[Adopted 11-19-1964 by Ord. No. 9-64; amended in its entirety 7-15-1982 by Ord. No. 7-82 (Ch. 56, Art. III, of the 1972 Code)]
It is determined that the operation and parking of motor vehicles in close proximity to buildings and areas devoted for public uses, including shopping centers, malls, banks, restaurants, stables, bars, gas stations, theaters and other places of public assembly, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, public buildings, churches and similar uses, fire hydrants, and fire suction points, constitute a danger to public health, safety and welfare in that the approach, operation and departure of fire equipment and other emergency vehicles are impeded by such operation and parking of motor vehicles.
A. 
The Fire Prevention Bureau is hereby authorized, subject to approval by resolution adopted by the Borough Council, to establish fire zones on properties in the Borough devoted to public uses, including but not limited to those uses described in § 123-21, where the operation and parking of motor vehicles in close proximity to buildings and designated areas located on such properties would prevent adequate ingress, egress, and operation of fire equipment and other emergency vehicles.
B. 
The fire zones to be established pursuant to this section shall be designated in such areas of such properties as will ensure fire equipment and other emergency vehicles unobstructed means of ingress, egress and operation to such properties in the event of fire or other emergency.
The number, location, width and length of such fire zones shall be determined by the Fire Prevention Bureau, subject to approval by resolution adopted by the Borough Council. Such determination and approval shall be based upon the size, type of construction and location of the building, buildings or suction point involved; the use to which the property, building or buildings is put; the number of motor vehicles operated or parked upon the property; the number of persons using and occupying the property, building or buildings; the total area of the property, including the size of the parking lot; and all other factors which are relevant to the public health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the Borough.
Appropriate curb and pavement markings, together with signs prohibiting parking in fire zones, shall be installed in order to outline the areas where parking is prohibited. Said markings and the placement of signs shall be approved by the Fire Prevention Bureau. Signs shall conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices indicating "No Parking--Fire Zones." The respective owners of the premises involved shall assume full responsibility and expense relative to said markings and signs and shall undertake and complete same in accordance with the approved plan within a period of 10 days from the date of a written order to do so by the Fire Prevention Bureau and shall properly maintain the same.
Parking of a vehicle or vehicles in areas designated as fire zones is hereby prohibited.
[Amended 7-21-1988 by Ord. No. 12-88; 6-21-1990 by Ord. No. 4-90]
Any person, firm or corporation violating this article shall be subject, upon conviction, to one or more of the following at the discretion of the court: a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed 90 days or community service not to exceed 90 days.
A. 
In addition to the penalty provided herein when any motor vehicle shall be found to be improperly parked within any fire zone in violation of this article, any enforcing officer, in addition to any other remedies provided herein, may order the motor vehicle to be removed by a towing service. The owner of the vehicle, in addition to any other responsibilities incurred herein, shall be responsible for all towing and storage charges incurred.
B. 
The towing of any motor vehicle ordered pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be immediately reported to the Chief of Police or his designee. A permanent log of all such reports shall be maintained by the Police Department.