Chapter 9.06
FIRE LANES

Sections:

9.06.010    Fire lanes authorized.

9.06.020    Access roadways for newly constructed buildings.

9.06.030    Duty to establish.

9.06.040    Duty of fire department.

9.06.050    Failure to comply – Lien on property.

9.06.060    Duty not to obstruct fire lane.

9.06.070    Enforcement.

9.06.080    Violation – Penalty.

9.06.010 Fire lanes authorized.

The chief of the fire department shall determine and specify, after giving notice by mailing to persons whose names appear on the property tax rolls maintained in the Snohomish County assessor’s office in connection with said property, and to the current occupier(s) and by posting a copy of said determination upon the premises in a conspicuous place, access roadways of not less than 20 feet of unobstructed width for fire department apparatus and other emergency equipment and personnel. Said lanes are authorized on streets or ways open to the public or where, because of the congregating of people or the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles, there exists an especially hazardous condition in case of fire or other disaster; provided, building sites which contain more than 100 parking spaces shall be designed with access lanes and fire lanes not less than 20 feet in width, forming a continuous route or loop connecting at both ends with public streets as illustrated in LMC 21.18.700. In parking lots containing less than 100 parking spaces, emergency access shall be provided subject to approval of the fire chief. Emergency access shall be provided to within 50 feet of any multiple-family building; provided further, that if any of these requirements are impractical due to the peculiarities of the site and/or existing buildings, other provisions for emergency access may be approved by the fire chief. The fire chief shall prepare written guidelines for fire access roadways to be kept on file in the office of the finance director. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1042 § 1, 1979)

9.06.020 Access roadways for newly constructed buildings.

Every building hereafter constructed shall be accessible to fire department apparatus by way of access roadways approved by the fire department with all-weather driving surfaces of not less than 20 feet of unobstructed width, with adequate roadway turning radius capable of supporting the imposed loads of fire apparatus and having a minimum of 13 feet, six inches of vertical clearance.

Exception: When there are not more than two single-family residential occupancies as defined in the building code, the requirements of this section may be modified when, in the opinion of the chief, firefighting or rescue operations would not be impaired.

A. The access roadway shall be extended to within 150 feet of all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of any building. Where the access roadway cannot be provided, an approved fire protection system or systems shall be provided as required and approved by the chief. (See Fire Lane Guidelines.)

B. Where fire protection systems approved by the fire chief are provided, the above required clearances may be modified. (See Fire Lane Guidelines.)

C. The chief shall have the authority to require an increase in the minimum access widths where such width is not adequate for fire or rescue operations. (See Fire Lane Guidelines.) (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1042 § 2, 1979)

9.06.030 Duty to establish.

It shall be the duty of any and all owners, occupiers, or others with a possessory interest in any real property to designate and maintain at all times fire lanes determined and specified by the fire chief. Designation and maintenance shall include the installation and maintenance of no-parking signs, and/or other appropriate notice prohibiting obstructions within the fire lane. Such signs and/or other appropriate notice shall be in a format and so placed as approved by regulation of the fire chief. (See Fire Lane Guidelines.) (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1042 § 3, 1979)

9.06.040 Duty of fire department.

Whenever it comes to the attention of the fire chief or any employee or officer of the fire or police department that a required fire lane has either not been designated or is not being maintained, then such officer or employee shall cause notice to be given to any owner, occupier or others with a possessory interest in said property that failure to designate and maintain a fire lane is in violation of the ordinance codified in this chapter, and that such violation must be corrected within 30 days of the date of such notice, and that in the event such violation continues beyond 30 days, the city may commence enforcement proceedings either by filing an ordinance violation or, in the alternative, to come on the property of the violator and designate and sign the required fire lane. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1042 § 4, 1979)

9.06.050 Failure to comply – Lien on property.

Any expense reasonably incurred by the city as a result of the fire department carrying out its duty imposed in this chapter shall become a charge against the owner of the property and a lien against the property. The notice of lien shall be substantially the same as provided by law for lien for labor and materials in the state of Washington, and shall be filed with the same officer within the same time and manner and enforced and foreclosed as is provided by the laws of the state of Washington for liens for labor and materials; provided, the city must give notice as set forth in this section to the owner of said property whose name appears on the property tax rolls of the county prior to commencing the work giving rise to the city’s lien on the property. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1042 § 5, 1979)

9.06.060 Duty not to obstruct fire lane.

A. It is a traffic infraction for any person to park, stop and/or stand a vehicle, occupied or unoccupied, within a fire lane in violation of this chapter.

B. No person shall obstruct or cause to be obstructed in any manner any fire lanes as authorized herein. No person shall erect or cause to be allowed gates, chains, or other barriers, or security gates on fire lanes unless approved by the fire chief. When any locked gate, barrier or chain has been approved, the owner shall supply an alternate means of access as approved by the fire chief. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1160 § 1, 1980; Ord. 1042 § 6, 1979)

9.06.070 Enforcement.

A. When an infraction of this chapter involving a vehicle exists, the Lynnwood police department is authorized to issue a notice of traffic infraction pursuant to RCW 46.63.030 as is now or hereafter amended.

B. In situations involving an immediate risk of harm to people or property, the Lynnwood police department may impound any vehicle or obstruction found within a fire lane or within 15 feet of any fire hydrant whether on public or private property; provided, such impoundment shall be in accordance with RCW 46.55.113 and the impound provisions of RCW 46.52.120 et seq., as each is now or hereafter amended.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the chief officers of the city of Lynnwood fire department are authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of this chapter. For such purposes they shall have the powers of a police officer. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1160 § 2, 1980; Ord. 1042 § 7, 1979)

9.06.080 Violation – Penalty.

A. The penalty for a fire lane traffic infraction shall be $100.00.

B. Except as otherwise provided, any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine not to exceed $350.00. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1160 § 3, 1980; Ord. 1042 § 8, 1979)