Movement of Houses

1. Introduction

Arkansas Code Annotated 27-35-309 provides, in part, "The laws of this state and regulations of qualified house movers in this state who have met the financial responsibility requirements of the State Highway and Transportation Department shall be authorized to move, upon the public highways of this state, houses up to and including twenty-eight feet, six inches (28’6”) in width, exclusive of roof overhang, upon obtaining a permit as required by law.

Municipalities and counties, respectively, may make and enforce other rules and regulations regarding the movement of houses on the city streets and on county roads within their jurisdiction as they shall deem appropriate...”

2. Application Information

Application for the movement of houses shall be submitted to the District Engineer for the purpose of approving the movement of a house within or through that district.  The District Engineer has the authority and responsibility for approving the route over which the house will move.  The Permit Section of the Highway Police Division is not authorized to issue a permit for the movement of a house prior to receiving a written route approval from the District Engineer.  An approval form must be completed by the District Engineer and received by the Permit Section, via mail or telefax, before the permit can be issued.  In reviewing the route over which the move is to take place, the District Engineer shall not only take into consideration the physical features of the roadway, but also the traffic volumes, the peak hours of traffic and the congestion  and/or inconvenience the movement of a house would have on the traveling public.

The time of movement and the route over which the move will take place is to be selected with the motorists’ interest in mind and not solely the interest of the house movers.

Applications shall be submitted as far in advance of the movement as possible and adequate time allowed for review and approval.

The maximum overall width allowable under a normal permit for the movement of a house upon State Highways is twenty-eight feet and six inches (28’6”) based on the route requested, the conditions of the highways, the distance involved in the movement and the volume and type of traffic.  However, this maximum width may be exceeded only when an emergency  or special circumstance exists and is concurred in by the District Engineer(s) for the District(s) in which the move is to be made and approved by the Permit Section.

Any manufactured home unit shall comply with the rules and regulations as described in Section VII.

3. Bond Information

A Surety Bond in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for damages which may result from the movement of all houses in excess of twenty feet (20’) in width, shall be filed with the Permit Section before permits can be issued for movement of houses in excess of twenty feet (20’) in width, unless otherwise specified by the Permit Section.

4. Mover Requirements

   1. Insurance and Liability:  The applicant shall assume absolute liability and shall pay for any and all damages to highways, highway facilities, persons, or private property resulting from the movement of an oversize house.  The minimum liability insurance requirements are $100,000 for the first injury, $300,000 for each accident, and  $25,000 for property damage.  ($325,000 minimum combined single limit coverage.) Documentation of liability insurance shall be carried in the vehicle for inspection upon request by any law enforcement officer.  Liability insurance shall be in the amount required herein and issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in the           State of Arkansas.  These provisions shall be supplemental to any other existing local, state and federal laws and regulations regarding insurance requirements for either interstate or intrastate operations while in the State of Arkansas.

   2. Route Inspections:  Prior to the issuance of a permit, the mover shall make arrangements with the District Engineer(s) for an inspection of the route over which the move will be made.  A three (3) day notice should be given to make arrangements for this initial inspection.  Outside house dimensions shall be furnished at the time of the route inspection.

   3. Agreements With Utility Companies:  Written agreements shall be obtained by the movers from all utility companies involved to assure that all arrangements have been made for any adjustments.  Where the overall height exceeds seventeen feet (17’) the movement be accompanied by public utility personnel who have overhead facilities affected on the route.

   4. Traffic Control:  Arrangements will be made to allow immediate passing of all emergency vehicles during the move.  Arkansas Code Annotated 27-35-310(a) as amended by Act 780 of l999 provides, in part, in addition to the requirements on persons and payloads issued permits to move houses under 27-35-309, a person issued a permit to move houses under this subchapter shall be authorized to temporarily stop  or halt traffic and safely direct, control, and regulate traffic around the house while maneuvering his payloads on or off the public streets, highways or bridges.  Arkansas Code Annotated 27-35-310(b) provides, in part, that no person moving a permitted house shall ever halt or stop traffic on a public street or highway while maneuvering a house on or off the street or highway for more that three (3) minutes or stop or halt traffic within five hundred feet (500’) from the crest of a hill.

   5. Flagmen:  Flagmen shall be the sole responsibility of the movers.

   6. Escorts:  One escort vehicle is required to be positioned in front and one escort vehicle is required to be positioned behind the house during the trip.  Two-way radio communication is required between escorts. (See Section VI.)

    

5. Restrictions

   1. Holidays:  No permit will be issued for the movement of houses on specified holidays in Section II, Item E, 6.

   2. Inclement Weather:  No movement will be made during inclement weather.

   3. Days/Hours:  Movement of all houses in excess of fourteen feet (14’) in width will be allowed only during the following hours:

• Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Fridays:  9:00 a.m. to 12:00 (noon)

• Sundays:  Daylight to 9:00 a.m.

4. Limitations/Cancellation:  Permits for moving houses will be limited to two (2) days.  permits will not be canceled but may be extended providing the Department is notified prior to expiration the original permit.  No permit will be issued for movement of houses on the Interstate Highways or fully controlled access freeways.
   

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