Revised Code of Washington - RCW Title 46 Motor Vehicles - Section 46.44.020 Maximum height -- Impaired clearance signs

§ 46.44.020. Maximum height -- Impaired clearance signs

It is unlawful for any vehicle unladen or with load to exceed a height of fourteen feet above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. This height limitation does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or repair equipment of a public utility engaged in reasonably necessary operation. The provisions of this section do not relieve the owner or operator of a vehicle or combination of vehicles from the exercise of due care in determining that sufficient vertical clearance is provided upon the public highways where the vehicle or combination of vehicles is being operated; and no liability may attach to the state or to any county, city, town, or other political subdivision by reason of any damage or injury to persons or property by reason of the existence of any structure over or across any public highway where the vertical clearance above the roadway is fourteen feet or more; or, where the vertical clearance is less than fourteen feet, if impaired clearance signs of a design approved by the state department of transportation are erected and maintained on the right side of any such public highway in accordance with the manual of uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways as adopted by the state department of transportation under chapter 47.36 RCW. If any structure over or across any public highway is not owned by the state or by a county, city, town, or other political subdivision, it is the duty of the owner thereof when billed therefor to reimburse the state department of transportation or the county, city, town, or other political subdivision having jurisdiction over the highway for the actual cost of erecting and maintaining the impaired clearance signs, but no liability may attach to the owner by reason of any damage or injury to persons or property caused by impaired vertical clearance above the roadway.

[1984 c 7 § 52; 1977 c 81 § 1; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 64 § 7; 1971 ex.s. c 248 § 1; 1965 c 43 § 1; 1961 c 12 § 46.44.020. Prior: 1959 c 319 § 26; 1955 c 384 § 1; 1953 c 125 § 1; 1951 c 269 § 20; 1937 c 189 § 48; RRS § 6360-48.]

Notes:
     Severability -- 1984 c 7: See note following RCW 47.01.141.

     Effective dates -- Severability -- 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 64: See notes following RCW 46.16.070.

Sections:  Previous  46.44.010  46.44.013  46.44.020  46.44.030  46.44.034  46.44.036  46.44.037  46.44.041  46.44.042  46.44.043  46.44.047  46.44.049  46.44.050  46.44.060  46.44.070  Next

Last modified: April 7, 2009