Town of Barnstable, MA Chapter 80 Fire Lanes

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Barnstable 11-7-1987, approved 12-3-1987 (Art. XLVIII of Ch. III of the General Ordinances as updated through 7-7-2003). Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Noncriminal disposition — See Ch. 1, Art. I.

§ 80-1 Power of Town Manager.

Under the authority of General Laws Chapter 40, § 21, Clause 24, the Town Manager may require and prescribe the establishment of fire lanes whenever public safety and necessity so require, and may prescribe the method by which it shall be done.

§ 80-2 Order to establish fire lanes on certain properties.

Any person or body, that has lawful control of a public or private way or of improved or enclosed property used as off-street parking areas for businesses, shopping malls, theaters, auditoriums, sporting or recreational facilities, cultural centers, multiple-family and residential dwellings, hospitals, nursing homes, or any other place where the public has a right of access as invitees or licensees, shall, when directed by the Town Manager, establish a fire lane.

§ 80-3 Marking, size and location.

Said fire lane shall be marked by yellow lines, at least four inches wide on a diagonal from the point of origin to the curb or sidewalk. The fire lane shall not be less than eight feet wide from the curb, or in the case of a building with no curb or sidewalk less than 12 feet wide from the edge of said building. The legend (Fire Lane) shall be included within the printed area.

§ 80-4 Signs.

Signs with the legend "No Parking - Fire Lane - Town Zone" shall be erected no more than 50 feet nor less than 25 feet apart along the length of the fire lane. Signs shall be at least 12 inches wide by 16 inches high, and shall be securely mounted at least six feet but not more than eight feet above grade.

§ 80-5 Enforcement.

A. Any vehicle or object obstructing or blocking any fire lane or private way may be removed or towed at the direction of the Chief of Police or such Sergeants or other officers of high rank in the Police Department as he may from time to designate. Liability may be imposed for the reasonable cost of such removal and for the storage charges, if any, resulting therefrom, upon the owner of such vehicle; provided, however, that the liability also imposed for removal shall not exceed that as provided for in Chapter 40, §  22D of the General Laws. Neither the removal nor storage of a vehicle under the provisions of this section shall be deemed to be services rendered or work performed by the Town of Barnstable or the Police Department.

B. Enforcement of parking violations in such established fire lanes shall be by members of the Barnstable Police Department in accordance with the Town of Barnstable Traffic Regulations, Chapter 90, § 20A 1/2 of the General Laws and this chapter.

§ 80-6 Violations and penalties.

Any such person or body who fails to establish such fire lane when directed to by the Town Manager shall be punished by a fine of not more than $300, and this chapter may be enforced by members of the Barnstable Police Department. Each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.