Chapter 348

348.27(11m)(a) (a) If the secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection determines that an agricultural emergency exists, the secretary of transportation may authorize the issuance of permits to allow vehicles that are transporting any of the following loads to exceed the width limitation under s. 348.05 (1) if the total outside width does not exceed 12 feet 5 inches and the height does not exceed 14 feet 6 inches:

348.27(11m)(a)1. 1. Baled hay, baled straw, baled cornstalks, or baled stover if the hay, straw, cornstalks, or stover is to be used for feed or bedding.

348.27(11m)(a)2. 2. From September 15 to December 15 of each year, Christmas trees from the point of harvesting or staging to a Christmas tree yard or point of commercial shipment.

348.27(11m)(b) (b) In authorizing the issuance of permits under this subsection, the secretary of transportation shall specify in writing the factors which resulted in the determination to issue permits under this subsection. The factors shall include the effect of the increased size limits on highway safety.

348.27(11m)(c) (c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit the department to waive the requirements of s. 348.07.

348.27(11m)(d) (d) The secretary of transportation may limit the application of permits issued under this subsection to specific areas of the state or to specific highways. A permit authorized under this subsection takes effect upon the mailing or delivery of a complete application and the required fee to the department. A permit authorized under this subsection is valid for up to 90 days, as determined by the secretary of transportation.

348.27(12) (12) Transportation of garbage or refuse.

348.27(12)(a) (a) In this subsection, “refuse” means combustible and noncombustible rubbish, including paper, wood, metal, glass, cloth and products thereof, litter and street rubbish, ashes, and lumber, concrete and other debris resulting from the construction or demolition of structures.

348.27(12)(b) (b) The department may issue an annual or consecutive month permit for the transportation of garbage, as defined in s. 289.01 (9), or refuse, in any of the following vehicles that exceed statutory weight and length limitations and for the return of the vehicle when empty:

348.27(12)(b)1. 1. A self-compactor equipped vehicle.

348.27(12)(b)2. 2. A roll-off equipped truck or roll-off trailer that uses all axles while transporting garbage or refuse.

348.27(12)(c) (c) A permit under par. (b) may be issued for use on any highway within this state.

348.27 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 269, Wis. adm. code.

348.27(12m) (12m) Permits for vehicles transporting certain buildings.

348.27(12m)(a) (a) In this subsection:

348.27(12m)(a)1. 1.

348.27(12m)(a)1.a. a. “Building” means a dwelling or other structure or portion of a dwelling or other structure that, when measured as provided in subd. 1. b., is more than 12 feet wide, more than 14 feet 3 inches in height, or more than 100 feet long; that is transportable as a whole or in sections; and that is raised and supported from an existing foundation to be moved and placed on a permanent foundation at a new location where the dwelling or other structure is to be delivered. “Building” does not include a modular housing unit, a manufactured building as defined in s. 101.71 (6), or a manufactured home as defined in s. 101.91 (2).

348.27(12m)(a)1.b. b. For purposes of subd. 1. a., width shall be measured from the farthest extremity of the vehicle and load on each side, height shall be measured from the ground to the highest point of the vehicle and load, and length shall be measured from the rearmost point of the vehicle and load to the frontmost point of the vehicle.

348.27(12m)(a)2. 2. “Vehicle” includes a combination of vehicles.

348.27(12m)(b) (b) The department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for vehicles transporting buildings on the highways. A permit under this subsection may be issued only by the department, regardless of the highways to be used.

348.27(12m)(c) (c) The department may not issue a permit under this subsection unless the department determines that all of the following requirements are met:

348.27(12m)(c)1. 1. The applicant identifies each potential operator of a vehicle under the permit and provides proof that each such operator holds a valid commercial driver license, with any endorsement required under ch. 343 for operation of the class and type of vehicle to be used to transport a building under the permit.

348.27(12m)(c)2. 2. The applicant provides proof of a valid motor carrier certificate or license of authority issued under ch. 194 or under federal law applicable for each vehicle to be used to transport a building under the permit.

348.27(12m)(c)3. 3. The applicant provides proof, by a certificate of insurance filed with the department, that the applicant, in addition to satisfying the insurance requirements described in s. 346.924 (2), maintains a policy of comprehensive general liability insurance, issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state, that provides bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage, including for underground property damage, with a total limit of not less than $500,000 for each occurrence.

348.27(12m)(d) (d) The department may deny any application for a permit under this subsection if the department finds any of the following:

348.27(12m)(d)1. 1. That the applicant, or any potential operator identified in par. (c) 1., has been convicted, within 3 years immediately preceding the date of application, of a violation of s. 346.924.

