Chapter 10.12
FIRE LANES
Sections:
10.12.010 Designation by fire chief.
10.12.020 Designation criteria.
10.12.030 Designation—Public notification.
10.12.040 Obstruction of fire lanes prohibited.
10.12.050 Enforcement and penalties.
10.12.060 Intention and liability.
10.12.010 Designation by fire chief.
The fire chief of the town is granted authority to designate all or a portion of any public roadway, driveway, alleyway, right-of-way, parking lot or other means of vehicular ingress or egress to business, commercial, multifamily or single-family structures, as long as such ingress or egress is publicly maintained, as a fire lane in the manner set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 456 § 1, 1996)
10.12.020 Designation criteria.
Selection of areas to be designated as fire lanes shall be discretionary with the fire chief and shall be based upon the requirements of the specific site for access by fire, police and other emergency equipment. The lanes are authorized on streets or ways open to the public, or other public areas where, because of the congregating of people or the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles, there exists an especially hazardous condition in case of fire, emergency or other disaster. (Ord. 456 § 2, 1996)
10.12.030 Designation—Public notification.
Upon determining that an area should be designated as a fire lane, the town shall give notice to the public of the designation by painting, posting signs, symbols or otherwise clearly marking such fire lane. (Ord. 456 § 3, 1996)
10.12.040 Obstruction of fire lanes prohibited.
When signs or symbols are erected indicating fire lanes as authorized by this chapter, the required width shall not be obstructed or caused to be obstructed in any manner, including parking or stopping of vehicles. (Ord. 456 § 4, 1996)
10.12.050 Enforcement and penalties.
A. It is unlawful for any person to cause or allow any vehicle or any impeding object to remain in a designated fire lane. Any person who fails to meet the duty imposed by this section is guilty of a civil infraction, and may be charged a civil penalty of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00), nor more than three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00), for each occurrence; provided, that if the vehicle violating this section is a motor vehicle licensed or registered under RCW Title 46, the violation is a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and not more than three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) and/or impound of motor vehicle or other impeding object.
B. The town marshal’s office is authorized to cite and/or immediately impound any motor vehicle or obstruction parked in a fire lane on public property. The owner of such motor vehicle or obstruction shall be responsible for such impound costs in addition to the civil or traffic penalties as set forth in subsection A of this section. (Ord. 456 § 5, 1996)
10.12.060 Intention and liability.
A. It is expressly the purpose of this chapter to provide for and promote the health, safety and welfare of the general public, and not to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class or group of persons who will or should be especially protected or benefitted by the terms of this chapter.
B. It is the specific intent of this chapter that no provision nor term used in this chapter is intended to impose any duty whatsoever upon the town of any liability, or liability on the part of the town’s officers, agents or employees for whom the implementation or enforcement of this chapter shall be discretionary and not mandatory.
C. Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to be nor shall be construed to create or form the basis of any liability on the part of the town, its officers, agents or employees for any injury or damage resulting from the failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter, or by reason or in consequence of any inspection, notice, order, certificate, permission or approval authorized, or issued, or done in connection with the implementation of enforcement of this chapter, or by reason of any action or inaction on the part of the town related in any manner to the enforcement of this chapter by its officers, employees or agents. (Ord. 456 § 6, 1996)