Section 4513.34 of the Ohio Revised Code, in part, grants permission to local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, to issue special permits for the operation of vehicles or combinations of vehicles of a size or weight of a vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in Sections 5577.01 to 5577.09 of the Ohio Revised Code.

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, in its effort to effectively control the use of County maintained highways, has set forth the following conditions whereby permission may be granted to operate such oversize or overweight vehicles or move such oversize, overweight loads in a manner that will not materially affect the safety of the motoring public or the integrity of the highway or structures.

This policy applies to the movement on or across any and all Franklin County maintained highways of all vehicles and loads that exceed the maximum allowable weight, width, height, and/or length as described in Sections 5577.04 and 5577.05 of the Ohio Revised Code.

1.General

All individuals, firms, partnerships, companies or corporations wishing to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in Sections 5577.01 to 5577.09 of the Ohio Revised Code on any or all Franklin County maintained highways must obtain a special hauling permit from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners through the Franklin County Engineer.

2. Types of Permits

a. Trip (5 day)

The trip permit provides for one movement of one vehicle and load(s) over one specific
route within a 5 calendar day period. Special provisions such as signage, escorts, etc. will be
specified in the permit.

b. Continuing (90 Day) 

The Continuing (90 day) permit provides for one movement of a specific vehicle and
load(s) over the same specified route within a 90 calendar day period. Special provisions
required such as signage, escorts, etc. will be specified in the permit.

c.  Annual (Calendar year January 1 – December 31)

The Annual (Calendar Year) permit allows an unspecified number of trips within a
calendar year. This permit shall be issued for a specific vehicle and cannot be used for another
vehicle. If more than one type of load is to be transported in combination with the specified
vehicle they must be listed separately on form SHP-1L. Each type of load must be listed and
show type, manufacturer or make, model number, load dimensions, vehicle and load dimensions,
net load, total gross weight, and all axle loads for that vehicle and load combination. SHP-1L
forms will be kept on file and may be revised during the year subject to a revision charge. If all
weights (axle and gross) are legal, the “axle loads” portion of the permit form need not be
completed. No Annual permit will be issued for any vehicle and load that exceeds any of the
following; 120,000 pounds, 12’-0” in width, 13’-6” in height or 70’-0” in length. Any holder of
an Annual permit who violates any provision of the permit shall be subject to having the Annual
permit revoked and may be required to obtain an individual trip permit for each movement of
the vehicle and load(s).

3. Responsibility for Permits

The Franklin County Engineer, on behalf of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, shall be responsible for administering the issuance of special hauling permits, including receiving applications for special permits, reviewing applications for completion, inspecting proposed routes, recommending issuance or denial of permits, and maintaining records of all applications and permits.

4. Requirements for Obtaining a Special Hauling Permit

a. The maximum axle weights for which a SPECIAL HAULING PERMIT WILL BE ISSUED are
32,000 pounds for a single axle, and 48,000 pounds for a tandem axle. However, if the County
Engineer determines that vehicles with axles of these weights could cause damage to the
highways or structures, the loads must be reduced or other routes selected. The maximum height,
width, and length of vehicles or combinations for which a SPECIAL HAULING PERMIT will be issued
will be determined by the clearances of structures or other obstruction and by the extent that a
vehicle or combinations with such dimensions would interfere with or endanger normal traffic on
the routes traversed.
b. Prior to the issuance of any special hauling permit, a Certificate of Liability Insurance with
Special Contractual Endorsement attached, must be filed with the Franklin County Engineer. The
insurance coverage shall comply with the limits defined in Section D-4 of this Manual, “Permit
Procedure.”
c. In lieu of the Certificate of Liability Insurance described in paragraph 4 (b) and prior to the
issuance of any special hauling permit, the applicant shall furnish to the Franklin County Engineer
a Surety Bond, certified check or approved escrow account in an amount sufficient to pay for all
damages that may occur to all County maintained highways, bridges and culverts caused directly
or indirectly as a result of the transportation of the permittee vehicle(s). An annual bond in the
sum of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000) may be furnished to cover all
anticipated moves in lieu of a bond, certified check or approved escrow account for each
individual permit issued. All Surety Bonds must be on forms approved by the Franklin County
Engineer. All certified checks, and approved escrow accounts must remain valid for a minimum of
thirty (30) days after issuance. Annual bonds must be renewed not less than thirty (30) days prior
to expiration.
d. Each application will be given individual consideration to determine whether the load can be
moved or routed as to be the least likely to cause damage to the highways, endanger or interfere
with normal traffic.
1. Vehicle and load combinations up to 120,000 lbs. must be submitted for review a
minimum of two (2) business days in advance of the desired movement date.
2. Vehicle and load combinations in excess of 120,000 lbs. must be submitted for
review a minimum of four (4) business days in advance of the desired movement
date. Applicants with an extremely heavy load or over dimension combinations are
encouraged to submit applications for review as soon as possible.
3. Franklin County observes the following Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther
King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
e. All weights and dimensions given on an application for a special hauling permit are to be the
actual weights and dimensions and not the maximum allowable limits for such a movement.
f. An application for a permit to move a load of such dimensions that may cause detouring of
normal highway traffic will be reviewed by the Franklin County Engineer.
g. Non-compliance with the general or special provisions of a permit, exceeding the weights or
dimensions granted, operating on dates or upon highways other than assigned shall render the
permit null and void and the operator of the vehicle subject to arrest as provided in Sections
5577.02 to 5577.05 inclusive of the Ohio Revised Code.