348.27(12m)(d)2. 2. That the applicant, or any potential operator identified in par. (c) 1., has engaged in conduct endangering the safety of persons using the highways.

348.27(12m)(d)3. 3. That the applicant has failed to provide reimbursement for damage, which is not paid for by the applicant’s insurer, to a highway caused while transporting a building under a permit under this subsection.

348.27(12m)(d)4. 4. That the applicant, or any potential operator identified in par. (c) 1., has abandoned a building on a highway or on public or private property without permission of the property owner.

348.27(12m)(e) (e) The provisions of this subsection apply in addition to any other requirement imposed under this chapter, chs. 194, 343, 346, and 347, and federal law.

348.27(15) (15) Multiple trip permits.

348.27(15)(a) (a) The department shall issue to qualifying applicants multiple trip permits for the transportation of granular roofing material in vehicles or vehicle combinations that exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) by not more than 10,000 pounds. A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle or vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of 90,000 pounds. A permit under this subsection may be issued only by the department, regardless of the highways to be used. A permit under this subsection is not valid on highways designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways except that a permit may be issued that is valid on not more than 2.5 miles of any state trunk highway if such issuance of the permit is consistent with federal law.

348.27(15)(b) (b)

348.27(15)(b)1. 1. An application for a permit under this subsection shall include all of the following information:

348.27(15)(b)1.a. a. The motor carrier on behalf of which the load is to be transported.

348.27(15)(b)1.b. b. The location from which the transportation of the load is to originate and the load’s destination, along with the designated route over which the load will be transported.

348.27(15)(b)2. 2. A permit issued under this subsection shall include as conditions of the permit the information specified in subd. 1. a. and b.

348.27(15)(c) (c) If the designated route under par. (b) 1. b. includes streets or highways other than those within the state trunk highway system, no permit may be issued under this subsection unless the governing body of each municipality or county having jurisdiction over such streets or highways adopts a resolution approving the transportation of the load over that portion of the designated route that is on streets or highways under the jurisdiction of the municipality or county. An applicant for a permit under this subsection shall include a copy of each such resolution with the permit application.

348.27(15)(d) (d) The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this subsection.

348.27 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Trans 263, Wis. adm. code.

348.27(16) (16) Transportation of hay or straw.

348.27(16)(a) (a) The department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for the transportation of loads of hay or straw on a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the height limitations under s. 348.06.

348.27(16)(b) (b) If the roads desired to be used by an applicant for a permit under this subsection involve highways other than those within the state trunk highway system, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of route approval by the officer in charge of maintenance of the other highway.

348.27(16)(c) (c) A permit under this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle or vehicle combination having an overall height in excess of 14 feet 6 inches if the vehicle or vehicle combination is being operated on a highway in an urban area or 15 feet if the vehicle or vehicle combination is being operated on any other highway. The department shall, by rule, define “urban area” for purposes of this paragraph and shall provide, with each permit issued under this subsection, information to the permit holder as to the meaning of this term.

348.27(16)(d) (d) The department may promulgate rules regulating the configuration of the loads carried under permits issued under this subsection and how these loads are to be secured for safe travel.

348.27(17) (17) Permits for the transportation of sealed loads in international trade.

348.27(17)(a) (a) In this subsection, “sealed load” means a load consisting of a container or vehicle, being transported in international trade, that has been sealed with a tamper-evident seal affixed at the time of initial loading.

348.27(17)(b) (b) The department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for the transportation of a sealed load in a vehicle or vehicle combination that has 6 or more axles and that exceeds the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) if the vehicle or vehicle combination does not exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.29. Notwithstanding s. 348.15 (8), any axle of a vehicle or vehicle combination that does not impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle or vehicle combination may not be counted as an axle for the purposes of this paragraph. A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle or vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of 90,000 pounds.

348.27(18) (18) Permits for the transportation of certain agricultural products.

348.27(18)(a) (a) In this subsection:

348.27(18)(a)1. 1. “Agricultural product” means any of the following or any combination of the following:

348.27(18)(a)1.a. a. Fruit.

348.27(18)(a)1.b. b. Vegetables.

348.27(18)(a)1.c. c. Grain, including distillers’ grain.

348.27(18)(a)1.d. d. Live livestock, as defined in s. 95.51 (1), feed for livestock, or nutritional supplements for livestock.

348.27(18)(a)1.e. e. Fish or minnows.

348.27(18)(a)1.f. f. Hemp, as defined in s. 94.67 (15c).

