Wisconsin Code § 348.27

Annual, consecutive month or multiple trip permits
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(1) APPLICATIONS. All applications for annual, consecutive month or multiple trip permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles or loads shall be made to the officer
or agency designated by this section as having authority to issue
the particular permit desired for use of the particular highway in
question. All applications under subs. (2) and (4) to (15) shall be
made upon forms prescribed by the department. All applications
under subs. (16), (17), (18), and (21) shall be made utilizing an
electronic process prescribed by the department.
(2) ANNUAL AND CONSECUTIVE MONTH PERMITS. Except as
otherwise restricted in this section, annual and consecutive
month permits for oversize or overweight vehicles or loads may
be issued by the department, regardless of the highways involved.
(3) GENERAL PERMITS. For good cause in specified instances
for specified construction or maintenance operations or for a
specified period, the officer or agency in charge of maintenance
of a highway may allow loads exceeding the size or weight limitations imposed by this chapter to be hauled on such highway. No
such officer or agency shall issue such permits for use of a highway the cost of maintenance of which is paid by a unit of government other than the unit of government which such officer or
agency represents. A permit issued by the department under this
subsection may authorize transportation of a divisible load on the
I 41 corridor but may not authorize transportation of a divisible
load on any other interstate highway.
(3m) PERMIT AMENDMENTS FOR REPLACEMENT VEHICLES. If
a vehicle for which a permit has been issued under this section is

removed from service or sold, the permittee may operate a replacement vehicle of the same type and weight class for the remainder of the period for which the permit was issued or validated under an amendment of the permit. The permittee shall apply to the officer or agency that issued the permit for the amendment. The terms of the permit, including any requirements imposed by the officer or agency for issuance of the permit, shall
apply to the permittee’s operation of the replacement vehicle under the amendment of the permit. No fee shall be charged for the
amendment of a permit under this subsection.
(4) INDUSTRIAL INTERPLANT PERMITS. The department may
issue, to industries and to their agent motor carriers owning and
operating oversize vehicles in connection with interplant, and
from plant to state line, operations in this state, annual or consecutive month permits for the operation of such vehicles over designated routes, provided that such permit shall not be issued under
this section to agent motor carriers or, except for the I 39 corridor
and the I 41 corridor, from plant to state line for vehicles or loads
of width exceeding 102 inches upon routes of the national system
of interstate and defense highways. If the routes desired to be
used by the applicant involve city or village streets or county or
town highways, the application shall be accompanied by a written
statement of route approval by the officer in charge of maintenance of the highway in question.
(4m) PERMITS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF LOADS ON STH
31 AMONG MANUFACTURING PLANTS, DISTRIBUTION CENTERS,
AND WAREHOUSES. (a) Subject to pars. (b) and (c), the department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for the
transportation of loads in vehicle combinations that exceed the
maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) by not
more than 18,000 pounds if the vehicle combination has 6 or
more axles and the gross weight imposed on the highway by the
wheels of any one axle of the vehicle combination does not exceed 18,000 pounds, except that the gross weight imposed on the
highway by the wheels of any steering axle on the power unit may
not exceed the greater of 13,000 pounds or the manufacturer’s
rated capacity, but not to exceed 18,000 pounds. Notwithstanding s. 348.15 (8), any axle of a vehicle combination that does not
impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross weight of
the vehicle combination may not be counted as an axle for the
purposes of this paragraph. A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle combination
at a maximum gross weight in excess of 98,000 pounds.
(b) A permit under this subsection is valid only for the transportation of loads between or among any of the following:
1. A manufacturing plant located in Racine County.
2. A distribution center located in Kenosha County.
3. A warehouse located in Kenosha County.
4. A warehouse located in Racine County.
(c) 1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., and subject to
par. (d), a permit under this subsection is valid only on STH 31
and on local highways designated in the permit that provide access to STH 31.
2. A permit under this subsection is not valid on any interstate highway designated under s. 84.29 (2) or on any highway or
bridge with a posted weight limitation that is less than the vehicle
combination’s gross weight.
3. Except as provided in subd. 2., if any portion of STH 31 in
Kenosha County or Racine County is closed, a permit under this
subsection is valid on any highway providing a detour around this
closed portion of STH 31.
(d) If the routes desired to be used by the applicant involve
highways under the jurisdiction of local authorities, the department shall, prior to issuing the permit, submit the permit application to the officers in charge of maintenance of the local highways
to be used, for their approval. The department may issue the permit, notwithstanding the objections of these officers, if, after consulting with these officers, the department determines that their
objections lack merit.
(7) MOBILE HOME, MANUFACTURED HOME, AND MODULAR
HOME PERMITS. The department may issue annual or consecutive
month statewide permits to licensed mobile home, manufactured
home, or modular home transport companies and to licensed mobile home, manufactured home, or modular home manufacturers
and dealers authorizing them to transport oversize mobile homes,
manufactured homes, or modular homes over any of the highways
of the state in the ordinary course of their business.
