It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to move any building, mobile home (as defined in RCW 46.04.302), structure or any vehicle or combination of vehicles, unladen or with load, which exceeds the restrictions set forth in RCW 46.44.010, 46.44.020, 46.44.030, 46.44.034, 46.44.036, 46.44.041, and 46.44.042, across or upon any public street, alley, roadway or public place without first having obtained and being the owner or agent of the owner and holder of a valid state permit thereof, the same to be referred to as a "transportation permit."
(Ord. 1154 § 2, 1993; Ord. 2000 § 1, 2019)
No vehicle or combination of vehicles shall operate upon the city streets of the city of Fife with a gross load on any single axle in excess of 20,000 pounds, or upon any group of axles in excess of that set forth in the table prescribed in RCW 46.44.041, except that two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each, if the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more. It is unlawful to operate any vehicle upon the public streets of the city of Fife with a gross weight, including load, upon any tire concentrated upon the surface of the roadway, in excess of 600 pounds per inch width of such tire. Permitted nonreducible loads may operate upon the city streets of the city of Fife with a total gross weight of 22,000 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, and 43,000 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.
(Ord. 1154 § 6, 1993)
The city of Fife shall allow the use of permits issued by the state, pursuant to RCW 46.44.095, on the streets or roads of the city of Fife.
(Ord. 1154 § 9, 1993; Ord. 2000 § 2, 2019)
A. 
Evidence of notification to all public and private utility companies, including railroad companies, having facilities over, along or across the proposed route of travel which may be in conflict with or endangered by the load is required. Such notification shall be given to a responsible member of each company at least 24 hours before the proposed move. The responsible person's name, position, company name, and phone number, and date and time called must be recorded and attached to the permittee's copy of the permit prior to moving.
B. 
Evidence of notification to the Fife police department, and the community development department, public works and building/fire marshal divisions of the city of Fife, of the time and date of the move, the load dimensions, and time and date of contact must be recorded and attached to the permittee's copy of the permit prior to the moving.
(Ord. 1154 § 12, 1993)
The following restrictions shall be observed on movements of all overlegal-size loads within the city limits of the city of Fife, except with written permission from the chief of police or agent thereof:
A. 
Building or overlegal-size load moves will be allowed only during daylight hours. (One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset).
B. 
Building or overlegal-size load moves will not be allowed on arterial streets in the city of Fife during peak traffic hours (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
C. 
Building or overlegal-size load moves will not be allowed on legal holidays or observed holidays of the city of Fife.
D. 
Building or overlegal-size load moves will not be allowed if, at the discretion of the chief of police or an agent thereof, inclement weather, including but not limited to snow, ice, or fog, could create unsafe operating conditions.
E. 
In the event any condition arises that is adverse to the city, the chief of police, or an agent thereof, reserves the right to restrict movement of any overlegal-size load in the city of Fife at any time.
F. 
Any changes in moving dates or times from those set forth in the permit application must be cleared by the chief of police or an agent thereof.
(Ord. 1154 § 13, 1993)
Equipment used in the transporting of overlegal-size loads through the city of Fife shall be subject to inspection by any law enforcement officer of the city of Fife, and shall meet the following requirements:
A. 
All equipment must comply with the requirements as set forth by the Washington State Department of Transportation regulations regarding the movement of overlegal-size loads (Chapters 46.37 and 46.44 RCW).
B. 
All tractors, trailers, and dollies shall be licensed and covered by insurance as required by the State of Washington Department of Licensing (Chapter 46.16 RCW).
C. 
In case of equipment failure, insufficient power, or insufficient braking capabilities involving vehicles which move buildings or any overlegal-size load, the chief of police or his representative may call for outside assistance, at the mover's expense, to continue the move.
D. 
Tire and axle loading shall comply with the State of Washington Motor Vehicle Load Limits as set forth in RCW 46.44.041 and 46.44.042.
E. 
Personnel who are riding on top of the overlegal-size load to be moved, responsible for handling overhead wiring, shall, at all times, wear rubber gloves which are in good condition and are capable of withstanding high voltages of at least 10,000 volts.
F. 
A ladder of a length to reach the top of the overlegal-size load shall be available on every move.
G. 
Blocks capable of holding the unit being moved shall be carried on every move.
H. 
Every tow vehicle shall carry at all times an approved first aid kit.
I. 
Every tow vehicle shall carry at all times a minimum of 10 emergency fuses.
(Ord. 1154 § 14, 1993)
Front and rear escort vehicles shall be furnished by the permit holder or subcontractor and shall meet the following requirements:
A. 
Escort vehicles may be a four passenger car or two axle truck, and shall be fully licensed in the state of Washington and be in safe operating condition as outlined in Chapter 46.37 RCW.
B. 
Escort vehicles shall be of such design as to provide the driver clear and unobstructed vision both front and rear.
C. 
