On weekdays, Fairfax-Bolinas Road in West Marin is closed from Azalea Hill to Ridgecrest. On weekends, the road will be open, but traffic will be routed through a single-lane with controlled two-way access at milepost 5.73. See project webpage for details. Thank you for your patience while these projects progress.

Transportation permit regulations

General

  • Acceptance of permit: The moving of any load or the doing of any work on the road in accordance with this permit shall be regarded as an acceptance by the Permittee of all terms and conditions of the permit. This permit is effective only between the hours stated on the face of the permit or as may be specified in additional regulations. This permit is valid only for equipment owned or leased by the Permittee. Work authorized under this permit is subject to inspection by representatives of the Department of Public Works and costs of such inspection shall be borne by the Permittee.
  • Comply with applicable laws: This permit is issued pursuant of Section 35780 of the Vehicle Code. Except as specifically provided herein, the requirements and other applicable laws must be complied with in all particulars.
  • Safety to other traffic: Permittee shall at all times give strict attention to the safety and rights of the traveling public.
  • Yield right-of-way: Except as provided under Regulation 5, when being passed by vehicles traveling in either direction, no portion of equipment or trailers shall extend beyond the centerline of pavement or traveled way.
  • Protection on bridges or narrow roads: When crossing bridges or on roads so narrow that it is impossible to comply with Regulation 4, a flagman shall be posted ahead of such equipment to warn and direct approaching traffic. (See Regulations 26, 27 & 28)
  • Night moving: No night moving allowed unless specifically so stated on the face hereof. If any moving is permitted at night, necessary warning lights must be displayed and flagmen employed in such manner as to thoroughly protect traffic in either direction.
  • Moving in foggy, rainy, or windy weather: No moving shall be done in foggy, rainy, or windy weather when visibility is restricted to less than 1,000 feet except on special authorization. Movement is prohibited when road surfaces are hazardous due to ice, snow or frost or when use of tire chains is mandatory. No moving shall be done when the velocity of the wind is such that it causes the vehicle being towed to whip or swerve from side to side or fail to follow substantially in the path of the towing vehicle. Any accident caused by excessive wind conditions shall be considered a prima facie violation of this restriction.
  • Parking on road: If necessary to park equipment or load on the road at night, it shall be moved off the traveled way or pavement so as not to interfere with passing traffic in any way. Warning lights shall be displayed so as to fully protect said traffic.
  • No moving during heavy traffic: The equipment or load covered by this permit shall not be moved over the roads on Saturdays, Sundays, or County of Marin holidays unless specifically so stated on the face hereof.
  • In an emergency, the provisions relating to night moves; moving in foggy, rainy or windy weather; and no moving during heavy traffic, may be waived provided a pilot car or cars as described below are used. The Permittee shall notify the County Department of Public Works of the emergency move on the first normal working day following the emergency move. Economic factors in either the saving of time or expense in moving over the road may not be considered as an emergency.
  • Responsibility for bridges: This permit does not authorize crossing any posted bridges with gross load exceeding posted limits. Permittee shall comply with all rules posted on any bridges over which he shall pass and shall assume all risks relative thereto.
  • Overhead clearance: When height of load exceeds legal limit, it becomes the responsibility of the Permittee to check all underpasses, bridges, overhead wires or other structures for impaired vertical clearance and to bypass or arrange clearance at such locations.
  • Permit subject to inspection: The permit must be carried on the equipment or load at all times while it is being moved within the road limits. It shall be submitted for inspection on demand of an authorized employee of the Department of Public Works or of any law enforcement officer.
  • Repair of damage: In accepting this permit, the Permittee agrees to repair, at his own expense and to the satisfaction of the County Engineer, any damage to the road or structures. Work of repair may be done by County forces at the option of the County The cost is to be borne by the Permittee. In the event of damage to County road facilities such as bridges, traffic signals, light standards and so forth, a written report must be filed with the Department of Public Works within 72 hours after such damage has been done. Failure to make this report will be considered cause for cancellation of all permit privileges pending a satisfactory arrangement with the Department of Public Works for repair or replacement of the damaged facility.
  • Liability for damages: The Permittee is responsible for all liability for injury to or death of any person or damage to property, which may occur through any act or omission of either the Permittee or the County of Marin. In the event any claim, suit, or action is brought against the County of Marin, its officer, or employee thereof, by reason of, or in connection with any such act or omission, Permittee shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the County, its officers and employees from such claim, suit, or action.
  • Trip length: Unless specifically stated on the face hereof, this permit is good for only one trip between the points designated.
  • Limit of authorization: This permit only covers a portion of the move on County roads under maintenance by the County of Marin. State and/or City permits must otherwise be secured for travel on roads and streets under respective jurisdiction.
    This permit is issued on the premise that the load described hereon has been loaded in a manner consistent with the California Division of Highways reducible load policy. This policy does not authorize over legal dimension(s) by loading side by side, by stacking, or by loading end to end. Over legal weight is not authorized if two or more separate items are transported as a single load.
  • This permit is automatically cancelled if the load can be reduced to all legal limits by repositioning and/or removal of a part, portion or unit(s) therefrom. If load cannot be reduced to legal or permitted dimension(s), movement may be continued if legal weight limitations are achieved by removal of a part, portion or unit(s) therefrom. Conversely, additional small items related to the permitted load but not listed on the permit may be hauled provided they do not exceed legal dimensions and the laden carrier is of legal axle and gross weights. All tampers ballasted with water, earth or metal must have such ballast removed unless all axle and gross weights do not exceed Vehicle Code legal maximums.
  • It is prohibited for any tractor or truck towing a house trailer under permit to transport, as an extra load, any vacation trailer, camper, utility trailer, motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle or motor scooter), cabana, tool shed, awning, porch, fencing, freight, household goods, or other bulky item(s). Steps and piers may be transported. An exception will be made in the case of a private individual towing his own legal width, over length trailer coach. If equipped with suitable truck, he may transport his own cabana, porch, fencing, household goods, steps and/or piers.
  • The load shall travel in the right hand traffic lane, using shoulder where necessary, to prevent any part of the load from extending beyond traffic stripe. On narrow and/or winding roads, flagmen shall be stationed in such a manner as to effectively warn and protect traffic.
  • A surety bond in the amount specified on the face of the permit may be required to protect County roads and bridges from injury.

