Forsyth County, NC Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered obstruction
- hydrants, fire lanes, fire stations
- Remedy
- tow at owner's expense
- Owner duty
- keep fire lanes marked and open
- Enforcer
- Forsyth County Fire Marshal
- Civil penalty payment
- due within 72 hours of citation
- Code section
- Forsyth County Code Sec. 10-11
Summary
Forsyth County lets the fire marshal tow any vehicle blocking a fire hydrant, marked fire lane, fire protection equipment, or fire station, and bills the owner for removal and storage. Property owners must keep fire lanes clearly marked, open, and accessible to fire apparatus at all times, backed by the fire code's misdemeanor and civil penalties.
Sec. 10-11. - Removal of obstructions; prohibited parking. Any vehicle found obstructing any fire hydrant, fire protection equipment, designated and marked fire lane, or fire station may be removed or towed away by or under the direction of the fire marshal to a storage area or garage. The owner of such vehicle shall be deemed to have appointed the fire marshal as his agent for the purpose of arranging for the transportation and safe storage of the vehicle. The owner of such vehicle, before obtaining possession thereof, shall pay all reasonable costs incidental to the removal and storage of the vehicle due for the violation of prohibited parking. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that fire lanes are clearly marked and open and accessible to fire apparatus at all times.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 68).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10-11 of the Forsyth County Code authorizes the fire marshal to remove or tow any vehicle found obstructing a fire hydrant, fire protection equipment, a designated and marked fire lane, or a fire station, moving it to a storage area or garage. The vehicle owner is deemed to have appointed the fire marshal as an agent for arranging transportation and safe storage, and must pay all reasonable removal and storage costs before reclaiming the vehicle. The section also places an affirmative duty on property owners: they must ensure fire lanes on their property are clearly marked and kept open and accessible to fire apparatus at all times, not just at the moment of a violation.
This sits within Chapter 10, Fire Prevention and Protection, enforced by the Forsyth County Fire Marshal under Sec. 10-3, and the county's general fire-code penalty structure in Sec. 10-10 applies to a Sec. 10-11 violation the same as any other fire code breach. Unlike a city traffic ordinance addressing general on-street parking, wrong-way parking, or blocking a private driveway, this provision is narrowly about protecting fire access, hydrants, and marked fire lanes from obstruction.
Violations & Fines
A Sec. 10-11 violation is enforced under Sec. 10-10's fire-code penalty scheme: a misdemeanor for each day the violation continues, plus a civil penalty set by the board of county commissioners' fee schedule, payable within seventy-two hours after the fire marshal issues a citation. The fire marshal can also seek an injunction through the county attorney against continued obstruction of fire lanes, and towing costs are billed directly to the vehicle owner regardless of any separate penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Forsyth County have a general on-street parking ordinance?
Who can tow a car blocking a fire lane?
Is a property owner responsible for keeping fire lanes clear?
What is the penalty for blocking a fire lane in Forsyth County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
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