Escort vehicle operators shall be properly licensed and have sufficient experience to operate the vehicle.
D. 
Escort vehicle operators and ground escort personnel shall have in their possession a current and valid Washington State Flagging and Traffic Control Card, and shall wear an orange protective vest as outlined in WAC 296-155-305.
E. 
Front and rear escort vehicles shall travel at such reasonable distance from the building or overlegal-size load being moved so as to insure the maximum security to the traveling public.
F. 
All escort vehicles and towing vehicles shall be equipped with working two-way radios, subject to the approval of the chief of police or his agent thereof.
G. 
Escort vehicles shall be required when the following conditions exist:
1. 
One rear escort vehicle will be required when any load exceeds 14 feet in height.
2. 
One rear escort vehicle will be required for any solo vehicle exceeding 50 feet in length.
3. 
One rear escort vehicle will be required for any trailing unit when it exceeds 56 feet in length, or when any combination of trailing units exceed 68 feet in length.
4. 
One rear escort vehicle will be required when the load overhangs more than 15 feet beyond the center of the rear axle.
5. 
One rear and one front escort vehicle will be required when any load exceeds 11 feet in width on a two-lane, two-way street.
6. 
One rear and one front escort vehicle will be required when any load exceeds 14 feet in width and is traveling on any street in the city of Fife.
(Ord. 1154 § 15, 1993)
If the owner or holder of any such transportation permit fails or neglects to provide and furnish an adequate escort service for moving any building or overlegal-size load within the city, he shall pay to and/or reimburse the city for any such service or assistance rendered by the city while moving such building or overlegal-size load within the city limits.
(Ord. 1154 § 16, 1993)
Warning signs and devices shall meet the following requirements:
A. 
An "OVERSIZED LOAD" sign must measure at least five feet wide and 10 inches in height with one inch stroke on yellow background.
B. 
Oversized load signs shall be mounted on the front of the towing vehicle and on the rear of the load or trailing unit and above the roof line of the escort vehicle(s) a minimum of five feet above the roadway surface measured from the bottom of the sign.
C. 
Oversized load signs are to be displayed only when the unit is in transit and must be removed or retracted at all other times.
D. 
All overlegal-size loads shall display the prescribed 12-inch square red colored flag on each corner of the load.
E. 
Every towing vehicle and escort vehicle shall display either two four-inch minimum flashing amber lights or a single rotating flashing beacon mounted above the roof line and plainly visible. The amber lights shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standard Specifications (SAE J595b), "Flashing Warning Lamps for Authorized Emergency, Maintenance, and Service Vehicles." These amber lights shall operate at all times during the movement of any overlegal-size load.
(Ord. 1154 § 17, 1993; Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012)
A. 
Every permit issued as provided for in this chapter shall be carried in the vehicle or combination of vehicles to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by any law enforcement officer, state, county or local. The owner or holder of said permit shall provide, along with this permit, a validated copy of the Fife police department equipment weight and axle spacing report.
B. 
Violations of any of the provisions of the chapter, or misrepresentation of the size or weight of any load, or failure to follow the requirements and conditions of a "transportation permit," is a traffic infraction, and upon the first finding thereof shall be assessed a basic penalty of not less than $75.00; upon the second finding thereof there shall be assessed a basic penalty of not less than $125.00, and upon the third or subsequent finding shall be assessed a basic penalty of not less than $175.00.
C. 
Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be assessed $0.03 for each pound of excess weight. Upon the first violation in any calendar year, the court may suspend the penalty for 500 pounds of excess weight for each axle on any vehicle or combination of vehicles, not to exceed a 2,000-pound suspension. In no case may the basic penalty assessed in subsection (B) of this section be suspended.
D. 
Pursuant to RCW 46.44.100, any law enforcement officer is authorized to require the driver of any vehicle or combination of vehicles to stop and submit to weighing, either by means of a portable or stationary scale, and may require that the vehicle be driven to the nearest public scale. Whenever a law enforcement officer, upon weighing a vehicle and load, determines that the weight is unlawful, the officer may require the driver to stop the vehicle in a suitable location and remain standing until such portion of the load is removed as may be necessary to reduce the gross weight of the vehicle to the limit permitted under RCW 46.44.041 and 46.44.042 and this chapter.
E. 
It shall be unlawful for any driver of a vehicle to fail or refuse to stop and submit the vehicle and load to a weighing, or to fail or refuse, when directed by an officer upon a weighing of the vehicle, to stop the vehicle and otherwise comply with the provisions of this section.
F. 
For the purposes of determining the gross weights, the actual scale weight taken by the officer is prima facie evidence of the total gross weight.
G. 
It is a traffic infraction to direct the loading of a vehicle with knowledge that it violates the requirements set forth in Chapter 46.44 RCW and this chapter, and that it is to be operated on the public streets and roadways of the city of Fife.
(Ord. 1154 § 18, 1993; Ord. 2000 § 3, 2019)