In an effort to reduce the wear on Michigan's roads Seasonal weight restrictions have been established. The section of law relating to axle loads is MCL 257.722. For the full text of MCL 257.722 Click here There are some limited classes that are exempt from these restriction after a permit is filed. Please see below for more detail on the Permitting requirements and exempt classes.
257.722(7) Except as provided in this subsection and subsection (8), during the months of March, April, and May in each year, the maximum axle load allowable on concrete pavements or pavements with a concrete base shall be reduced by 25% from the maximum axle load as specified in this chapter, and the maximum axle loads allowable on all other types of roads during these months shall be reduced by 35% from the maximum axle loads as specified.
EXEMPTION INFORMATION
257.722(5) The exception to the loading maximums and gross vehicle weight requirements of subsection (12) under subsection (8) for a person hauling agricultural commodities or a public utility vehicle applies only if the person who picks up or delivers the agricultural commodity either from a farm or to a farm or the public utility notifies the county road commission for roads under its authority not less than 48 hours before the pickup or delivery of the time and location of the pickup or delivery. The county road commission shall issue a permit to the person or the public utility and charge a fee that does not exceed the administrative costs incurred. The permit shall contain the following:
(a) The designated route or routes of travel for the load.
(b) The date and time period requested by the person who picks up or delivers the agricultural commodities or the public utility during which the load may be delivered or picked up.
(c) A maximum speed limit of travel, if necessary.
(d) Any other specific conditions agreed to between the parties.
Milk Hauler Exemption
257.722(8) The state transportation department for roads under its jurisdiction and a county road commission for roads under its jurisdiction may grant exemptions from seasonal weight restrictions for milk on specified routes when requested in writing. Approval or denial of a request for an exemption shall be given by written notice to the applicant within 30 days after the date of submission of the application. If a request is denied, the written notice shall state the reason for denial and alternate routes for which the permit may be issued. The applicant shall have the right to appeal to the state transportation commission or the county road commission. These exemptions shall not apply on county roads in counties that have negotiated agreements with milk haulers or haulers of other commodities during periods of seasonal load limits before April 14, 1993. This subsection does not limit the ability of these counties to continue to negotiate such agreements.
Agricultural Commodities Defined
257.722(12) As used in this section, 'agricultural commodities' means those plants and animals useful to human beings produced by agriculture and includes, but is not limited to, forages and sod crops, grains and feed crops, field crops, dairy and dairy products, poultry and poultry products, cervidae, livestock, including breeding and grazing, equine, fish, and other aquacultural products, bees and bee products, berries, herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers, seeds, grasses, nursery stock, mushrooms, fertilizer, livestock bedding, farming equipment, and fuel for agricultural use. The term 'agricultural commodities' shall not include trees and lumber.
Public Utlity Vehicle Defined
The definition of a Public Utility Vehicle is taken from MCL 460.501. Click here for the complete text of MCL 460.501
MCL 460.501 The term 'public utility', when used in this act, means persons and corporations, other than municipal corporations, or their lessees, trustees and receivers now or hereafter owning or operating in this state equipment or facilities for producing, generating, transmitting, delivering or furnishing gas or electricity for the production of light, heat or power to or for the public for compensation.
