Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-08-089.

Title of Rule: WAC 468-38-120 Transport of extra-legal manufactured housing.

Purpose: Governs the movement of manufactured housing units exceeding legal dimensions for travel on the state highway system.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.44.090.

Summary: Expands the extra-legal limits to a sixteen foot box with twelve inch eaves, and discusses the process for permit approval for this increased size load.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: To provide economic/competitive equity relative to the manufacture and transport of manufactured housing between the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Barry Diseth, Washington State Department of Transportation, Olympia, (360) 664-9497; and Enforcement: Captain Marsh Pugh, Washington State Patrol, Olympia, (360) 753-0350.

Name of Proponent: Washington State Department of Transportation, and Washington Manufactured Housing Association, private and governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The rule has been adopted on an emergency basis. It creates economic/competitive equity relative to the manufacture and transport of manufactured housing between the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Proposal does not change existing rules. Establishes emergency rule as permanent rule.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Requested by private industry.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: Transportation Building, Commission Board Room 1D2, Olympia, Washington 98504, on August 4, 1998, at 1:00 p.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact TDD (360) 705-6980, by July 31, 1998.

Submit Written Comments to: Barry Diseth, Motor Carrier Services, P.O. Box 47367, Olympia, WA 98504-7367, FAX (360) 664-9440, by July 31, 1998.

Date of Intended Adoption: August 4, 1998.

June 3, 1998

Gerald E. Smith

Deputy Secretary, Operations

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 96-18-053, filed 8/30/96, effective 9/30/96)

WAC 468-38-120  ((Oversize manufactured home transport regulations.)) Transport of extra-legal manufactured housing. (((1) The purpose of this section is to supplement the provisions of chapter 468-38 WAC as they relate to the movement of manufactured homes. Where conflicts with other sections of this chapter occur, the following rules apply.

(2) Definitions:

(a) "Manufactured home" means all trailers of the semitrailer type with hitch ball coupler designed as structures for human habitation which may have been subsequently adapted to other uses, which are capable of being towed upon the public highways and are more than thirty-six feet in length and more than eight and one-half feet in width.

(b) "Modular homes and sectional buildings" means any factory-built housing designed for human habitation which does not contain a permanent frame and must be mounted on a permanent foundation. Modular homes or sectional buildings with their own attached running gear which can be towed are considered to be manufactured homes for purposes of this regulation. Modular homes or sectional buildings moved on legally registered trailers are subject to the provisions of chapter 46.44 RCW and the provisions of this chapter of the Washington Administrative Code regulating the movement of overlegal loads.

(c) Oversize permits may be issued to transporters, dealers or owners who shall assume full responsibility while operating under a permit. Operators of tow vehicles and others assisting in the transport must function as agents or employees of the permittee.

(d) A "unit" is a complete or irreducible part of an oversize manufactured home.

(3) Manufactured homes of semi-trailer design whose width, including eaves, exceeds eight and one-half feet but whose box width does not exceed fourteen feet, and/or whose length exceeds fifty-three feet but does not exceed seventy-five feet including tongue, may be moved under the provisions of an oversize load permit issued by the department: Provided, That the permitted oversize limits, incorporating box width and eave location when traveling, are as follows:

(a) The box may not exceed fourteen feet in width.

(b) The box plus eave may not exceed fifteen feet in width.

(c) With any combination of box and eave width, up to fourteen feet, the eave(s) may be traveled on either or both sides.

(d) Any eave in addition to the permitted combination of fourteen foot box and eave(s) shall be traveled on the right side in the direction of traffic.

The procedure for measuring box width shall not include external appurtenances such as door knobs, window fasteners, drip cap at roof edge, clearance lights, load securing devices and closure materials: Provided, That such external appurtenances do not exceed two inches on any side.

(4) Oversize manufactured home permits may be issued as follows:

(a) Annual permits may be issued only to permittees who are qualified as dealers or manufacturers as provided in chapter 46.70 RCW or to transporters licensed as provided in chapter 46.76 RCW.

Annual permits shall apply only to transport of manufactured homes fourteen feet or less in height, above level ground, while being transported.

(b) Monthly permits may be issued to dealers, manufacturers, and transporters under the same conditions as annual permits except that fourteen-foot height limitations may be waived.

(c) Single trip permits may be issued to dealers, transporters and owners for a specific combination of tow vehicle and mobile home to travel from a point of origin to a prescribed destination.

(5) The permittee must have insurance in effect while operating under the permit in the minimum amounts of one hundred thousand dollars - three hundred thousand dollars public liability and fifty thousand dollars property damage. Pilot car operators shall meet the insurance requirements of RCW 46.44.180.

