2007 Minnesota Statutes

221.81 BUILDING MOVER.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the terms used in this section
have the meanings given them in this subdivision.
(a) "Building mover" means a person, corporation, or other entity who raises, supports off the
foundation, and moves buildings on and over public streets and highways. Building mover does
not include a person who moves manufactured homes or modular homes, farmers moving their
own farm buildings, or persons moving buildings which are less than 16 feet wide by 20 feet long.
(b) "Political subdivision" means a city, town, or county.
(c) "Road authority" has the meaning given it in section 160.02, subdivision 25.
    Subd. 2. License. No person may operate as a building mover in this state unless licensed
by the commissioner. The commissioner may inspect a building mover's vehicles or records to
determine compliance with this section.
    Subd. 3. License application. To obtain a license to operate as a building mover an applicant
shall file an application with the commissioner specifying the name and address of its officers and
other information as the commissioner may reasonably require. The commissioner shall issue the
license upon compliance by the applicant with insurance requirements and payment of an initial
$150 filing fee. A license once granted continues in full force and effect, subject to a $100 annual
renewal fee and compliance with insurance requirements, unless revoked or suspended.
The commissioner, upon approval of a license for a building mover, shall issue a sufficient
number of cab cards to each licensed mover to provide one cab card for each power unit used
in moving buildings. The fee is $10 for each cab card issued. The cab card must be carried at
all times in a readily available place in the cab of the power unit for which it was issued. The
building mover may also purchase up to five floater cab cards for a fee of $100 for each floater
card issued. Cab cards are effective for a 12-month period and continue from year to year
thereafter upon payment of the required fee. Cab cards are only good for the period for which the
license is effective.
    Subd. 3a. Insurance. (a) Each building mover shall have in effect the following:
(1) comprehensive general liability insurance including completed operations, underground
property damage, and collapse coverage in the amount of at least $500,000 for bodily injury or
property damage; and
(2) motor vehicle liability insurance in the amount of at least $500,000 for bodily injury
or property damage.
(b) The insurance must be written by an insurer licensed to do business in the state of
Minnesota. Each building mover shall file with the commissioner a certificate evidencing the
insurance. The insurance policy must provide that the policy may not be canceled without the
insurer first giving 30 days' written notice to the commissioner of the impending cancellation.
(c) On request of the commissioner, the insurer must furnish a duplicate original of the policy
and all endorsements to the policy.
    Subd. 3b. Local permit. A building mover may not move a building on or across a street or
highway without first obtaining a permit from the road authority having jurisdiction over the street
or highway. A permit for the movement of a building may not be granted to a building mover who
does not possess a current license issued by the commissioner.
    Subd. 3c. Local regulation. No license to move buildings or bond, cash deposit, or insurance
coverage may be required by a political subdivision of the state other than the license and
insurance coverage required by the commissioner. A road authority may charge a fee for services
performed and may require a permit which reasonably regulates the hours, routing, movement,
parking, or speed limit for a building mover operating on streets or highways under its jurisdiction.
A building mover shall comply with the State Building Code in jurisdictions which have adopted
the State Building Code, and with local ordinances which regulate the moving or removing of
buildings. A building mover may not be required to pay a route approval fee to, or obtain a permit
for the movement of a building on streets or highways from, a political subdivision which is not
also the road authority. This section does not prohibit a political subdivision from charging a
permit fee for regulation of activities which do not involve the use of public streets or highways.
Neither the state nor a political subdivision may regulate rates charged by building movers.
    Subd. 3d. Identification. (a) A building mover's name and address must be displayed on the
power unit of a vehicle used to move buildings and on buildings being moved.
(b) Vehicles and buildings must show the name or "doing business as" name of the license
holder operating the vehicle and the community and abbreviation of the state in which the
license holder maintains its principal office or in which the vehicle is customarily based. If the
building mover operates a leased vehicle, it may show its name and the name of the lessor on
the vehicle, if the lease relationship is clearly shown. If the name of a person other than the
building mover appears on the vehicle, the words "operated by" must immediately precede the
name of the building mover.
(c) The name and address must be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the
background, be readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet while the vehicle
or building is stationary, and be maintained in a manner that retains the legibility of the markings.
The name and address may be shown by use of a removable device if that device meets the
identification and legibility requirements of this subdivision.
    Subd. 3e. Safety rules. (a) A building mover must comply with the rules adopted in section
221.0314: (1) subdivision 6 for driving of motor vehicles; (2) subdivision 7 for parts and
accessories necessary for the safe operation, except as provided in paragraph (b); (3) subdivision
10 for inspection, repair, and maintenance; (4) subdivision 8 for accident reporting; and, (5) on
and after August 1, 1994, subdivisions 2 to 5 for driver qualifications.
(b) A towed vehicle, other than a full trailer, pole trailer, or semitrailer, as those terms are
defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 390.5, used by a building mover to
move a building on a highway is not required to comply with rules for parts and accessories
necessary for safe operation.
    Subd. 4. License revocation, suspension, denial. The commissioner, after notice and a
hearing, may revoke, suspend, or deny a license for:
(1) failure of the applicant or license holder to reimburse the road authority for damage to
public highways, roads, streets, or utilities that are not paid for by the license holder's insurer;
(2) conduct of the applicant or license holder that endangers the health and safety of users of
the public highways, roads, streets, or utilities;
(3) conduct of the applicant or license holder that obstructs traffic in a manner other than
as authorized in the permit;
(4) violation of this section;
(5) failure to obtain or comply with required local moving permits or permits required by
section 169.86;
(6) placing or leaving a building on property without the permission of the owner of the
property or in violation of local ordinances; or
(7) abandoning a building after it is first moved under the road permit. For purposes of
this subdivision, "abandon" means conduct that shows that a building mover has failed to use
reasonable diligence in moving a building to the location described in the road permit.
    Subd. 5. Suspension by commissioner. (a) The commissioner shall suspend a license
without a hearing for the following reasons:
(1) failure to pay the renewal fee; or
(2) failure to comply with insurance requirements.
(b) The suspension continues until the fees are paid and the insurance requirements are
satisfied.
    Subd. 6. Misdemeanor. A person who violates, or aids or abets the violation of, any of the
provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. Every distinct violation is a separate offense.
    Subd. 7.[Repealed, 1983 c 293 s 84]
    Subd. 8.[Repealed, 1983 c 293 s 84]
    Subd. 9.[Repealed, 1983 c 293 s 84]
History: 1979 c 111 s 1; 1981 c 209 s 12; 1981 c 365 s 9; 1982 c 617 s 21; 1983 c 293 s 84;
1984 c 520 s 23; 1985 c 299 s 31; 1988 c 544 s 26; 1992 c 578 s 48-51; 1993 c 117 s 29