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Fire hydrants aren’t as common a sight in Florida’s communities as they are in states like New York or New jersey. Even so, where there are fire hydrants, there are fire hydrant parking tickets.
What Are the Fire Hydrant Laws in Florida?
Florida’s traffic and parking laws are included in Title 23 of the state’s Uniform Traffic Control regulations (Chapter 316). The specific section of that law that covers fire hydrant parking laws is §316.1945(1)(b)2. This law is similar to that of other states on the east coast, but a little more strict.
No matter whether the vehicle is occupied or not, it is illegal to park it within 15 feet of a fire hydrant anywhere in the state (unless otherwise noted by local laws or signage). That’s true even if you are in the driver’s seat with the vehicle on.
That being said, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Laws?
The first exception is when stopping “momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers.” This means that standing or parking to unload items from a vehicle can result in you receiving a parking ticket but standing or parking to unload passengers cannot.
The second exception was mentioned earlier. If a local jurisdiction has laws governing the safe parking distance near fire hydrants, the local laws supersede the state laws. The same goes for roadways with specific marking that denotes a different stop distance or set of rules.
The third and final exception is when the vehicle is being operated by an employee of a fire department and is clearly marked as a fire department vehicle. Since these individuals are the ones most likely to service those fire hydrants, the law includes exceptions to allow them to park nearby. This helps to facilitate access while in an emergency or performing professional duties.
When Are the Hydrant Laws in Effect?
Florida’s fire hydrant laws are in effect from sunrise to sunset and overnight too. That is to say, these laws do not rest. They are always in effect at all hours of all days. There is never an hour or day when the law does not apply.
However, there may be local exceptions to these rules. Some jurisdictions might not enforce this law on certain holidays, at certain times, etc. As a general rule of thumb, though, you should never park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant on any day or at any time in Florida.
What Is the Cost of a Fire Hydrant Ticket in Florida?
Fire hydrant tickets in Florida are some of the cheapest in the country. Unfortunately, “cheapest” doesn’t mean “cheap.” These tickets can include a fine of around $30, with additional late fees and other surcharges being charged if you fail to respond to or pay the ticket within 30 days.
Why Are Hydrant Tickets So Strict?
Fire hydrant parking tickets are as strict as they are to increase the availability of fire hydrants in case of an emergency. If an emergency situation arises, fire department personnel will need to be able to access nearby fire hydrants as soon as possible. The longer they have to wait for somebody to move their car, the more damage (or worse) can be caused in the meantime.
Can You Park by a Broken Hydrant?
Legally, yes. Practically, no. You should never park by a fire hydrant regardless of whether you think it’s broken or not. The reason for this is a little confusing, but makes sense once you’ve had time to really consider how it works.
First off, you never really know if a fire hydrant is broken. Sometimes fire hydrants can appear run down and ramshackle but still work perfectly fine. Other times, they might have obvious damage and look utterly busted but still work well enough to be operable. In either case, the looks can be deceiving and you can still get a parking ticket for parking too close.
Secondly, even if the hydrant truly is broken, it might not be recorded as such in the local fire department. If firefighters attempt to use the broken fire hydrant and you are parked within 15 feet of it, your windows may be broken in order for them to access it, your vehicle could be towed, and/or you could receive a parking ticket.
Can I Get My Fire Hydrant Ticket Reduced or Dismissed?
There is only one way to have a fire hydrant parking ticket fine reduced or dismissed: contest it and win. That means pleading not guilty, formulating an argument, optionally hiring a lawyer (strongly recommended), and going to court on your court date to plead your case. If you’re successful, the fine can be either reduced or entirely wiped away—a clean slate.
If you fail to respond to your ticket or pay the fine in time, however, your fine can actually increase due to additional late fees and other penalties.
What To Bring to Court When Fighting Your Ticket
When contesting your fire hydrant parking ticket in Florida’s traffic court system, there are a few things you’ll want to bring. First, bring any evidence you have. Second, bring the original ticket (and maybe a few copies). Third, bring an argument letter to help organize your thoughts and submit in writing with the rest of your documentation.
Evidence
The most important part of any legal dispute is the evidence. In many cases, the outcome is decided primarily on whose evidence is the most compelling, clear, and convincing. Photos of the violation scene, videos, and any dash cam footage you might have can all go a long way in clearing your name.
The Original Ticket
The original ticket contains the majority of the information that the prosecution will use to try to convict you. It should have the violation charge code, date, time, location, your information, your vehicle’s information, and more all in one convenient place. This makes it easy to organize your defense (as well as pay your ticket at the courthouse on the same day if you lose your case).
An Argument Letter
An argument letter is a written document detailing all of the arguments in your case. Submitting it to the court alongside your evidence will ensure that it is added to your case file, increasing the odds of succeeding in an appeal should you have to go that route.
Hiring an Attorney To Fight Your Ticket Through appwinit.com
When it comes to the law, your best chance of success is to hire a lawyer. With help from the experienced attorneys in the WinIt app (or at www.appwinit.com), you can access safe and affordable legal assistance no matter your budget requirements.
Hiring a lawyer to help contest fire hydrant parking tickets in Florida substantially increases your chances of achieving a favorable outcome in your case. So take the time to equip yourself with all the tools and resources at your disposal. Take your case to court and win it with WinIt.
