TRN-2.07 - Over-Dimensional Permits

Authorization

Portland City Code Section 3.12.010 establishes the authority of the City Administrator to adopt administrative rules.

Purpose

Procedures 

Before operating an over-dimensional vehicle through the City of Portland, an applicant must first have obtained an over-dimensional permit from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

A. Insurance

B. Damage to City Property by Over-Dimensional Permit Holders

C. Legal Limits for Truck Dimensions

Limits are defined in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 818 as the following:

1. Height: 14 feet
2. Length: 
   1. 40 feet for single units, either alone or in a combination of vehicles.
   2. 60 feet for combinations of vehicles, including the load. 
   3. 65 feet for combinations that include a stinger-steered pole trailer. 
3. Width 8 feet 6 inches
4. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): 80,000 pounds, and in accordance with the tables in ORS 818.010. 
5. Loads overhanging the rear of the vehicle are to conform with the requirements shown in ORS 818.080 and ORS 818.100.

D. Legal Weight Limits for Emergency Vehicles

All emergency vehicles, including fire apparatus, which operate within city limits are subject to the weight limitation in effect on any highway, highway section, bridge, or structure.  Bridges with weight restrictions on city streets can be found on the Bridge Restrictions and Over-dimensional Truck Routing Reference map, which is available online.

Weight limits for emergency vehicles on bridges are listed separately on load posting signs as EV2 (two axle fire apparatus) and EV3 (three axle fire apparatus) in accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) direction.

Additional conditions apply as follows:

1. Emergency vehicles with a GWV of 86,000 pounds or below and axle and group weights that do not exceed the weights listed in (a) and (b) below do not require an over-dimensional permit, but still must comply with weight restrictions on bridges:
   1. 20,000 pounds on a single axle;
   2. 34,000 pounds on a tandem axe.
2. Emergency vehicles with a GVW of 86,000 pounds or below that exceed either of the axle and/or axle group weights listed above in D.1. (a) and (b) may operate with an approved annual over-dimensional permit and are subject to the following:
   1. The following axle and group axle weights are not exceeded:
      1. 24,000 pounds on a single steering axle;
      2. 33,500 pounds on a single drive axle;
      3. 62,000 pounds on a tandem axle; or
      4. 52,000 pounds on a tandem rear drive steer axle.
   2. The fully loaded fire apparatus must be equipped with tires of sufficient size that the gross weight on any wheel, axle, tandem axle, or group of axles does not exceed 635 pounds per inch of tire width or the manufacturer's sidewall tire rating, whichever is less; and
   3. The weight restrictions on bridges listed above.
3. Emergency vehicles exceeding 86,000 pounds GVW require an approved single-trip permit (over-dimensional permit), and are subject to the weight restrictions on bridges.

E. Route Restrictions/Requirements

1. The City does not provide suggested route details to drivers, but does recommend using State routes whenever possible.
2. Contact the Port of Portland for NE Airport Way west of Interstate 205 & NE 82^nd Ave north of NE Alderwood Rd.
3. Restricted streets/routes/loads:
   1. NE Marine Drive. No triple trailer combinations under any circumstances.
   2. No house moves greater than 12 feet wide unless on a trailer. Dates and times of house move routes must be approved by the City Traffic Engineer or their designee.
   3. Refer to the Bridge Restrictions & Over-dimensional Routing Reference Map for additional restrictions for bridges, underpasses, and other roadways.
4. Pilot vehicles:
   1. Pilot vehicles are generally not required for moves under 14 feet 6 inches in height that are less than 14 feet wide on multi-lane Regional Truckways, Priority Truck Streets, and Major Truck Streets unless otherwise required by the City Traffic Engineer.
   2. Pilot vehicles are generally not required for moves under 14 feet 6 inches in height that are less than 12 feet wide on two-lane Regional Truckways, Priority Truck Streets and Major Truck Streets unless otherwise required by the City Traffic Engineer.
   3. On all other City streets with heights under 14 feet 6 inches,
      1. No pilot vehicles are required for widths less than 9 feet;
      2. One pilot vehicle is required for widths between 9 feet 1inch and 12 feet;
      3. Two pilot vehicles are required for widths between 12 feet 1 inch and 14 feet.
      4. Additional pilot vehicles may be required at the discretion of the City Traffic Engineer.
   4. A pilot vehicle with a height pole must accompany a load over 14 feet 6 inches unless a device of more than three feet in height is mounted above the load to prevent snagging traffic signals, utility wires, etc.
   5. Pilot vehicles may be required at the City Traffic Engineer's discretion on all moves that are 14 feet 6 inches high, 14 feet wide or 65 feet long.
   6. Additional requirements for pilot vehicles may be found in Oregon Administrative Rule 734-82-0035.

F. Curfews

1. All permits are issued for daylight hours, except 7-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. unless otherwise approved by City staff.
2. Night permits may be approved at the City Traffic Engineer's discretion for over-dimension moves. 

G. City Approvals

1. Signal Electrician. Must approve high loads (generally over 15 feet 6 inches).
2. Structures. Must approve loads over 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. An axle-loading diagram is required from the permittee if the proposed route includes City structures.
3. Traffic Engineer. Reviews route for oversize clearance including, but not limited to, turning movements, lane widths, railroad crossings, and overall traffic impacts. 

H. TriMet Notification

1. The City will notify the applicant that a TriMet and/or Portland Streetcar Track Access Permit is needed when dimensions are higher than 18 feet and the proposed route crosses a light rail or streetcar track. The City’s over-dimensional permit will state "Not valid without accompanying TriMet/Streetcar permit."