(A) For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
PERSON. An individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, independent contractor, corporation (domestic or foreign), trust, estate, assignee, receiver or any other group or combination acting as a unit.
(B) All persons involved in new building construction, alterations or additions to structures of commercial, industrial, mercantile, educational, institutional, assembly, hotel, motel, multi-family or mobile home park occupancies, whether on public or private property, shall comply with the following requirements.
(1) Where water mains are accessible, no person shall start construction of the combustible stage of a structure unless and until fire lanes, of at least crushed rock construction and as approved by the Newport Fire/EMS Department, and fire hydrants of a type and manufacture approved by the Newport Fire/EMS Department and in locations approved by the Newport Fire/EMS Department are available for use and operation. Where water mains are not accessible, an adequate plan for fire protection shall be submitted to and approved by the Newport Fire/EMS Department prior to start of construction.
(2) Building plans shall show the location and placement of fire hydrants and fire lanes on both public and private property as approved by the Newport Fire/EMS Department before any actual construction is undertaken.
(3) All fire hydrants shall meet the minimum specifications and be installed in conformity with the standards and requirements of the Newport Fire/EMS Department and be constructed and maintained so as to have adequate water flow according to the standards of the Northern Kentucky Water District.
(4) No portion of any building shall be located more than 500 feet from a fire hydrant. The distance shall be measured along the shortest feasible exterior route for laying hose.
(5) All fire hydrants shall be fully accessible from approved paved driveways or fire lanes. Fire lanes and driveways shall be located and designated so that all buildings served by them are accessible to fire equipment.
(6) No fire lanes shall be blocked or obstructed at any time. All fire lanes on private property shall be marked and designated in a manner and way as approved by the Newport Fire/EMS Department.
(7) (a) Upon the completion of the construction phase of any buildings covered herein, it shall be the duty of the owner and/or operator of the property to provide for the paving and continued maintenance and repair of any and all fire lanes as have been required herein and the continued maintenance, repair and operating capabilities of any and all fire hydrants as required.
(b) The Newport Fire/EMS Department or Newport Police Department shall have the authority to enter upon private property to enforce the requirements of this section.
(8) (a) It is unlawful for any person to open or close any valve on any fire hydrant, waterpipe, or other water outlets in or on the public ways of the City or in any way to tamper with any of the pipes, hydrants, or other outlets unless the person has a written permit to do so issued in the form prescribed by the Northern Kentucky Water District.
(b) Any person opening or closing the valves, pipes, hydrants, or other outlets shall have the permit in his or her possession at all times and shall produce the same when so requested by any City or Northern Kentucky Water District employee; provided, however, that, the above prohibition shall not apply to authorized personnel in the performance of their official duties.
(9) It is unlawful for anyone to vandalize a fire hydrant in or on the public ways of the City so as to render it inoperable in any way.
(10) It is unlawful for any person to paint or, in any other way, deface or change the normal appearance of a fire hydrant.