As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
FIRE ZONE
A designated unobstructed passageway sufficient in size to
permit free passage of fire and other emergency equipment from a public
highway to all necessary areas or portions of any private or public
property as hereinafter set forth.
Whenever the Fire Marshal shall determine that the reasonable
safety of persons occupying or using any premises, public or private,
having a capacity of at least 15 persons requires the establishment
of a fire zone for orderly access of fire and other emergency equipment,
he shall establish such fire zone by written order and cause to be
made public announcement of such fire zone establishment. He shall
cause a copy of such order to be delivered to the owner or owners
or agents thereof of any private land on which such fire zone is established.
Whenever a Fire Marshal establishes a fire zone, he shall file
one copy of his order with the Clerk of the Legislative Council and
one copy with the Traffic Authority. Any person aggrieved by such
order may file with the Clerk of the Legislative Council, within 15
days after the date of such order, written notice of appeal, setting
forth therein reasons of aggrievement. After hearing, the Legislative
Council may affirm, modify or rescind such order.
Upon establishment of a fire zone, the Traffic Authority shall
cause to be erected or installed adequate signs, markings and other
devices to delineate said fire zone. Signs, markings and other devices
erected or installed on privately owned premises shall be at the cost
of the owner and may be billed for and collected in the same manner
as municipal taxes, provided that the Traffic Authority causes a notice
of lien to be filed on the land records within 60 days after such
erection or installation.
No person shall park or permit to stand a motor vehicle in a
fire zone which has been established in accordance with this chapter
except when actually picking up or discharging passengers. Any person
violating this section shall be fined not more than $100. The registered
owner of a motor vehicle shall be presumed to be the operator of such
vehicle.
Any motor vehicle found standing in a fire zone which has been
established in accordance with this chapter may be towed, upon the
direction of a police officer, to any public or private parking facility,
and all expenses of such towing and any subsequent storage shall be
borne by the registered owner of such vehicle.
[Amended 6-26-1972 by Ord. No. 131; 8-27-1984 by Ord. No. 217]
Every person violating the provisions of this chapter shall
be fined in accordance with the ordinance establishing penalties for
violation of parking regulations.