(a) On or after June 1, 1981, any person desiring to operate a vehicle which is oversized or overweight, as defined by regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and in subsection (b) hereof, on the streets and highways within the City, shall file with the Department of Public Works an application for a hauling permit and shall pay the fee for such permit as required by this section, at least twenty-four hours in advance of such intended hauling. This section does not apply to state-designated routes that lie within the City. Movement of oversize or overweight vehicles on state routes within the City shall be regulated by a permit issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(b) The definition of “oversized vehicle” for the purposes of this section is as follows:
(1) Any vehicle in excess of 80,000 pounds gross weight.
(2) Any vehicle in excess of thirteen feet six inches in height.
(3) Any vehicle in excess of eight feet six inches in width.
(4) Any vehicle in excess of seventy-five feet in length.
(5) Any vehicle whose dimensions include a combination of subsections (b)(1), (2), (3) or (4) hereof. (Ord. 36-2005. Passed 9-20-05.)
(c) Permit Required for Movement in the City.
(1) To move a vehicle whose dimensions exceed the limitations set in subsection (b) hereof, application must be made to the City for an oversize vehicle permit.
(2) Applicant shall provide to the City proof of liability insurance with a coverage limitation of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000).
(3) Applicant shall pay to the City a fifty dollar ($50.00) permit fee, plus fifty cents ($0.50) for each one thousand pounds (or fraction thereof) over and above 80,000 (eighty thousand pounds) pounds gross vehicle weight.
(4) Upon receipt of permit fee and proof of insurance, the City will provide applicant with an oversize vehicle permit to operate upon the streets of the City. The oversize vehicle permit will list the name of the applicant, identify the truck and/or trailer by registration plate number, and list the overall dimensions and weight of the vehicle. The permit will also list the route, including origin and destination, through the City. The permit will also list any special provisions regarding hours of operation or required escorts. The permit will be valid for five calendar days (5 calendar days) after date of issuance.
(5) Blanket permits may be issued to an applicant regardless of domicile. Blanket permits are not valid for any oversized movement in excess of 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. The holder of a blanket permit shall not, however, be required to pay the fifty dollar ($50.00) fee for an oversize vehicle permit, but only the fifty cents ($0.50) per thousand pound fee (1,000 pound fee) for weight in excess of 80,000 pounds (eighty thousand pounds). Blanket permits shall be issued for each power unit (truck or tractor). Each power unit requires a separate blanket permit. The fee for an annual blanket oversize vehicle permit shall be one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($125.00). Blanket permits shall be good for the calendar year in which issued and will expire on December 31 of said year.
(6) The permittee is responsible for notifying the utility companies, the City Bureau of Electrical Maintenance, and the City Police Department, Traffic Sergeant, at least twenty-four hours (24 hours) in advance of any vehicle movement. Permittee is responsible for any fees for services from the Bureau of Electrical Maintenance as a result of moving or raising traffic signals or signs. Permittee is responsible for York City Police services required as a result of the movement. Permittee is also responsible for any fees from utility companies for raising wires that are higher than the statutory mandated height above the roadway of eighteen feet (18 feet).
(7) The Department of Public Works may require, at its discretion, that a physical route survey be performed prior to the issuance of a permit to ensure that a proposed routing can be negotiated safely.
(Ord. 1-2009. Passed 1-6-09.)
(d) Damage to Highway. The permittee shall repair at his own expense and to the satisfaction of the City any damage to highways or structures which occurs in connection with operations under the permit.
(e) Hours of Operation.
(1) Oversized vehicle movements may be conducted within the City between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and noon on Saturday, with the following exceptions:
No movement on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
(2) Pursuant to Section 179.10, paragraph 7(iii) of Title 67, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, oversized movements will be allowed within the City between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., provided that the movement is accompanied by front and rear escort vehicles, and that additional lighting be in place on all sides and visible from a distance of 1,000 feet.
(f) Definition of Escort Vehicles.
(1) An escort vehicle shall be a car or light truck, not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
(2) An escort vehicle shall be equipped with a minimum of two flashing or revolving amber lights on the roof, and will bear signs stating “OVERSIZE LOAD” visible from the front and rear. Signs shall be five feet wide and one foot high, with black letters on a yellow background.
(3) An escort vehicle shall have two-way radio communications with the oversized vehicle.
(4) Escort vehicles and personnel shall have authority to direct traffic and be responsible to ensure that traffic disruption is minimal. Escort personnel shall wear an orange reflective vest and hardhat when engaged in directing traffic.
(5) Escort vehicles are required to carry proof of liability insurance with a minimum coverage limit of one million dollars ($1,000,000), naming the City as an additional insured, said proof of insurance to be kept on file with the City.
(6) Escort vehicles shall be required in addition to subsection (e)(2) hereof as follows:
One escort vehicle:
For an oversize vehicle over eleven feet in total width.
For an oversize vehicle in excess of seventy-five feet in length.
Two escort vehicles:
For an oversize vehicle that is over eleven feet in total width and in excess of seventy-five feet in length.
An escort vehicle with a height pole:
For an oversize vehicle in excess of fourteen feet in total height.
A pole car can function as the front car in the event two escort vehicles are required.
(7) When one escort vehicle is required it shall precede the oversize vehicle on all roadways with one lane of traffic in each direction, and follow the oversize vehicle on all roadways with more than one lane of traffic in each direction.
(8) When two escort vehicles are required, one escort vehicle shall precede the oversized vehicle and one escort vehicle shall follow the oversized vehicle.
(9) When an escort vehicle with a height pole is required, it will precede the oversize vehicle at all times.
(10) An escort vehicle may be required for any restricted bridge crossing within the City. (Ord. 36-2005. Passed 9-20-05.)
(g) Penalties for Violation.
(1) Any oversized vehicle found to be operating within the City without an oversize vehicle permit from the City shall be subject to a fine not less than three hundred dollars ($300.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for violation of this section, and additionally shall be held subject to the regulations and penalties set forth in Chapter 49 of Title 75, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
(2) Any oversized vehicle in possession of an oversized vehicle permit and found to be operating in violation of this section or the provisions of the oversize vehicle permit shall have said permit confiscated by any duly authorized law enforcement officer, and shall be subject to a fine not less than three hundred dollars ($300.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for violation of this section, and additionally shall be held subejct to the regulations and penalties set forth in Chapter 49 of Title 75, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
(Ord. 1-2009. Passed 1-6-09.)
(h) Severability. If any subsection of this section is found to be unenforceable or defective, or found to be unlawful, all other subsections shall remain in effect and will be enforced.
(Ord. 36-2005. Passed 9-20-05.)