503.2.3 Roadway width and vertical clearance.

Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 34 feet (10 363 mm) excluding shoulders, except as provided in FC 503.2.3.1 through 503.2.3.4, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 14 feet (4267 mm).

503.2.3.1 Special zoning districts.

In Special Hillside Preservation Districts complying with the requirements of Section 119-214 of the Zoning Resolution, or other special zoning district regulation restricting the width of streets or private roads to less than 34 feet (10 363 mm), a fire apparatus access road shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 30 feet (9144 mm), excluding shoulders.

503.2.3.2 Small residential developments.

Where access is being provided to residential developments of not more than five dwelling units, and all buildings to which the road provides access are protected throughout by a sprinkler system, a fire apparatus access road shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 30 feet (9144 mm), excluding shoulders.

503.2.3.3 Buildings set back from street.

Where the main front entrance to a building is set back more than 40 feet (12 192 mm) from the curb line, a fire apparatus access road shall have the unobstructed width and comply with the other requirements set forth in FC 503.2.4.

503.2.3.4 Special conditions.

Where the commissioner determines that the nature and location of the building served by the fire apparatus road or other site conditions render such roadway width or vertical clearance inadequate for firefighting or other emergency response operations, the commissioner may require that the roadway width or vertical clearance be increased.

503.2.4 Buildings set back from street.

Where the main front entrance to a building is set back more than 40 feet (12 192 mm) from the curb line, a fire apparatus access road with the unobstructed roadway width required by FC 503.2.3 shall be provided to the frontage space of the building, except as otherwise provided in FC 503.2.4.1 through 503.2.4.3.

503.2.4.1 Group R-3 occupancies set back 100 feet or less.

Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2024/127, 12/18/2024, eff. 6/16/2025.

The fire apparatus access road to a Group R-3 building with any main front entrance located more than 40 feet (12192 mm) but not more than 100 feet (30 480 mm) from the street line (as measured along the route of the fire apparatus access road) may be designed and constructed in compliance with the requirements of the Building Code for driveways where:

   1.   The driveway is designed and is used exclusively to provide access only to a single Group R-3 building, and to no other buildings; and

   2.   The height of the Group R-3 building does not exceed 35 feet (10 668 mm) above the grade plane (with the terms "building height" and "grade plane" having the meanings set forth in Section BC 502.1 of the Building Code); and

   3.   The driveway provides access to the frontage space of each occupancy, except as otherwise provided in FC 504.1.2; and

   4.   The dwelling units are equipped with interconnected smoke alarms, in accordance with Section 907.2.10* of the Building Code.

* Editor's note: correct reference should be Section 907.2.11 of the Building Code.