Striping
Fire Lane Painting in Oregon: Code, Colors & Specs
Cojo
March 21, 2026
6 min read
Fire lanes are designated access routes that allow fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles to reach buildings during emergencies. When these lanes are blocked by parked vehicles, emergency response is delayed — and in fire situations, minutes of delay can mean the difference between a contained incident and a catastrophic loss.
Property owners are legally responsible for establishing, marking, and maintaining fire lanes on their properties. This responsibility includes initial marking to fire code specifications, ongoing maintenance to keep markings clearly visible, and enforcement through towing of vehicles that block designated fire lanes.
This guide covers the fire lane marking requirements that apply to Oregon commercial properties, including color standards, signage requirements, dimensional specifications, and maintenance obligations.
Oregon adopts the International Fire Code (IFC) with state amendments through the Oregon Fire Code (OFC). Local jurisdictions — Portland, Eugene, Salem, Bend, Medford, and others — may adopt additional amendments. The requirements below represent the general Oregon standard, but always confirm local requirements with your jurisdiction's fire marshal.
Fire lanes must be maintained on private property wherever fire apparatus needs access to buildings. This includes along building frontages for ladder truck and engine positioning, around buildings where access roads serve as fire lanes, at fire hydrant locations (15 feet of clearance on either side), at fire department connections (FDC) for standpipe and sprinkler systems, and along access routes connecting the public street to the building.
The specific locations and dimensions are typically established during the building permit process and are shown on the approved site plan. If you are unsure where your property's fire lanes are designated, contact your local fire marshal for a copy of the approved site plan.
Fire lanes must be a minimum of 20 feet wide for most commercial properties. This width allows fire apparatus to position and operate without obstruction. Some jurisdictions require 26 feet for lots where fire trucks may need to pass other emergency vehicles.
Dead-end fire lanes exceeding 150 feet in length must include a turnaround — either a hammerhead, cul-de-sac, or other design that allows fire apparatus to reverse direction without backing up.
Fire lanes require a minimum vertical clearance of 13 feet 6 inches to accommodate fire apparatus. Trees, awnings, overhead signs, and utility lines must not encroach into this clearance zone.
The most visible fire lane marking element is red-painted curbing. Red curb paint must be applied to the full face of the curb — top, face, and gutter edge — along the entire fire lane length. The red must be clearly and unmistakably red — faded pink, brownish-red, or weathered red does not meet code requirements.
Paint specifications: Use traffic-grade red curb paint formulated for concrete or asphalt curb surfaces. Standard traffic paint is acceptable, but epoxy or high-durability formulations extend the maintenance interval. The red must match federal standard red (approximately Pantone 186 or Federal Standard 11105).
Oregon fire code requires "NO PARKING — FIRE LANE" signs posted along fire lanes. Signs must be visible from both directions of approach, posted at the beginning and end of the fire lane and at intervals not exceeding 50 feet along the lane length, mounted at a minimum height of 7 feet from the ground, and include the towing authorization statement.
Sign specifications vary by local jurisdiction. Some Oregon cities have adopted specific sign designs, sizes, and text requirements. Confirm requirements with your local fire marshal before ordering signs.
In addition to curb painting, some jurisdictions require "FIRE LANE" or "NO PARKING — FIRE LANE" text stenciled on the pavement surface within the fire lane. Text should be at least 8 to 12 inches in character height, painted in white or red for visibility.
Yellow crosshatch or diagonal striping on the pavement surface may also be required in some jurisdictions to reinforce the no-parking restriction. See our striping regulations in Oregon guide for jurisdiction-specific details.
Oregon law (ORS 811.550) prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Property owners should mark this clearance zone with red curb paint extending 15 feet on each side of the hydrant. This marking is the property owner's responsibility on private property.
Red bollards around fire hydrants provide additional protection against vehicles parking too close, but they do not substitute for the required curb marking.
Fire lane markings must be maintained in a clearly visible, recognizable condition at all times. This is not a seasonal requirement — fire lanes must be functional 365 days per year.
Re-painting frequency: Red curb paint fades from UV exposure, weather, and tire contact. In Oregon, expect to repaint fire lane curbing every 12 to 24 months. Direct sun exposure accelerates fading. Include fire lane marking condition in your parking lot maintenance checklist.
Signs: Inspect fire lane signs annually for legibility, fading, physical damage, and secure mounting. Replace damaged or illegible signs immediately.
Vegetation management: Trees, shrubs, and landscaping must not obscure fire lane signs or encroach on the 13-foot 6-inch vertical clearance.
Property owners have both the authority and the obligation to enforce fire lane parking restrictions through towing. If a vehicle is parked in a marked fire lane, the property owner can authorize towing without the vehicle owner's consent, provided the fire lane is properly marked with both curbing and signage.
If a fire occurs and emergency response is delayed because vehicles are blocking an improperly marked fire lane, the property owner faces liability for negligence — the failure to properly mark the fire lane contributed to the delayed response and resulting damage.
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Red curb painting (per linear foot) | $0.75-$2.00 |
| "NO PARKING — FIRE LANE" signs (per sign) | $75-$200 installed |
| Pavement text stencils | $35-$75 each |
| Fire hydrant clearance marking (per hydrant) | $25-$60 |
Cojo marks fire lanes to Oregon fire code specifications as part of comprehensive striping services for commercial properties. We coordinate with local fire marshals to confirm requirements and ensure full compliance. Read our complete striping guide for more.
Contact Cojo for a free fire lane compliance assessment.
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