[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Simsbury 5-26-1976.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Other parking restrictions — See Ch. 149.
A.
A fire lane, as defined by this chapter, is 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.
B.
The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall be presumed
to be the operator of such motor vehicle.
Fire lanes are to be kept free of obstructions. Fire lanes shall be
kept free of ice and snow, rubbish containers and all other obstructions.
Fire lanes shall be designated by the Fire Marshal with the approval
of the Chief of Police and the authorized agents of the Board of Selectmen
and the Zoning Commission. Notification to the owner, owners, agent or occupant
of any affected area may be by personal service or certified mail and shall
prescribe a reasonable time for compliance.
Upon notification from the Fire Marshal, the owner, owners, agent or
occupants shall ensure that fire lanes are kept free of obstructions and shall
cause to be erected, installed and maintained at their own expense, near said
fire lanes, permanent and adequate signs bearing the words FIRE LANE - NO
PARKING and such other designations as are reasonably required to warn persons
to keep said fire lanes free and open for passage.
If after notification by the Fire Marshal compliance is not obtained
within the prescribed time, each owner (owners), agent or occupant shall be
subject to a fine not to exceed $25 per violation. Each day following such
prescribed time shall constitute a new violation.
No person shall park or permit to stand a motor vehicle unattended by
a licensed operator in any fire lane except when actually picking up or discharging
passengers or actively engaged in loading or unloading a motor vehicle.
[Amended 4-12-1982; 12-9-1996]
Upon finding any motor vehicle parked or standing in a fire lane in
violation of this chapter, any police officer may attach a notice of violation
to said vehicle that it has been illegally parked or direct the towing of
said vehicle to any public or private facility, all expenses for said towing,
including storage, being borne by the registered owner of said vehicle. Any
person found in violation shall be fined in accordance with the fee schedule
by the Board of Selectmen, provided that the fine is paid at the police station
within seven days of the offense; otherwise the penalty shall be doubled.
Payment to the designated authority shall be in lieu of a court appearance.
Failure to pay the appropriate fine as provided for in this chapter shall
be an infraction as provided for in Connecticut General Statutes, §§ 51-164m
and 51-164n. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, § 51-164p,
any such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $90 for
each offense.
