[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Bridgewater 12-6-1976
by Ord. No. 76-39. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Whenever any words and phrases are used in this chapter, the meaning
ascribed to them in Subtitle 1 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes of New
Jersey shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used herein. The
definitions established by N.J.R.S. 39:1-1 shall govern the meaning of any
words and phrases used herein.
A.
No person shall at any time park, stop or stand a vehicle
within six feet of any door, doorway or other means of ingress
or egress to any building or facility which is open to the public or to which
the public has been invited, including but not limited to all places of public
accommodation, schools, churches, nursing homes, hospitals and municipally
owned or operated facilities.
B.
Such areas shall be designated as "no-parking zones,"
and signs or other adequate markings approved by the Bridgewater Township
Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be placed at such locations.
A.
Whenever it is deemed necessary for the public safety,
the Bridgewater Township Bureau of Fire Prevention may require the owner or
owners of any hospital, nursing home, convalescent home or other related use
to designate a fire zone in the driveways and/or parking areas of the facility
in accordance with a plan (designating such areas) which would be submitted
to and approved by the Bridgewater Township Bureau of Fire Prevention. Fire
zones and/or fire lanes would be a minimum of 20 feet in width and/or a maximum
of 50 feet in width. Such zones or lanes would be marked either by approved
signs or by other adequate marking approved by the Bridgewater Township Bureau
of Fire Prevention.
A.
Whenever it is deemed necessary for the public safety,
the Bridgewater Township Bureau of Fire Prevention may require any board of
education, municipality or the owner of any school or municipally operated
facility to designate a fire zone in the driveways and/or parking areas of
the facility in accordance with a plan (designating such areas) which would
be submitted to and approved by the Bridgewater Township Bureau of Fire Prevention.
Fire zones and/or fire lanes would be a minimum of 20 feet in width and/or
a maximum of 50 feet in width. Such zones or lanes would be marked either
by approved signs or by other adequate marking approved by the Bridgewater
Township Bureau of Fire Prevention.
[Amended 5-2-1988 by Ord.
No. 88-6; 8-4-2003 by Ord.
No. 03-29]
A.
Designation of fire lanes and fire zones.
(1)
Certain areas shall be designated as fire lanes where
parking of vehicles, objects or any temporary structure is strictly prohibited
to provide clear access to buildings for fire-fighting equipment if an emergency.
Fire hydrants and water-connection devices located on local, county, state
and private roads shall be designated as fire zones.
(2)
Fire lanes and fire zones may be located on public or
private property.
(3)
Fire lanes and fire zones shall he established by the
Township Fire Official, and drawings of properties delineating fire lanes
and fire zones shall be kept on file in the office of the Bureau of Fire Safety.
B.
Notice to affected owners of private property.
(1)
Notice that a property requires the posting of signs
or marking of fire lanes and fire zones shall be sent to the owner of private
property by the Bureau of Fire Safety either by personal delivery or certified
mail.
(2)
Within 30 days of receipt of notice, said property owner
shall install required signs and paint required stripes.
C.
Intervention by Township for failure to comply. If a
private property owner fails to comply with the signage and marking requirements,
the Bureau of Fire Safety may arrange to have signs installed and pavement
painted at the expense of the property owner, said amount to be assessed against
the property affected and collected through the Tax Collector's office.
D.
Parking stopping or standing of vehicles prohibited.
No person shall park, stop or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended
or unattended, in any designated fire lane or fire zone or obstruct any designated
fire lane or fire zone.
E.
Restrictions for loading zones. In loading zones designated
herein, attended vehicles may stop solely for the purpose of loading or unloading
and only for the period of time necessary to accomplish such loading or unloading.
F.
Installation of signs; painting of lines.
(1)
Areas designated as fire lanes and fire zones shall be
identified by signs placed along their entire length at intervals of no less
than 50 feet apart. The words "Fire Lane (or Fire Zone) No Parking or Standing"
shall appear on the sign, with lettering three inches or more in height. Diagonal
yellow lines shall be painted on the pavement along the length of the fire
lanes and fire zones where possible. Fire lanes shall have a minimum width
of 18 feet.
(2)
Fire zones associated with fire hydrants and water-connection
devices shall be identified with yellow paint extending 15 feet in both directions
on the curb and/or pavement where possible.
G.
Enforcement agencies. The Bureau of Fire Safety, the
Bureau of Fire Prevention and the Bridgewater Police Department shall have
concurrent jurisdiction in policing and issuing summons for violations of
this chapter.
H.
Violations and penalties.
(1)
Owners of private property failing to install signs or
markings within 30 days of receipt of notice shall be subject to a fine not
to exceed $500 in accordance with the requirements of the New Jersey Fire
Safety Code.
(2)
Violators who park illegally in a fire lane or fire zone
shall be subject to a fine of $75 and up to 90 days of community service.
Said fine shall be imposed on complaint and conviction in the Municipal Court
of the Township of Bridgewater.
(3)
All fines and penalties shall be paid to the Township
of Bridgewater Treasury.
Any signs or other markings initially required by virtue of this chapter
shall be erected or installed by the Township. Thereafter such signs and designated
areas shall be maintained and, if necessary, replaced by the owner or operators
of the property involved.
[Amended 10-3-1977 by Ord.
No. 77-37]
Any person or corporation or entity who shall violate any provision
of this chapter or fail to comply with the requirements hereunder or any order
or directive promulgated hereunder shall be liable to a penalty of not more
than $500 or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both.
In the event of violation of this chapter, any member of the Bridgewater
Township Police Department is hereby authorized to arrange for the towing
of any vehicle parked in violation of this chapter. The cost of such towing
is to be borne by the person or corporation or entity violating the provision
of this chapter.
