[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Ridgefield 7-31-1974 (§ 3-4
of the 1974 Code), as last amended 6-22-1994. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
For purposes of this chapter, the following
definitions apply:
A designated, unobstructed passageway sufficient in size
to permit free passage of fire and other emergency equipment from
a public highway to all necessary areas or portions of any private
or public property as hereinafter set forth.
Whenever the Fire Marshal shall determine that
the reasonable safety of persons occupying, or using, any premises,
public or private, having a capacity of at least 15 persons requires
the establishment of a fire zone for orderly access of fire and other
emergency equipment, he shall establish such fire zone by written
order and cause to be made public announcement of such fire zone establishment.
He shall cause a copy of such order to be delivered to the owner or
owners, or agents thereof, of any private land on which such fire
zone is established.
Whenever a Fire Marshal establishes a fire zone,
he shall file one copy of his order with the Town Clerk of the Town
of Ridgefield, the Board of Selectmen and the Planning and Zoning
Commission. Any person aggrieved by such order may file with the Town
Clerk of the Town of Ridgefield, the Board of Selectmen and the Planning
and Zoning Commission, within 15 days after the date of such order,
written notice of appeal, setting forth therein reasons of aggrievement.
After hearing by the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Selectmen may
affirm, modify or rescind such order.
A.Â
Erection or installation; cost. Upon establishment
of a fire zone, the Fire Marshal shall cause to be erected or installed
to delineate said fire zone either adequate signs or markings or other
devices or a combination thereof. Signs, markings, and other devices
erected or installed on privately owned premises shall be at the cost
of the owner and may be billed for and collected in the same manner
as municipal taxes, provided that the Board of Selectmen causes a
notice of lien to be filed on the land records within 60 days after
such erection or installation. The property owner shall maintain all
fire zone signs and markings and shall be subject to billing and collection,
in the same manner as municipal taxes, provided that the Board of
Selectmen causes a notice of lien to be filed on the land records
within 60 days after such erection or installation.
B.Â
Content and size. The signs and markings for fire
zones shall be as follows:
(1)Â
Signs. One sign shall state "No Parking, Fire Zone,"
with dimensions of 12 inches in width and 18 inches in height. The
second sign shall state "Except Fire, Police and Ambulance Vehicles,"
with dimensions of 12 inches in width and nine inches in height. Signs
shall have a background of white with lines and lettering in red.
(2)Â
Markings and other devices. Markings or other devices
installed in a fire zone shall only be those markings and devices
specified and approved by the Fire Marshal.
[Amended 7-23-2014]
No person shall park, or permit to stand, a
motor vehicle in a fire zone which has been established in accordance
with this chapter, except when actually picking up or discharging
passengers. All police, fire and ambulance vehicles shall be exempt
from the provisions of this section when parked in a designated fire
zone area and involved in official business. Any person violating
this section shall be fined not more than the amount denoted in C.G.S.
Section 14-253a. The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall be
presumed to be the operator of the vehicle.
Any motor vehicle found standing in a fire zone
which has been established in accordance with this chapter may be
towed, upon direction of a police officer, to any public or private
parking facility, and all expense of such towing, and any subsequent
storage, shall be borne by the registered owner of the vehicle.
Whenever a vehicle is found standing in violation of § 183-5, a police officer, fire marshal, or fire inspector shall serve upon the owner or operator of such vehicle, or place upon such vehicle, a notice directing the owner or operator thereof to appear at the Police Department or Fire Department prior to a time specified in such notice. If any person receiving said notice shall appear as directed and shall pay an amount as specified in said notice, not exceeding $50, such payment shall bar a prosecution for violation of § 183-5.