(9) TRANSPORTATION OF LOADS NEAR THE M ICHIGAN-WISCONSIN STATE LINE. (a) 1. The department may issue annual or
consecutive month permits, for the transportation of loads on a
vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeding statutory length or
weight limitations and for the unladen operation of such vehicles
returning from the delivery of a load or operating to or from a
point of fueling, servicing, or purchase or sale of the vehicle, that
authorize all of the following:
a. The transportation of loads over any class of highway for a
distance not to exceed 11 miles from the Michigan-Wisconsin
state line if the vehicle or combination of vehicles does not violate length or weight limitations under Michigan law.
b. The transportation of raw forest products, lumber, or
forestry biomass anywhere upon USH 2 in Iron County, Florence
County, Ashland County, or Bayfield County, or upon USH 2 in
Douglas County from the Bayfield County line through Marina
Drive in the city of Superior, or upon USH 53 from Marina Drive
through N. 5th Street in the city of Superior if the vehicle or combination of vehicles does not violate length or weight limitations
under Michigan law.
d. The transportation of raw forest products, lumber, or
forestry biomass on any highway route specified in subd. 3. if the
vehicle or combination of vehicles does not violate length or
weight limitations under Michigan law. This subd. 1. d. does not
apply to a vehicle combination that meets the criteria of truck
configuration number 24 as provided in the Bridge Analysis
Guide prepared by the Michigan department of transportation.
2. If the roads desired to be used by an applicant for a permit
under this paragraph involve streets or highways other than those
within the state trunk highway system, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of route approval by the officer
in charge of maintenance of the other highway.
3. Subdivision 1. d. applies only on the following highway
routes:
b. STH 77, from 2nd Avenue in the city of Hurley to Olson
Road in the city of Mellen, in Iron and Ashland counties.
c. USH 51, from the USH 2/51 interchange north of the city
of Hurley to Maple Ridge Road in the town of Mercer in Iron
County.
d. USH 45, from the Wisconsin-Michigan border to STH 54
in the city of New London.
e. STH 139, from the Wisconsin-Michigan border to USH 8,
in Florence and Forest counties.
f. USH 8, from the Wisconsin-Michigan border in Marinette
County to USH 45 in Oneida County.
g. STH 13, from the junction of USH 2 and STH 13 in the
city of Ashland to the intersection of STH 13 and Old Airport
Road in Ashland County.
h. STH 70, from the junction of STH 70 and USH 45 in the
city of Eagle River to the junction of STH 70 and USH 51 in Vilas County.
i. STH 64, from the junction of STH 64 and USH 45 in the

city of Antigo to the junction of STH 64 and USH 141 in
Marinette County.
j. STH 64, from the junction of STH 64 and USH 141 in
Marinette County to the junction of STH 64 and USH 41 in the
city of Marinette.
k. USH 141, from the village of Crivitz in Marinette County
to the junction of USH 141 and CTH S in Oconto County.
L. USH 41, from the town of Abrams in Oconto County to
the city of Marinette.
m. USH 8, from the junction of USH 8 and USH 45 in
Oneida County to a point four-tenths of a mile west on USH 8.
n. STH 54, from the junction of STH 54 and USH 45 in the
city of New London to the junction of STH 54 and CTH S in Outagamie County.
(b) For a vehicle or combination of vehicles the weight of
which exceeds any of the provisions of s. 348.15 (3), the fee for
an annual permit under this subsection shall be one of the
following:
1. If the gross weight is 90,000 pounds or less, $100.
2. If the gross weight is more than 90,000 pounds but not
more than 100,000 pounds, $175.
3. If the gross weight is greater than 100,000 pounds, $175
plus $50 for each 10,000-pound increment or fraction thereof by
which the gross weight exceeds 100,000 pounds.
(c) The fee for a consecutive month permit under this subsection for a vehicle or combination of vehicles the weight of which
exceeds any of the provisions of s. 348.15 (3) shall be determined
in the manner provided in s. 348.25 (8) (bm), except that the applicable fee for an annual permit under par. (b) shall be used in
the computation.
(d) A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize
the operation of any vehicle or vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of 164,000 pounds.
(9m) TRANSPORTATION OF RAW FOREST AND AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS. (a) The department may issue annual or consecutive
month permits for the transportation of any of the following:
1. Raw forest products or of fruits or vegetables from field to
storage or processing facilities in vehicles or vehicle combinations that exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s.
348.15 (3) (c) by not more than 10,000 pounds. A permit under
this subdivision is not valid on highways designated as part of the
national system of interstate and defense highways, except on the
I 39 corridor and the I 41 corridor.
2. Bulk potatoes from storage facilities to rail loading facilities in vehicle combinations that exceed the maximum gross
weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) by not more than
10,000 pounds. A permit under this subdivision shall be valid
only on USH 51 between CTH “V” and CTH “B” in Waushara
and Portage counties, and for a distance not to exceed 15 miles
from that portion of USH 51 in order to obtain access to USH 51
or to reach fuel, food, maintenance, repair, rest, staging, terminal
facilities or points of loading or unloading.
3. Bulk potatoes from storage facilities to food processing facilities in vehicles or vehicle combinations that exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) by not more
than 10,000 pounds. A permit under this subdivision is not valid
on highways designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, except to the extent permitted by federal law without any loss or reduction of federal aid or other
sanction.
