§ 106-4. Moving of oversize or overweight vehicle.

(a)

Definition. As used in this section, the term "oversize or overweight load" means any vehicle-towed building or load exceeding the maximum size (i.e. width, height or weight) or weight specified in F.S. ch. 316.

(b)

Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to regulate the operation of an oversize or overweight vehicle of size, weight or load exceeding the maximum allowed in F.S. ch. 316 on public thoroughfares and to ensure that such operations do not endanger public safety or property. The primary intent of this section is to regulate the moving of homes and other large structures on public roads.

(c)

Permit required. No person shall operate a vehicle with a load of a size or weight exceeding the maximum specified in F.S. ch. 316 on any county or public road, street or thoroughfare or operate such a vehicle so as to pass beneath a traffic signal and its supporting cables on any road or street on the state system in the unincorporated areas of the county without first obtaining an oversize or overweight moving permit in accordance with this section and F.S. § 316.550.

(d)

Procedures for obtaining permit.

(1)

An applicant for an oversize or overweight moving permit shall submit the following information to the engineering services department:

a.

A complete application, signed by the owner of the vehicle or building, showing the following:

1.

The extreme dimensions of the height, width and length of load, including trailer, or building to be moved.

2.

The type and kind of building to be moved.

3.

Its present location and proposed new location by lot, block, subdivision and street numbers.

4.

If applicable, a minimum five-inch by seven-inch photo of all four sides of the building.

5.

If applicable, a certificate from a licensed and bonded termite company that the building is free of termites and that the structure has not been damaged by termites.

6.

If applicable, a certified written statement from the building official of the county or city in which the structure was formerly located which indicates that the structure:

i.

Complies with all the current codes in effect within the county or city; and

ii.

Could have been properly moved within the county or city.

7.

The type of towing vehicle, its license number, number of axles, number of wheels and weight.

8.

The insurance company and policy number of all coverage on vehicles used in the move.

9.

The approximate time such building will be on the streets and the contemplated route to be followed. If it appears that the move cannot be completed in seven hours, a proposed layover site shall be identified and approved.

10.

An application fee in accordance with the development services branch fee resolution.

b.

The owner of the vehicle seeking to move an oversize or overweight load shall, as a condition to receiving a permit under this section, sign an agreement in a form acceptable to the board of county commissioners to indemnify and hold the county, its officers, agents and employees harmless from the payment of any compensation or damages resulting from the exercise of the privileges granted by permit under this section.

(2)

Oversize or overweight loads being moved shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in width and 16 feet in height as measured from the ground. Loads exceeding 16 feet in height may require removal of traffic signals at the vehicle operator's expense. All oversize loads, including towing vehicles, shall also comply with maximum weight limitations as specified in F.S. ch. 316. Any oversize or overweight load or building exceeding the dimensions in this subsection must obtain further approval by the engineering services department.

(3)

The owner or operator of a vehicle moving an oversize or overweight load shall, in order to ensure the county's protection of its traffic light equipment, roads and signs, request the engineering services department to inspect and escort, if necessary, each move on county or public roads and on state roads where traffic signal equipment is located. Minimum fees for this escort shall be $100.00, which includes travel time to the site and three hours escort time. Any escort time over three hours shall be an additional fee at the rate of $40.00 per hour. An escort shall be required to be present at all times during the move if traffic control devices must be altered or removed. If it is, in fact, necessary to remove and replace any traffic control device, the cost to the mover shall be the actual cost incurred for labor, materials and equipment by the county. Such payment shall be made prior to issuance of a moving permit, if possible.

(4)

Upon issuance of an oversize or overweight moving permit, the applicant shall notify any utility companies, fire departments or other entities whose property may be affected by the building move. All such notices shall state the route that will be taken, starting time and approximate time of completion.

(5)

The engineering services department must be notified of the intention to move an oversize or overweight load 48 hours in advance of movement in order to allow a careful route check to be made to determine the location of street lighting, signalization, loading distribution, bridge crossings and time of movement.

(6)

All signs, mailboxes and other structures along the roadway right-of-way moved or altered by the mover of the oversize or overweight load shall be replaced within ten days by the mover at his expense. Damage to lawns, driveways and plantings, on or off the roadway right-of-way, shall also be replaced within ten days by the mover at his expense.

(7)

A bond in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00, in a form acceptable to the board of county commissioners, shall be provided by the mover of the oversize or overweight load at the time of permit application, conditioned upon compliance by the mover with this section.

(8)

Oversize or overweight loads shall be moved starting at 12:01 a.m. and must be at the final destination prior to 7:00 a.m. on the same day. If the move is not completed by 7:00 a.m., the load must be pulled off the road and the move continued at 12:01 a.m. the following day.

(9)

Lighting of the load must conform to the requirements as set forth in F.S. ch. 316. Lights must be plainly visible from a distance of at least 1,000 feet to the sides and rear of the load. Any vehicle connected with the move and following to the rear of the move shall be equipped, for safety purposes, with alternating or revolving red or amber warning lights.

(e)

Exceptions.

(1)

Emergencies. If, because of emergency conditions, it becomes necessary to continue the move after 7:00 a.m., permission must be obtained from the engineering services department at the earliest possible time. If possible, the load shall be moved off the roadway between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the same day. The move shall then continue at 9:00 a.m. to the nearest stopping point, the load secured and movement continued at 12:01 a.m. the following day.

(2)

Daylight moves. At times, for safety purposes, permission may be granted to move loads in the daylight hours starting at 9:00 a.m. These moves shall be for short distances only, as determined by the engineering services director or his designee. The permit shall clearly state the starting time and the distance to be traveled. Application for such daylight permits may be made to the engineering services department and must be accompanied by a permit fee of $40.00. The following may be permitted if all other requirements are met:

a.

Short distance moving of small structures that can be loaded on standard over-the-road trailers. Such moves shall be restricted to the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the same day.

b.

Moving of school portable buildings between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the same day.

(Code 1970, § 24½-7(a)—(d); Ord. No. 86-30, §§ 1—4, 10-7-86; Ord. No. 14-23, § 5, 9-9-14)

State law reference

Oversize vehicles, loads, etc., F.S. § 316.500 et seq.