Stanislaus County Municipal Code Ch. 11.20 Interference with Emergency Vehicles

The board of supervisors finds and declares that because of the installation of fire hydrants in alleys in many subdivisions in the unincorporated territory of the county and the necessary use of such alleys by authorized emergency vehicles, the public peace, health and safety require that such alleys be free from parked vehicles or other obstructions at all times. It is the purpose of this chapter to require that all alleys in the unincorporated territory in the county be kept clear of vehicles and obstructions at all hours of the day and night.

(Prior code §6-50)

Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions of words and phrases set forth in this section shall govern the construction of this chapter:

A. "Alley" means any public way, lane or place other than a public highway, private road or driveway as defined in this section, located outside of incorporated municipalities of the county and open to the use of the public for vehicular travel whether or not the same have been accepted and maintained by the county.

B. "Authorized emergency vehicle" means all authorized emergency vehicles as defined in the Vehicle Code of California.

C. "Public highway" means the highway, road, street, way or place of whatever nature outside of incorporated municipalities open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

D. "Private road or driveway" means a way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner but not by other members of the public.

E. "Vehicle" means a device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a public highway, including a bicycle or such other vehicle of propulsion moved by human power.

(Prior code §6-51)

It is unlawful for any person to operate, drive, stop or park any vehicle upon a public highway or any private road or driveway in such a manner as to interfere with or obstruct the operation of any authorized emergency vehicle.

(Prior code §6-52)

It is unlawful for any person to park or stand any vehicle in or upon any alley unless the parking or standing is necessary for the loading or unloading of passengers or materials in or from the vehicle, and the operator of the vehicle remains then and there in immediate attendance of the vehicle.

(Prior code §6-53)

It is unlawful for any person to place or deposit any material or object in any alley which will in any manner obstruct the free passage of traffic in the alley, or the use of the alley by authorized emergency vehicles.

(Prior code §6-54)

It is unlawful for any person to park, stop, or abandon any vehicle within one thousand feet of any authorized emergency vehicle when the authorized emergency vehicle is actively engaged at the scene of any fire, accident, explosion, flood, riot, earthquake or any other emergency.

(Prior code §6-55)

It is unlawful for any person to remain and for two or more persons to gather, collect, assemble or congregate within one thousand feet of the scene of any fire, accident, explosion, flood, riot, earthquake, or any other emergency when any authorized emergency vehicle is actively engaged thereat.

(Prior code §6-56)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any persons operating any authorized emergency vehicles as defined in subsection B of Section 11.20.020, nor to any persons acting in compliance with the lawful and proper directions of a peace officer or officer of any fire department.

(Prior code §6-57)