4. Raw forest products in vehicle combinations that exceed
the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) by
not more than 18,000 pounds if the vehicle combination has 6 or
more axles and the gross weight imposed on the highway by the
wheels of any one axle of the vehicle combination does not exceed 18,000 pounds, except that the gross weight imposed on the
highway by the wheels of any steering axle on the power unit may
not exceed the greater of 13,000 pounds or the manufacturer’s
rated capacity, but not to exceed 18,000 pounds. Notwithstanding s. 348.15 (8), any axle of a vehicle combination that does not
impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross weight of
the vehicle combination may not be counted as an axle for the
purposes of this subdivision. Subject to par. (c), a permit under
this subdivision is not valid on any interstate highway designated
under s. 84.29 (2) except for the I 41 corridor and that portion of
the I 39 corridor between STH 34 in the town of Knowlton and
STH 29 south of the city of Wausau, any highway or bridge with
a posted weight limitation that is less than the vehicle combination’s gross weight, and any part of the state trunk highway system that the department has designated by rule as a route on
which a permit issued under this subsection is not valid.
(b) A permit issued under par. (a) 1. to 3. does not authorize
the operation of any vehicle or vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of 90,000 pounds. A permit issued
under par. (a) 4. does not authorize the operation of any vehicle
combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of 98,000
pounds.
(c) A permit issued under par. (a) 4. shall expressly authorize
the vehicle combination to exceed, on state trunk highways and
connecting highways, any special weight limitation imposed under ss. 348.17 (1) and 349.16 (1) (a) and (2) in connection with
the thawing of frozen highways and to be operated at the full
weight allowable under par. (a) on state trunk highways and connecting highways. Notwithstanding s. 348.25 (3), a permit issued
under par. (a) 4. may not be suspended by the department, or contain any condition or limitation imposed by the department, in
connection with the thawing of frozen highways that are not state
trunk highways or connecting highways, except that the operation
of the vehicle combination is subject to posted weight limitations
on these local highways.
(d) 1. The department shall suspend a permit issued under
par. (a) 4. if the person operating under the permit does any of the
following:
a. Violates any weight limitation specified in the permit
more than 2 times during the valid period of the permit.
b. Violates any weight limitation specified in the permit by
exceeding the weight limitation by 10,000 or more pounds.
2. The suspension under subd. 1. shall be for a period of 6
months. If the remaining valid period of the permit at the time of
the suspension is less than 6 months, the person may not apply
for, or operate under, any other permit issued under par. (a) 4. for
a period of 6 months from the suspension.
(9r) TRANSPORTATION OF SCRAP AND MUNICIPAL SEWAGE
RESIDUE. The department may issue an annual or consecutive
month permit for the transportation of any of the following:
(ag) In this subsection, “metallic or nonmetallic scrap” means
metallic or nonmetallic material in waste for which there exists a
commercially demonstrated processing or manufacturing technology that uses the material as a raw material and that is transported for use as a raw material. “Metallic or nonmetallic scrap”
includes pig iron.
(ar) Metallic or nonmetallic scrap for the purpose of recycling
or processing on a vehicle or combination of vehicles which exceeds statutory weight or length limitations and for the return of
the vehicle or combination of vehicles when empty. A permit issued under this paragraph is not valid on highways designated as
part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, ex-

cept to the extent permitted under federal law without any loss or
reduction of federal aid or any other sanction.
(b) The residue material resulting from treatment of municipal sewage for the purpose of processing in a vehicle combination
that exceeds the maximum gross weight limitations under s.
348.15 (3) (c) by not more than 20,000 pounds if the vehicle combination has 5 or more axles and for the return of the vehicle combination to the municipal sewage treatment facility while transporting the liquid removed from the residue material during processing, including any chemical treatment added to the liquid.
This paragraph does not apply to the transportation of municipal
sewage residue material or liquid removed from municipal
sewage residue material on highways designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.
(9t) TRANSPORTATION OF POTATOES. The department may
issue annual or consecutive month permits for the transportation
of potatoes intended for use as seed in specially configured vehicle combinations that exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) by not more than 10,000 pounds. A
permit issued under this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of 90,000 pounds. A permit under this subsection may authorize operation during a spring thaw and shall be valid only on
STH 64 between CTH “H” and USH 41 in Langlade, Oconto and
Marinette counties; USH 41 between STH 64 and the WisconsinMichigan border; and any highway for a distance not to exceed 15
miles from any portion of STH 64 or USH 41 specified in this
subsection in order to obtain access to STH 64 or USH 41 or to
reach fuel, food, maintenance, repair, rest, staging, terminal facilities or points of loading or unloading. The department shall establish by rule configuration requirements for vehicle combinations under this subsection and such requirements may permit vehicle combinations to exceed the length requirements of s.
348.07. The department may establish by rule an alternative
route for any portion of a highway specified in this subsection.
(10) TRANSPORTATION OF GRAIN OR COAL OR IRON. The department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for the
transportation of loads of grain, as defined in s. 126.01 (13), coal,
iron ore concentrates or alloyed iron on a vehicle or a combination of 2 or more vehicles that exceeds statutory weight or length
limitations and for the return of the empty vehicle or combination
of vehicles over any class of highway for a distance not to exceed
5 miles from the Wisconsin state line. If the roads desired to be
used by the applicant involve streets or highways other than those
within the state trunk highway system, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of route approval by the officer
in charge of maintenance of the other highway. This subsection
does not apply to highways designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.