(6) If an accident occurs while transporting a manufactured home under permit, the permittee shall immediately notify the nearest state patrol office if the damage is greater than two hundred fifty dollars to the manufactured home or greater than one hundred dollars to other vehicles or structures. Permission to continue the movement must be obtained from the state patrol.

(7) Dealers selling twelve to fourteen-foot wide manufactured homes must advise the prospective purchaser in writing that not all state highways are approved for the transport of twelve to fourteen-foot wide manufactured homes.

(8) Permits issued in accordance with the Uniform Mobile and Modular Home Transportation Regulations of WASHTO will be subject to those regulations and will be honored by the state of Washington if issued by other states.

(9) Manufactured homes:

(a) Overall dimensions shall not exceed those stated in the permit except for minor protrusions not to exceed two inches, such as door and window hardware. Eaves will be included in the measurement of maximum width. All dimensions shall be reduced to the practical minimum. Manufactured homes having a single eave overhang along their length will be transported to allow for safe passing distances.

(b) The complete system of the manufactured home, including running gear assembly, shall comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (24 CFR 280 (1976) and as thereafter amended). Tires shall comply with applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Title 49, chapter 111. Those manufactured homes not certified as qualifying to the minimum H.U.D. specifications shall have brakes on at least two axles and on four wheels. Units of sixty feet or more in length shall have at least three full axles, except that twelve-foot wide homes manufactured prior to November 1, 1970, may be moved with a minimum of two axles. The brakes shall be under the control of the driver from the cab of the towing vehicle, and shall be adequate to control the manufactured home and its load. They shall be so designed and connected that they shall automatically apply in case of accidental breakaway from the towing vehicle. A wet-cell or approved battery with a full charged rating of twelve volts will be installed in the manufactured home to actuate electric brakes in the event of a breakaway. The minimum track width between two wheels on the same axle shall be eight feet. Track width shall be measured from the outer edges of the road bearing tread of tires on a single axle. Tires shall have no signs of separation or excessive aging and shall be inflated to the maximum recommended tire pressure and have tread depth no less than 3/32nd inch in any part of tire contacting the road. Recapped or retreaded tires are not allowed. Minimum combined load rating of manufactured home tires must be in excess of their in-transit load. Axles and wheels must be properly aligned to minimize wear and overheating of tires.

(c) The open side of half sections of manufactured homes shall be covered in such a way as to prevent billowing of the covering material.

(d) Furnishings or loose objects within the manufactured home shall be secured in positions to achieve proper weight and balance.

(10) Tow vehicles:

(a) Tow vehicles shall comply with the following minimum requirements:

(b) Conventional or cab-forward configuration shall have a minimum wheelbase of one hundred twenty inches. Cab-over engine tow vehicles shall have a minimum wheelbase of eighty-nine inches. Tow vehicles shall have a minimum 4-speed transmission. Power shall be sufficient to meet the requirements listed.

(c) Electrical brake controls, wiring and connections to manufactured home brake systems will be capable of producing rated voltage and amperage at the manufactured home brake magnets in accordance with the manufactured home brake manufacturer's specifications.

(11) Signs and flags: In addition to the requirements of WAC 468-38-190, the oversize load sign will be attached horizontally on the rear of the unit with the bottom edge between five and seven feet above the road surface. Sign material shall be impervious to moisture, clean and mounted with adequate supporting anchorage to provide legibility at all times.

(12) Lights: In addition to provisions of WAC 468-38-170, six-inch diameter flashing amber lights with a minimum of thirty-five candle power shall be mounted at the rear of the trailing unit, on a horizontal plane, at least ten feet above the roadway surface. They shall be operated with a flashing cycle of sixty to one hundred twenty times per minute during transit. Wiring and connections shall be in good working order.

(13) Travel speeds for manufactured homes shall be as set forth in WAC 468-38-340.

(14) Manufactured homes traveling in rural areas shall maintain adequate spacing of at least one-half mile between any two manufactured home units. All units shall maintain a minimum distance of from four hundred to five hundred feet behind any truck, truck-tractor or trailer which could impair the visibility of an overtaking vehicle.

(15) The manufactured home unit shall be operated in the right lane except when passing. On two-lane highways, units shall not pass other vehicles except when required to pass a vehicle being operated at a speed so slow as to hinder the safe flow of traffic.

