ORDINANCE 59
An Ordinance Regulating Overweight and Over Dimension Vehicle Usage
WHEREAS, overweight and over dimension vehicles have the potential to cause excessive damage to the highways in Meade County; and
WHEREAS, SDCL 32-22-40 authorizes Meade County to issue annual or single trip permits authorizing the movement of any kind or form of vehicle or building upon the highways under the jurisdiction of Meade County; and
WHEREAS, the Meade County Board of County Commissioners (Board) finds it appropriate and necessary for the protection of highways within Meade County to regulate overweight and over-dimension vehicles
THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Meade County Board of County Commissioners:
SECTION ONE: LIMITATIONS
1.1 Any vehicle operating on a Meade County highway exceeding the State of South Dakota Bridge Weight Formula (attached as Exhibit A) or exceeding the posted weight limit on any Meade County highway must apply for a permit.
1.1.1 The issuance of a permit pursuant to this Ordinance does not authorize a vehicle to exceed the posted weight limit of any bridge. Violators may be, in addition to other penalties, held liable for any injury or damage sustained by such bridge by reason such violation.
1.2 Any vehicle operating on a Meade County highway exceeding the width limitations set forth in SDCL 32-22-3, and in excess of 13 feet wide, must apply for a permit from the Meade County Highway Department.
1.3 Any vehicle, including combination vehicles, operating on a Meade County highway exceeding the length limitations set forth in SDCL 32-22-8.1 to 32-22-12.3 must apply for a permit from the Meade County Highway Department.
1.4 Any vehicle operating on a Meade County highway exceeding the height limitations set forth in SDCL 32-22-14 and 32-22-14.1 must apply for a permit from the Meade County Highway Department.
1.5 Permits may be suspended during the duration of the permit by the Meade County Highway Superintendent or Meade County Sheriff for violation of the permit. The suspension shall be effective immediately and remain in place pending review by the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The permit may be revoked by the Board during the duration of the permit for violation of the permit or violation of highway laws of Meade County or the State of South Dakota.
1.6 Meade County is authorized to reduce weight limits from February 15 to April 15 in each year, inclusively. No permit issued under this Ordinance authorizes operation of any vehicle in excess of these reduced weight limits without specific approval from the Meade County Highway Superintendent.
1.7 Meade County is authorized to reduce weight limits on highways under its jurisdiction if such highways, or any section thereof, would be damaged or destroyed by heavy traffic. No permit issued under this Ordinance authorizes operation of any vehicle in excess of these reduced weight limits without specific approval from the Meade County Highway Superintendent.
1.8 Over-width, over-length, or over-height vehicles must travel during daylight hours.
1.9 Nothing in this Ordinance relieves an operator of an over-width, over-length, or over-height vehicle from complying with South Dakota statutes regarding signage, lighting, flagging, and licensing.
1.10 No over-width, over-length or over-height vehicle may operate on any road within ten (10) miles of the City of Sturgis, from one week prior to and through one week after the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally dates as set by the City of Sturgis, without specific approval from the Meade County Highway Superintendent. No over-width vehicle exceeding thirteen (13) feet in width may operate on any other paved road in Meade County during this time period, without specific approval from the Meade County Highway Superintendent.
1.11 Any fees assessed under this Ordinance are non-refundable and non-transferable. However, should the permitted vehicle under an annual permit be sold, the Meade County Highway Superintendent may authorize transfer of the new permit to a different vehicle purchased by the permit holder on adequate proof of sale.
1.12 Any property owner may purchase a single-trip permit for a vehicle hired or contracted for by a property owner. Each vehicle hired or contracted for must obtain a single-trip permit. When this section applies, an overweight vehicle shall be charged an additional fee of $5.00 for each ton or fraction of a ton that its gross weight exceeds 80,000 pounds.
1.13 Any vehicle exceeding more than one limitation of this Ordinance (example, overweight and over-length), must obtain a permit for each.
1.14 Unless revoked by the Board, and if there are no changes requested, an annual permit may be renewed for the following year before the expiration of the permit. Fees as set forth herein apply to the renewed permit.
