As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
EMERGENCY ACCESS AREA
Any area in which, in the judgment of either the Commissioner
of Public Safety or the Fire Commissioner, parking should be prohibited
so that immediate access to fire hydrants and buildings shall be unimpeded.
The Commissioner of Public Safety or the Fire Commissioner of
the City, where, in the judgment of either, parking of vehicles in
and upon driveways, roads, alleys, lanes, terraces and sidewalks may
prevent immediate and unhampered access to fire hydrants or portions
of buildings, may designate such areas as "emergency access areas."
[Amended 11-23-1982, approved 11-24-1982]
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in an emergency
access area or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant except when such vehicle
is attended by a licensed operator or chauffeur who is heated in the
front seat and who can immediately move such vehicle in case of emergency,
unless a different distance is indicated by official signs, markings
or parking meters.
The Commissioner of Public Safety or the Fire Commissioner shall
cause to be filed with the City Clerk a statement in writing declaring
the area an emergency access area and designating with reasonable
preciseness the area to which such designation shall apply. A diagram
shall be attached to said notice showing the area to be included within
the said designation and indicating the places where signs are to
be erected. The designation as an emergency access area shall become
effective 30 days after the designation has been filed with the City
Clerk in the manner hereinbefore set forth.
The Commissioner of Public Safety or the Fire Commissioner,
when filing the designation with the City Clerk as hereinbefore provided,
shall cause a copy thereof to be served by either personal service
or registered mail, return receipt requested, upon the owner, managing
agent, superintendent or custodian of any building affected by the
designation as an emergency access area. An affidavit of service shall
be filed with the City Clerk within 10 days after service has been
effected.
Proof of stopping, standing or parking within an emergency access
area contrary to the provisions of this article shall be deemed presumptive
evidence that the person in whose name such vehicle is registered
is the person who so parked, stopped or left standing such vehicle
contrary to said provisions.
[Amended 5-10-1972, approved 5-11-1972]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article may,
upon conviction, be punished in accordance with penalties as fixed
by the City Judge of the City of Mount Vernon, provided that such
penalties are within the limits established as penalties for such
offense or infraction.