(a) 
The terms "fire lane" and "fire apparatus access roads" shall have the same definitions as those terms are defined by section 202 "general definitions" in the International Fire Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereto. The establishment, location, modification, or abandonment of fire lanes or fire apparatus access roads shall be determined by the chief of the fire department, the fire marshal, or their designated representative, hereinafter called "the authority," in conformity with the provisions of this article and appendix D of the International Fire Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereto.
(b) 
If there is a conflict between terms or when there is a question as to the intent or meaning of any portion of this subsection, the International Fire Code, 2021 edition, appendix D, and all revisions thereto, shall prevail.
(Ordinance O-14-018 adopted 5/15/14; Ordinance O-19-051, sec. 3, adopted 12/19/19; Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
(a) 
Construction.
No building used for any purpose other than single-family or two-family dwellings shall be constructed so that any part of the perimeter of the structure is greater than one hundred fifty (150) feet from a public street or highway unless the owner constructs and maintains a fire lane having a minimum width of at least twenty (20) feet and height throughout of no less than fourteen (14) feet and terminating within one hundred fifty (150) feet from the farthest point of said structure, with increases to the minimum width of twenty-six (26) feet for aerial fire apparatus, where required per appendix D of the International Fire Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereto.
(b) 
Restrictions.
The following restrictions shall apply to fire lanes:
(1) 
Required fire lanes and fire apparatus access roads, when not connected at both ends to a public street, shall terminate as detailed in figure D103.1 of appendix D of the International Fire Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereto.
(2) 
All required fire lanes and fire apparatus access roads shall be all-weather surfaced with concrete, asphalt or other approved means, provide effective drainage of stormwater and capable of supporting the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing at least seventy-five thousand (75,000) pounds, as detailed in section D102 of the International Fire Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereto.
(3) 
Fire lanes or fire apparatus access roads shall not be used as loading zones.
(4) 
There shall be no unattended parking in any fire lane or fire apparatus access road at any time.
(Exception: vehicles operated by the fire department of the city or vehicles operated by any other emergency responder organization or law enforcement agency shall be exempt from the parking restriction established in subsection 8-111(b)(4) above.)
(c) 
Maintenance.
All required fire lanes and fire apparatus access roads shall always be maintained and kept in a good state of repair by the owner or owners of the premises. It shall not be the responsibility of the city to maintain fire lanes or fire apparatus access roads except in cases where the city owns the property upon which the fire lanes or fire apparatus access roads are located.
(Ordinance O-14-018 adopted 5/15/14; Ordinance O-19-051, sec. 3, adopted 12/19/19; Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
(a) 
Required fire lanes and fire apparatus access roads shall be conspicuously marked with signs as detailed in section D103.6 of appendix D of the International Fire Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereto. Where approved by the fire marshal, or his deputy, painted curbs or pavement striping, or stripes painted on the sides of buildings may be used in lieu of posted signs. Painted curbs, or stripes painted on pavement or buildings, shall consist of a red stripe six (6) inches in width with four (4) inch white letters stating "FIRE LANE - NO PARKING" with such lettering to be spaced approximately thirty (30) feet apart, and arranged in a manner approved by the fire marshal or his deputy. Paint used for striping and lettering shall be of a type suitable for exposure to the elements and stripes and lettering shall be re-painted as needed to maintain legibility.
(b) 
All required fire lanes and fire apparatus access road signs shall always be maintained in good condition and legible. Maintenance of required fire lane and fire apparatus access road signs and markings shall be the responsibility of the owner or owners on whose property such signs are located.
(Ordinance O-14-018 adopted 5/15/14; Ordinance O-19-051, sec. 3, adopted 12/19/19; Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
No owner or person in charge of any premises served by a required fire lane or fire apparatus access road shall abandon or close any such fire lane or fire apparatus access road without first complying with the following procedure:
(1) 
A request shall be made in writing to the fire marshal stating the reasons for abandonment of the fire lane or fire apparatus access road.
(2) 
Verification shall be made by the fire marshal, or his deputy, that such property is no longer subject to the requirements of this article.
(3) 
The decision of the fire marshal shall be transmitted in writing to the owner or person in charge of the premises, declaring the fire lane or fire apparatus access road is to be either maintained or abandoned.
(Ordinance O-14-018 adopted 5/15/14; Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
Immediately upon the effective date of this article, all new construction within the city shall be undertaken in conformance with the provisions of this article and only after the approval of authority.
(Ordinance O-14-018 adopted 5/15/14; Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
Any person, firm, corporation, company or association who shall violate any of the provisions of this article, or suffer or allow the same to be violated, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction therefor, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), and each day that a provision of this article is violated shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ordinance O-14-018 adopted 5/15/14; Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)