A. Designation: The fire chief or authorized representative shall approve, require, and designate public and/or private fire lanes as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective operation of fire vehicles, personnel, and apparatus. Only those fire lanes approved by the fire chief or authorized representative will be enforced. A fire lane shall be posted with signs at least every forty (40) linear feet. Said fire lane shall be deemed to encompass that area within a twenty foot (20') radius of any fire lane sign or markings posted pursuant to this section. Posted signs will comply with the "Manual Of Uniform Traffic Control Devices" and at a minimum contain the following language: "Fire Lane-Tow Away Zone". Markings will include a painted red curb or edge line extending twenty feet (20') either side of a posted sign. Upon application to and approval by the fire chief or authorized representative, a private property owner may be granted a fire lane designation for such property. Installation of approved signage on private property will be the responsibility of the permit applicant/property owner. If an applicant/property owner is required by the city to post a fire lane, upon request, the signs will be provided by the city at cost or the applicant/property owner can obtain an approved sign from a vendor. When an area is posted as a fire lane as provided herein, it shall be presumed that said area is designated as a fire lane by or with the authority of the fire chief.
B. Application For Fire Lane Designation: Businesses requesting fire lane designation shall submit a letter of request, accompanied by a map of the property with fire lane designation shown in red, to the fire chief or authorized representative. The letter and map shall remain on file at city hall. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner/manager to notify the city when fire lane signage and painting is completed. No enforcement shall occur until said fire lane is inspected and written approval is on file at city hall. Copy of said approval shall be provided to the property owner/manager.
C. Parking Prohibited: It shall be unlawful to have an unattended vehicle standing, stopped, or parked in or otherwise blocking or obstructing any portion of a designated fire lane at any time. Signs and markings shall be posted and placed to identify such fire lanes and to serve notice that standing, stopping, and/or parking is prohibited therein. Such illegally parked vehicles will be subject to fines and/or towing at the expense of the owner. All designated fire lane signs shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and replaced when necessary to ensure adequate visibility. This maintenance shall be the responsibility of the permit applicant/property owner.
D. Penalty: Any violation of this section shall be considered a simple misdemeanor or municipal infraction as provided for in title 1, chapter 4 of this code.
E. Enforcement: It will be the responsibility of the police department to enforce the provisions of this section as they apply to both public and private properties. The Knoxville police department is hereby authorized to ticket, tow, or cause to be towed, pursuant to the code of Iowa, as amended, any vehicle that has been parked or placed in a fire lane in violation of the parking laws of this city and/or state. This shall serve as appropriate notice of such authorization to the Knoxville police department under the code of Iowa, as amended. By applying for a fire lane designation, any applicant/private property owner and its employees and assigns hereby agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the city, its officers, employees, and agents from any damages or liability resulting from any ticketing or towing authorized under this section. (Ord. 06-07, 8-21-2006)