5. Limitations on Special Hauling Permits

a. The granting of a permit does not guarantee that the load described can be moved without
damage to the pavement or structure. The permit is granted on the assumption that the load can
be moved without damage based on the best information available.
b. The permittee will be held liable for any damage caused by the movement. The County
assumes no responsibility for damage to the Permittee’s equipment or load being moved due to
any such failure. The Permittee agrees to compensate Franklin County for any damage to a
roadway or road structure and also to hold Franklin County and the Franklin County Engineer
harmless from all claims, damages, or proceedings of any kind and from all responsibility for
personal injury or property damages (public or private) caused directly, or indirectly, as a result
of the transportation of said vehicle(s) or load(s).
c. The applicant must file a bond or certificate of his liability insurance, showing that he has
procured adequate bond and insurance to cover the provisions of paragraph 5 (b).
d. The permit shall be in the possession of the driver at all times during the progress of
transportation and will be shown on demand to the Franklin County Engineer or his representative,
the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the Franklin County Sheriff or the Ohio State
Highway Patrol.
e. The permission granted restricts the movement of the vehicle(s) or load(s) to the highways
specified, between the points designated, and within the time allotted.
f. A representative of the Franklin County Engineer may be required to be present during the
time of movement if so stipulated in the permit. Notification of the exact time of movement must
be made during the Franklin County Engineer’s normal working hours. If a representative of the
Franklin County Engineer is required to be present during the movement, a minimum of two hours
is required between time of notification and start of move.
g. All permit requests must be made during normal working hours.
h. Movements under a special hauling permit shall be made during daylight hours and in such a
manner to minimize disruptions to normal highway traffic. If the applicant wishes to make a
movement after daylight hours and can prove to the County that such a movement can be safely
made and would minimize disruption to normal traffic to a lesser extent than during daylight
hours, then such a move may be granted. All movements made after daylight hours shall be
required to have a minimum of two escorts.
i. Escort(s) shall be required when a hazard exists or when a vehicle and/or loads exceed
certain dimensions. Escort(s) shall be required under the following circumstances:
(1) When total width including any load exceeds 10 feet but is less than 14’-6”,
a minimum of one escort shall be required.
(2) When total width including any load equals 14’-6” or more, a minimum of
two escorts shall be required.
(3) When overall length including any load exceeds 70 feet, a minimum of
one escort shall be required.
(4) When overall height including load exceeds 13’-6”, a minimum or one escort
shall be required.
(5) When movement is to be made after daylight hours, a minimum of two escorts
shall be required.
Vehicles and loads that are extremely heavy, wide, or long may require additional escorts and
will be so specified in the permit. The requirements for escorts may be waived or modified if
conditions exist that would allow safe movement of the vehicle and load(s) without undue risk or
hazard. Any modifications to the above conditions will be specified in the permit and will
supersede the minimum requirements as otherwise stated. The Franklin County Engineer or his
representative, shall make the final determination of escort requirements for a particular move.
j. No vehicle(s) or load(s) being transported under a Special Hauling Permit shall be left parked
on the roadway, either day or night, except in an emergency, in which case adequate protection
shall be provided within the limits of the highway.
k. The operator of the vehicle(s) must comply with all laws, rules, or regulations covering the
movement of traffic over highways and streets.
l. Any time road, weather or traffic conditions make travel unsafe, movements shall be delayed
until safe conditions exist.
m. A permit will not be issued for loads that are divisible into legal loads, such as gravel, dirt,
mulch, scrap iron, ready mixed concrete, etc., and equipment and/or machinery that can be
reasonably broken down and transported in legal loads.
n. Oversize and/or overweight loads shall be operated or moved at such speeds and in such
manner as to cause minimum interference with other traffic and minimum impact stresses on
structures and pavements. If a reduced speed is determined necessary for safe movement, a
required speed limit will be specified in the SPECIAL PROVISIONS portion of the permit.
o. Loads having extremely large dimensions shall require additional protective measures when
necessary for the safeguarding of other traffic. Every effort shall be made to limit traffic
congestion in both directions. One or more flaggers, or escort(s) may be required and will be
specified in the permit.
p. Non-compliance with general or special provisions of a permit, exceeding the weights or
dimensions granted, and/or operating on dates and highways other than assigned shall render
the permit null and void. The operator of the vehicle will be subject to arrest, as provided in
Sections 5577.02 to 5577.05 inclusive of the Ohio Revised Code, and/or a fine as provided in
Section 4513.34.
q. All construction equipment and other machinery shall be identified showing the manufacturer’s
name and the model.

a. Vehicle Requirements.

