[Adopted 6-11-1974]
This article shall apply to all new and existing
shopping centers, office buildings, commercial buildings, mercantile
buildings, warehouses, storage buildings, manufacturing buildings,
hospitals, convalescent homes, schools and public buildings that have
a parking area for 20 or more cars.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A designated unobstructed passageway sufficient in size and
constructed in a manner to permit free passage of fire apparatus and
other emergency equipment from a public highway to all necessary areas
around or upon any private shopping center or around any office building,
commercial building, mercantile building, warehouse, storage building,
manufacturing building, hospital, convalescent home, school or public
building in all seasons and in all kinds of weather.
Lots, areas or other accommodations for the parking of motor
vehicles off the street, alley or highway and open to public use,
with or without charge.
Fire lanes established under this article shall
be kept free of ice and snow and rubbish containers or other obstructions.
The Fire Marshal shall designate such fire lanes
and shall notify in writing the owner or owners or agents of such
shopping center, office building, commercial building, mercantile
building, warehouse, storage building, manufacturing building, hospital,
convalescent home, school or public building of establishment of said
fire lanes. Said notice may be personally delivered or sent by certified
mail.
The owner, owners, agent or occupants shall
cause to be erected, installed and maintained, at their own expense,
permanent, adequate signs bearing the words FIRE LANE — NO
PARKING in said fire lane. Such owner, owners, agents or occupant
shall cause such other and further designations as are reasonably
required by the Fire Marshal to warn persons to keep said fire lanes
free.
The Fire Marshal may notify, in writing, the
owner or owners or agents of such shopping center, office building,
commercial building, mercantile building, warehouse, storage building,
manufacturing building, hospital, convalescent home, school or public
building in writing of specific requirements to comply with this article.
Said notice may be personally delivered or sent by certified mail
and shall prescribe a reasonable time for compliance. If compliance
is not obtained within said time, then such owner, owners or agents
shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $25 per violation. Each day
following such specified time for compliance shall constitute a new
violation.
No person shall park or permit to stand a motor
vehicle in any fire lane that has been established in accordance with
this article, except when actually picking up or discharging passengers
or actively engaged in loading or unloading a motor vehicle.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 23-45.7 of the
1972 Code, which dealt with penalties and payment of violations and
which immediately followed this section, was repealed 9-9-1975.
Any motor vehicle found parked or standing in
a fire lane that has been established in accordance with this article
may be towed upon the 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 or operator
of such vehicle.
[Added 10-12-2004]
All terms used in this article shall be interpreted
in accord with the definitions thereof set forth in C.G.S. Title 14,
as that title may be amended or recodified from time to time, except
that the following defined terms shall have the meaning indicated
herein:
A wheeled device other than a motor vehicle consisting of
a platform of metal, wood, plastic or any other material designed
for recreational purposes to carry its user in an erect position and
which is propelled by the use of a small motor. The term "motorized
scooter" shall not be construed to include either: a wheelchair or
any similar device used to provide transportation for any disabled
person; or a "Segway" or any similar device used to provide transportation
for any person who possesses a valid motor vehicle operator's license.
A two-wheeled vehicle other than a motor vehicle, bicycle
with helper motor or a motorized scooter and which is propelled by
an internal combustion engine, electric motor or other mechanical
means; is capable of carrying a rider and/or passenger at a speed
in excess of five miles per hour; and is designed to replicate the
general appearance of a motorcycle, regardless of the scale of the
replication.
A.Â
No person may operate any motorized scooter or pocket
motorcycle within the limits of any public street.
B.Â
No person may ride as a passenger in or upon a motorized
scooter or pocket motorcycle within the limits of a public street.
C.Â
In addition to the issuance of a citation, any police
officer who observes a violation of this section may take the pocket
motorcycle or motorized scooter in question into the custody of the
West Hartford Police Department or have it towed to a storage facility
at the owner's expense, to be held until such time as adequate arrangements
are made by a responsible adult for it to be transported to an appropriate
location. If no such arrangements are made within 72 hours, said pocket
motorcycle or motorized scooter shall be deemed to be abandoned.
[Added 12-14-2021[1]]
A.Â
No person
shall operate an all-terrain vehicle or ride as a passenger in or
upon an all-terrain vehicle on any land under the jurisdiction of
the Town of West Hartford, including but not limited to streets, sidewalks,
parks, or any other property owned or leased by the Town. The prohibition
in this section shall not apply to a person operating or riding an
all-terrain vehicle with the permission of the Town Manager or his
or her designee or by an on-duty peace officer, as defined in C.G.S.
§ 53a-3(9).
B.Â
In addition
to the issuance of a citation, any police officer who observes a violation
of this section may take the all-terrain vehicle in question into
the custody of the West Hartford Police Department or have it towed
to a storage facility at the owner's expense, to be held until such
time as adequate arrangements are made by a responsible adult for
it to be transported to an appropriate location. If no such arrangements
are made within 72 hours, said all-terrain vehicle shall be sold at
public auction pursuant to C.G.S. § 14-390.
[Added 7-16-2019]
The Town of West Hartford hereby designates the following intersections
to be marked and posted in the manner required by C.G.S. § 14-250b(b)
for the purpose of enforcement under C.G.S. § 14-250b(a):
