[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Johnston as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Motor vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 220.
Parking lots — See Ch. 239.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 300.
Towing — See Ch. 316.
Abandoned vehicles — See Ch. 325.
[Adopted 10-15-1985 by Ord. No. 587 (Secs. 10-40 to 10-45 of the 1979 Code)]
A. 
The Town Council of the Town of Johnston is hereby authorized to establish fire lanes on private property devoted to public use. The Town Council will act on such requests as presented to them by the Chief of the Fire Department. Such requests prior to arriving at the Town Council will have the approval of the Chief of the Fire Department and the Chief of Police.
B. 
The designation of such lanes shall never be held to make the Town responsible for maintenance of such fire lanes, but the owner of such property shall continue to be responsible for the maintenance of such area.
Parking of motor vehicles or otherwise obstructing fire lanes shall be prohibited at all times.
A. 
Upon the designation of a fire lane pursuant to this article, the Fire Chief shall give notice of such designation to the owner of such area, directing the owner to cause signs to be posted at the expense of the owner at designated locations. Such signs shall be provided by the Fire Department.
B. 
The size, dimensions, and wording of the sign shall be as follows:
(1) 
Size shall be 12 inches by 18 inches.
(2) 
Background shall be colored white.
(3) 
Lettering shall colored red, as follows:
FIRE LANE shall be three-inch letters with one-half-inch stroke.
NO PARKING shall be three-inch letters with one-half-inch stroke.
FINE $25 shall be two-inch letters with three-eighths-inch stroke.
The official record of the designation and location of fire lanes shall be kept in the office of the Fire Chief and in the office of the Building Inspector.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of any motor vehicle to park the same in any area designated as a fire lane. Violators of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $25 for each offense.
[Amended 6-14-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-9]
A vehicle illegally parked in a fire lane may be towed away at the expense of the owner.
[Adopted 11-13-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-18; amended in its entirety 12-13-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-26]
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership or other entity to allow a motor vehicle to stand or remain on private property without the valid registration plates attached thereon, in both front and rear of such motor vehicle as provided in R.I.G.L. §§ 31-3-1, and 31-3-18 as well as a proper and valid inspection certificate as provided in R.I.G.L. §§ 31-38-3. All legally licensed new or used automobile dealerships and motor vehicle repair shops shall be exempt from the provisions of this article.
It shall be unlawful for any motor vehicle under repair to stand or remain in an open setting on private property for longer than one day. Any motor vehicle under repair for a period longer than one day shall be housed in a permanent structure and may not be stored in an open setting.
Upon observation of any vehicle which reasonably appears to be in violation of §§ 236-7 and/or 236-8 of this article, an officer of the Johnston Police or any duly authorized official of the Town of Johnston shall:
A. 
Enter upon the premises in order to determine the presence of registration plates and/or inspection certificates on the vehicle as required by this article.
B. 
Determine as to whether or not the motor vehicle is stolen and will contact the appropriate agency and/or property owner for a determination as to current registered owner, if any. A motor vehicle, which is determined to be stolen, shall be turned over to the custody of the Johnston Police Department or designee (tow service operators).
A. 
Any and all motor vehicle(s) in violation of §§ 236-7 and/or 236-8 of this article shall have affixed thereto notice indicating that the said vehicle(s) are in violation of law. The notice shall provide for the vehicle to be removed within three days of the date thereof, and the notice shall indicate a scheduled hearing date within 10 days before the Johnston Municipal Court for the violation. A hearing shall be afforded prior to any further action taken under this article. The notice will further indicate that should said motor vehicle(s) be determined by the Johnston Municipal Court to be in violation of this article, said vehicle shall be removed by the owner within three business days of the Municipal Court hearing. Failure to remove said vehicle within the three-day period following the Municipal Court hearing will result in said vehicle(s) being removed by the Johnston Police Department or an authorized agent thereof. The notice shall also indicate that the costs of removal of said vehicle shall be borne by the owner and that the motor vehicle may be redeemed by payment of appropriate fees, costs or assessments.
B. 
If a structure is located within or upon the premises in which the vehicle is located, a notice of similar content will be posted on that structure. A notice of similar content may be sent from the Johnston Police Department or Office of the Building Official by regular mail to the address of the owner of record.
Once a motor vehicle(s) is adjudged in violation as set forth above, the motor vehicle(s) in violation will be removed from the premises by the Johnston Police Department through an authorized towing company. If the name and address of the current owner has been determined, notice shall be sent by regular mail to that owner which shall indicate the location at which the vehicle shall be redeemed.
In addition to any costs and assessments as required hereunder, any person or entity adjudged in violation hereof shall be subject to a fine of $100.