Weight and size of loads

  • Maximum weigh and size: The maximum limits for weight and size of vehicles and loads set forth in the Vehicle Code shall not be exceeded except as specifically stated on the face of this permit.
  • Trailers an/or dollies: Not more than two trailers or one trailer and one dolly in combination shall be moved over the road at any one time behind the towing equipment. Exceptions will be considered if transported item is of an unreducible weight and extra axles are mandatory to achieve weight limitations. Vehicles used as pilot cars shall not also be used to tow any other vehicle when operating as a pilot car.
  • “Booster axles” attached to trailers shall have an indicating gage, light, buzzer, or horn installed in the cab to alert the driver when the cylinder pressure is 15% or more from its intended setting.
  • Rearview mirrors: Adjustable rearview mirrors on power unit may extend on each side not over 6 inches beyond the permitted width. This does not authorize additional width of mirrors when operating without a wide load.

Flagmen, pilot cars, signs

  • Flagmen: When necessary to post a flagman or flagmen in order to warn and direct approaching traffic, each flagman must be wearing a red jacket or vest and equipped with a red flag and paddle reading “STOP” in white letters with red background. Flagmen shall not be less than 18 years of age and shall be capable of carrying out flagging responsibilities.
  • Pilot cars: Pilot cars when specified shall be furnished by the Permittee. They shall be no smaller than a jeep nor larger than a 1-1/2 ton truck and shall display appropriate red flags and warning signs. Signs shall be removed promptly upon completion of escort duty. Flashing amber lights when specified on the face of the permit must meet California Highway Patrol requirements. The interval to be maintained between pilot car(s) and convoyed load is: Rural Roads – 300’ minimum, 600’ maximum, Roads in urban areas – 100’ minimum, 200’ maximum. When a pilot car is required, it shall precede on two or three lane roads or follow on four or more lane roads. Exceptions to this provision will be specifically stated on the permit and this does not preclude the addition of extra pilot car(s) if the character of the roadway so requires.  Pilot cars shall comply with provisions of Section 21650 of the Vehicle Code with regard to driving upon the right side of roadway. Convoying will not be permitted unless specifically authorized. When the front or rear overhang exceeds 25’, a front or rear pilot car will be required (See Regulation 24). In congested traffic, the pilot car shall immediately precede or follow the load. If the width of the vehicle or load exceeds 12’, a pilot car or pilot cars will be required.
  • Permittee’s responsibility for proper piloting and flagging procedures: It shall be the responsibility of the Permittee to ensure that pilot car vehicles, operators, and/or flagmen employed to carry out the provisions of this permit meet the requirements as established in Regulations 26 and 27 and all personnel are properly equipped and briefed as to their responsibilities prior to the movement. Failure of pilot car operators and flagmen to comply with these provisions in properly warning and directing traffic is considered a violation of the terms of this permit.
  • Signs: All loads or vehicles in excess of 8’ wide must display wide load signs. When a wide load is transported, the signs shall be promptly removed upon completion of work. The minimum size warning signs shall be either standard sign issued by the Division of Highways or accurate copy, or 6’ by 12” sign with 5 black letters of 1-1/2” minimum stroke on yellow background. The signs shall read “WIDE LOAD” or as appropriate for long loads of excessive overhang, front or rear. Warning signs shall be neat, clean and mounted securely. Signs shall be displayed only when necessary and “WIDE LOAD” shall have precedence over “LONG LOAD” in question of which to use. Other warning signs shall be of 12” x 6’ dimension with above letter size.
  • Any vehicle-load combination of legal width but exceeding 80 feet in length will require “LONG LOAD” signs. Exception to this will be specifically stated on the permit.
  • When the overhang to the front exceeds 10’, a warning sign reading “EXCESSIVE FRONT OVERHANG” must be displayed on the rear of the overhang.

