Fire lane rules by city
Last updated
Every Valley city uses a version of the International Fire Code, but each fire department decides how fire lanes are marked on private property. Most use red curbs, fire lane signs, or both, and several publish their own detail drawings.
Use the table to find who reviews fire lanes in your city and where their standard is published. Where no detail is published online, ask that fire department before you repaint.
| City | Who reviews fire lanes | Published standard | Key point | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Phoenix Fire Department | Emergency Access Detail Book, Chapter 1 | Red curb + fire lane sign; some curbs stenciled FIRE LANE | Phoenix Fire Department Emergency Access → |
| Mesa | Mesa Fire and Medical | Fire Code Details 503.3 and 503.9.2 | Detail 503.3; fire lane access at least 20 ft wide | Mesa Fire Code Details → |
| Chandler | Chandler Fire Department | Guide for Site Plans; FD111 and FD141 | Detail FD111; 3 ft clear around hydrants | Chandler Fire Department Guide for Site Plans → |
| Gilbert | Gilbert Fire and Rescue | Town Detail #63 and fire code interpretations | Detail #63 and/or red curb labeled FIRE LANE NO PARKING | Town of Gilbert fire requirements for development (PDF) → |
| Glendale | Glendale Fire Department | Fire Lane Sign Reference; Engineering Design & Construction Standards | 2018 IFC + amendments; sign specs in engineering standards | Glendale Fire Prevention → |
| Scottsdale | City of Scottsdale | Supplemental Standard Details, detail 2365 | Standard detail 2365, Fire Lane Sign | City of Scottsdale Supplemental Standard Details (2015, PDF) → |
| Tempe | Tempe Fire Medical Rescue fire prevention | No published marking detail found; ask fire prevention | 2018 IFC (effective Oct. 1, 2018) + amendments; ask fire prevention | Tempe Fire Medical Rescue, Fire Inspections → |
| Peoria | Peoria Fire-Medical fire prevention | No published marking detail found; ask fire prevention | Ask fire prevention | City of Peoria Fire-Medical → |
| Surprise | Surprise Fire-Medical fire marshal | Fire Prevention and Fire Code Amendments; ask fire marshal | See fire code amendments; ask fire marshal | Surprise Fire-Medical Department (see Fire Prevention and Fire Code Amendments) → |
| Goodyear | City of Goodyear | Policy 17-002; detail G-3136 | Narrow local streets must be signed (Policy 17-002) | City of Goodyear Policy 17-002, Local Street Fire Lane Signage (PDF) → |
| Buckeye | Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue | Fire Lane Sign detail; Ord. 17-2023 | Fire Lane Sign detail; Ord. 17-2023 | City of Buckeye Fire Prevention → |
| Queen Creek | Queen Creek Fire and Medical fire prevention | No published marking detail found; ask fire prevention | Ask fire prevention | Town of Queen Creek fire permits, fees and inspections → |
| San Tan Valley | Town of San Tan Valley and Rural Metro Fire; confirm reviewer | No single published fire lane detail found | New town (2025); Rural Metro Fire; confirm reviewer | Ask the Town of San Tan Valley and Rural Metro Fire which standard applies to your parcel. (No single published fire lane detail found.) |
| Casa Grande | Casa Grande fire department | 2018 International Fire Code local amendments | 2018 IFC + local amendments | City of Casa Grande 2018 IFC amendments (PDF) → |
What the model code says
Section 503.3 of the International Fire Code lets the fire code official require signs or markings that prohibit parking in fire lanes. Where a city adopts Appendix D, it describes NO PARKING – FIRE LANE signs at least 12 inches wide by 18 inches high with red letters on a white reflective background. Your city's own amendments and details always take priority.
Common mistakes when repainting fire lanes
- Repainting red curb without replacing faded or missing fire lane signs.
- Letting stencils wear off when the city's detail requires lettering on the curb.
- Parking stalls or loading zones painted into a fire lane during a layout change.
- Assuming the neighboring city's rules apply to your property.
Sources
- Phoenix Fire Department Emergency Access
- Mesa Fire Code Details
- Chandler Fire Department Guide for Site Plans
- Town of Gilbert fire requirements for development (PDF)
- Glendale Fire Prevention
- City of Scottsdale Supplemental Standard Details (2015, PDF)
- Tempe Fire Medical Rescue, Fire Inspections
- City of Peoria Fire-Medical
- Surprise Fire-Medical Department (see Fire Prevention and Fire Code Amendments)
- City of Goodyear Policy 17-002, Local Street Fire Lane Signage (PDF)
- City of Buckeye Fire Prevention
- Town of Queen Creek fire permits, fees and inspections
- News — Queen Creek Independent
- News — Rose Law Group Reporter
- City of Casa Grande 2018 IFC amendments (PDF)