Washington Administrative Code

The secretary may designate any qualified person as hearing officer with respect to hearings on any franchise application. Subject to later review and ruling by the secretary or his designee, such hearing officer may:(1) Administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and r…

This policy shall apply to all franchises and permits issued subject to chapter 47.44 RCW to all public RCW to all public, private, and governmental utility lines that are to be located, adjusted or relocated within the rights of way of state highways other than provided for in c…

Unless otherwise stated, words and phrases used herein shall have the following meaning:(1) Highway - A general term denoting a street, road or public way for purposes of vehicular travel, including the entire area within the right of way.(2) Conventional highway - An arterial hi…

The applicable policy for the accommodation of utilities on various types of highways shall be in accordance with the following:(1) Freeways - Accommodation of utilities shall be in accordance with "A Policy on the Accommodation of Utilities on Freeway Rights of Way" issued by th…

(1) Utility installations should be located to minimize need for later adjustment to accommodate future highway improvements and to permit access for servicing such lines with minimum interference to highway traffic and must be located in accordance with the control zone guidelin…

The department should ensure adequate study is made by the utility companies to anticipate their needs (present and future) for crossings and to determine if convergence of several crossings can be made to make it more feasible to use a utility tunnel or bridge.In a combined tunn…

(1) The utility company shall be responsible for the design of the utility facility. The department shall review and approve the utility's plans with respect to location and the manner in which the utility facility is to be installed and measures to be taken to preserve safe and …

Except as provided in WAC 468-34-180, a permit or franchise shall be required for occupancy of highway right of way by utility facilities, including private lines.[Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-34-1…

All permits or franchises shall:(1) Incorporate all pertinent provisions of this policy as to location, construction, traffic protection, maintenance, access restriction, preservation of visual qualities, and such special conditions as the department may deem appropriate.(2) Gene…

Where the utility facilities are to be adjusted to accommodate highway construction and the utility has a prior property right in its location, the department and the utility may enter into a common use agreement providing for joint occupancy of right of way consistent with the r…

(1) For all crossings, the angle of crossing should be based on economic considerations of practical alternates. The crossings should be as near normal to the highway centerlines as practical.(2) Pipeline crossings should avoid deep cuts, footings of bridges and retaining walls, …

(1) The grade of the top of pipe within the highway right of way shall comply with the applicable Design Standard for Underground Utility Encroachment.(2) Where less than minimum cover is made necessary to avoid obstacles, the pipe should either be rerouted or protected with a ca…

(1) Casings shall not be required for the following conditions:(a) Pipelines conveying natural or other gas which meet the design, installation and cathodic protection provisions of the Minimum Federal Safety Standards, 49 C.F.R. part 192 and chapter 480-93 WAC Gas companies—Safe…

(1) Vents shall be required for casings, tunnels and galleries enclosing carriers of fuel where required by C.F.R. 49, Part 192, Minimum Federal Safety Standards. Vent standpipes shall be located and constructed so as not to interfere with maintenance of the highway nor to be con…

(1) The carrier pipe shall conform to the material and design requirements of the utility industry and government codes and specifications.(2) The carrier pipe shall be designed to support the load of the highway plus superimposed loads thereon when the pipe is operated under all…

(1) Pipeline installation requests shall specify the class of transmittant, the maximum working, test, or design pressures, and the design standards for the carrier.(2) A change in the class of transmittant, or an increase in the maximum design pressure specified in the permit or…

Installation or replacement of pipelines along or crossing highways shall ordinarily be controlled by end-product specifications. However, to insure safety of traffic and preservation of the earth structure supporting the pavement, any required construction shall be in accordance…

(1) An existing pipeline should be relocated in plan and/or grade whenever the top of the pipe is less than the requirements of the currently applicable standard design plate for underground utility encroachments.(2) An existing or relocated pipeline shall be encased or otherwise…

Attachment of utility lines to a highway structure may be allowed where such attachment shall conform to sound engineering considerations for preserving the highway, its safe operation, maintenance and appearance. The attachment shall be in accordance with the following:(1) Each …

Longitudinal installations on the right of way should be single pole construction. Joint use single pole construction is generally desirable and should be used whenever feasible.[Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. …

The vertical clearance for overhead power and communication lines above the highway and the lateral and vertical clearance from bridges shall conform with the National Electrical Safety Code and/or with the clearances as shown below, whichever is greater.type of utility linelines…

(1) Pole lines must be located in accordance with the control zone guidelines.(2) Guy wires to ground anchors and stub poles shall be located in accordance with the control zone guidelines.(3) Where irregular shaped portions of the right of way extend beyond the normal right of w…

(1) The general controls relative to pipelines shall apply to underground installation of power and communication lines.(2) The general controls set forth in WAC 468-34-270 relative to installations on highway structures shall be followed.(3) The design of underground installatio…

Consistent with existing statutes and the necessity for protecting roadside appearance and removal or relocation of existing aerial lines within certain areas, the following methods of sharing cost responsibility shall pertain under various circumstances.(1) Where an aerial utili…