Buildings and other structures

  • Before start of a house move authorized by this permit, the Permittee shall notify the California Highway Patrol and other local law enforcement agencies of the proposed move.
  • Kind of equipment: Buildings are to be moved with regular house moving equipment.
  • Interface with traffic: The moving shall be done at the time of day and in a manner which will cause the least interference with traffic.
  • Cleaning up right-of-way: Upon completion of the moving work, all timbers and equipment shall be removed and the right-of-way left the same condition as before the work started.
  • Do not disturb roadway surface: No wedge, bar or spike shall be driven in the surface of the County road.
  • Care of trees: No trees shall be cut, trimmed, used for attaching cables or in any way disturbed.
  • Care of overhead lines: Permittee must notify the owner of all overhead lines subject to disturbance or damage by his operations at least twenty-four hours in advance of such work and mutually agreeable arrangements shall be made between the parties affected. (This provision does not authorize owners of overhead lines to limit work allowed under this permit.)
  • Crossing railroad tracks: Permittee must notify the railroad company at least 36 hours in advance of crossing railroad tracks pursuant of Section 35789 of the Vehicle Code.

Overweight loads on bridges more than 20’ long shall move as follows

  • Speed shall not exceed 5 miles per hour.
  • On 2-lane bridges, the load shall straddle the traffic stripe and flagmen shall be employed as necessary to keep opposing traffic off the bridge.
  • On bridges of three or more lanes, the load shall straddle the right hand traffic stripe. On 3-lane bridges, flagmen provided by the Permittee shall direct opposing traffic into the third lane.

Tractors

  • Wheel type tractors: All lugs, cleats, flanges or projections shall be removed or road bands installed before operating on any pavement or gravel surface.
  • Track layer type tractor: If the tread of the track has no projections or corrugations, a filler block shall be placed on each section so that a flat bearing surface will be in contact with the pavement.
  • Pilot wheel: If equipped with a pilot wheel, the ring of the same shall be removed, covered, or supplemented by additional rings such that the width of bearing surface shall not be less than five inches.
  • Weight per inch width: The blocks, road bands or rings shall be of sufficient width to furnish a flat bearing, such that the weight per inch width of tread shall not exceed five hundred (500) pounds.
  • Crossing traveled way: If the equipment is simply to cross from one side of the road to the other, the pavement and shoulders may be covered with planks at least 2 inches thick, or by use of heavy belting of sufficient width, and the equipment permitted to pass thereover without the placing of filler blocks or roadbands. This precaution may be omitted if the Permittee deposits Surety Bond in the amount of $100 to reimburse the County for any damage to the road surface caused by such crossing. Permit is not required for farm tractors with plane tread or equipped with filler blocks.
  • Projections on trailer treads: Any projection on the tread of trailer shall be removed or protected as for tractors.
  • Towing farm implements: When farm implements are being towed, the paragraph above shall govern where they apply.
  • Turning tractors: In turning on or off the road, special care shall be taken to so handle the equipment that the edges of the pavement will not be broken and the shoulders will not be cut up.
  • Use care in trailing plows, etc: In trailing plows, discs and similar equipment, care shall be used that the implements do not cut or damage the road surface.
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