A. Weight Of Vehicles And Loads: It shall be unlawful for any vehicle of four (4) wheels to have a gross weight including load of more than twenty four thousand (24,000) pounds. It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to have a greater load than sixteen thousand eight hundred (16,800) pounds on one axle, and no vehicle shall have a load of over eight hundred (800) pounds per inch width of tire upon any wheel concentrated upon the surface of the highway (said width in the case of solid rubber tire to be measured between the flanges of the rim) and such vehicle shall not be permitted on highways in this City which are surfaced with gravel or a higher type of surfacing. When axles are spaced less than eight feet (8') apart the load on each axle shall not exceed eight thousand four hundred (8,400) pounds.
Single vehicular units of more than four (4) wheels operated without trailer or semitrailer shall be permitted a gross weight not exceeding thirty four thousand (34,000) pounds, provided the gross weight on any axle does not exceed thirteen thousand (13,000) pounds.
Any peace officer having reason to believe that the weight of a vehicle and load is unlawful is authorized to weigh the same either by means of portable or stationary scales, and may require that such vehicle be driven to the nearest scales in the event that such scales are within two (2) miles. The officer may then require the driver to unload immediately such portion of the load as may be necessary to decrease the gross weight of such vehicle to the maximum therefor specified in this section.
B. Permits For Excess Size And Weight: The Chief of Police of this City may, in his discretion, upon application in writing and good cause being shown therefor, issue a special permit in writing authorizing the applicant to operate or move a vehicle of a size or weight exceeding the maximum specified in this section upon any highway under the jurisdiction of and for the maintenance of which the Council is responsible. Every such permit shall be issued for a single trip and may designate the route to be traversed and contain any other restrictions or conditions deemed necessary by the Chief of Police. Every such permit shall be carried in the vehicle to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by any peace officer. (1953 Code; amd. Ord. 449, 4-1-1996; Ord. 454, 6-15-1998)