[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wilton 11-6-1995. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this ordinance, the following terms shall the meanings indicated:
FIRE LANE
A designated, unobstructed passageway sufficient in size to permit free passage and orderly access of fire and other emergency equipment to any building or facility open to the public.
The authority of the Wilton Fire Marshal to establish fire lanes is set forth in § 29-293 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes. For purposes of this ordinance, the term "fire lane" is synonymous with the statutory term "fire zone."
Whenever the Wilton Fire Marshal establishes a fire lane pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes and/or the Connecticut Fire Safety Code, he shall cause to be erected or installed adequate signs, markings or other devices to delineate such fire lanes. Such signs, markings and other devices shall be installed on all premises open to the public at the expense of the owner of the building or facility and shall be erected by the owner within 30 calendar days after receipt of written notice from the Wilton Fire Marshal directing the installation of such signs, markings or other devices. Such signs, markings and other devices shall conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Upon the establishment of a fire lane by the Fire Marshal and the installation or erection of marking devices as required by § 14C-3 hereof, it shall thereafter be the responsibility of the owner of the building or facility to maintain said markings or devices delineating the fire lane, to replace them as necessary and to keep the fire lane free of ice and snow and of any other materials which would obstruct the use of said fire lane for its intended purpose.
A. 
Whenever a vehicle is found parked in violation of § 14C-5, a police officer shall serve upon the owner or operator of such vehicle or place upon such vehicle a parking ticket with a fine in the amount of $50. If such ticket is paid within 15 days from the date issued, no further fine shall be incurred. If such ticket is not paid within 15 days, the fine shall be increased to $100. Any individual wishing to contest or question the validity of said ticket shall proceed in accordance with § 27-10 of the Vehicles and Traffic Ordinance of the Town of Wilton.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 27, Vehicles and Traffic.
B. 
If a police officer determines that a vehicle parked in a fire lane constitutes such a serious hazard to be a menace to traffic, that officer may, in addition to placing a parking ticket on such vehicle, cause such vehicle to be removed pursuant to the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes. In the event that the officer causes such vehicle to be towed, the owner will be responsible for paying the towing charges in addition to the parking fine.
C. 
Any person violating the provisions of this ordinance, other than those set forth in § 14C-5 hereof, shall be fined not more than $99 for each violation. Written notice of the violation will be sent by the Wilton Fire Marshal's Office to the owner of the building or facility in accordance with abatement procedures developed by the State Fire Marshal's Office under § 29-306 of the Connecticut General Statutes. If the violation is not corrected or removed within 30 days following the date of the first notice, the fine will be imposed.
Any building or facility in existence prior to the effective date of this ordinance shall be given six months from the date of written notification by the Wilton Fire Marshal to comply with any order to delineate a fire lane. In the case of new building and facilities that are subject to the provisions of this ordinance, the Wilton Building Inspector shall not issue a certificate of occupancy until the Building Department has received from the Wilton Fire Marshal's Office a written notice of compliance with the requirements of this ordinance.