Chapter 10.08
FIRE LANES
Sections
10.08.010 Establishment of fire lanes.
10.08.020 Definition of fire lanes.
10.08.030 Marking of fire lanes.
10.08.040 Obstruction of fire lanes prohibited – Violation.
10.08.050 Alternate materials and methods.
10.08.060 Installation and maintenance.
10.08.070 Towing notification.
10.08.080 Property owner responsible.
10.08.090 Failure to mark, maintain or obstruction of fire lane prohibited – Violation – Penalty.
10.08.010 Establishment of fire lanes.
Fire lanes, in conformance with Section 503 of the International Fire Code as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended, shall be established by the Fire Chief of South King Fire and Rescue or the Chief’s authorized designee. Fire lanes established under this section shall be referred to as designated fire lanes in this chapter. [Ord. 1772 § 1, 2023; Ord. 814 § 1, 1989.]
10.08.020 Definition of fire lanes.
A designated fire lane is the area within a public right-of-way, easement, or on private property set aside for the purpose of permitting fire trucks and other firefighting or emergency equipment to use, travel upon, and park. [Ord. 814 § 2, 1989.]
10.08.030 Marking of fire lanes.
All designated fire lanes shall be clearly marked in one of the following manners:
(1) Vertical curbs shall be painted yellow on the top and side the entire length of the designated fire lane. The pavement adjacent to such curbs shall be marked with block lettering not less than 18 inches in height and three inches in brush stroke and read “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE.” Lettering shall be yellow and be spaced at 50-foot or portion thereof intervals; or
(2) Rolled curbs or surfaces without curbs shall have a painted yellow six-inch-wide stripe the entire length of the designated fire lane. The surface adjacent to such stripe shall be marked with block lettering not less than 18 inches in height and three inches in brush stroke and read “NO PARKING - FIRE LANE.” Lettering shall be yellow and be spaced at 50-foot or portion thereof intervals; or
(3) Fire lane signs shall be installed. Such signs shall:
(a) Be reflective in nature;
(b) Be 18 inches high and 12 inches wide;
(c) Have red letters on a white background;
(d) Read “NO PARKING - FIRE LANE”:
(i) Where “NO PARKING” shall appear in three-inch lettering,
(ii) Where “FIRE LANE” shall appear in two-inch lettering;
(e) Be spaced 50 feet or portion thereof apart and posted on or immediately adjacent to the curb or traveled portion of the access road; and
(f) Be installed so that the top of the signs are not less than four feet nor more than six feet from the ground;
(g) Fire lane signs may be placed on a building when such installation is approved by the Fire Chief of South King Fire and Rescue or the Fire Chief’s authorized designee;
(h) When posts are utilized for sign installation they shall be a minimum of two-inch galvanized steel or four-inch-by-four-inch pressure treated wood painted white. Signs shall be placed so as to face the direction of vehicular traffic. [Ord. 1684 § 4, 2017; Ord. 814 § 3, 1989.]
10.08.040 Obstruction of fire lanes prohibited – Violation.
(1) The obstruction of a designated fire lane by a parked vehicle or any other object is prohibited and shall constitute a traffic hazard as defined in state law, an immediate hazard to life and property, and a nuisance. No person shall park a vehicle in a designated fire lane or obstruct a designated fire lane with any object.
(2) A violation of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction and is punishable by a penalty of $200.00. [Ord. 1772 § 2, 2023; Ord. 814 § 4, 1989.]
10.08.050 Alternate materials and methods.
The Fire Chief of South King Fire and Rescue, or the Chief’s authorized designee, is authorized to modify any of the provisions in this chapter related to marking materials and posting methods where practical difficulties exist. The particulars of such modification shall be granted in writing by the authorizing party and shall be entered into the records of the City Building Official. [Ord. 1684 § 5, 2017: Ord. 814 § 5, 1989.]
10.08.060 Installation and maintenance.
Fire lane markings shall be installed and maintained at the expense of the property owner(s) and renewed as often as needed to clearly identify the designated area as being a fire lane. [Ord. 814 § 6, 1989.]
10.08.070 Towing notification.
Signs shall be posted in a clearly conspicuous location at each entrance to property where fire lanes have been designated. Such signs shall clearly state that vehicles parked in fire lanes are subject to immediate impound and the name, address, and telephone number of the towing firm where the vehicle may be redeemed. The design of such sign(s) shall be approved by the public works director. [Ord. 814 § 7, 1989.]
10.08.080 Property owner responsible.
The owner, manager, or person in charge of property upon which designated fire lanes have been established shall take reasonable steps to prevent the parking of vehicles or placement of other obstructions in such fire lanes. [Ord. 814 § 8, 1989.]
10.08.090 Failure to mark, maintain or obstruction of fire lane prohibited – Violation – Penalty.
(1) No person shall fail to mark or maintain the markings of a designated fire lane as prescribed in this chapter.
(2) No person shall allow the parking of a vehicle in a designated fire lane. No person shall allow the obstruction of a designated fire lane.
(3) A violation of this section is a class 2 civil infraction.
(4) Each day upon which a violation occurs constitutes a separate offense. [Ord. 1772 § 3, 2023; Ord. 1009 § 48, 1993: Ord. 814 § 9, 1989.]
10.08.100 Impoundment.
A vehicle or object obstructing a designated fire lane is declared a traffic hazard and may be abated or impounded without prior notification to its owner. [Ord. 814 § 10, 1989.]