SECTION TWO: APPLICATION PROCESS
2.1 A permit form is available from the county website or from the Meade County Highway Department. Complete and return the form with the required information.
2.2 The application and permit will specify the maximum Gross Vehicle Weight, weight allowed per axle, maximum width, maximum height, and maximum length, if allowing the vehicle to exceed any limitation set forth in this Ordinance.
2.3 If approved, the Meade County Highway Department shall provide the permit holder with information to be copied on the permit by the permit holder regarding permit restrictions, effective period of the permit, and validation number.
2.4 The permit must be carried in the permit vehicle during movement. An electronic version of the permit will suffice.
2.5 Special operating restrictions, including routing, may be stated on the permit.
2.6 The Meade County Highway Department may grant a time extension for a single-trip permit to allow more travel time to complete a trip, if the trips as authorized by the permit is delayed due to equipment breakdown, weather condition, highway condition, or other moving delays.
SECTION THREE: OVERWEIGHT FEES
3.1 The Highway Superintendent may approve a single-trip permit which exceeds the Bridge Weight Formula by no more than 25,000 lb on any one axle. The Board must approve any permit in excess of the authority of the Highway Superintendent.
3.2 The permit fee for a single-trip permit is $25.00.
3.3 An overweight vehicle shall be charged an additional fee of two cents for each ton or fraction of a ton that its gross weight exceeds 80,000 pounds for each mile traveled on Meade County highways.
3.4 State agencies, local subdivisions of South Dakota or of other states, and federal agencies, departments, or divisions are exempt from the fees set forth herein.
SECTION FOUR: ANNUAL OVERWEIGHT FEES
4.1 Annual permits will allow vehicles on highways posted as weight limits of 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight and 7 tons per axle to exceed that weight. The annual permit will not permit vehicles to exceed 160,000 GVWR.
4.2 The Highway Superintendent may approve an annual permit for a vehicle complying with the Bridge Weight Formula. The Board must approve any permit in excess of the authority of the Highway Superintendent.
4.3 The permit fee for an annual overweight permit is $250.00 per vehicle. Each vehicle shall be permitted.
4.3.1 An annual permit may be applied for at any time and will be valid for one year from the date of approval.
4.4 An overweight vehicle shall be charged an additional fee of $5.00 for each ton or fraction of a ton that its gross weight exceeds 80,000 pounds.
4.5 Multiple trailer combinations per permitted vehicle will be allowed. If the owner/operator has multiple trailers, it will be allowed to haul up to the maximum amount on the issued permit.
4.6 Regardless of over-weight permit, no truck and trailer combination may exceed the weight determined by the Bridge Weight Formula Table, Exhibit A.
4.7 Utility Fleet Permit
4.7.1 The Meade County Highway Superintendent may issue an annual fleet permit to any public utility as defined in SDCL 49-34-11.1, or electric utility cooperative operating within Meade County, subject to final approval at the next Meade County Commission meeting.
4.7.2 The permit shall cover all vehicles owned or leased by the applicant that are used for the construction, maintenance, or restoration of public infrastructure.
4.7.3 The permit fee for a Utility Fleet Permit is $2,500.00
4.7.4 Unless revoked by the Board, and if there are no changes requested, an annual permit may be renewed by the Highway Superintendent for the following year before the expiration of the permit. Fees as set forth herein apply to the renewed permit.
4.7.5 An overweight vehicle operating under a Utility Fleet Permit shall be charged an additional fee of five dollars ($5.00) for each ton or fraction of a ton that its gross vehicle weight exceeds eighty thousand (80,000) pounds.
SECTION FIVE: OVER-WIDTH FEES
5.1 The permit fee for an annual over-width permit is $50.00 per vehicle. Each vehicle over 13 feet wide shall be permitted.
5.1.1 An annual permit may be applied for at any time and will be valid for one year from the date of approval.
5.1.2 Unless revoked by the Board, if there are no changes requested, an annual permit may be renewed for the following year before the expiration of the permit. Fees as set forth herein apply to the renewed permit.
5.2 An annual over-width permit allows widths exceeding thirteen (13) feet but not exceeding fifteen and one half (15 1/2) feet.