(11m) AGRICULTURAL EMERGENCY PERMITS. (a) If the secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection determines
that an agricultural emergency exists, the secretary of transportation may authorize the issuance of permits to allow vehicles that
are transporting any of the following loads to exceed the width
limitation under s. 348.05 (1) if the total outside width does not
exceed 12 feet 5 inches and the height does not exceed 14 feet 6
inches:
1. Baled hay, baled straw, baled cornstalks, or baled stover if
the hay, straw, cornstalks, or stover is to be used for feed or
bedding.
2. From September 15 to December 15 of each year, Christmas trees from the point of harvesting or staging to a Christmas
tree yard or point of commercial shipment.
(b) In authorizing the issuance of permits under this subsection, the secretary of transportation shall specify in writing the
factors which resulted in the determination to issue permits under
this subsection. The factors shall include the effect of the increased size limits on highway safety.
(c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit the
department to waive the requirements of s. 348.07.
(d) The secretary of transportation may limit the application
of permits issued under this subsection to specific areas of the
state or to specific highways. A permit authorized under this subsection takes effect upon the mailing or delivery of a complete application and the required fee to the department. A permit authorized under this subsection is valid for up to 90 days, as determined by the secretary of transportation.
(12) TRANSPORTATION OF GARBAGE OR REFUSE. (a) In this
subsection, “refuse” means combustible and noncombustible
rubbish, including paper, wood, metal, glass, cloth and products
thereof, litter and street rubbish, ashes, and lumber, concrete and
other debris resulting from the construction or demolition of
structures.
(b) The department may issue an annual or consecutive month
permit for the transportation of garbage, as defined in s. 289.01
(9), or refuse, in any of the following vehicles that exceed statutory weight and length limitations and for the return of the vehicle
when empty:
1. A self-compactor equipped vehicle.
2. A roll-off equipped truck or roll-off trailer that uses all
axles while transporting garbage or refuse.
(c) A permit under par. (b) may be issued for use on any highway within this state.
(12m) PERMITS FOR VEHICLES TRANSPORTING CERTAIN
BUILDINGS. (a) In this subsection:
1. a. “Building” means a dwelling or other structure or portion of a dwelling or other structure that, when measured as provided in subd. 1. b., is more than 12 feet wide, more than 14 feet
3 inches in height, or more than 100 feet long; that is transportable as a whole or in sections; and that is raised and supported from an existing foundation to be moved and placed on a
permanent foundation at a new location where the dwelling or
other structure is to be delivered. “Building” does not include a
modular housing unit, a manufactured building as defined in s.
101.71 (6), or a manufactured home as defined in s. 101.91 (2).
b. For purposes of subd. 1. a., width shall be measured from
the farthest extremity of the vehicle and load on each side, height
shall be measured from the ground to the highest point of the vehicle and load, and length shall be measured from the rearmost
point of the vehicle and load to the frontmost point of the vehicle.
2. “Vehicle” includes a combination of vehicles.
(b) The department may issue annual or consecutive month
permits for vehicles transporting buildings on the highways. A
permit under this subsection may be issued only by the department, regardless of the highways to be used.
(c) The department may not issue a permit under this subsection unless the department determines that all of the following requirements are met:
1. The applicant identifies each potential operator of a vehicle under the permit and provides proof that each such operator
holds a valid commercial driver license, with any endorsement
required under ch. 343 for operation of the class and type of vehicle to be used to transport a building under the permit.
2. The applicant provides proof of a valid motor carrier certificate or license of authority issued under ch. 194 or under federal law applicable for each vehicle to be used to transport a
building under the permit.

3. The applicant provides proof, by a certificate of insurance
filed with the department, that the applicant, in addition to satisfying the insurance requirements described in s. 346.924 (2) ,
maintains a policy of comprehensive general liability insurance,
issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state,
that provides bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage, including for underground property damage, with a total limit of not less than $500,000 for each
occurrence.
(d) The department may deny any application for a permit under this subsection if the department finds any of the following:
1. That the applicant, or any potential operator identified in
par. (c) 1., has been convicted, within 3 years immediately preceding the date of application, of a violation of s. 346.924.
2. That the applicant, or any potential operator identified in
par. (c) 1., has engaged in conduct endangering the safety of persons using the highways.
3. That the applicant has failed to provide reimbursement for
damage, which is not paid for by the applicant’s insurer, to a highway caused while transporting a building under a permit under
this subsection.
4. That the applicant, or any potential operator identified in
par. (c) 1., has abandoned a building on a highway or on public or
private property without permission of the property owner.
(e) The provisions of this subsection apply in addition to any
other requirement imposed under this chapter, chs. 194, 343, 346,
and 347, and federal law.
(15) MULTIPLE TRIP PERMITS. (a) The department shall issue to qualifying applicants multiple trip permits for the transportation of granular roofing material in vehicles or vehicle combinations that exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) by not more than 10,000 pounds. A permit
issued under this subsection does not authorize the operation of
any vehicle or vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in
excess of 90,000 pounds. A permit under this subsection may be
issued only by the department, regardless of the highways to be
used. A permit under this subsection is not valid on highways
designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense
highways except that a permit may be issued that is valid on not
more than 2.5 miles of any state trunk highway if such issuance of
the permit is consistent with federal law.
(b) 1. An application for a permit under this subsection shall
include all of the following information:
a. The motor carrier on behalf of which the load is to be
transported.
b. The location from which the transportation of the load is
to originate and the load’s destination, along with the designated
route over which the load will be transported.
