All oversize loads entering the Town of Mount Pleasant must conform to the requirements set by the South Carolina Department of Transportation and enforced by the Mount Pleasant Police Department Traffic Division.

In general, any vehicle exceeding 8 feet 6 inches in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, or 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight must obtain an oversize/overweight permit from the Mount Pleasant Public Services Department located at 100 Ann Edwards Lane.

Mount Pleasant requires additional routing approval for loads over 12 feet wide or 100,000 pounds due to the town's historic districts, frequent drawbridge operations on the Ravenel Bridge corridor, and narrow residential streets in Old Village.

Private escort vehicles are required for all loads exceeding 12 feet wide, 14 feet 6 inches high, or 100 feet in length. Additionally, loads over 14 feet wide require two escorts plus coordination with the Mount Pleasant Police Department for traffic control.

Town police escorts are mandatory for loads over 16 feet wide or 200,000 pounds on routes passing through the Coleman Boulevard business district or Patriots Point Road. Police escort fees are $150 per hour with a 4-hour minimum, and requests must be submitted at least 72 business hours in advance through the Mount Pleasant Police Department at 843-884-4176.

Applications can be submitted online through the Mount Pleasant Citizen Self-Service portal at mountpleasantsc.gov/permitting, or in person at the Public Services Department, 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Phone inquiries can be directed to 843-884-8517.

Required documentation includes a detailed route plan from SCDOT-approved mapping, proof of commercial insurance minimum $1M per occurrence, vehicle specifications, and cargo description. For loads over 150,000 pounds, a professional engineer's bridge analysis may be requested for certain routes over the Wando River.

No oversize loads permitted on Coleman Boulevard (US-17 Business) between 7:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM on weekdays, or anytime during the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival (late April) and Cooper River Bridge Run weekend (early April).

During hurricane season (June 1 - November 30), all oversize load permits are suspended when Charleston County activates tropical storm/hurricane protocols. Drawbridge restrictions apply on Ravenel Bridge when winds exceed 25 mph sustained.

Restricted routes include all streets within the Old Village Historic District, Mathis Ferry Road between Venning Road and Shem Creek, and Rifle Range Road during school hours near Wando High School. Night travel prohibited within residential areas between 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM.

Base permit fees start at $75 for single trip permits up to 12 feet wide, $150 for 12-14 feet wide, and $300 for over 14 feet wide. Annual permits available for $500-$2,500 depending on frequency and load dimensions.

Additional fees include $25 per bridge analysis, $100 for route deviations, and double fees for emergency/expedited processing (submitted with less than 48 hours notice). Overweight fees are calculated at $15 per 10,000 pounds over 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.