§ 5-33. Fire lanes.

(a)

General.

(1)

Fire lanes shall be designated at all locations within the authority and jurisdiction of the city in accordance with the North Carolina Fire Code and as approved by the fire code official.

(2)

Fire lanes installed shall conform to the requirements of the North Carolina Fire Code and shall be approved by the fire code official prior to installation.

(3)

Fire lanes shall be installed in accordance with the specifications on file at the risk reduction office.

(4)

Roadways, driveways and access ways shall not be marked as fire lanes without first obtaining approval from the fire department. Detailed plans showing the location of the lanes may be required to determine whether or not any proposed markings meet specifications established and on file at the risk reduction office.

(b)

Signs and marking.

(1)

All fire lanes and access roads must be marked with signs indicating "no parking fire lane" as described in the specifications on file at the risk reduction office.

(2)

Existing non-compliant fire lanes shall continue in effect as installed until such time as they are in need of re-stripping due to wear or re-paving. When re-striped, existing fire lanes shall be installed to current specifications.

(c)

Violations and enforcement.

(1)

Any person who parks a vehicle in, obstructs, or allows the obstruction of a designated fire lane shall be liable for a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) upon receipt of a citation issued by the fire or police chief or any designee of either.

(2)

Any vehicle or object obstructing a designated fire lane, whether public or private, may be towed or removed without prior notification of the owner, and at the owner's expense.

(3)

The registered owner of the vehicle parked in the fire lane shall be responsible for all civil penalties issued and any towing or related charges accruing hereunder.

(4)

Civil penalties due hereunder shall be collected under the provisions set forth in section 1-14.

(Ord. No. 2019-16 , § 3, 4-8-19)