H6. Ord 1800 - Street LoadF:>U$LIC WQ1:ZK
MEMORANDUM
To: Doug Russell, City Manager
From: Susie Turner, P.E. Public Works Director
Re: 17-121 Size, Height, Weight of Trucks Code Update
Meeting Date: November 20, 2017
BACKGROUND: Having the proper size, height, and weight truck regulations within a
municipality is a key component to protect surface stainability or life cycles of streets and alleys.
Kalispell's Size, Height, Weight of Trucks Code does not meet the current needs of the city, in
that they don't realistically reflect current commercial vehicle dimension and load design
standards, and don't allow for emergency restrictions due to seasonal weather conditions.
The intent of the proposed update to the current code is to promote a regulation that is consistent
with current State and Federal Motor Carrier Regulations, and provide a mechanism to provide
temporary emergency restrictions. In order to make the proposed changes, an ordinance
amending Chapter 17 of the City Code replacing the entire section is required as follows:
Chapter 17 Motor Vehicles and Traffic
17-121 Size, Height, Weight of Truck
A. It is unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated upon any of the streets,
avenues, urban roadways, alleys, or highways within the city any vehicle or trailer or towed
vehicles exceeding the limitations provided herein of the Montana Code Annotated Sections
61-10-101 through 61-10-110, 61-10-121 through 61-10-128, and 61-10-141 through 61-10-
148 inclusive.
B. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any vehicle or trailer or towed vehicle over
16,000 GVW within the city on other than a State roadway except when necessary to traverse
city roadways to a destination for purpose of loading or unloading. However, in any event,
such deviation shall only be from the state highway to the destination. The deviation may
not be on a roadway posted for no truck traffic or on a roadway posted with emergency load
restrictions and must be by the safest and shortest route.
C. Any person operating a vehicle or equipment upon any city roadway, alley, street structure,
or sidewalks shall be liable for all damages sustained by the street or structure as a result of
driving or moving such vehicle, whether or not in violation of this or other city ordinance,
except where the operator of such vehicle is authorized by special permit issued by the
Director of Public Works or the Directors authorized representative.
D. The Director of Public Works shall have the authority to impose temporary emergency
restrictive regulations as to weight of motor vehicles and loads on city roadways. Temporary
weight and load restrictions must be posted on the effected roadways.
E. Emergency vehicles and city owned or operated vehicles will be exempt from vehicle size
and weight restrictions within the city limits.
F. Special Permit for Excess: The operation of vehicles or combinations of vehicles having
dimensions or weights in excess of the maximum limits herein designated shall be permitted
only as authorized by special permit issued by the Public Works Director or the Director's
authorized representative, which permit may be conditioned by the provision of protective
measures by the person operating such vehicle.
G. Violation of this ordinance shall be a civil infraction and prosecuted under the terms of KMC
1-11 through 1-17.
ACTION REQUESTED: Motion to approve Ordinance 1800, an ordinance amending Chapter
17 of the Kalispell Municipal Codes entitled Motor Vehicles and Traffic regarding Size, Height,
Weight of Truck, declaring an effect date and authorizing the City attorney to codify the same.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by City Council.
ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance 1800
ORDINANCE NO. 1800
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 17 OF THE KALISPELL MUNICIPAL CODES
ENTITLED MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC REGARDING SIZE, HEIGHT, WEIGHT OF
TRUCKS, DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY
TO CODIFY THE SAME.
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City and its residents and visitors that its ordinances which
regulate motor vehicles and traffic be reassessed and updated from time to time to ensure
that the purposes of the regulation and the interests of the public are being properly served;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Kalispell Municipal Code Chapter 17, entitled Motor Vehicles and Traffic, the
City of Kalispell regulates, among other things, the size, height and weight of trucks
utilizing the City streets for the purpose of ensuring that the street facilities are protected
from undue and unnecessary damage, excess wear and tear, and unnecessary hazards to the
traveling public; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council finds that the amendments to KMC Chapter 17 set forth in
Exhibit "A", attached hereto, are necessary and proper to align with changes to traffic
development and uses within the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Kalispell Municipal Code is hereby amended as set forth in
Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated fully herein by this
reference.
SECTION 2. The City Attorney is hereby authorized and directed to recodify this
Ordinance.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its final passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY
OF KALISPELL THIS DAY OF 32017.
Mark Johnson
Mayor
ATTEST:
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
17-121 Size, Height, Weight of Trucks
._
A. It is unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated upon any of the streets avenues
urban roadways, alleys, or highways within the city any vehicle or trailer or towed vehicles
exceeding the limitations provided herein of the Montana Code Annotated Sections 61-10-101
through 61-10-110, 61-10-121 through 61-10-128, and 61-10-141 through 61-10-148 inclusive.
B. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any vehicle or trailer or towed vehicle over
16,000 GV W within the city on other than a State roadway except when necessary to traverse city
roadways to a destination for purpose of loading or unloading. However, in any event, such
deviation shall only be from the state highway to the destination. The deviation may not be on a
roadway posted for no truck traffic or on a roadway posted with emergency load restrictions and
must be by the safest and shortest route.
C. Any person operating a vehicle or equipment upon any cjjy roadway, alley, street structure, or
sidewalks shall be liable for all damages sustained by the street or structure as a result of driving
or moving such vehicle, whether or not in violation of this or other city ordinance, except where
the operator of such vehicle is authorized by special permit issued by the Director of Public
Works or the Directors authorized representative.
D. The Director of Public Works shall have the authori , to impose temporary emergency restrictive
regulations as to weight of motor vehicles and loads on city roadways. Temporary weight and
load restrictions must be posted on the effected roadways.
E. Emergency vehicles and city owned or operated vehicles will be exempt from vehicle size and
weight restrictions within the city limits.
F. Special Permit for Excess: The operation of vehicles or combinations of vehicles having
dimensions or weights in excess of the maximum limits herein designated shall be permitted only
as authorized by special permit issued by the Public Works Director or the Director's authorized
representative, which permit may be conditioned by the provision of protective measures by the
person operating such vehicle.
G. Violation of this ordinance shall be a civil infraction and prosecuted under the terms of KMC 1-
11 through 1-17.