§ 58-39. Fire lanes and zones; marking and designation.

(a)

Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. Those terms or phrases not defined in this subsection shall be accorded their usual and customary meanings:

Fire lane means that portion of any paved or improved surface designed and/or used for motor vehicular traffic which is officially designated as a required route of access for firefighting equipment.

Fire zone means that portion of any paved or improved surface immediately adjacent to any building or to any sidewalk and/or curb separating such building from an area designed and/or used for motor vehicular traffic which is officially designated as a required means of access to such building for firefighting personnel and equipment.

(b)

Fire lanes. All driving lanes or lanes of travel for motor vehicular traffic located upon any off-street parking area, drive or alleyway maintained by the owner or management of any place of public assembly, hospital, apartment or commercial building, or any complex of such buildings, shall constitute officially designated fire lanes required for the access of firefighting equipment and appropriate signs giving notice thereof shall be erected and maintained at the entrance or entranceways to any such area.

(c)

Marking. All fire zones, whether located upon publicly or privately owned property, shall be marked upon the surface thereof with 45-degree lines of reflectorized white paint, each four inches in width and no more than four feet apart. All such fire zones shall be further marked by signs, conforming to the Manual of Uniform Traffic-control Devices, permanently erected or installed every 60 feet or such lesser distance as may be deemed necessary by the city fire marshal.

(d)

Fire marshal. In addition to those fire lanes established by subsection (b) of this section, the city fire marshal shall have the authority to designate the location of such other fire lanes as shall be reasonably necessary, shall have the authority to designate the location and dimensions of all fire zones, whether the same be upon publicly or privately owned property, and shall require all such fire lanes and fire zones to be appropriately marked and signed.

(e)

Penalties for violation of section. Penalties for violation of this section shall be as follows:

(1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to park, place or stop any motor vehicle or trailer, whether attended or unattended, within a fire lane or fire zone, or to cause an obstruction of any kind or nature whatsoever to be placed or to remain for any period of time within any fire lane or fire zone marked and/or signed in accordance with this section.

(2)

Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by the imposition of a fine not to exceed $300.00 or by imprisonment for a period of time not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(3)

Any unattended motor vehicle or trailer found parked or placed in violation of any of the provisions of this section may be impounded and reasonable towing and storage charges assessed against the owner thereof.

(Code 1971, § 12-21.1)

Editor's note

The user's attention is directed to Section 602.6 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code, 1994, which section is entitled "Access to Buildings by Fire Apparatus."