As a driver, you must have enough knowledge about restricted parking areas like fire hydrants, railroad crossing & intersections. When you park close to such places, it can result in fines and delay lifesaving work.
Therefore, we will talk about the basic rules of fire hydrant parking, safe distance and penalties you may face. So, you can park correctly and keep hydrants clear all the time.
Fire Hydrant Meaning
A fire hydrant is a water tap that firefighters use during emergencies to control and stop fires. You will see it on streets or near buildings. Generally, fire hydrants are painted in bright colors such as red or yellow.
It connects directly to the main water supply. This allows firefighters to attach hoses and get a strong water flow. Furthermore, parking rules around it are so important for you to follow.
Parking Within Fire Hydrant
You are not allowed to park in the zone of the fire hydrant. When you park your vehicle close to a hydrant, it is totally illegal and a violation of parking law. However, the safe distance for parking near a fire hydrant depends on our location and state parking rules.
Hence, you should always follow local rules and never park too close. Because, a few minutes of delay can make a big difference when controlling a fire.
Fire Hydrant Parking Sign
You will see hydrant parking signs near curbs or close to hydrants. These rectangular-shaped signs are installed to tell you where you are not allowed to park your car. The background color of this board is mostly red or yellow.
You will also spot clear black or red “no parking” text or sometimes black symbol of “H” which shows the fire hydrant nearby. In some places, the area near the hydrant is marked on the ground. You may see a yellow circle or triangle which points toward the hydrant.
How Close Can I Park To a Fire Hydrant?
You should always check the space around a fire hydrant before parking your vehicle. The rules for safe distance to park near a fire hydrant can be different.
Fire Hydrant Parking Distance
In many places, the law requires you to stay at least 15 feet (about 4.5 meters) away from a fire hydrant. While, you can also park your car 10 feet or more away from the hydrant.
When you park too close, it can block firefighters from quickly accessing water during emergency situations. If you are not sure about safe parking distance, you just need to stay outside paint curb areas to avoid any legal trouble.
Can You Park Across the Street From a Fire Hydrant?
You may think it is safe for you to park your vehicle on the opposite side of the street from a fire hydrant. But, it is still dangerous and rules also vary by different areas. For example: some places allow it if you stay at a safe distance from the hydrant. While, others treat any nearby parking as a violation.
Fire Hydrant Parking Rules
- You should always keep a safe space from the hydrant, specifically 10 to 15 feet.
- This is completely illegal to park directly in front of or too close to a fire hydrant.
- You must check for signs, painted curbs or markings which indicate no parking.
- Always remember to avoid parking across the street if your local rules prohibit it.
- You have to keep a minimum distance of nine feet (about three meters) away from a fire hydrant when parking.
- Fire trucks, police cars or ambulances can park close to a hydrant only when responding to an emergency.
- You may be allowed to stop near a hydrant to pick up or drop off passengers. But, you need to make sure the stop is very quick and does not block access.
Penalties For Violating Fire Hydrant Parking Rules
The penalties for violating fire hydrant parking rules are mostly set and enforced by your local or state authorities. Following are some punishments you may face if you park your vehicle near a fire hydrant.
Fire Hydrant Parking Ticket
You will receive a legal notice from authorities or police officers when your vehicle is parked too close to a fire hydrant. This ticket is issued because wrong parking can cause serious obstruction and delay emergency service.
Fire Hydrant Parking Ticket Cost: In general, a fire hydrant parking fine can cost anywhere between $25 to $250. This range depends on your city or state. In some areas, you may need to pay additional towing fees, if your car is removed.
Vehicle Damage Liability
If you park too close to a fire hydrant, your vehicle can get damaged. Firefighters may need to move or break your car to access the hydrant quickly. In such cases, you might be responsible for fixing the damage.
Report Car Parked in Front of Fire Hydrant
To keep the area clear & safe, you should report any vehicle which is blocking a fire hydrant. For this purpose, you can contact your local police through the non-emergency number. Furthermore, you can also use the city’s reporting service.
In case of an emergency, you can call 911 (helpline active in US, Canada & Mexico). Sometimes, firefighters may have to move the car or take other actions to access the hydrant quickly.
Fire Hydrant Clearance Parking
According to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards, you must keep at least 36 inches (about 3 feet) of clear space around the hydrant. When parking, you should leave a 5 meter gap between your car and fire hydrant. Also, never park or place anything within 5 feet in front of the fire safety zone.
Can You Park in Front of a Fire Hydrant if the Curb is Not Red
If you see no red paint on the curb, you should still not park your car in front of the fireplug. You have to follow parking rules such as 10 to 15 feet distance. Because, if you violate this rule in any case, it leads to a ticket, towing or firefighters will also damage your car in an emergency. Hence, if you spot no visible markings, you must check signs and respect the fire safety parking rules.
Can You Get Towed For Parking in Front of Fire Hydrant?
Yes, your car can be towed by traffic enforcement officers, if you park in front of a fire hydrant. Authorities do this to clear the area quickly for emergency responders. Moreover, you may have to pay additional towing charges on top of fines.
Can You Park in Front of a Yellow Fire Hydrant?
A yellow fire hydrant basically means the water supply is public or for a specific purpose. However, the parking rules still apply and its area is considered as no parking zone. You should not park too close, as it can block access for firefighters. So, always look for local signs and maintain the required distance to stay safe and avoid fines.
Can I Park in Front of an Out of Service Fire Hydrant?
If a fire hydrant is out of service or temporarily not working, you should avoid parking in front of it. Local laws may still treat it as a restricted area and emergencies can happen at any time. That’s why, it’s best for you to park your vehicle elsewhere instead of in the fire hydrants zone. So that you can avoid fines or towing.
Do Fire Hydrant Parking Ticket Affect Demerit Points
A fire hydrant parking ticket generally results in a fine. But in most areas, it does not add demerit points to your driving record. The reason is that you only face demerit points when it is a moving violation.
Plus, the parking tickets are issued to the vehicle, not the driver. Remember, you still have to deal with fines, late fees, towing or problems like updating your vehicle registration if you don’t pay the ticket.
Different State Rules For Fire Hydrant Parking
| Name of State | Required Parking Distance | State Regulation |
| New York | 15 feet | Section 1202 of Article 32 (New York Vehicle & Traffic Law) |
| Texas | 15 ft | TRANSP § 545.302 code of Texas Transportation |
| District of Columbia | 10 feet | D.C. Code § 2405.2 |
| Vermont | 6 feet | Vt. Stat. Tit. 23, § 1104 |
| Tennessee | 7.5 – 15 feet | Tenn. Code Ann. Section 55-8-160 |
| New Mexico | 15 ft | N.M. Stat. Section of 66-7-351 |
FAQs
Can My Car Be Damaged if I Park Too Close To a Fire Hydrant?
Parking too close to a fire hydrant can put your car at risk. Because, firefighters may need instant access during emergencies and they might have to move or break your vehicle to approach the hydrant.
How Do I Know if I’m Parked 15 Feet Away From a Fire Hydrant?
You can measure the distance with the help of your car’s length. You can also use tape or visual estimation. Most cars are about 15 feet long, so parking roughly one car length away from the hydrant usually works.
Are There Different Parking Rules for Colored Hydrants?
No, the color of a fire hydrant does not change parking rules for you. Different colors are used to help firefighters to know the water flow. But, you cannot park your vehicle in front of any hydrant.
Final Note
So, when you are careful and aware of parking rules around fire hydrants, you not only protect yourself from fines but also can keep the neighborhood area risk free. In this way, you can make sure everyone in your community stays safe in critical situations.
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