2. A permit issued under this subsection shall include as conditions of the permit the information specified in subd. 1. a. and
b.
(c) If the designated route under par. (b) 1. b. includes streets
or highways other than those within the state trunk highway system, no permit may be issued under this subsection unless the
governing body of each municipality or county having jurisdiction over such streets or highways adopts a resolution approving
the transportation of the load over that portion of the designated
route that is on streets or highways under the jurisdiction of the
municipality or county. An applicant for a permit under this subsection shall include a copy of each such resolution with the permit application.
(d) The department shall promulgate rules to implement and
administer this subsection.
(16) TRANSPORTATION OF HAY OR STRAW. (a) The department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for the
transportation of loads of hay or straw on a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the height limitations under s.
348.06.
(b) If the roads desired to be used by an applicant for a permit
under this subsection involve highways other than those within
the state trunk highway system, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of route approval by the officer in
charge of maintenance of the other highway.
(c) A permit under this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle or vehicle combination having an overall
height in excess of 14 feet 6 inches if the vehicle or vehicle combination is being operated on a highway in an urban area or 15
feet if the vehicle or vehicle combination is being operated on any
other highway. The department shall, by rule, define “urban
area” for purposes of this paragraph and shall provide, with each
permit issued under this subsection, information to the permit
holder as to the meaning of this term.
(d) The department may promulgate rules regulating the configuration of the loads carried under permits issued under this
subsection and how these loads are to be secured for safe travel.
(17) PERMITS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF SEALED LOADS
IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE. (a) In this subsection, “sealed load”
means a load consisting of a container or vehicle, being transported in international trade, that has been sealed with a tamperevident seal affixed at the time of initial loading.
(b) The department may issue annual or consecutive month
permits for the transportation of a sealed load in a vehicle or vehicle combination that has 6 or more axles and that exceeds the
maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) if the
vehicle or vehicle combination does not exceed the maximum
gross weight limitations under s. 348.29. Notwithstanding s.
348.15 (8), any axle of a vehicle or vehicle combination that does
not impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross weight
of the vehicle or vehicle combination may not be counted as an
axle for the purposes of this paragraph. A permit issued under
this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle or
vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of
90,000 pounds.
(18) PERMITS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. (a) In this subsection:
1. “Agricultural product” means any of the following or any
combination of the following:
a. Fruit.
b. Vegetables.
c. Grain, including distillers’ grain.
d. Live livestock, as defined in s. 95.51 (1), feed for livestock,
or nutritional supplements for livestock.
e. Fish or minnows.
f. Hemp, as defined in s. 94.67 (15c).
2. “Agricultural product” does not include liquid milk or liquid milk by-products, manure or animal waste, or raw forest
products:
(b) Subject to par. (c), the department may issue annual or
consecutive month permits for the transportation of agricultural
products in vehicles or vehicle combinations that have 6 or more
axles and that exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) if the vehicle or vehicle combination does not
exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.295.
Notwithstanding s. 348.15 (8), any axle of a vehicle or vehicle
combination that does not impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle or vehicle combination
may not be counted as an axle for the purposes of this paragraph.
A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize the op-

eration of any vehicle or vehicle combination at a maximum gross
weight in excess of 90,000 pounds.
(c) A permit under this subsection is valid only for the transportation of agricultural products to a farm or from a field or farm
to a storage facility on the farmer’s owned or leased land, a facility for initial storage that is not on the farmer’s owned or leased
land, or a facility for initial processing.
(d) If the roads desired to be used by an applicant for a permit
under this subsection involve highways other than those within
the state trunk highway system, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of route approval by the officer in
charge of maintenance of the other highway.
(e) A permit under this subsection is not valid on any interstate highway designated under s. 84.29 (2) except to the extent
allowed by federal law without any loss or reduction of federal
aid or other sanction.
(19) NO-FEE PERMITS FOR IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY AND
AGRICULTURAL COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES THAT EXCEED
LENGTH OR WEIGHT LIMITATIONS. (a) In this subsection, “maintaining authority” means the following:
1. The department or its designee, with respect to state trunk
highways and bridges crossing over state trunk highways.
2. The municipality or county responsible for maintenance
of the highway or its designee, with respect to any highway that is
not a state trunk highway, including any connecting highway.
This subdivision does not apply to any bridge crossing over a
state trunk highway.
(b) 1. Subject to subds. 3. and 5. b. and par. (c), a person may
apply to the maintaining authority of a highway for an annual or
consecutive month, no-fee permit to operate an implement of
husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds
limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter.
Subject to subds. 3. and 5. b. and par. (c), a person may also apply
to the maintaining authority of a highway for an annual or consecutive month, no-fee permit to operate a 2-vehicle combination
transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry
or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds limitations
on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter and that is
being transported on the highway to or from a farm-related destination. Upon receiving a complete application for a no-fee permit under this subsection, the maintaining authority shall provide
the applicant with a final decision on the application within 3
weeks of its receipt. If the maintaining authority fails to approve
or deny the application within this 3-week period, the application
is considered approved until the applicant receives a denial meeting the requirements under subd. 4. or until 6 weeks from receipt
of the application. If the maintaining authority fails to approve or
deny the application within 6 weeks of its receipt, the application
is approved.
