§ 36-87. Weight load limits; prohibited truck routes.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any single-axle vehicle weighing more than 16,000 pounds, including truck and load, or for any tandem-axle vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds, including truck and load, to be operated or parked on all streets or parts of streets when so designated by the city council and when marked by appropriate signs or markings. The provisions of this section shall not apply to vehicles that are within the weight limit herein specified when the operation of such vehicle is necessary for the purpose of making one or more deliveries or pickups of materials, manufactured products, goods, wares or other merchandise but such operation shall be permitted only for the shortest possible distance when necessary to effect such delivery or pickup.

(b)

Vehicles operated by the city in connection with the rendering of a necessary service to the residents of the city may be operated on any streets in the city. It shall be unlawful for a single-axle vehicle weighing more than 16,000 pounds, including truck and load, or a tandem-axle vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds, including truck and load, to be operated or parked on the city streets designated as prohibited truck routes; provided, however, on all streets not designated as "prohibited truck routes" when the axle space is nine feet or over between the axles, the maximum axle load shall not exceed 16,000 pounds for vehicles equipped with solid rubber tires, or 18,000 pounds for vehicles equipped with high-pressure pneumatic or balloon tires. When the axle space is less than nine feet between two axles but more than 3½ feet, the maximum axle load shall not exceed 11,600 pounds for solid tires or 13,000 pounds for high-pressure pneumatic or balloon tires, and when two axles are spaced less than 3½ feet apart the combined weight thereof shall not exceed the maximum weights as specified for a single-axle when spaced nine feet or more apart; provided, that in no case shall the maximum wheel load permissible for any wheel exceed 700 pounds per inch of width of tires. During the months of March, April and May in each year, the maximum axle load allowable on concrete pavements or pavements with a concrete base shall be reduced by 25 percent from the maximum axle loads as specified heretofore in this section. During the months of March, April and May in each year, the maximum axle loads allowable on all other types of roads shall be reduced by 35 percent from the maximum axle loads as specified heretofore in this section, and the maximum wheel load shall not exceed 525 pounds per inch of tire width on concrete pavements or pavements with a concrete base or 450 pounds per inch of tire width on all other roads during the period the seasonal road restrictions are in effect. The public safety director may suspend the restrictions imposed by this section during the months of March, April and May when and where, in his discretion, conditions of the street and highway warrant it. The nominal size of tires shall be the rated size as published by the manufacturers. Motor vehicle operators shall have in their possession a certificate of truck weight and load in transport on designated prohibited truck routes within the city limits.

(Code 1969, § 10.21; Code 1977, § 23-4)

State law reference

Authority to impose weight limitations, MCL 257.726.