(a) The Fire Chief is hereby authorized to establish fire lanes on either public or private property within the Municipality upon finding that the following conditions exist:
(1) That a fire land is necessary for safeguarding life and property from the hazards of fire and explosion and for the use and occupancy of buildings and structures and adjacent property;
(2) That a fire lane is incidental to a retail, commercial or manufacturing use or other use where it can reasonably be expected that the public will assemble in sufficient numbers so that the presence of the public and their motor vehicles, if not controlled, will interfere with the operation of fire fighting equipment and personnel and the egress of occupants in the case of fire.
(b) Fire lanes shall be of such width as is reasonably determined by the Fire Chief to be necessary to permit access and operation of fire fighting equipment and personnel 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 City.
(c) No person shall obstruct a fire lane by parking or leaving standing a motor vehicle, whether such vehicle is attended or unattended, by constructing a fence or other barricade or in any manner whatsoever. A barricade or fence which is readily removable or through which access may be gained by fire fighting equipment and personnel without delay shall not by prohibited by the terms of this section. Any such permitted barricade or fence may not be locked in any manner.
(d) Attended motor vehicles found standing or parked in a fire lane shall be immediately moved upon direction of any member of the Department of Public Safety. Any unattended motor vehicles found standing or parked in a fire lane may be impounded in a manner consistent with Section 303.08.
(e) Obstructions, other than motor vehicles, found in fire lanes shall be removed by the owner, occupant or other person in charge of the premises within three days after written notice to remove such obstructions. Upon failure to comply with such source, 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 removal.
(f) Whenever the Fire Chief designates a fire lane, written notice thereof shall be given to the owner, occupant or person in charge of the premises. Such designation may be appealed within ten days by filing a written objection to such designation with the Fire Chief. The appeal shall be heard by the members of Council, a majority of whom may affirm, disaffirm or modify the designation. The decision of Council shall be final.
(Ord. 19-64. Passed 3-24-64.)