Albany County Implements Special Hauling Area Permit

Effective August 1, 2009, Albany County will be charging for special hauling "area" permits, available at monthly or annual rates. The new area permit applies to all County roads, unless specifically exempted due to road construction, road geometry or bridge conditions. The one-time use, "per trip" permit option will also continue to be available.

The special hauling area permits applies to vehicles with a total gross weight of less than 108,000 pounds, a width equal to or less than 12 feet, a height equal to or less than 13.5 feet and a length of less than 80 feet, inclusive of load and bumpers.

The fee schedule is as follows:

• $10.00 for a special hauling area permit fee on an annual basis
• $50.00 per vehicle/per month or $380.00 per vehicle/per year administrative fee for overweight and/or oversized vehicles

Vehicle operators are required to keep said permits in their cab at all times while traveling on County roads and must present it to law enforcement when requested. As per Section 85 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law the fines for not having a special hauling permit in the cab are as follows:

• $500.00 for a first offense
• $1,000.00 for a second offense

Haulers can learn more about special hauling permits and fill out an application online here.

These and other Albany County special hauling permits are not required for vehicles carrying divisible loads. Albany County accepts divisible load permits issued by the New York State Department of Transportation for travel on County roads.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Albany County Department of Public Works, Engineering Division at (518) 765-2786.