Chapter 10.04
FIRE LANES
Sections:
10.04.010 Fire lanes designated—Authority.
10.04.020 Fire lanes designated—Markings and signs.
10.04.030 Stopping or parking prohibited.
10.04.010 Fire lanes designated—Authority.
The fire chief is given the authority to require areas to be cleared of obstructions and maintained as fire lanes at any location where he or she has determined that the circumstances are such that without such fire lanes the entry by and use of fire apparatus for fire suppression, emergency medical or rescue purposes would be obstructed or otherwise rendered unduly difficult. (Ord. 1033 § 33(a), 1997: Ord. 882 § 2, 1989)
10.04.020 Fire lanes designated—Markings and signs.
Appropriate markings or signs of a type specified by the fire chief, in accordance with the California Vehicle Code, shall be placed by the owner of the land in those locations approved by the fire chief. Signs must be mounted on the face of a building, or on a post in plain view.
All curbing along fire lanes shall be painted red on all faces (horizontal, vertical, etc.). If no curbs are provided, the area of the fire lane shall be marked with a four inch red stripe the length of the fire lane with the words ‘FIRE LANE’ written in a contrasting color and clearly visible from a vehicle. (Ord. 1033 §§ 33(b), (c): Ord. 882 §§ 3, 4, 1989)
10.04.030 Stopping or parking prohibited.
No person shall stop or park a vehicle within, or otherwise obstruct any area designated as a fire lane pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22500.1 or any area designated as a fire lane by the fire chief. (Ord. 1033 § 33(d): Ord. 882 § 5, 1989)
10.04.040 Violation—Fee.
For the purpose of regulating and as a deterrent to the abuse of this chapter, a fee has been prescribed by resolution of the city council for such violations as shall be charged. The amount of such fee shall be indicated on the notice issued for violation of this chapter. The owner or operator to whom such a notice has been given shall, within ten days from the date of the notice, pay to the finance director of the city such amount as indicated on the notice. In the event payment is not made within such ten-day period, proceedings shall be commenced in compliance with the procedures set forth in the Vehicle Code of the state of California and any applicable state of California law for institution of proceedings in the municipal court of the Mt. San Jacinto Judicial District. The city council may by resolution establish an additional fee or fees for any payment made to the finance director after the ten-day period following initial notice of violation; however, any payment to the city shall not relieve such person from any responsibility or liability to respond to any proceedings instituted by the municipal court. (Ord. 1066 § 5, 1999: Ord. 882 § 6, 1989)
10.04.050 Violation—Penalty.
No person shall violate any provisions or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall he guilty of an infraction. Any person convicted of an infraction under the provisions of this chapter unless provision is otherwise made in this chapter shall be punished upon a first conviction by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00), and for a second conviction of a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00), and for a third or any subsequent conviction within a one-year period by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00).
Each such person is guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person and shall be punished accordingly.
The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue; and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time; and when not otherwise specified, each ten days that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense.
The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions. (Ord. 882 § 7, 1989)