You generally cannot park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant in most states in the U.S. However, some states allow parking at shorter distances, such as 10 feet or less. For example, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Oregon permit parking within 10 feet, while Iowa allows as close as 5 feet. In Canada, Ontario has a rule of not parking within 9 feet (3 meters) of a fire hydrant. The reason for these rules is to ensure firefighters have clear and immediate access to hydrants in emergencies without any obstacles. Parking too close to a hydrant can delay firefighting efforts and risk property and life safety. Here is a summary of typical distances:
Location| Distance to Park From Fire Hydrant| Notes
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Most U.S. states| 15 feet| Standard distance
Connecticut, NJ, Oregon| 10 feet| Slightly shorter allowed distance
Iowa| 5 feet| One of the shortest allowances
Ontario, Canada| 9 feet (3 meters)| