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Fire hydrant tickets in Pennsylvania can cost a pretty penny—and for good reason. Unfortunately, these laws are some of the most strictly enforced parking tickets on the books. To maximize your chances of getting your ticket dismissed, be sure to read this article in its entirety and arm yourself with the information it provides.
What Are the Fire Hydrant Laws in Pennsylvania?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), state law requires you park at least 16 feet or more away from the nearest fire hydrant. Failure to do so can result in you receiving a ticket and a fine. That applies to anybody who parks within 15 feet of a fire hydrant throughout the entirety of the state—whether the vehicle is occupied or not.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Laws?
Although these laws are quite strict, there are a few exceptions.
First, if a driver is seated in the front seat, ready and willing to move the vehicle when asked, you might not receive a parking ticket. Depending on the circumstances, however, this might be considered standing in a no-parking zone, which could still result in a ticket.
Second, local laws and regulations (such as city ordinances) supersede state laws regarding fire hydrant parking restrictions in Pennsylvania. That is, if a town passes a law requiring you to park at least 20 feet away from a fire hydrant, you must adhere to that law instead of the general state law.
Third, if the vehicle is owned or operated by the fire department and clearly marked as a fire department vehicle, it can be parked within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. This exception is designed to make it easier for firefighters to access, service, and otherwise use fire hydrants in the completion of their duties. Wouldn’t it be odd for a fire truck driver to get a parking ticket while putting out a fire?
When Are the Hydrant Laws in Effect?
Fire hydrant laws in Pennsylvania are always in effect. They last from sunrise to sunset and sunset to sunrise. There is no time on any day (including holidays) when people can ignore these parking restrictions without receiving parking tickets. We at WinIt recommend you never park too close to a fire hydrant, no matter what day or time it is.
What Is the Cost of a Fire Hydrant Ticket in Pennsylvania?
Fire hydrant parking tickets in Pennsylvania can include a fine of around $30. This fine is subject to change depending on local laws, which might impose surcharges or similar penalties. However, you can generally expect to pay around $30 if you are convicted of one of these penalties. And, without an experienced lawyer fighting for you, the odds of you being convicted can be quite high.
Why Are Hydrant Tickets So Strict?
The reason these laws are so strict is rather straightforward. If a fire erupts, firefighters will need immediate access to the nearby fire hydrants in order to quickly extinguish the flames. But, if your car is in the way, it becomes an additional obstacle for them to surmount before they can get to work fighting the fire. That requires they spend more time setting up and less time fighting the flames, which can result in increased property damage (or worse).
Can You Park by a Broken Hydrant?
Legally, yes. Practically, no. Just because a fire hydrant might look broken doesn’t mean that it actually is. Looks can be deceiving and, in this case, judging a book by its cover can quite literally be costly.
That’s the thing about technology. Sometimes, it looks absolutely demolished but still works just fine. Other times, it looks just fine but won’t work at all. Fire hydrants are a great example of this. Also, even if the fire hydrant is out of commission, you might still get a parking ticket if a local police officer doesn’t know that.
Can I Get My Fire Hydrant Ticket Reduced or Dismissed?
The most efficient way to have your fire hydrant parking ticket fine reduced or dismissed is to contest it in court. If you succeed in arguing your case against the state’s appointed prosecutor (or similar legal professional), then the judge will decide either to reduce the fine or dismiss it altogether. Of course, this is much easier said than done.
Without an expert parking ticket attorney helping you through the dispute process, your odds of getting such a favorable verdict are significantly reduced.
What To Bring to Court When Fighting Your Ticket
When fighting a parking ticket in Pennsylvania, you’ll want to bring the following three things with you to court: all applicable evidence, the original ticket (and also a few copies), and an argument letter. You might also want to bring other supporting documents, but these three items should be at the core of every fire hydrant parking ticket dispute case.
Evidence
When we say “evidence,” we’re referring to any photos, videos, or other things that might disprove the claims on the ticket. The evidence doesn’t have to prove your innocence, of course. That’s a common misconception. All it has to do is prove that the claims on the ticket are false or not “clear and convincing.” Dash cam or storefront security camera footage are two of the best ways to do just that.
The Original Ticket
The original ticket has most of the information pertaining to your case on it. Bring a few copies to make sure you have one to keep and a few to distribute if the judge asks. The original ticket will help keep your argument focused, as a point of a reference. Also, if you are found guilty and convicted of the violation, you can take it to the payment people and remit payment immediately after your case. This will reduce the likelihood of you being saddled with additional charges.
An Argument Letter
An argument letter is a written document containing all the arguments you intend to use in your case. It should be typed neatly and clearly present your points with legal justifications and case law citations wherever appropriate. Do not simply read this off in the courtroom. Rather, you should submit it into evidence and present an oral argument.
Your argument letter should supplement your oral argument, not replace it. Great argument letters are written with potential appeals in mind. Submitting one into evidence will add it to your case file and enable the appeals committee to review it—enabling your paperwork to argue in favor of a dismissal even in your absence.
Hiring an Attorney To Fight Your Ticket Through appwinit.com
The Pennsylvania traffic court system is a confusing and frustrating place, but you don’t have to go through it alone. With help from the experienced attorneys on the WinIt app (or www.appwinit.com), you can access safe and affordable legal assistance aimed at making the dispute resolution process as stress-free as possible.
When you hire an attorney to help fight parking tickets in a court of law, your odds of achieving a successful outcome increase substantially. So why go it alone and pay hefty fines when you can take your case to court and potentially win it with WinIt?