2. Subject to subd. 3. and par. (c), any person to whom a nofee permit has been issued under this subsection may, at any time,
apply for an amendment to the permit to reflect a change in the
applicant’s circumstances or information, including a change in
the listing or map of highways to be traveled. Upon receiving a
complete application for amendment under this subdivision, the
maintaining authority shall provide the applicant with a decision
on the application within 5 business days of its receipt. If the
maintaining authority fails to approve or deny the application
within this period of 5 business days, the application is considered approved until the applicant receives a denial meeting the requirements under subd. 4. or until 10 business days from receipt
of the application. If the maintaining authority fails to approve or
deny the application within 10 business days of its receipt, the application is approved. This subdivision does not apply if the permit is a resolution or ordinance adopted under subd. 5. This subdivision does not apply with respect to a replacement vehicle as
described in par. (c) 10.
3. Except as provided in subd. 5. b., an application under
subd. 1. or 2. shall be made on the form prescribed by the department under par. (d) 1.
4. After receiving a complete permit application under subd.
1. or 2., if a maintaining authority denies the application, it shall
notify the applicant in writing of the denial and the notice shall
include a reasonable and structurally based explanation of the denial that relates to the preservation of the roadway.
4m. a. If a maintaining authority receives a complete permit
application, or a complete application to amend a permit, for an
implement of husbandry described in s. 340.01 (24) (a) 1. b. or
for an agricultural commercial motor vehicle used as described in
s. 340.01 (1o) (e) 1., the maintaining authority may not deny the
application. However, the maintaining authority may modify the
application to include an alternate route or map of highways other
than those specified by the applicant under par. (c) 3. for operation or transportation of the implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle and shall approve the application.
b. For a maintaining authority under par. (a) 2., the alternate
route or map of highways under subd. 4m. a. may include highways that are not under the jurisdiction of the maintaining authority issuing the permit only upon prior approval of the maintaining
authority having jurisdiction over those highways, except that no
prior approval is required with respect to a highway on which the
implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle may be legally operated or transported without a permit or as
authorized by a resolution or ordinance serving as a permit under
subd. 5. b. For a maintaining authority under par. (a) 1., the alternate route or map of highways under subd. 4m. a. may not include
highways that are not under the jurisdiction of the maintaining
authority issuing the permit.
5. a. The governing body of a municipality or county may,
by resolution or ordinance, authorize operation on any or all
highways under the municipality’s or county’s jurisdiction of implements of husbandry and agricultural commercial motor vehicles that exceed limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed
by this chapter. The governing body of a municipality or county
may also, by resolution or ordinance, authorize operation on any
or all highways under the municipality’s or county’s jurisdiction
of 2-vehicle combinations transporting by trailer or semitrailer an
implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed
by this chapter and that is being transported to or from a farm-related destination. If the governing body of a municipality or
county adopts a resolution or ordinance under this subd. 5. a., the
resolution or ordinance shall be valid for at least one calendar
year. For a resolution or ordinance under this subd. 5. a. to be effective in any calendar year, the resolution or ordinance must be
adopted on or before November 30 of the prior year. No amendment to a resolution or ordinance is effective in a calendar year
unless the amendment was adopted on or before November 30 of
the prior year.
b. If the governing body of a municipality or county adopts a
resolution or ordinance under subd. 5. a., then subd. 3. and par.
(c) 3. do not apply, no permit application is required, and the resolution or ordinance shall serve as the permit under this subsection. The governing body of the municipality or county shall
make copies of the resolution or ordinance readily available to the
public at multiple locations within the municipality or county.
c. If the governing body of a municipality or county adopts a
resolution or ordinance under subd. 5. a. that applies to fewer
than all of the highways under the municipality’s or county’s jurisdiction or that authorizes operation or transportation of imple-

ments of husbandry and agricultural commercial motor vehicles
but imposes conditions, restrictions, or limitations on this operation or transportation, then a person may apply for a permit under
subd. 1. for operation or transportation of an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle on any highway
or under any circumstance not authorized by the resolution or
ordinance.
d. No later than January 20 of the year after it adopts or
amends a resolution or ordinance under this subdivision, each
municipality or county that adopts a resolution or ordinance under this subdivision shall forward to the department a copy of the
resolution or ordinance, and the department shall publish the resolution or ordinance on the department’s Internet site.
(c) 1. With respect to any highway under its jurisdiction, and
as provided in subd. 8. and par. (b) 4m. b., a maintaining authority may issue an annual or consecutive month, no-fee permit authorizing operation on the highway of an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds
limitations on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter
if the applicable requirements of this subsection are satisfied.
1m. With respect to any highway under its jurisdiction, and
as provided in subd. 9. and par. (b) 4m. b., a maintaining authority may issue an annual or consecutive month, no-fee permit authorizing operation on the highway of a 2-vehicle combination
transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry
or agricultural commercial motor vehicle that exceeds limitations
on length or weight, or both, imposed by this chapter and that is
being transported to or from a farm-related destination, if the applicable requirements of this subsection are satisfied.
2. A no-fee permit issued under this subsection does not exempt any implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial
motor vehicle from complying with all equipment and other requirements for an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle specified in ch. 347.
3. Except as provided in par. (b) 5. b., an application for a nofee permit under this subsection shall be accompanied by a listing
or map of the highways that may potentially be traveled under authorization of the permit.
