Chapter 12.20 — WEIGHT LIMITS

State Law reference— Authority of Board of Supervisors to impose weight restrictions on unimproved highways and bridges, Vehicle Code § 35706.

Any person who drives or knowingly causes to be driven any vehicle, either alone or in combination with other vehicles, the gross weight of which, including load, exceeds the weight limit specified by resolution of the Board of Supervisors for the County highways, over the posted highways specified by the Board of Supervisors when posted with weight limit signs as required by this chapter, shall be punished according to the general penalties described in Chapter 1.24.

(Prior Code, § 11,501; Code 1997, § 12.20.010; Ord. No. 3167, § 7(part), 1981)

Any person who drives or knowingly causes to be driven any vehicle, either alone or in combination with other vehicles, the gross weight of which, including load, exceeds the weight limit specified for the County bridge by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, over the County bridges therein specified when posted with weight limit signs as required by this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished according to the general penalties described in Chapter 1.24. Further, pursuant to Streets and Highways Code § 1491, such persons may also be liable for actual damages of the resulting injury, to be recovered by the County in civil action.

(Prior Code, § 11,502; Code 1997, § 12.20.020; Ord. No. 3167, § 7(part), 1981)

The Director of Transportation shall cause to be posted and maintained at all entrances to a County highway or County bridge from County or State highways upon which a weight limit has been established by this chapter a sign designating the weight limit.

(Prior Code, § 11,503; Code 1997, § 12.20.030; Ord. No. 3167, § 7(part), 1981; Ord. No. 3766, § 48, 1987; Ord. No. 5051, § 2, 4-18-2017)

A.

The Forest Supervisor of the El Dorado National Forest or the ranger in charge of the State Division of Forestry having jurisdiction over any bridge, causeway, viaduct, trestle or dam constituting a part of any forest road in the County may establish weight limits for such bridge or other structures by erecting a sign from 50 feet to 500 feet from each end of the bridge.

B.

Weight limits on the bridge or structure may be established in the same manner by adding to the signs words indicating the maximum gross weight in tons for a tractor and semitrailer, or any other combination of vehicles.

C.

Any person who drives or knowingly causes to be driven any vehicle or combination of vehicles over any forest bridge or structure in the County, the gross weight of which, including load, exceeds the weight limit thereon duly established and posted as required in this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished according to the general penalties described in Chapter 1.24.

(Prior Code, § 11,504; Code 1997, § 12.20.040; Ord. No. 3167, § 7(part), 1981)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit any commercial vehicle from using any County highway by direct route to or from a State highway for the purpose of delivering or loading for transportation goods, wares or merchandise.

(Prior Code, § 11,505; Code 1997, § 12.20.050; Ord. No. 3167, § 7(part), 1981)