Chapter 10.12
FIRE LANES – VEHICLE OBSTRUCTION AND IMPOUNDMENT

Sections:

10.12.010    Establishment of fire lanes.

10.12.020    Definition of fire lanes.

10.12.030    Marking of fire lanes.

10.12.040    Obstruction of fire lanes prohibited.

10.12.050    Alternate materials and methods.

10.12.060    Exemption to sign requirements/ existing fire lane signs and markings.

10.12.070    Maintenance.

10.12.080    Repealed.

10.12.090    Property owner responsibility.

10.12.100    Violation – Penalties.

10.12.110    Impoundment.

10.12.010 Establishment of fire lanes.

Fire lanes in conformance with this code shall be established by the Fire Code Official in conjunction with the Development Services Director or designee. These lanes shall be referred to as “designated fire lanes” in this title. (Ord. 753 § 1, 2024; Ord. 665 § 1, 2018; Ord. 93 § 14, 1994)

10.12.020 Definition of fire lanes.

The area within any public right-of-way, easement or private property designated for fire trucks and other fire fighting or emergency equipment to use, travel upon and/or park. (Ord. 93 § 14(A), 1994)

10.12.030 Marking of fire lanes.

All designated fire lanes shall be clearly marked in at least one of the following manners as determined by the Fire Code Official:

(1) Painted Curb or Road Surface. Designated fire lanes shall be clearly marked in the following manner:

(a) Vertical curbs shall be painted six inches in height and shall be painted red on the top and side and extending the length of the designated fire lane with four-inch white block lettering stenciled on the face stating: “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE”; and the stenciling shall be spaced 50 feet apart measured on center from each other unless modified pursuant to WMC 10.12.050; or

(b) Rolled curbs or surfaces without curbs shall have a red six-inch-wide stripe painted extending the length of the designated fire lane with four-inch white block lettering stenciled on the stripe: “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE”; and the stenciling shall be spaced 50 feet apart measured on center from each other unless modified pursuant to WMC 10.12.050.

(2) Fire lane signs shall be installed when required by the Fire Code Official and which shall be as follows:

(a) Comply with Section D103.6, Signs, of Appendix D of the International Fire Code, as adopted in Chapter 21.62 WMC;

(b) Spaced no more than 50 feet apart unless the Fire Code Official approves a different distance, and posted on or immediately next to the curb or side of the road;

(c) Placed at a height that conforms with the City of Woodinville’s Transportation and Infrastructure Standards and Specifications, as they may be adopted or amended from time to time;

(d) Signs may be placed on a building when approved by the Fire Code Official;

(e) When posts are required for signs, they shall be a minimum of two-inch galvanized steel; and

(f) Signs are to be placed so they face the direction of vehicular travel. (Ord. 753 § 2, 2024; Ord. 705 § 1, 2020; Ord. 665 § 2, 2018; Ord. 468 § 1, 2008; Ord. 93 § 14(B), 1994)

10.12.040 Obstruction of fire lanes prohibited.

The obstruction of a designated fire lane by a parked vehicle or any other object is prohibited and shall constitute a traffic and fire hazard as defined in State law and the Fire Code adopted in Chapter 21.62 WMC and be an immediate hazard to life and property. (Ord. 705 § 2, 2020; Ord. 93 § 14(C), 1994)

10.12.050 Alternate materials and methods.

The Fire Code Official in coordination with the Development Services Director or designee may modify any of the provisions in this chapter where practical difficulties may exist. The particulars of a modification shall be entered into the records of the City. (Ord. 753 § 3, 2024; Ord. 665 § 3, 2018; Ord. 93 § 14(D), 1994)

10.12.060 Exemption to sign requirements/ existing fire lane signs and markings.

(1) Signs posted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section will be allowed to remain until there is a need for replacement. When replaced, the replaced sign must satisfy the requirements as set forth in this chapter.

(2) Fire lane markings existing prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section will be allowed to remain until there is a need for repainting. When repainted, the repainted fire lane markings must satisfy the requirements as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 753 § 4, 2024; Ord. 93 § 14(E), 1994)

10.12.070 Maintenance.

Fire lane markings shall be maintained at the expense of the property owner(s) as often as is deemed necessary to clearly identify the designated area as a fire lane. (Ord. 93 § 14(F), 1994)

10.12.080 Towing notification.

Repealed by Ord. 665. (Ord. 93 § 14(G), 1994)

10.12.090 Property owner responsibility.

The owner, manager, or person in charge of any property upon which designated fire lanes have been established, shall be responsible for, and not allow, vehicles or other objects to park in such fire lanes. (Ord. 93 § 14(H), 1994)

10.12.100 Violation – Penalties.

(1) Any person who fails to mark or maintain the marking of a designated fire lane as prescribed in this title is guilty of a violation as set forth in Chapter 21.12 WMC and subject to the enforcement provisions in Chapter 21.12 WMC.

(2) Any person who parks a vehicle in or obstructs a designated fire lane in violation of this chapter is guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine of $213.00.

(3) Any owner, manager, or person in charge of any property upon which designated fire lanes have been established who allows vehicles or other objects to park in such fire lanes in violation of this chapter is guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine of $213.00. (Ord. 753 § 5, 2024; Ord. 663 § 8, 2018; Ord. 93 § 14(I), 1994)

10.12.110 Impoundment.

Any vehicle or object obstructing a designated fire lane is hereby declared a traffic and fire hazard and may be immediately impounded pursuant to the applicable State law, and the Fire Code adopted in Chapter 21.62 WMC, without prior notification to its owner. Also, pursuant to State law, the owner may be held responsible for all impound fees. (Ord. 705 § 3, 2020; Ord. 93 § 14(J), 1994)