Government of New Brunswick

Guidelines for applying for and obtaining Large Building Move Permits

A large building move is defined as the movement of an indivisible building, which exceeds 5.5 m. in width, from the original foundation to a new location. This does not include mobile, modular or mini homes. 

Permits for Large Building moves are issued from the New Brunswick Department of Transportation District Offices, by the District Engineer. If a large building is being moved through more than one district, the originating District Engineer will obtain approval from the other district(s) involved. 

 

 

Process


To obtain a large building move permit, the Large Building Move Application Form must be completed.  This form can be obtained by contacting any Department of Transportation District Office, the Department of Transportation Policy Branch Special Permit Office, or from this Government web site. Note: This form is interactive and can be filled in online and printed from the link below.

Permissible Equipment
The unit providing the power for the move must be a licensed and insured road vehicle, i.e. a licensed truck or truck-tractor with sufficient power so as to not unduly delay traffic when the load is being transported.  Farm tractors, backhoes, forklifts, loaders and any other off-highway machinery will not be allowed for this purpose.  If the large building is transported on a chassis consisting of an assembly of beams and axles that is specifically used to move large buildings, this chassis is not considered a vehicle, and therefore does not require a Provincial Motor Vehicle inspection, registration or license. This chassis must be equipped with brakes on all axles; it must have lights and must have a secondary means of attachment to the towing vehicle, such as safety chains, if the connection to the towing vehicle is a ball hitch or a pintle hitch. If the large building is transported on a trailer that may be normally used to haul items other than a large building, that trailer requires a Provincial Motor Vehicle inspection, registration and license.

Axle weights and spacing

The maximum permissible weight of a large building will be dependent on the configuration using the following guidelines:

  • The maximum tire loading shall not exceed 10 kg per mm of tire width.
  • The maximum weight on a single axle with single tires shall not exceed 6000 kg.
  • All other axle weights, spacing and configurations shall be as set out in Regulation 2001-67, Vehicle Dimensions and Mass Regulation - Motor Vehicle Act.

To determine if the large building conforms to Regulation 2001-67:

  • Submit axle weights and spacing, if unknown contact the Department of Public Safety's Compliance Branch, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement at 453-7157. 
  • Submit tire sizes.

RCMP
The local detachment of the RCMP must be contacted to obtain approval to move.  The RCMP are safety professionals and their advice and recommendations must be followed to ensure safe moves.  The District Engineer may apply measures over and above RCMP recommendations.  All costs associated with the involvement of the RCMP will be the responsibility of the permit applicant.  If RCMP escorts are required, at least 72 hours notice must be provided to the RCMP.

Traffic Control Devices
The requirement for traffic control devices i.e. signs, etc. will be determined by the District Engineer.  Sufficient time will be required by District office to make arrangements to supply these devices.   All costs associated with the involvement of the District office will be the responsibility of the applicant. 

Utilities
If the height of the building, once it is loaded, exceeds 4.88 m, the applicable Utilities must be contacted regarding interference with their lines.  In areas where utility line clearance may be a concern, the permit applicant must obtain clearance to move from the appropriate utility.  Utility lines are to be moved only by authorized personnel of the associated utility.  All costs associated with the involvement of the Utilities will be the responsibility of the permit applicant.

Municipalities & Municipal Police Force
If the load is moving within a municipality's jurisdiction, the municipal officials, including municipal Police Force's must be contacted.  The applicant must obtain permission from the appropriate municipal official(s).  If municipal Police Force escorts are required, sufficient notice must be provided.  All costs associated with the involvement of a municipality or municipal Police Force will be the responsibility of the permit applicant.  

Compliance Branch
The Compliance Branch shall weigh, and/or analyze large buildings identified by the District Engineer as being overweight, unstable and/or unsafe and/or insecure.  Any instructions by Compliance Branch officials must be carried out prior to the move.  All cost associated with the involvement of the Compliance Branch will be the responsibility of the applicant.

Transportation Policy Branch
If the weights exceed limits outlined in the "Axle weights and spacing" section, the configuration details (weights, interaxle spacing, axle spreads, etc.) must be submitted to Transportation Policy Branch for evaluation.  An analysis of the road surface and any structures crossed will also be completed to determine if the axle configuration is acceptable for the proposed move.  If it is found that the requested configuration is not acceptable, the applicant must alter the configuration and must submit the new configuration to the Transportation Policy Branch for further analysis.
   

 

Conditions


In addition to the Conditions for Movement of Oversize Loads required for the movement of oversize, overmass configurations in the Province of New Brunswick, the following conditions apply for the movement of large buildings:

Time of Moves
The time of the move will be determined by the District Engineer and will be coordinated with low traffic volume periods.  This may occur early Saturday or Sunday morning with the move being finished before noon.

Escorts/pilot vehicles
It is recommended that three escort vehicles be utilized for the movement of large buildings.  This includes one escort in front and back of the large load (as outlined in the conditions for Movement of Oversize Loads), and another used as a scout approximately 1 km ahead of the load.  All escort vehicles shall be equipped with communication devices (2-way radio, cell phone, etc.) 

Climatic Conditions
Large building moves will only be permitted in good climatic conditions, as determined by the District Engineer.

Readily Removal Parts
It is the responsibility of the applicant/permit holder to ensure that all readily removable parts have been removed from the load.  If is determined at any time during the permit application process or the move, that the dimensions of the large building may be readily reduced, the applicant or permit holder will be required to modify the large building accordingly.

Maximum travel distance of large building moves
The maximum distance a large building is permitted to travel within one or more districts is 30 km.  Every effort must be made to avoid road closures due to large building moves.

Maximum width of large building moves
The maximum width of a large building permitted will be based on but not restricted to:

  • RCMP consultation.
  • The distance of the move and accessibility of pull-off areas to alleviate traffic congestion and to allow the passing of emergency vehicles.
  • The width of the affected route and structures.

Maximum height of large building moves

  • The maximum height of a large building permitted will be based on but not restricted to:
  • Underpass height.
  • Utility line constraints (power, telephone, cable, and any others)

Maximum length of large building moves

  • The maximum length of a large building that may be permitted to move on designated highways will be based on but not restricted to:
  • Interference of adjoining lanes near turns.
  • Swing-out of load at intersections.

For any further information
Contact your local New Brunswick Department of Transportation, District Engineer.