§ 40-95. Definitions; unlawful to park in fire lane; loading zones.

(a)

As used in this section, the following definitions shall apply:

Fire lane means any area appurtenant to entrances or exits of a building deemed necessary by the parish council, their employees, agents, or assigns, to remain free and clear of parked vehicles for access to such building in case of fire or other emergency, and may, in the discretion of the parish council, their employees, agents, or assigns, include sidewalks, portions of parking lots, or any other area adjacent to or near the entrances or exits of any building.

Loading zone means an area designated as limited general parking adjacent to fire lanes for loading and unloading by vendors and customers. Loading zones must be properly marked in YELLOW, posted by signs and limited to ten-minute parking. Said loading zones of limited parking shall not be confused with fire lanes where parking is strictly prohibited.

Shopping center means a group of commercial establishments planned and developed as a unit, with off-street parking provided on the property, and related in location, size, and types of shops to the trade area that the unit serves.

(b)

It is hereby declared to be unlawful to park any vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle of the parish in any fire lane as defined in subsection (a) of this section where the signs provided for herein have been erected; provided, however, if the signs provided for herein are not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person, it shall be a defense to any alleged violation hereof.

(c)

The parish council, their employees, agents, or assigns are hereby authorized to designate fire lanes on the property of shopping centers, as defined herein, or the entrances or exits to stores or groups of stores, where, in their opinion, such areas must be kept free of parked vehicles and other obstructions to provide ready access to such stores or groups of stores, in case of fire or other emergencies. The designation by public fire/safety officials of the parish, their employees, agents, or assigns of such fire lanes shall never be held to make the parish responsible for maintenance of such fire lanes on private property, but the owner of such property shall continue to be responsible for the maintenance of such area. An official record and drawing of the designation and location of such fire lanes and loading zones shall be kept in the office of the department of public safety and emergency services of the parish and under the custody and control of the parish director of the department of public safety and emergency services and the respective fire chief.

(d)

All future drawings or plot plans of proposed shopping centers shall hereafter be submitted to the parish planning commission for review by the parish council, their employees, agents, or assigns, and for the approval of the fire lanes by the respective fire/public safety officials provided therefor prior to the issuance of a building permit thereon. The location and designations of fire lanes and/or loading zones may vary in length and width from one shopping center to another depending on the general layout and the physical placement of entrances and exits within the complex. Public safety/fire officials will take into consideration platforms, fire main assess, as well as designated type of business and the numbers of visitors and or customers utilizing the facility at any given time. The owners, architects or others in the public sector may offer input and recommendations to the parish planning commission and council on matters pertaining to the development of fire lanes and designated loading zones. All recommendations are to be in writing addressed to the parish council. Fire lanes and loading zones may encompass part of the entire front, rear or sides of a shopping center, but under no exceptions will fire lanes be less than 16 feet in width.

(e)

Upon the designation of a fire lane pursuant to this section, the parish council, their employees, agents, or assigns shall give notice of such designation to the owner of such shopping center directing the owner to cause signs to be posted at the expense of the owner, at either extremity of such fire lane, lettered "FIRE LANE - NO PARKING AT ANY TIME". Such signs shall be of a standard size and color, of standard lettering to conform to patterns, drawings or samples of same to be obtained from the department of public safety of the parish and such standards of mounting, including but not limited to the height above the grade at which such sign is to be mounted, to be adopted by the parish council, their employees, agents, or assigns. Fire lanes will be marked with red paint as designated herein.

(1)

Under no circumstance shall any designated fire lane be less than 16-feet-wide, which will be measured from the centerline of the entrance or exit of the building; eight feet on either side.

(2)

Marking for designated fire lanes. Must be a minimum of eight feet by 16 feet.

Red paint on the paving, including curbing, the eight feet from both sides of the centerline of the entrance and exit doors.

Sign on each end of fire lane to read the following:

Size of the sign must be a minimum of 12 inches by 18 inches and clearly visible to motorist. The sign shall have red lettering on a white background.

(3)

Marking for designated loading zones. Eight-feet-wide with striping and no set length.

Yellow paint on pavement, including curbing, minimum zone width as owner's agreement and designated by official plot plan as pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Loading zones shall be marked by owners to read the following:

Size of the sign must be a minimum of 12 inches by 18 inches visible to motorist. The sign shall have black lettering on white background.

(f)

Any summons or notice to appear in answer to a charge of parking in violation of this section shall be issued on the official form thereof prescribed by the parish sheriff. The parish sheriff shall have the authority and exclusive right to designate from time to time, special commissions on the owners of the property herein involved, or their agents or employees, to issue the summons or notice or violation herein provided for. Said summons may additionally be issued by any member of the parish sheriff's office otherwise empowered to issue tickets for parking violations.

(g)

It is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person, without lawful authority, to attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down, or remove any sign designating a fire lane that has been erected under the terms of this section.

(h)

Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished not less than $25.00 or more than $250.00. Each day any violation of the provisions of this section shall continue, constitutes a separate offense.

(Code 1988, § 18:46; Ord. of 3-4-1976, §§ 1—8; Ord. No. 97-29, 3-25-1997)