Chapter 10.60
FIRE LANES
Sections:
10.60.020 Location, construction and identification.
10.60.040 Fire lanes as part of driveways and/or parking areas.
10.60.070 Violation – Penalty.
10.60.010 Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply in interpreting and enforcing this chapter:
(1) “Fire lane” means that area within any public right-of-way, easement or private property, designated for the purpose of permitting fire trucks and other firefighting or emergency equipment to use, travel upon, or park;
(2) “Park,” “parking,” “stop” or “standing” means halting a vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or with the directions of a police officer, fire official, traffic-control sign or signal;
(3) “Vehicle” means a machine propelled by power other than human power designed to travel along the ground by use of wheels, treads, runners or slides, and transport persons or property, or pull machinery, and shall include, without limitations, automobiles, trucks, trailers and tractors. (Ord. 1705 § 1, 1997).
10.60.020 Location, construction and identification.
When required by the fire authority, hard-surfaced driving lanes shall be provided around facilities which by their size, location, design or contents warrant access which exceeds that normally provided by the proximity of city streets. Specific standards are as follows:
(1) Lanes shall provide a minimum, unobstructed continuous width and height of 12 feet.
(2) Lanes shall be identified by a four-inch-wide line and block letters two feet high, painted in the lane, at 50-foot intervals stating, “FIRE LANE – NO PARKING,” color to be bright yellow, or by the posting of signs stating, “FIRE LANE – NO PARKING.” Signs shall be posted on or immediately next to the curbline, or on the building. Signs shall be 12 inches by 18 inches and shall have letters and background of contrasting colors, readily readable from at least a 50-foot distance. Signs shall be spaced not further than a 50 feet apart, nor shall they be more than four feet from the ground.
(3) Fire lanes shall be either asphalt or reinforced concrete, two inches thick, minimum, or when specifically authorized by the fire authority, compacted crushed rock may be used.
(4) When fire lanes connect to city streets or parking lots, adequate clearances and turning radii shall be provided. All proposed plans must have fire authority approval. (Ord. 1705 § 2, 1997).
10.60.030 Parking prohibited.
Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or with the direction of a police officer, fire official, or traffic-control sign, signal or device, no person shall:
(1) Stop, stand or park a vehicle or any other object, whether occupied or not, at any place where official fire lane signs are posted, except:
(a) Momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers; or
(b) Temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading property.
(2) The obstruction of a designated fire lane by a parked vehicle or any other object is prohibited, and shall constitute both a traffic and fire hazard as defined in state law and an immediate hazard to life and property. (Ord. 004-07 § 1; Ord. 1705 § 3, 1997).
10.60.040 Fire lanes as part of driveways and/or parking areas.
The fire authority may require that areas specified for use as driveways or private thoroughfares shall not be used for parking. These areas, when specified, shall be marked or identified by one of the two means detailed in POMC 10.60.020(2). (Ord. 1705 § 4, 1997).
10.60.050 Existing buildings.
When the fire authority determines that a hazard due to inaccessibility of fire apparatus exists around existing buildings, they may require fire lanes to be constructed and maintained as detailed in POMC 10.60.020. (Ord. 1705 § 5, 1997).
10.60.060 Enforcement.
It shall be the joint duty of the police chief and the fire authority and/or their authorized designee(s) to enforce this chapter as related to POMC 10.60.030. It shall be the duty of the fire authority or their authorized designee(s) to enforce the other sections of this chapter. (Ord. 017-23 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1705 § 6, 1997).
10.60.070 Violation – Penalty.
(1) Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter is a parking infraction subject to a monetary penalty of $250.00.
(2) Any person who willfully fails or refuses to comply with any police officer or firefighter who has ordered or given direction to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor in violation of RCW 46.61.015 as adopted by POMC 10.04.010. (Ord. 004-07 § 2; Ord. 1705 § 7, 1997).
10.60.080 Vehicle impound.
In accordance with Chapter 10.72 POMC, the police department shall have the discretion to have any vehicle or object which is obstructing a fire lane towed at the owner’s expense. The registered owner of the vehicle shall be notified by the towing company at their registered address. (Ord. 017-23 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 004-07 § 3).