expense thereof; provided, however, that in every case in which the cutting of wires belonging to the city may be necessary, the superintendent shall be notified, and he/she shall have the wires cut and replaced, the person or persons having charge of the removal of the buildings, paying the entire cost and expense of cutting, removal and replacing of the same. [Ord. 7-05 § 1, 2005].