4. A no-fee permit issued under subd. 1. or 1m. is not valid
on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate
and defense highways.
5. No fee may be charged for issuance or amendment of a
permit under this subsection, or for any study, investigation, or
other review in connection with an application for a permit or
amendment of a permit under this subsection.
6. A maintaining authority under par. (a) 2. may issue permits under this subsection having a valid period that is longer
than one year or for which there is no expiration.
7. Permits issued under this subsection by a maintaining authority under par. (a) 1., including amended permits for which an
application has been approved under par. (b) 2., shall automatically renew each year unless there is a material change to any
roadway for which the permit applies.
8. In addition to the authorization under subd. 1., a no-fee
permit issued under this subsection authorizes an implement of
husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle being operated in compliance with the permit to cross any highway that intersects with a highway under the jurisdiction of the maintaining
authority that issued the permit. This subdivision does not apply
to a bridge crossing over a state trunk highway.
9. In addition to the authorization under subd. 1m., a no-fee
permit issued under this subsection authorizes a 2-vehicle combination transporting an implement of husbandry or agricultural
commercial motor vehicle in compliance with the permit to cross
any highway that intersects with a highway under the jurisdiction
of the maintaining authority that issued the permit. This subdivision does not apply to a bridge crossing over a state trunk
highway.
10. If an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial
motor vehicle for which a permit has been issued under this subsection is removed from service or sold, the permit authorizes the
permittee to operate or transport a replacement vehicle of equal
or lesser axle weight and gross weight, or of equal or lesser
length, for the remainder of the valid period of the permit. The
original terms of the permit, including any requirements imposed
by the maintaining authority for issuance of the permit, apply to
the permittee’s operation or transportation of the replacement vehicle under the permit. If the replacement vehicle is of greater
axle weight or gross weight, or of greater length, than that for
which the permit was issued, the replacement vehicle may not be
operated or transported under the permit and application must be
made under par. (b) 1. and a new no-fee permit issued for the replacement vehicle before its operation or transportation is
authorized.
11. If an application for a no-fee permit identifies multiple
identical implements of husbandry or agricultural commercial
motor vehicles to be operated on the same highways, as provided
in par. (d) 1m., the maintaining authority shall issue a no-fee permit that identifies, and authorizes operation of, each implement
of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle identified
in the application. The permittee may make copies of the no-fee
permit and, for purposes of s. 348.28, carry a copy of the permit,
in lieu of the original, on any implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle identified in the no-fee permit.
(cm) If a no-fee permit is issued under this subsection authorizing a 2-vehicle combination to transport by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry, the permit shall require the
person transporting the implement of husbandry to comply with
s. 347.24 (3) (b) 1. For purposes of this paragraph, the requirements under s. 347.24 (3) (b) 1. shall apply to an implement of
husbandry being transported to the same extent as if the implement of husbandry were being operated.
(cr) If a no-fee permit is issued under this subsection authorizing a 2-vehicle combination to transport by trailer or semitrailer an agricultural commercial motor vehicle exceeding 8 feet
6 inches in total outside width, the permit shall require the person
transporting the agricultural commercial motor vehicle to comply
with s. 348.09 (3) (b).
(d) 1. The department shall prescribe an application form for
no-fee permits, and amendments to no-fee permits, under this
subsection. Except with respect to permits under par. (b) 5. b. ,
this form shall be used by each maintaining authority. Subject to
subd. 1m., the application form shall require the applicant to provide, on the form or as an attachment, all of the following
information:
a. The applicant’s contact information.
b. A listing or map of the highways that may potentially be
traveled under authorization of the permit.
c. Identification of the types of implements of husbandry or
agricultural commercial motor vehicles for which the application
is made; the length, number of axles, make, model, and estimated
weight of the implements of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicles; and the time of year and frequency that these
implements of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicles are expected to be operated on the highway.
cm. If the application is for operation of a 2-vehicle combination transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle, a description of
the power unit and trailer or semitrailer of the 2-vehicle combina-

tion, including make, model, estimated vehicle weight, and vehicle registration number, if applicable.
d. Changes to the original application when requesting an
amendment to a previously issued no-fee permit.
e. Any other information considered necessary by the department to determine the acceptability of the application.
1m. The application form under subd. 1. for a no-fee permit
shall provide the applicant an opportunity to identify, in one application, multiple identical vehicles or vehicle combinations
constituting implements of husbandry or agricultural commercial
motor vehicles for which application is made if each such implement of husbandry or agricultural motor vehicle will be operated
on the same highways identified by the applicant under par. (c) 3.
2. The department shall prescribe a procedure for the submission of applications to the maintaining authority under par.
(b) 1. and 2. The procedure shall allow an application to be submitted by mail, including certified mail, by electronic transmission, or in person, and shall include a method for accurately documenting the date of receipt of the application regardless of
which delivery method is used.
3. a. Except as provided in subd. 3. b., c., d., and e., a maintaining authority shall keep confidential all information provided
by an applicant for a permit under this subsection and this information is not open to public inspection, copying, or disclosure
under s. 19.35.
b. A maintaining authority described in par. (a) 2. shall disclose to the department, upon its request, information provided
by an applicant for a permit under this subsection, but the department shall keep the information confidential, and this information is not open to public inspection, copying, or disclosure under
s. 19.35.
c. A maintaining authority shall, upon request, disclose to a
law enforcement agency, for use only for law enforcement purposes, information provided by an applicant for a permit under
this subsection.
d. This subdivision does not prohibit a maintaining authority
from disclosing on a permit under this subsection the information
necessary to carry out the purpose of the permit.
e. This subdivision does not prohibit a maintaining authority
from disclosing information to the permit applicant or the applicant’s agent or from disclosing, in any court proceeding, information necessary for judicial review of the maintaining authority’s
decision.