348.27(18)(a)2. 2. “Agricultural product” does not include liquid milk or liquid milk by-products, manure or animal waste, or raw forest products:

348.27(18)(b) (b) Subject to par. (c), the department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for the transportation of agricultural products in vehicles or vehicle combinations that have 6 or more axles and that exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) if the vehicle or vehicle combination does not exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.295. Notwithstanding s. 348.15 (8), any axle of a vehicle or vehicle combination that does not impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle or vehicle combination may not be counted as an axle for the purposes of this paragraph. A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle or vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of 90,000 pounds.

348.27(18)(c) (c) A permit under this subsection is valid only for the transportation of agricultural products to a farm or from a field or farm to a storage facility on the farmer’s owned or leased land, a facility for initial storage that is not on the farmer’s owned or leased land, or a facility for initial processing.

348.27(18)(d) (d) If the roads desired to be used by an applicant for a permit under this subsection involve highways other than those within the state trunk highway system, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of route approval by the officer in charge of maintenance of the other highway.

348.27(18)(e) (e) A permit under this subsection is not valid on any interstate highway designated under s. 84.29 (2) except to the extent allowed by federal law without any loss or reduction of federal aid or other sanction.

348.27(19) (19) No-fee permits for implements of husbandry and agricultural commercial motor vehicles that exceed length or weight limitations.

348.27(19)(a) (a) In this subsection, “maintaining authority” means the following:

348.27(19)(a)1. 1. The department or its designee, with respect to state trunk highways and bridges crossing over state trunk highways.

348.27(19)(a)2. 2. The municipality or county responsible for maintenance of the highway or its designee, with respect to any highway that is not a state trunk highway, including any connecting highway. This subdivision does not apply to any bridge crossing over a state trunk highway.

348.27(19)(b) (b)

348.27(19)(b)1. 1. Subject to subds. 3. and 5. b. and par. (c), a person may apply to the maintaining authority of a highway for an annual or consecutive month, no-fee permit to operate an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter. Subject to subds. 3. and 5. b. and par. (c), a person may also apply to the maintaining authority of a highway for an annual or consecutive month, no-fee permit to operate a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter and that is being transported on the highway to or from a farm-related destination. Upon receiving a complete application for a no-fee permit under this subsection, the maintaining authority shall provide the applicant with a final decision on the application within 3 weeks of its receipt. If the maintaining authority fails to approve or deny the application within this 3-week period, the application is considered approved until the applicant receives a denial meeting the requirements under subd. 4. or until 6 weeks from receipt of the application. If the maintaining authority fails to approve or deny the application within 6 weeks of its receipt, the application is approved.

348.27(19)(b)2. 2. Subject to subd. 3. and par. (c), any person to whom a no-fee permit has been issued under this subsection may, at any time, apply for an amendment to the permit to reflect a change in the applicant’s circumstances or information, including a change in the listing or map of highways to be traveled. Upon receiving a complete application for amendment under this subdivision, the maintaining authority shall provide the applicant with a decision on the application within 5 business days of its receipt. If the maintaining authority fails to approve or deny the application within this period of 5 business days, the application is considered approved until the applicant receives a denial meeting the requirements under subd. 4. or until 10 business days from receipt of the application. If the maintaining authority fails to approve or deny the application within 10 business days of its receipt, the application is approved. This subdivision does not apply if the permit is a resolution or ordinance adopted under subd. 5. This subdivision does not apply with respect to a replacement vehicle as described in par. (c) 10.

348.27(19)(b)3. 3. Except as provided in subd. 5. b., an application under subd. 1. or 2. shall be made on the form prescribed by the department under par. (d) 1.

348.27(19)(b)4. 4. After receiving a complete permit application under subd. 1. or 2., if a maintaining authority denies the application, it shall notify the applicant in writing of the denial and the notice shall include a reasonable and structurally based explanation of the denial that relates to the preservation of the roadway.

348.27(19)(b)4m. 4m.

348.27(19)(b)4m.a. a. If a maintaining authority receives a complete permit application, or a complete application to amend a permit, for an implement of husbandry described in s. 340.01 (24) (a) 1. b. or for an agricultural commercial motor vehicle used as described in s. 340.01 (1o) (e) 1., the maintaining authority may not deny the application. However, the maintaining authority may modify the application to include an alternate route or map of highways other than those specified by the applicant under par. (c) 3. for operation or transportation of the implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle and shall approve the application.