(16)(a) A decal issued by the county treasurer shall be displayed on any manufactured or modular home being transported on public highways in this state. The decal is not required if one of the following conditions is met:

(i) When a manufactured home is to enter the state;

(ii) When a manufactured home is being moved from the manufacturer or distributor to a retail sales outlet;

(iii) When a manufactured home is being moved from the manufacturer or distributor to a purchaser's designated location; or

(iv) When a manufactured home is being moved between retail sales outlets.

(b) The county treasurer's decal shall be displayed on the rear of the manufactured home while in transport. It shall be issued at the same time as the tax certificate for manufactured home movement. If the tax certification is for a double-wide manufactured home, two manufactured home movement decals shall be issued.

(c) The decal shall meet the following requirements:

(i) It shall be at least eight and one-half inches square.

(ii) It shall be printed on Appleton Radiant Florescent Bristol (weight .010) or paper of comparable quality.

(iii) It shall be of fluorescent orange color.

(iv) It shall show the make, model and serial number of the manufactured home, the date issued, the name of the transporter, the transporter's WUTC permit number if required, the department of transportation special motor vehicle permit number, and the name of the county issuing the decal.

(v) It shall display in readily legible script the expiration date of the decal, which shall be not more than fifteen days after the date the decal is issued.

(d) Manufactured home movement decals may not be transferred.)) (1) Purpose: To supplement the provisions of chapter 468-38 WAC as they relate to the transport of extra-legal manufactured housing on state highways. Where conflicts with other sections of this chapter occur, the following rules apply.

(2) Vehicle combination and size limits:

(a) Combination of vehicles - The combination shall be limited to two vehicles composed of the towing vehicle and the semi-trailer designed housing unit.

(b) Length - The length of the manufactured housing unit must not exceed seventy-five feet, including tongue.

(c) Width - The width of the manufactured housing unit must not exceed a box (base) width of sixteen feet. The unit may have an eave provided it does not extend beyond either side by:

(i) More than thirty inches for units with box width less than sixteen feet; or

(ii) More than sixteen inches for units with box width of sixteen feet, however, the overall width shall not, under any circumstance, exceed eighteen feet.

(d) Width exemptions - External features, such as doorknobs, window fasteners, eave cap, clearance lights, and load securing devices, that extend no more than two inches on each side of the unit, are exempt from the overall width measurement.

(e) Height - The height of the unit is limited to the actual overhead clearance of the route.

(3) Permits for transport: Permits to transport extra-legal manufactured housing units are issued as follows:

(a) Annual/monthly permits are issued only to dealers or manufacturers described in chapter 46.70 RCW or to licensed transporters described in chapter 46.76 RCW. Annual/monthly permits are restricted to units with a width less than, or equal to, a fourteen foot box plus twelve inch eave and/or a height of fifteen feet or less measured from level ground.

(b) Single trip permits are required for units with an overall width greater than fifteen feet or greater and/or height greater than fifteen feet measured from level ground. A single trip permit may also be issued for any unit of a lesser dimension. Units with an overall width or height greater than sixteen feet must comply with WAC 468-38-405, superloads prior to having a permit issued.

(c) Permits issued in accordance with the Uniform Mobile and Modular Home Transportation Regulations of WASHTO will be subject to those regulations and will be honored by the state of Washington if issued by other states.

(4) Escort vehicles: Escort vehicles must comply with WAC 468-38-100, except a front escort vehicle with height pole is not required until the overall height of the unit, measured from the road surface, exceeds fifteen feet. Vehicle or load width referenced in WAC 468-38-100 must be interpreted as overall width.

(5) Insurance:

(a) The transporter must have insurance in effect while operating under the permit in the minimum amounts of one hundred thousand/three hundred thousand dollars bodily injury and fifty thousand dollars property damage. Escort vehicle operators shall meet the insurance requirements of RCW 46.44.180.

(b) If an accident occurs while transporting a manufactured home under permit, the transporter must immediately notify the nearest state patrol office if the damage is greater than two hundred fifty dollars to the manufactured home or greater than one hundred dollars to other vehicles or structures. Permission to continue the movement must be obtained from the state patrol.

(6) Axles, tires and brakes for manufactured housing unit:

(a) Units manufactured on or after June 15, 1976, must conform to federal HUD rules Title 24, Chapter II, Subpart J of Part 280, as in effect on September 1, 1979, and as thereafter amended.

(b) Units manufactured prior to June 15, 1976, or not bearing the official HUD label, must comply as follows:

¹ Gross vehicle weight rating which is assigned by the vehicle manufacturer.