An escort vehicle may be a passenger sedan, open van type vehicle,
station wagon, or two (2) axle panel or pickup truck having a rated capacity not to exceed two
tons. An escort vehicle shall have a rear view mirror on each side and shall be in good
mechanical condition. It shall be equipped with a two-way radio for communication with the
operator of the permit movement, and shall carry at least one spare tire at all times. Escort
vehicles, when required by a Special Hauling Permit to accompany an over dimensional or
overweight vehicle/load, shall be required to display a warning sign, yellow with black letters,
reading “OVERSIZE LOAD”. The sign shall be 5 feet long by 12 inches high with 8 inch high
letters. When a private escort vehicle is traveling ahead of the permit vehicle, it shall display an
“OVERSIZE LOAD” sign visibly toward the front, and when the escort vehicle is trailing, the sign
shall be displayed to the rear. All escort vehicles shall have a flashing or rotating amber beacon
of such intensity as to be clearly seen at a minimum distance of 1000 feet in normal daytime
conditions.

b. Operator Requirements.

A private escort vehicle operator shall be at least 18 years of age
and have a valid driver’s license issued by the state in which the escort vehicle is registered.

c. Position.

When one escort vehicle is required it shall precede the permit movement when
operating on two-lane highways with traffic in either direction. It shall, if at all possible, be
positioned 150 feet in advance of the permit movement. On multiple lane highways the escort
vehicle shall follow the permit movement at a distance of 150 feet where possible. When two
escort vehicles are required one shall precede the permit movement and the other shall follow the
permit movement at a distance of 150 feet where possible. No action shall be taken by an
escort or towing vehicle to prevent an overtaking vehicle from safely entering and occupying the
space between the escort and the permit vehicle.

d. Traffic Control.

Escort vehicles, together with flaggers, shall control the permit movement in a
manner that will insure the safety of the traveling public. When it becomes necessary to occupy a
portion of the opposing traffic lane for any reason, it shall not be occupied by the permit
movement until the operator is signaled by the escort driver or flagger that the lane is clear of
opposing traffic. Opposing traffic shall not be stopped except in extreme emergencies or as
directed by a law enforcement officer. It shall be the responsibility of the operator of the permit
movement to stop safely until the opposing lane is free of approaching traffic before proceeding,
regardless of conflicting signals by an escort driver or flagger.

e. Headlights.

Towing and escort vehicles are required to have headlights turned on at all times
during the permit movement.

1. General Information

a.The procedures set forth herein shall serve as a guide in establishing a uniform method for the application of regulations governing the issuance of permits to operate or move vehicles or combinations of vehicles of a size or weight of a vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in Sections 5577.01 to 5577.09 of the Ohio Revised Code on or across any and all Franklin County maintained highways.

b.Issuance of special hauling permits shall apply only to County highways outside of municipal corporations unless the County has, by agreement, assumed full maintenance of a section of highway that lies wholly, or in part, within a municipal corporation.

c.Requests for special hauling permits must be made in accordance with the policies and procedures as set forth in this section. Applicants are advised that these permits cover only Franklin County maintained highways. Permits to move over state highways must be obtained from the Director of Transportation. Permits to move over municipal highways must be obtained from the applicable municipality if so required. Permits to move over township maintained highways must be obtained from individual Township Trustee Boards. The Franklin County Board of Commissioners assumes no responsibility for the failure of the applicant to secure such applicable state, municipal, or township permits.

2. Application for Permit, Permit Review and Site Inspection

3. Bonds and Insurance

Prior to issuance of a special hauling permit, the applicant will be required to furnish one of the following:

a.Liability Insurance – A Certificate of Liability Insurance with limits of no less than $500,000 bodily injury liability, $1,000,000 each occurrence and $500,000 property damage liability. If the applicant does not have specified insurance limits but has an excess umbrella liability policy of $1,000,000 or greater, the excess liability policy shall be considered as acceptable insurance coverage. There shall be a Special Contractual Endorsement attached and filed with the Certificate of Liability Insurance. Under the “DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS/ LOCATIONS/ VEHICLES” section of the Certificate of Liability insurance, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Franklin County Engineer shall be included as Additional Insured under the General Liability.

b.Surety Bond – A Surety Bond, certified check or approved escrow account in the amounts required in paragraph “a. Liability Insurance.” All Surety Bonds must be submitted on forms approved by the Franklin County Engineer.

1. General Information

a. A fee, payable to the Franklin County Engineer, will be charged to cover the cost of issuing a permit and/or inspecting the roadway and structures before, during and after the permitted movement.

b. See the Franklin County Engineer’s website for the fee structure for oversized/overweight hauling permits.

c. Permit fees shall be paid by check or money order. The permit holder may elect to establish an account with the Franklin County Engineer’s Office whereby future permit fees may be drawn from the balance. The cost of the permit and the credit balance will be shown on the permit.

d. Fees for Special Hauling Permits shall be as follows:

e. A fee, payable to the Franklin County Engineer, will be charged to cover the cost of issuing a permit and/or inspecting the roadway and structures before, during and after the permitted movement.

f. Hauling Permit Fees

g. Permit fees shall be paid by check or money order. The permit holder may elect to establish an account with the Franklin County Engineer’s Office whereby future permit fees may be drawn from the balance. The cost of the permit and the credit balance will be shown on the permit.