§ 16-246. Emergency vehicle access.

(a)

Emergency vehicle access to be kept clear of obstructions. The owner of every lot upon which a building is situated shall provide a means of emergency vehicle access to said building. Access to all buildings shall be kept clear of obstruction in the manner set forth in this section.

(b)

Area above access. No obstruction may be placed or allowed to remain in the area 12 feet above the ground or man-made surface for the entire length of the access.

(c)

Area of access width. Access width must be at least 12 feet for the entire length of the access and shall be continuous so as to permit an emergency vehicle to drive the entire length of the access. The width distance shall be measured from a point on an edge of such access to a point immediately perpendicular from said point toward the other edge of the access. No obstruction may be placed or allowed to remain within the 12 feet of access width.

(d)

Area access to be kept clear. The access areas set forth in subsections (b) and (c) above shall be maintained free and clear of obstruction.

(e)

Construction of section and meaning of terms. This section shall be construed as follows:

(1)

This section shall be construed to permit emergency vehicle ingress and egress to structures and buildings on lots and to prohibit obstruction of any kind that would interfere with such access.

(2)

Sections 16-443 and 16-444 shall not be construed to permit the placement or construction of any of the objects listed in those sections within the areas of access described in subsections (b) and (c) above.

(3)

This section does not affect street access requirements set forth in section 16-241.

(4)

Access as used in this section means emergency vehicle ingress and egress to and from a structure or building on a lot. The term access includes, but is not limited to, street and street, private as defined in section 16-237, permanent access easement as defined in section 16-241, driveway, alley, and road.

(5)

Obstruction as used in this section means all forms of natural or man-made obstructions, impediments, and hindrances to emergency vehicle ingress and egress. Obstruction includes, but is not limited to, trees, bushes, vegetation, gates, fences, poles, signs, utility service lines and other similar items, and objects of all kinds.

(Ord. of 12-10-2014, § 2)