Road & Bridge Use

Standard Road Use Permits

Required for commercial hauling; use of a road that is otherwise closed to access non-federal property; road use that is otherwise restricted by a road use order or a regulation; or motor vehicle use on NFS roads that are not designated for that use on a motor vehicle use map.

Overload Road Use Permits for Oversize and/or Overweight

Required for all vehicles that exceed the maximum load, weight, length, height, or width restrictions applicable to State or county road systems.

Overweight Bridge Use Permit

Additional permit required for any vehicle(s) that exceed the maximum weight restrictions applicable to State or county road systems, which will also require travel over a bridge on the designated haul route. 

1. Download the appropriate permit application and fill it out completely. Permits that are not filled out in their entirety may require additional time to process.
   • Standard Road Use Permit Application
   • Oversize Vehicle Attachment to Permit Application
   • Bridge Use Application & Permit
2. Send the completed permit application to zone engineer; request a permit by which zone the travel will begin.
3. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks processing time. A Forest Service Official will contact you regarding your permit in the order that they are processed.

For more information about road and bridge use permits, contact a ​Mt. Hood National Forest zone engineer:

• Cole Lafazio, West Zone Roads Manager (Zigzag & Clackamas River Districts): coleman.lafazio@usda.gov
• Travis Dupuis, East Zone Roads Manager (Barlow & Hood River Districts): travis.dupuis@usda.gov 

FSM 7731.17 – Road Use Permits

Road use permits authorize use of NFS roads, NFS road segments, and associated transportation facilities for purposes of commercial hauling or as an exception to traffic rules and use restrictions. Road use permits may authorize use of a road that is otherwise closed to access non-federal property; road use that is otherwise restricted by a road use order or a regulation; or motor vehicle use on NFS roads that are not designated for that use on a motor vehicle use map. 

FSM 7730.5 – Definitions

Commercial Hauler - A person or entity engaging in commercial hauling.

Commercial Hauling -  For purposes only of cost recovery under FSM 7730, commercial use of NFS roads to transport:

1. Federal or non-federal products from Federal, State, or private lands;
2. Livestock, other than livestock authorized to use NFS lands, feed for livestock authorized to use NFS lands, and livestock from farms and ranches in or adjacent to the NFS; or
3. Goods for, supplies for, or customers of commercial uses or activities on NFS lands pursuant to a special use authorization or other written authorization issued by the Forest Service, other than:
   • a Forest Service contract;
   • an agreement between the Forest Service and another Federal agency, unless the agreement specifically provides for cost recovery;
   • a grazing permit;
   • an authorization for a concession involving federally-owned facilities; and
   • a special recreation permit issued under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(d)(2)).

Commercial Use or Activity - For purposes only of this chapter, a use or activity on NFS lands whose primary purpose is the sale of a good or service, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit.

Road Use Permit - A written authorization issued pursuant to Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 212, Subpart A, that allows an act or omission on an NFS road or NFS road segment and associated transportation facilities that would otherwise be in violation of a traffic rule in effect on the road, including: 

1. Use of a closed road to access non-federal property (36 CFR 212.6(b));
2. Commercial hauling on a road where that use is otherwise restricted (36 CFR 212.9(d) and 261.54); and
3. Motor vehicle use on an NFS road that is not designated for that purpose (36 CFR 212.51(a)(8)).