4. In making its initial determination on an application for a
no-fee permit under this subsection, a municipality is not subject
to the requirements under subch. V of ch. 19.
(e) 1. In this paragraph, “adverse determination” means the
denial of an application for issuance or amendment of a no-fee
permit under this subsection.
2. Notwithstanding s. 348.25 (9), any person aggrieved by an
adverse determination by a municipality or county may obtain review of the adverse determination in the manner provided in ch.
68 or as provided under an ordinance or resolution adopted under
s. 68.16. However, review of the initial determination of the municipality or county, under s. 68.09 or 68.10 or under the equivalent provision of an ordinance or resolution adopted by a municipality under s. 68.16, shall be made by, respectively, the governing body of the municipality or the county highway committee of
the county. Notwithstanding ss. 19.83 (1) and 19.85 (1), any deliberation or proceeding, at a meeting of the governing body of a
municipality or county or any of its committees, related to review
of an adverse determination shall be conducted in closed session,
with the permit applicant and any agent of the applicant present
for any evidentiary hearing or argument. The municipality or
county shall keep confidential all information provided by or on
behalf of the permit applicant during the proceeding and this information is not open to public inspection, copying, or disclosure
under s. 19.35, except that this information may be included in
the written decision provided to the permit applicant or applicant’s agent and may be disclosed in any court proceeding for judicial review of the decision.
3. Any person aggrieved by an adverse determination by the
department may petition as provided in s. 348.25 (9).
(20) TRANSPORTATION OF CERTAIN FLUID MILK PRODUCTS.
(a) In this subsection, “fluid milk product” includes raw milk and
liquid milk products and byproducts, including liquid whey and
whey byproducts.
(b) Subject to par. (c), the department may issue annual or
consecutive month permits for the transportation of fluid milk
product to processing facilities in vehicle combinations that exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3)
(c) by not more than 18,000 pounds if the vehicle combination
has 6 or more axles and the gross weight imposed on the highway
by the wheels of any one axle of the vehicle combination does not
exceed 18,000 pounds, except that the gross weight imposed on
the highway by the wheels of any steering axle on the power unit
may not exceed the greater of 13,000 pounds or the manufacturer’s rated capacity, but not to exceed 18,000 pounds. Notwithstanding s. 348.15 (8) , any axle of a vehicle combination that
does not impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross
weight of the vehicle combination may not be counted as an axle
for the purposes of this paragraph. A permit issued under this
subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of 98,000 pounds.
This paragraph does not apply on any highway that is a part of the
national system of interstate and defense highways.
(c) The department may not differentiate between types of
fluid milk product in imposing conditions for permits under this
subsection.
(d) 1. The department shall suspend a permit issued under
par. (b) if the person operating under the permit does any of the
following:
a. Violates any weight limitation specified in the permit
more than 2 times during the valid period of the permit.
b. Violates any weight limitation specified in the permit by
exceeding the weight limitation by 10,000 or more pounds.
2. A suspension under subd. 1. shall be for a period of 6
months. If the remaining valid period of the permit at the time of
the suspension is less than 6 months, the person may not apply
for, or operate under, any other permit issued under par. (b) for a
period of 6 months from the suspension.
(21) PERMITS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF GRAIN, COMMERCIAL FEED, OR BULK FERTILIZER. (a) Subject to par. (b), the
department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for
the transportation of grain, as defined in s. 126.01 (13), commercial feed, as defined in s. 94.72 (1) (b), or bulk fertilizer, as defined in s. 94.64 (1) (b), in vehicles or vehicle combinations that
have 6 or more axles and that exceed the maximum gross weight
limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c) but that do not exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.295. Notwithstanding s. 348.15 (8), any axle of a vehicle or vehicle combination that
does not impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross
weight of the vehicle or vehicle combination may not be counted
as an axle for the purposes of this paragraph. A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle or vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess
of 91,000 pounds.
(b) Except as provided in par. (c), a permit under this subsection is valid only for the transportation of grain, as defined in s.
126.01 (13), commercial feed, as defined in s. 94.72 (1) (b) , or

bulk fertilizer, as defined in s. 94.64 (1) (b), on highways within
the state trunk highway system to a rail yard, shipyard, port,
ethanol plant, manufacturing facility, grain elevator, or feed mill
and only on a route specified by the department.
(c) If the route desired to be used by an applicant for a permit
under this subsection involves any highway other than those
within the state trunk highway system, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of route approval by the officer
in charge of maintenance of the other highway. A person operating a vehicle under a permit under this subsection shall carry the
written statement of route approval while operating on that route
and shall display the statement upon request of any law enforcement officer or representative of the department.
(d) A permit under this subsection is not valid on any interstate highway designated under s. 84.29 (2) except to the extent
allowed by federal law without any loss or reduction of federal
aid or other sanction.
(e) The department may suspend a permit issued under this
subsection during a spring thaw.

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