5.3 Vehicles hauling any item in excess of 15 ½ feet in width must apply for a single-trip over-width permit.
5.4 A single trip over-width permit fee is $50.00 plus $10.00 for every foot or portion of a foot exceeding 15 1/2 feet.
5.5 Additional fees may be charged as necessary to clear the right of way, the use of Meade County personnel for purposes of traffic control, or other charges the Meade County deems necessary to allow the over-width vehicle to traverse Meade County roads.
SECTION 6: OVER-LENGTH FEES
6.1 Any truck and single trailer combination exceeding 85 feet in length with a single trailer, or any double or triple trailer combination that exceeds 110 feet, will be required to buy a permit. Any truck and single trailer combination in excess of 85 feet but less than 90 feet, and truck and double or triple trailer combinations in excess of 110 feet but less than 125 feet may purchase an annual permit for $50.
6.2 Any truck and trailer combination exceeding 90 feet for a single trailer, or 125 feet for a double or triple trailer combination will be required to purchase a single trip permit for $50
6.3 Additional fees may be charged as necessary to clear the right of way, the use of Meade County personnel for purposes of traffic control, or other charges the Meade County deems necessary to allow the overlength vehicle to traverse Meade County roads.
SECTION 7: OVER-HEIGHT FEES
7.1 Any truck exceeding 15 feet in height will be required to purchase a permit. The single-trip permit fee for an over-height permit is $50.00 per vehicle. Each vehicle shall be permitted.
7.2 Additional fees may be charged as necessary to clear the right of way, the use of Meade County personnel for purposes of traffic control, or other charges the Meade County deems necessary to allow the over-height vehicle to traverse Meade County roads.
SECTION EIGHT: USE OF PERMIT FEES
8.1 Any permit fees collected pursuant to this Ordinance shall be deposited into the Meade County Road and Bridge Fund. The permit fees may be used for all purposes allowed by law for that Fund.
SECTION NINE: EXEMPTIONS
9.1 The following are exempt from permitting requirements of this Ordinance:
9.1.1 Any vehicle hauling agricultural products for farm storage or livestock to or from a farm and within 50 miles of the farm which exceeds the posted highway or bridge weight limitation or permitted weight by less than five (5) percent.
9.1.2 Any vehicle hauling agricultural products to the point of first unloading, within 50 miles of the harvested field, which exceeds the posted highway or bridge limitation or permitted weight by less than ten (10) percent.
9.1.3 Any tractor towed or truck mounted haystack mover which exceeds the posted highway or bridge weight limitation or permitted weight by less than five (5) percent.
9.1.4 Any vehicle operated under the direction of a fire chief or similar official when assisting in firefighting efforts.
9.1.5 Any emergency situation as determined by the Meade County Highway Superintendent, Meade County Sheriff, or Board.
9.1.6 Any tow truck or wrecker when moving any damaged, disabled, or abandoned vehicle from any highway emergency to the point of first unloading, which exceeds the posed limitation by less than ten (10) percent.
9.1.7 Any vehicle owned by a farmer or rancher, or their licensed employees, or hired or contracted by a farmer or rancher transporting their own farm commodities or farm implements is exempt from the width limitations set forth in this Ordinance. Such a vehicle must be operated during daylight hours.
SECTION TEN: LIABILITY
10.1 The issuance of a permit or exemption under this Ordinance does not relieve the holder of the permit from liability for damage caused to a highway, bridge or other Meade County structure by any movement of any vehicle.
10.2 Operating any vehicle, not exempted, in violation of this Ordinance or in excess of an issued permit is subject to maximum penalty of thirty days imprisonment in the county jail, or a $500.00 fine, or both.
10.3 The owner or operator of any vehicle is responsible for any and all damage to Meade County roads and property caused by such operation. Meade County may seek all costs for damages, including time required of Meade County personnel.
Adopted this 12th day of November, 2025.
______________________________
Gary Deering, Chairperson
Attest: _______________________
Rhea Crane, Auditor
First Reading: 8-12-25 & 10-14-25
Second Reading: 10-28-25 & 11-12-25
Publication: 11-19-25
Effective: 01-01-26