348.27(19)(b)4m.b. b. For a maintaining authority under par. (a) 2., the alternate route or map of highways under subd. 4m. a. may include highways that are not under the jurisdiction of the maintaining authority issuing the permit only upon prior approval of the maintaining authority having jurisdiction over those highways, except that no prior approval is required with respect to a highway on which the implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle may be legally operated or transported without a permit or as authorized by a resolution or ordinance serving as a permit under subd. 5. b. For a maintaining authority under par. (a) 1., the alternate route or map of highways under subd. 4m. a. may not include highways that are not under the jurisdiction of the maintaining authority issuing the permit.

348.27(19)(b)5. 5.

348.27(19)(b)5.a. a. The governing body of a municipality or county may, by resolution or ordinance, authorize operation on any or all highways under the municipality’s or county’s jurisdiction of implements of husbandry and agricultural commercial motor vehicles that exceed limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter. The governing body of a municipality or county may also, by resolution or ordinance, authorize operation on any or all highways under the municipality’s or county’s jurisdiction of 2-vehicle combinations transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter and that is being transported to or from a farm-related destination. If the governing body of a municipality or county adopts a resolution or ordinance under this subd. 5. a., the resolution or ordinance shall be valid for at least one calendar year. For a resolution or ordinance under this subd. 5. a. to be effective in any calendar year, the resolution or ordinance must be adopted on or before November 30 of the prior year. No amendment to a resolution or ordinance is effective in a calendar year unless the amendment was adopted on or before November 30 of the prior year.

348.27(19)(b)5.b. b. If the governing body of a municipality or county adopts a resolution or ordinance under subd. 5. a., then subd. 3. and par. (c) 3. do not apply, no permit application is required, and the resolution or ordinance shall serve as the permit under this subsection. The governing body of the municipality or county shall make copies of the resolution or ordinance readily available to the public at multiple locations within the municipality or county.

348.27(19)(b)5.c. c. If the governing body of a municipality or county adopts a resolution or ordinance under subd. 5. a. that applies to fewer than all of the highways under the municipality’s or county’s jurisdiction or that authorizes operation or transportation of implements of husbandry and agricultural commercial motor vehicles but imposes conditions, restrictions, or limitations on this operation or transportation, then a person may apply for a permit under subd. 1. for operation or transportation of an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle on any highway or under any circumstance not authorized by the resolution or ordinance.

348.27(19)(b)5.d. d. No later than January 20 of the year after it adopts or amends a resolution or ordinance under this subdivision, each municipality or county that adopts a resolution or ordinance under this subdivision shall forward to the department a copy of the resolution or ordinance, and the department shall publish the resolution or ordinance on the department’s Internet site.

348.27(19)(c) (c)

348.27(19)(c)1. 1. With respect to any highway under its jurisdiction, and as provided in subd. 8. and par. (b) 4m. b., a maintaining authority may issue an annual or consecutive month, no-fee permit authorizing operation on the highway of an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter if the applicable requirements of this subsection are satisfied.

348.27(19)(c)1m. 1m. With respect to any highway under its jurisdiction, and as provided in subd. 9. and par. (b) 4m. b., a maintaining authority may issue an annual or consecutive month, no-fee permit authorizing operation on the highway of a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter and that is being transported to or from a farm-related destination, if the applicable requirements of this subsection are satisfied.

348.27(19)(c)2. 2. A no-fee permit issued under this subsection does not exempt any implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle from complying with all equipment and other requirements for an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle specified in ch. 347.

348.27(19)(c)3. 3. Except as provided in par. (b) 5. b., an application for a no-fee permit under this subsection shall be accompanied by a listing or map of the highways that may potentially be traveled under authorization of the permit.

348.27(19)(c)4. 4. A no-fee permit issued under subd. 1. or 1m. is not valid on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.27(19)(c)5. 5. No fee may be charged for issuance or amendment of a permit under this subsection, or for any study, investigation, or other review in connection with an application for a permit or amendment of a permit under this subsection.

348.27(19)(c)6. 6. A maintaining authority under par. (a) 2. may issue permits under this subsection having a valid period that is longer than one year or for which there is no expiration.

348.27(19)(c)7. 7. Permits issued under this subsection by a maintaining authority under par. (a) 1., including amended permits for which an application has been approved under par. (b) 2., shall automatically renew each year unless there is a material change to any roadway for which the permit applies.

348.27(19)(c)8. 8. In addition to the authorization under subd. 1., a no-fee permit issued under this subsection authorizes an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle being operated in compliance with the permit to cross any highway that intersects with a highway under the jurisdiction of the maintaining authority that issued the permit. This subdivision does not apply to a bridge crossing over a state trunk highway.