(1) Undergrounding requirements within scenic areas: In the interest of protection and preservation of roadside appearance and visual quality of scenic areas, the following requirements shall pertain to highway sections classified in accordance with the definitions set forth in s…

(1) Preservation, restoration and cleanup(a) Disturbed areas - The size of the disturbed area shall be kept to a minimum. Restoration methods shall be in accordance with the specifications and/or special provisions of the permit or franchise. Unsatisfactory restoration work shall…

Consistent with federal, state, or local laws or regulations all utility installations within the highway right of way shall be located in accordance with the control zone guidelines. The control zone guidelines govern the location of utilities within the right of way for the fol…

What is the purpose and scope of this administrative code chapter for vehicle size and weight? (1) This chapter provides rules necessary for the implementation of certain sections of chapter 46.44 RCW, to include the issuance of special permits that allow vehicles, or combination…

What vehicle size and weight words and phrases are used commonly in addition to those codified in chapter 46.04 RCW?A-dolly: A converter dolly that is towed from a single hitch at the center line of the tow vehicle and contains the lower half of the fifth wheel assembly that when…

(1) What vehicle type or vehicle combination is eligible for the temporary additional tonnage permit provided in RCW 46.44.095? Temporary additional tonnage permits may be issued to the following types of vehicles: Three or more axle single unit trucks; three or more axle truck-t…

(1) When can the department or its agents issue a permit for an extra-legal move? The following general conditions must be met:(a) Application can be made in face-to-face over-the-counter transactions with the department or its agents and the applicant has shown there is good cau…

(1) Are there maximum dimensions established for moving nondivisible over-dimensional vehicles and/or loads? Yes. In all instances the general safety of the public is considered paramount and will ultimately govern over-dimensional moves. There are some general rules; however, ph…

(1) Can a vehicle, or vehicle combination, acquire a permit to exceed the dimensions for legal vehicles in regular operation when moving items of a divisible nature? Yes. There are specific configurations that receive extra length, extra width, or extra height when carrying a div…

(1) What are the criteria for being a measurement exclusive device? Generally, measurement exclusive devices are vehicle appurtenances designed and used for reasons of safety, aerodynamics, or efficient vehicle operation. A measurement exclusive device must not carry property, cr…

(1) What special permit requirements/restrictions are exempted for an authorized overlength vehicle and/or load? The following exemptions for authorized overlength vehicles and/or loads include:(a) The requirement to display "oversize load" signs (WAC 468-38-155(7));(b) The requi…

(1) When would the department implement a load restriction? Pursuant to RCW 46.44.080, when the department determines that an emergency road condition exists, a freeze thaw condition for example, and that vehicles with gross tire loadings exceeding acceptable limits will damage t…

(1) Who has the authority to implement emergency procedures to restrict the movement of a vehicle(s) operating on state highways? RCW 47.48.031 and 46.44.080 provide authority for the chief or another officer of the state patrol, or the secretary of transportation or designee, to…

(1) A certified pilot/escort operator, acting as a warning necessary to provide safety to the traveling public, must accompany an extra-legal load when:(a) The vehicle(s) or load exceeds 11 feet in width: Two pilot/escort vehicles are required on two lane highways, one in front a…

(1) How many vehicles can be combined in the move of a manufactured home? The vehicle combination is limited to two vehicles, a towing unit, sometimes referred to as a "toter," and the semi-trailer designed housing unit.(2) What are the dimensional limits of the combination? Whil…

In addition to any codified vehicle safety requirements, what other safety equipment may be required on a special permit move? The following items may be required on a vehicle or vehicle combination making a move under special permit:(1) Brakes.(a) Braking equipment must comply w…

What restrictions are imposed on vehicles operating under special permit relative to days, times and use of the highway? Day, time and highway use are divided into the following categories:(1) Days when travel is restricted: Vehicles operating under special permit for overweight/…

(1) What classes of tow trucks are eligible for special permits?Special permits may be issued to Class B and Class C tow trucks, including Class E tow trucks with either a Class B or Class C rating.(2) What is the duration of a special permit issued to tow trucks?The special perm…

(1) Why are certain vehicles designated as specialized equipment? Certain vehicles are designed and built for very unique functions other than transporting persons. The federal highway administration classifies and references some of these vehicles as specialized equipment in Tit…

(1) What criteria must a retractable axle meet in order to carry the weight provided in RCW 46.44.041? The retractable axle must meet three criteria:(a) The retractable axle must have a manufacturer's rating of at least eight thousand pounds. The weight carried on the axle must n…

(1) For purposes of issuing special farm implement permits and certain permit exemptions, what is considered a farm implement? A farm implement includes any device that directly affects the production of agricultural products, including fertilizer and chemical applicator apparatu…

(1) Are there special requirements for the movement of a house/building that is not defined as a manufactured house or modular building? The department's regional administrator, or designee, must approve an application for movement of buildings or houses exceeding sixteen feet wi…

(1) What are the criteria that defines a superload in Washington state? A superload is any nondivisible load that exceeds two hundred thousand pounds and/or exceeds outside dimensions of sixteen feet in height, or sixteen feet in width or have a trailing unit(s) plus load in exce…