[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of West Amwell 5-6-2009 by Ord. No. 16-2009. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
Pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Code of the
State of New Jersey (N.J.A.C. 5:70-1 et seq.), the Township hereby
creates fire lanes/zones in order to guarantee unimpaired ingress
and egress to multifamily and commercial buildings and schools as
well as the public parking areas in and around such buildings for
fire, police, and other emergency vehicles.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
As used in this chapter, a "fire lane" and "fire zone" shall
be interchangeable. "Fire lane" or "fire zone" is defined as any designated
area that may be part of a traffic circulation system and/or the areas
of ingress/egress adjacent to a building or other designated location
as to provide an immediate and unobstructed route and/or access for
fire-fighting operations, equipment and personnel.
The Fire Official under the direction of the New Jersey Uniform
Fire Code shall designate fire lanes/zones within the Township of
West Amwell.
It shall be the responsibility of the owner(s) or operator(s)
of the premises upon which the fire lane/zone is established to install
the appropriate identification at his expense. All fire lane/zone
markings shall be maintained and be legible at all times in accordance
with the following:
A.
Striping and curbs. Where applicable, fire lanes/zones shall be identified
by painting the curb yellow and be striped with yellow lines four
inches in width placed diagonally from the curb or road edge and shall
be outlined along their entire perimeter. Fire lane/zone widths and
lengths shall be designed by the Fire Official as appropriate.
B.
Pavement lettering. The legend "No Parking fire lane/zone" shall
be placed within the striped area of the fire lane/zone at a minimum
of one-hundred-foot intervals or as designed by the Fire Official.
The lettering shall be 18 inches high and yellow in color.
C.
Signage. In areas where striping cannot be applied, a metal "No Parking
fire lane/zone" sign shall be posted. Fire lane/zone signs shall measure
12 inches by 18 inches and have a white reflective background with
a minimum two-inch-high red reflective lettering which reads" NO PARKING
FIRE LANE/ZONE." Fire lane/zone signs shall be displayed at the beginning
and end of the fire lane/zone and at such intervals as required by
the Fire Official, but not more than 100 feet center to center. Fire
lane/zone signs shall be placed at a height of seven feet as measured
from the ground surface to the top of the sign and shall be placed
facing the direction of traffic flow. Fire lane/zone signs may be
placed on existing supports.
Any and all fire lanes/zones created prior to this chapter are
hereby continued in effect. It shall be at the discretion of the Fire
Official if repairs or modifications shall be made to any preexisting
fire lane/zone if it is not in conformity with this chapter. In no
circumstances shall modifications be permitted which will create a
lesser standard than the original approval of said fire lane/zone.
The Fire Official and the Police Department shall have concurrent
jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
It is hereby prohibited for any person at any time to park,
stop, stand or leave an unattended motor vehicle in areas designated
as a fire lane/zone, nor shall any person, firm or corporation place
or construct any structure in an area designated as a fire lane/zone
which will impair the access of fire-fighting apparatus, firefighters
or impair the use of any exit or exit discharge of a building.
Any person who violates § 87-7 of this chapter shall be assessed a fine of $100 per occurrence for parking in and/or obstructing any designated fire lane/zone, both public and private, within the boundaries of the Township of West Amwell. If deemed necessary by the enforcing agency, the vehicle may be removed and stored at the owner's expense. Persons pleading guilty or who are convicted in Municipal Court of violating this chapter shall also incur any court costs associated with appearing in Court. Court costs and fines shall be payable to the Clerk of the Municipal Court. The Court shall turn over any monies collected for this violation to the Municipal Treasurer as prescribed by law.
