Fire Hydrant Parking Ticket in California: The 15-Foot Rule Explained

The rule sounds simple: don't park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. But California's fire hydrant parking violations involve a specific state law, a measurement requirement that almost no one does correctly, and a notable exception that applies in some situations. If you got a fire hydrant parking ticket in California, here is what the law actually says and whether you have grounds to contest it.

California Vehicle Code § 22514: The Exact Law

California Vehicle Code § 22514 reads:

No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle within 15 feet of a fire hydrant except as follows: (a) If the vehicle is attended by a licensed driver who is seated in the front seat and who can immediately move such vehicle in case of necessity. (b) If the local authority or fire department establishes a different distance and the distance is indicated by signs or markings.

The key numbers are: 15 feet from the hydrant, measured from the nearest point of the vehicle to the nearest point of the hydrant.

The Measurement Defense

The most viable defense against a fire hydrant ticket is accurate measurement. If your vehicle was more than 15 feet from the hydrant, you were not in violation of CVC § 22514.

The challenge is proving this after the fact. The officer typically estimates distance — they do not use a tape measure. Your defense is a documented counter-measurement.

If you were present when the ticket was issued: Immediately photograph the distance. Take a measurement photo with a tape measure visible in frame, showing your vehicle's closest point and the hydrant's closest point. Photograph this clearly enough that the distance is legible.

If you discovered the ticket on your windshield without being present: Return to the location as soon as possible (before moving the vehicle if it's still there) and document the distance. The parking enforcement officer's documentation may include an estimate that you can challenge.

What to include in your protest: - A photograph showing the measurement - A clear description of where each measurement point is (front bumper corner vs. nearest face of hydrant) - A statement that the measurement was [X feet], which exceeds the 15-foot limit required under CVC § 22514

Note that red curb paint near a hydrant often covers less than 15 feet. If you parked past the red curb but within 15 feet of the hydrant, the state law's 15-foot requirement applies regardless of the curb paint. Conversely, if the red paint extends beyond 15 feet, the local ordinance (the red paint) controls.

The "Attended Vehicle" Exception

Under CVC § 22514(a), a vehicle may stop within 15 feet of a fire hydrant if it is attended by a licensed driver seated in the front seat who can immediately move the vehicle if necessary.

"Attended" is defined strictly: the driver must be in the front seat, with a valid driver's license. A passenger in the back seat does not qualify. The driver cannot be inside a nearby building or business.

If you were in the vehicle, seated in the front seat, with your license, and could immediately move the car — this is a valid defense. Your evidence: - Your own written declaration stating these facts - Any witnesses (passengers) who can confirm your presence - Dashcam footage showing you seated in the vehicle

If the officer issued the ticket because they saw the vehicle parked near the hydrant before confirming it was attended, you can contest it on these grounds.

The Local Authority Exception

Under CVC § 22514(b), a local authority or fire department can establish a different distance from a hydrant — but only if that different distance is indicated by signs or markings.

If your city has established a different (shorter) limit at a specific location, there must be signage indicating this. In the absence of such signage, the 15-foot state law applies.

This exception is more commonly used by cities to expand the restricted zone (e.g., painting a red curb that extends more than 15 feet from a hydrant) than to reduce it.

Red Curb vs. 15-Foot Rule: Which Controls?

This is a common source of confusion. The short answer: whichever is more restrictive applies.

• If the red curb extends 12 feet from the hydrant but your vehicle is 13 feet from the hydrant: you are beyond the red curb but within 15 feet of the hydrant, so you violate CVC § 22514.
• If the red curb extends 20 feet from the hydrant but your vehicle is 18 feet from the hydrant: you are within the red curb zone (CVC § 21458 applies) even though you're outside the 15-foot hydrant zone.

Parking enforcement officers issue tickets based on what they observe. If you believe the violation code cited is incorrect — for example, if your ticket cites a red curb violation when you were technically outside the red curb — you can contest the specific code cited.

Fine Amounts for Fire Hydrant Violations in California

Fines vary by city: - Los Angeles: Fire hydrant violations are classified as significant safety violations. Base fines run in the range of $80–$100 before state surcharges. - San Francisco: Red zone and hydrant violations can exceed $100. - Oakland: Red zone violations are approximately $91.

Late fees for unpaid hydrant citations accumulate like any other citation.

How to Contest the Ticket

Within 21 days: Request an Initial Administrative Review through your city's citation portal. No payment is required.

Write your protest:

If your defense is measurement: "I am contesting citation #[number] issued on [date] for an alleged CVC § 22514 violation. My vehicle was parked [X feet] from the nearest point of the fire hydrant at [location], which exceeds the 15-foot minimum distance required by CVC § 22514. Attached as Exhibit A is a photograph taken on [date] showing a tape measure measurement from the front bumper of my vehicle to the nearest face of the hydrant, documenting [X feet]. I request dismissal of this citation."

If your defense is attended vehicle: "I am contesting citation #[number] issued on [date] for an alleged CVC § 22514 violation. At the time of the alleged violation, I was seated in the front seat of the vehicle with my valid California driver's license in my possession and was able to immediately move the vehicle if required. Under CVC § 22514(a), a vehicle attended by a licensed driver in the front seat is exempt from the 15-foot restriction. I request dismissal of this citation."

If denied: Request a Stage 2 administrative hearing within 21 days of the denial letter. Deposit the full fine (or apply for a hardship waiver under CVC § 40220). Bring your measurement evidence and present it to the independent hearing officer.

What Doesn't Work as a Defense

• "The hydrant was behind a tree / hard to see" — visibility of the hydrant is not a legal defense. The law applies regardless.
• "There was no red curb paint" — the 15-foot law applies independently of curb paint.
• "I was only parked for two minutes" — the duration of the stop does not affect whether CVC § 22514 was violated.

Fire hydrant parking tickets in California are among the more clearcut violations — either you were within 15 feet or you weren't. If you have evidence you weren't, that's a strong case. If you were, the attended vehicle exception is your best option. Our California Parking Ticket Dispute Guide includes the complete measurement defense template and documentation checklist for hydrant and red zone violations.