(c) All units exceeding fourteen feet in width at the base must:

(i) Have a minimum of four axles;

(ii) Have operating brakes on all wheels;

(iii) Not exceed the manufacturer's maximum weight rating on any tire as specified on the tire side wall;

(iv) Not exceed the manufacturer's rating for any wheel, axle, draw bar, hitch, or other suspension component; and

(v) Carry a minimum of two spare tires, inflated and ready for use.

(d) Brakes must be designed and installed to activate if the unit accidentally breaks away from the towing vehicle.

(7) Towing vehicle requirements:

(a) Towing vehicles must be equipped with dual wheels on the drive axle; and

(b) If the unit exceeds fourteen feet in width, the towing vehicle must have a minimum GAWR² of thirty-two thousand (32,000) pounds.

² Gross axle weight rating which is the sum of the axle ratings assigned by the axle manufacturer.

(c) Engine horsepower must be enough to maintain speeds of 45 MPH on the interstate and 35 MPH on other highways.

(8) Signs and lights:

(a) The oversize load sign must be mounted on the rear of the unit, on a horizontal plane, between five and seven feet above the road surface.

(b) In addition to any other lighting requirements by law or rule, two six-inch flashing amber lights, with a minimum of thirty-five candle power, a flashing cycle of sixty to one hundred twenty times per minute during transit, must be mounted at the rear of the trailing unit, on a horizontal plane, at least ten feet above the road surface, and above the roof line of the towing vehicle. The lights at both locations must be separated as far as practical.

(9) Travel requirements:

(a) Routes: Extra-legal units must comply with the route restrictions published by the department. All units with an overall width or height of sixteen feet or greater must be approved for travel by the department on a case-by-case basis, see also WAC 468-38-405, superloads. In addition, dealers selling extra-legal manufactured homes must advise the prospective purchaser in writing that not all state highways are approved for the transport of manufactured homes in excess of twelve feet wide.

(b) Speed in transit is governed by WAC 468-38-340.

(c) Open side covering: Units with an open side must be covered with a rigid material such as plywood or hardboard. In lieu of the rigid material, plastic covering can be used, provided a grillwork of lumber or similar material is applied to prevent tears and/or billowing of the plastic material.

(d) Rural travel must maintain adequate spacing between units in transit of at least one-half mile. When following a truck, truck-tractor or trailer units must maintain a space of four hundred to five hundred feet to avoid impairing the visibility of an overtaking vehicle.

(e) Travel in the right lane is required except when passing or avoiding an obstacle. On two-lane highways, units must not pass other vehicles except when required to pass a slow moving vehicle which is hindering the safe flow of traffic.

(10) Decals:

(a) A decal issued by the county treasurer must be displayed on any manufactured home being transported on public highways in this state (RCW 46.44.170), except:

(i) When a unit is to enter the state;

(ii) When a unit is being moved from the manufacturer or distributor to a retail sales outlet;

(iii) When a unit is being moved from the manufacturer or distributor to a purchaser's designated location; or

(iv) When a unit is being moved between retail sales outlets.

(b) The county treasurer's transport decal shall be displayed on the rear of the manufactured home while in transport. It shall be issued at the same time as the tax certificate for manufactured home movement. If the tax certification is for a double-wide (or more) manufactured home, there must be a transport decal issued for each unit.

(c) The decal must meet the following requirements:

(i) Be at least eight and one-half inches square.

(ii) Be printed on Appleton Radiant Florescent Bristol (weight .010) or paper of comparable quality.

(iii) Be fluorescent orange in color.

(iv) Show the make, model and serial number of the manufactured home, the date issued, the name of the transporter, the transporter's WUTC permit number if required, the department of transportation special motor vehicle permit number, and the name of the county issuing the decal.

(v) Clearly display the expiration date of the decal, which must not be more than fifteen days after the date issued.

(d) Decals must not be transferred.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.44.090. 96-18-053, § 468-38-120, filed 8/30/96, effective 9/30/96; 95-24-073, § 468-38-120, filed 12/4/95, effective 1/4/96; 87-20-040 (Order 62, Resolution No. 307), § 468-38-120, filed 10/1/87; 86-21-115 (Order 58, Resolution No. 286), § 468-38-120, filed 10/21/86. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.44.170. 85-22-003 (Order 51, Resolution No. 254), § 468-38-120, filed 10/24/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.44.090. 83-16-018 (Order 39, Resolution No. 195), § 468-38-120, filed 7/25/83; 82-18-010 (Order 31, Resolution No. 156), § 468-38-120, filed 8/20/82. Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-38-120, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-24-150.]