Jason Stephens | February 27, 2025 | Personal Injury
You see them dotting residential neighborhoods, industrial parks, and business districts. Standing no more than a few feet tall and painted in bright colors, fire hydrants are necessary in any city, big or small. These small devices save lives in emergencies, but they can be a nuisance when you are looking for a place to park.
When a fire breaks out, firefighters need immediate access to these hydrants. Otherwise, a fire can quickly grow, destroying buildings and threatening lives. For this reason, Texas law does not permit you to park within a certain distance of any fire hydrant without consequence.
No Parking Within 15 Feet Of Fire Hydrants
Texas law states that no person may park or stop a vehicle within 15 feet of any fire hydrant. This is a bright-line rule with few exceptions. You violate the law regardless of whether you remain inside your car or leave it unattended. Similarly, you are not permitted to block a hydrant for any length of time, no matter how short.
There is only one recognized exception to this general prohibition. Under Texas state law, municipalities can create an ordinance allowing elevator technicians to park their private vehicles less than 15 feet away from a hydrant. However, this would only be permitted if the technician is responding to an emergency.
Why Parking In Front Of Texas Fire Hydrants Is Illegal
There are several reasons why Texas, like every other state, prohibits motorists from parking or stopping their vehicles near fire hydrants. These reasons include:
Emergency Access
In case of a fire, firefighters need to access hydrants as quickly as possible so they can suppress the fire swiftly. The farther away from a hydrant a fire truck must park, the longer it takes crews to set up their equipment and begin fighting the fire. Delays of mere seconds can cause a fire to become more destructive and potentially deadly.
Visibility
Parking too close to a hydrant can also be problematic. Depending on the direction a fire truck is traveling, a car parked too close to a hydrant can obscure the hydrant from the fire crew’s view. They may believe the hydrant nearest to a fire is located some distance away and proceed to that hydrant instead. This situation also hinders firefighters’ efforts to quickly suppress a fire.
Space To Work
Firefighters need room to deploy their hoses and other equipment and easy access to all sides and equipment of their trucks while at the scene of a fire. By prohibiting vehicles from parking within 15 feet of a hydrant, Texas ensures that fire crews have sufficient space to work without worrying about damaging vehicles.
Penalties For Blocking A Hydrant
You can face penalties if you illegally block a fire hydrant or park too close to one in violation of the law. First, you can face a monetary fine that varies from city to city. Second, your vehicle is subject to being towed immediately and without prior notice. This could lead to you having to pay a citation and towing and storage fees to retrieve your vehicle.
Finally, in an emergency, a fire truck or other emergency vehicle could damage your car while trying to reach the hydrant. If this were to happen, you would be responsible for both the damage to your car and any damage to emergency vehicles or equipment.
Do Not Park In Front Of A Fire Hydrant In Texas
Texas law is clear: it is illegal to park in front of a fire hydrant or within 15 feet of one for any reason. Violating this law can lead to financial penalties and damage to your car. It can also cost individuals their property and lives if firefighters cannot quickly hook up their equipment and work to suppress a fire. The convenience of a close parking spot is not worth these costs.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth and Weatherford personal injury lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 406
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents – Weatherford Office
109 York Ave Suite #201
Weatherford, TX 76086
(817) 409-7000
