(1) Except as provided in subs. (2) and (2m), no person, without a permit therefor, may operate on a highway any motor vehicle, mobile home, recreational vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer having an overall height in excess of 13 1/2 feet. (2) Implements of husbandry, and 2-vehicle combinations transporting by trailer or semitrailer implements of husbandry to or from a farm-related destination, of any height may be operated upon a highway without a permit for excessive height. The operator of the implement of husbandry or 2-vehicle combination is responsible for ensuring that there is adequate height clearance between the implement of husbandry being operated or transported and any overhead structure or obstruction, other than a structure or obstruction that is any of the following: (a) Any overhead utility line that does not satisfy the requirements of the state electric code promulgated by the public service commission. (b) Any overhead electric line of a cooperative association that is organized under ch. 185 and that does not comply with the National Electrical Safety Code. (2m) (a) Double-decked buses having an overall height not exceeding 14 feet 5 inches may be operated without a permit for excessive height upon a highway, other than a state trunk highway, that has a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less if the vehicle owner or operator has, prior to the vehicle’s operation, obtained written approval for such operation and for the vehicle’s route from the local authority with jurisdiction over the highway on any highway on which the vehicle will be operated. A local authority may not approve the operation of a vehicle under this subsection on a highway under its jurisdiction unless all of the following apply: 1. The local authority has received a copy of the vehicle’s proposed route, inspected the route, and verified that there is at least 6 inches of height clearance between the vehicle and any overhead structure or obstruction, including any utility line, on all parts of the route. 2. The vehicle owner has agreed, in writing, to assume liability for any personal injury or property damage resulting from the vehicle’s striking of any overhead structure or obstruction, including any utility line, regardless of whether the personal injury or property damage occurs on an approved route. 3. The local authority has inspected the vehicle and verified that the sign required under par. (b) is displayed. (b) A vehicle specified in par. (a) shall conspicuously display, in the operator’s area of the vehicle, a sign informing the operator that operation of the vehicle on any highway that is not part of a route approved under par. (a) is unlawful. (c) A local authority may, for any reason, deny approval for the operation of a vehicle under this subsection, or deny approval of any route regardless of whether the requirements under par. (a) are satisfied, on any highway under the local authority’s jurisdiction. (d) A local authority that has approved operation of a vehicle under this subsection shall, with respect to any route approved for every such vehicle, inspect the approved route at least once each year. If the inspection reveals that the clearance requirements specified in par. (a) 1. are no longer satisfied, the local authority shall revoke the route approval, but may approve an alternative route that complies with the clearance requirements specified in par. (a) 1. (e) A local authority may delegate to any department, division, official, or employee of the local authority the responsibility for issuing approvals, conducting inspections, or carrying out any other duty specified under this subsection. (3) The limitations on total height stated in this section shall not be construed as requiring a clearance of such height or as relieving the owners of vehicles not exceeding such total height from liability for any damage.
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