Is it legal to park in front of a fire hydrant?

Explanation

No, it is not legal to park in front of a fire hydrant. In fact, laws universally prohibit parking too close to a fire hydrant. The typical rule is that you must not park within a certain distance of a hydrant – usually 15 feet in either direction (approximately one car length). The curb may even be painted yellow or red near a hydrant to indicate the no-parking zone. The reason is to ensure fire department access; in a fire emergency, firefighters need to be able to quickly get their truck next to the hydrant and hook up their hoses. If you park in front of a hydrant and a fire breaks out, firefighters will not hesitate to do things like break your windows and run the hose through your car or push your car out of the way to get to the water. As for penalties, if you park by a hydrant, you’ll likely get a ticket with a hefty fine (often over $100) and your car could be towed. It’s considered a serious parking violation because it endangers public safety. So, the bottom line: never park in front of or too close to a fire hydrant. Always leave that buffer zone (typically 15 feet) clear.