Clayton County, GA Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)

Clayton County's fire lane ordinance, Sec. 42-5, defines a fire lane as any alley, private way or driveway the fire chief designates to keep access open for fire apparatus, hydrants and connections. The fire chief or a designee has authority to designate fire lanes on both new and existing property, and the property owner must then post "No Parking—Fire Lane" signs meeting fire department specifications: one at each end of the lane, spaced no more than 50 feet apart, mounted no higher than four feet from the curb edge and visible from both directions.

Once a lane is posted, the fire chief may separately order the adjacent curb painted red so drivers see the restriction at a glance. Parking a vehicle or placing any other property in a designated, posted fire lane is a misdemeanor, though authorized emergency vehicles are exempt. Enforcement rests with fire officials, police officers, the sheriff and deputies, who may tow an offending vehicle to the nearest impound lot. Vehicle violations run through state court by citation, with the registered owner rebuttably presumed to be in control of the car.

For a real property owner found in violation, for example failing to post required signage, the fire official must give notice in person or by certified mail; the owner then has up to 30 days to comply. Failing to correct the violation after that notice and opportunity is a misdemeanor punishable under Sec. 1-12, prosecuted in the county's magistrate court.