§ 26-163. Permits.

(a)

No vehicle or combination of vehicles which does not meet the requirements of sections 26-156 through section 26-162 shall use the public roadways of Caddo Parish without first obtaining a special permit from the parish. The special permit herein provided shall be issued at the discretion of Caddo Parish. Any special permit shall be carried with the vehicle using it at all times and shall be available for inspection by the proper authorities. All special permits are issued per vehicle and shall have the vehicle, trailer, and commodity information listed in detail (all license plate numbers, height, weight, length, width, total axles, and a copy of any state-issued permit) and a valid insurance certificate. There shall be a penalty for failure to obtain and/or possess required special permits of not less than $100.00 or not more than $500.00, as prescribed by the director of public works.

(b)

Caddo Parish may adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purpose of this section relating to special permits.

(c)

The director of public works may issue a special permit for the operation of vehicles or combination of vehicles having dimensions or weight in excess of the limits imposed by Caddo Parish sections 26-156 through 26-162 if the shipment is not readily divided, broken, or dismantled, or the operation of such vehicle is otherwise prohibited by law, however, if the parts which have been divided, broken, or dismantled from the shipment weight in the aggregate weight of 500 pounds, or less, then the shipment shall be considered as indivisible. If any parts remain with the shipment weight and exceed 500 pounds, the load shall be considered as divisible and no special permit shall be granted, and any existing special permit shall be deemed void. In the exercise of its discretion, the director of public works shall consider the following factors, as well as any other circumstance existing in the particular case:

(1)

There is a vital and exceptional economic necessity therefor.

(2)

The existence of a real necessity of transportation by parish roadways.

(3)

The director of public works considers the best interest of Caddo Parish, the Caddo road system and the citizens of Caddo and their property during the issuance of the permit.

(d)

When an application for a special permit is made, the director of public works may require the special permit applicant to supply any information it deems necessary for the protection of the interests of Caddo, the Caddo road system, and the public.

(e)

The director of public works may impose conditions upon the issuance of special permit and may also impose requirements upon its use, including but not restricted to, the use of additional axles, so as to require that the axle weight conform as close as possible to the weight provided for in section 26-162; the routing over the roadways of the shipment under special permit; the date, time of day, the speed limit; the furnishing of a bond with good and solvent surety to protect Caddo Parish, and all officers and employees of Caddo Parish from all liability and damage resulting from the use of such permit (overweight—exceeding weights allowed for the axle configuration, or 14 feet wide or more, the minimum amount of the certificate of insurance must be $100,000.00 for one trip or $250,000.00 for a year). The permittee accepts and uses the special permit at his or her own risk, even though all instructions, directions and requirements of Caddo Parish have been followed. Neither the Parish of Caddo nor the Caddo Parish commission or its employees and agents shall incur any liability of any nature from the use of a special permit. The accompaniment of the vehicle and shipment by proper escort, all at the expense of the permittee; and such other conditions or requirements as the director of public works deems necessary and proper. When law enforcement vehicles are required as a proper escort, there shall be a charge for the use thereof. Such charges shall be based on the mileage of the escort with a minimum charge of $25.00.

(f)

An overweight special permit shall be issued and required for the gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceed section 26-162, weights allowed on Caddo roadways. Vehicles must be registered for the maximum allowable licensed weight in order to obtain an overweight special permit.

(g)

The director of public works may issue an annual special permit for the operation of those vehicles which are of such design that they do not comply with section 26-161.

(h)

Special permits must be obtained before movement of an oversize or overweight vehicle or load begins or before the vehicle enters upon the roadways of Caddo Parish. Movement of overweight permitted loads onto a road or bridge with a posted weight limit shall be considered on an individual basis. Inquiries should be directed to the director of public works well in advance of the movement as it may require analysis and adequate time should be allowed for this analysis. The permittee shall pay any cost incurred for the analysis.

(i)

Caddo Parish may establish and collect reasonable fees for each special permit issued. Permit fees shall be uniform for each classification of vehicle and/or purpose for which issued. All of the funds/fees collected shall be deposited into an account designated by Caddo Parish following their collection. Caddo Parish shall keep a set of books showing from whom funds are received and for what purpose.

(j)

The director of public works shall recognize and honor any legally obtained LADOTD-issued annual special permit. The permittee accepts and uses the special permit at his or her own risk, even though all instructions, directions and requirements of Caddo Parish have been followed. A Caddo Parish permit shall be required if the vehicle exceeds any part of sections 26-156 through 26-162, while operating on Caddo Parish maintained roadways. Neither the Parish of Caddo nor the Caddo Parish commission or its employees shall incur any liability of any nature from the use of a special permit. Any special permit shall be carried with the vehicle using the same and shall be available for inspection by the proper authorities. Vehicles using an LADOTD-issued annual special permit shall be prohibited from violating sections 26-156 through 26-162 and any posted weight limits on parish roadways or bridges without first contacting the director of public works for permission with adequate response time allowed. Violation of these terms and conditions shall result in termination of observance of said permit by the director of public works.

(Code 1985, § 14-118; Ord. No. 4967, § 14-118, 4-8-2010; Ord. No. 5403, 6-19-2014)