(a) Establishment. The Fire Chief is hereby authorized to establish fire lanes upon public or private property within the City upon finding that the following conditions exist:
(1) That a fire lane is necessary for safeguarding life and property from the hazards of fire and explosion and for safeguarding the use and occupancy of buildings, structures and adjacent property; and
(2) That a fire lane is incident to a residential, retail, commercial, manufacturing, industrial or other use, where it can be reasonably expected that the public will assemble in sufficient numbers, and where, if not controlled, their motor vehicles would interfere with the operation of fire-fighting equipment and personnel and the ingress to and egress from the building by the occupants in the event of fire or emergency.
(b) Width; Markings.
(1) Fire lanes shall be of such width as is reasonably determined by the Fire Chief to be necessary to permit ingress and egress of fire equipment and personnel, the operation thereof and the egress of occupants. Fire lanes shall be suitably marked by appropriate markings on the ground or by displaying adequate signs, or both. The markings shall be placed and maintained by the property owner in accordance with the color and design as prescribed by the Director of Public Safety.
(2) Whenever a fire lane has been so designated, written notice thereof shall be given to the owner, occupant or person in charge of the premises and approved signs shall be erected at the expense of the owner, occupant or person in charge.
(c) Record. The Fire Chief shall keep a record, open to the public, of the establishment of fire lanes pursuant to this section.
(d) Obstructions.
(1) No person shall obstruct a fire lane by constructing or maintaining a fence or barricade, or in any other manner.
(2) Obstructions, other than vehicles, found in fire lanes, shall be removed by the owner, occupant or other person in charge of the premises within twenty-four hours after receipt of a written notice of removal. In addition to the penalties hereinafter provided, upon failure to comply with such notice of removal, the City may cause the obstruction to be removed and the owner, occupant or other person in charge of the premises shall pay the cost of such removal.
(3) No person shall park or leave parked any unattended motor vehicle in any marked fire lane at any time.
(4) If the Fire Chief, the acting Fire Officer or a member of the Police Department finds any obstruction, vehicle or otherwise, within a fire lane, which obstruction presents an immediate danger to the public safety, he or she may forthwith cause such obstruction to be removed and impounded therefrom, and the cost of such removal and impoundment shall be paid before the release of any such obstruction.
(Ord. 1983-9. Passed 2-16-83.)