A. Definition:
FIRE LANE: | The area within any public right-of-way, easement or private property designated for fire trucks and other firefighting or emergency equipment to use, travel upon and/or park. |
B. Stopping Or Parking:
1. It shall be unlawful for any person who stops or parks a vehicle in, allows the parking of a vehicle in, obstructs or allows the obstruction of a designated fire lane.
2. Penalty: The violation of this section by any person (present or not) is hereby declared to be a misdemeanor.
a. First Conviction: The maximum fine for first conviction shall be not more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) plus court costs.
b. Any conviction beyond the first conviction shall have a maximum penalty of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) each day or part of day during which the unlawful act or violation occurs plus court costs.
C. Impoundment: Any vehicle or object obstructing a designated fire lane is hereby declared a traffic and fire hazard and may be immediately impounded pursuant to the applicable state law and Uniform Fire Code, without prior notification to its owner. Pursuant to state law, the owner shall be held responsible for all impound fees.
D. Marking: All designated fire lanes shall be clearly marked in one of the following manners:
1. Vertical curbs six inches (6") in height shall be painted yellow on the top and side, extending the length of the designated fire lane. The pavement adjacent to the painted curbs shall be marked with a six-inch (6") yellow stripe extending the length of the designated fire lane.
2. Rolled curbs or surface without curbs shall have a yellow six-inch-wide (6") stripe painted extending the length of the designated fire lane.
3. Fire lane signs shall be as follows:
a. Reflective in nature;
b. Use red letters on white background;
c. Use three-inch (3") lettering to read "No Parking-Fire Lane";
d. A minimum of 12 inches (12") wide by 18 inches (18") tall;
e. Placed within 25 feet (25') of an intersection or corner of the road and spaced no more than 100 feet (100') apart and posted on or immediately next to the curb or side of the road;
f. Top of the sign to be not less than four feet (4') nor more than six feet (6') from the ground;
g. Signs may be placed on a building when approved by the Fire Chief in coordination with the Building Official;
h. When posts are required for signs, they shall be a minimum of two-inch (2") galvanized steel or four-by-four-inch (4" x 4") pressure treated wood;
i. Signs are to be placed so they face the direction of vehicular travel; and
j. Placed near the bottom signs shall also read "Vehicle may be Towed" and shall have the ordinance number.
E. Property Owner Responsibility: The owner, manager or person in charge of any property upon which designated fire lanes have been established shall be responsible for, and not allow, vehicles or other objects to park in such fire lanes. (Ord. 2019-007, 10-15-2019)