This article shall apply to all new and existing shopping centers, office buildings, commercial buildings, mercantile buildings, warehouses, storage buildings, manufacturing buildings, hospitals, convalescent homes, schools and public buildings that have a parking area for 20 or more cars.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A designated unobstructed passageway sufficient in size and constructed in a manner to permit free passage of fire apparatus and other emergency equipment from a public highway to all necessary areas around or upon any private shopping center or around any office building, commercial building, mercantile building, warehouse, storage building, manufacturing building, hospital, convalescent home, school or public building in all seasons and in all kinds of weather.
Lots, areas or other accommodations for the parking of motor vehicles off the street, alley or highway and open to public use, with or without charge.
Fire lanes established under this article shall be kept free of ice and snow and rubbish containers or other obstructions.
The Fire Marshal shall designate such fire lanes and shall notify in writing the owner or owners or agents of such shopping center, office building, commercial building, mercantile building, warehouse, storage building, manufacturing building, hospital, convalescent home, school or public building of establishment of said fire lanes. Said notice may be personally delivered or sent by certified mail.
The owner, owners, agent or occupants shall cause to be erected, installed and maintained, at their own expense, permanent, adequate signs bearing the words FIRE LANE — NO PARKING in said fire lane. Such owner, owners, agents or occupant shall cause such other and further designations as are reasonably required by the Fire Marshal to warn persons to keep said fire lanes free.
The Fire Marshal may notify, in writing, the owner or owners or agents of such shopping center, office building, commercial building, mercantile building, warehouse, storage building, manufacturing building, hospital, convalescent home, school or public building in writing of specific requirements to comply with this article. Said notice may be personally delivered or sent by certified mail and shall prescribe a reasonable time for compliance. If compliance is not obtained within said time, then such owner, owners or agents shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $25 per violation. Each day following such specified time for compliance shall constitute a new violation.
No person shall park or permit to stand a motor vehicle in any fire lane that has been established in accordance with this article, except when actually picking up or discharging passengers or actively engaged in loading or unloading a motor vehicle.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 23-45.7 of the 1972 Code, which dealt with penalties and payment of violations and which immediately followed this section, was repealed 9-9-1975.
Any motor vehicle found parked or standing in a fire lane that has been established in accordance with this article may be towed upon the direction of a police officer to any public or private parking facility, and all expense of such towing and any subsequent storage shall be borne by the registered owner or operator of such vehicle.