Chapter 10.05
FIRE LANES
Sections:
10.05.030 Design standards for new building construction.
10.05.050 Maintenance of fire lane.
10.05.010 Definitions.
Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:
“City” means the city of Central Point, Oregon.
“Building” means any structure, or portion thereof, used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
“Person” means a natural person, firm, corporation or other legal entity.
“Fire lane” means a designated, unobstructed passageway sufficient in size to permit free passage of fire and other emergency equipment from a public highway to all necessary areas or portions of any private or public property. (Ord. 1907 §1(part), 2007).
10.05.020 Establishment.
A. All premises that fire protection agencies may be called upon to protect, in case of fire or other emergencies, and that are not readily accessible from public roads, shall be provided with suitable fire lanes so that buildings on the premises are accessible to emergency vehicles, as deemed necessary by the fire marshal.
B. No unauthorized vehicles shall be parked in any marked fire lane in the city. Vehicles in violation of this section may be towed and impounded in the manner set forth in Section 10.04.380. (Ord. 1907 §1(part), 2007).
10.05.030 Design standards for new building construction.
A. Minimum fire lanes shall be at least twenty feet in width, located at least ten feet but not more than fifty feet from the building and must be accessed by a standard city street. All fire lanes must comply with the latest version of the Oregon Fire Code and Fire District No. 3 requirements.
B. Fire lanes shall have an inside turning radius of at least twenty-five feet.
C. Fire lanes shall not have a vertical grade greater than ten percent. However, this grade may be increased to fifteen percent if the fire lane is paved with approved materials and methods (such as bituminous paving or turf rings).
D. Any dead-end road or fire lane more than one hundred fifty to three hundred feet in length shall be provided with an approved turnaround per the latest version of the Oregon Fire Code.
E. Any dead-end road or fire lane more than three hundred feet in length shall be provided with a cul-de-sac of at least ninety feet in diameter.
F. All fire lanes shall be posted and marked and shall be designated as tow away zones by the building owner or tenant. All fire lanes within the city shall be marked using signs, pavement markings and/or curb markings as specified in this chapter. (Ord. 2094 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1907 §1(part), 2007).
10.05.040 Signs and markings.
A. Upon establishment of the fire lane, the building owner shall cause to be erected adequate signs, markings, or other traffic control devices to be installed as directed by the city of Central Point and Fire District No. 3 in order to inform persons to keep such fire lanes free and open for passage. Sign locations shall be in compliance with the latest version of the Oregon Fire Code.
B. Signs shall read “FIRE LANE--NO PARKING” and “TOW AWAY ZONE,” be at least twelve inches wide and eighteen inches high, and painted on a white background with letters and borders in red, using not less than two-inch lettering. Signs may be installed on permanent buildings or walls or be permanently affixed to a stationary post, installed seven feet above the finished grade.
C. If signs cannot be installed, curbs shall be installed and painted either using red or yellow traffic paint. If curbs cannot be installed, pavement markings shall be installed on the fire lane. The words “FIRE LANE--NO PARKING--TOW AWAY ZONE” shall appear in four-inch white letters on the fire lane. (Ord. 2094 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1949 §1, 2011; Ord. 1907 §1(part), 2007).
10.05.050 Maintenance of fire lane.
It shall be the responsibility of the building owner, property owner or homeowner’s association to comply with the requirements of this chapter as well as to keep fire lanes free of obstructions that could potentially interfere with emergency service. (Ord. 1907 §1(part), 2007).
10.05.060 Penalties.
It shall be unlawful to park in any area that is marked or posted as a fire lane, as required by the city of Central Point, for any length of time. Any person or persons violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall upon conviction be punished in accordance with the general penalty ordinance of the city. (Ord. 1907 §1(part), 2007).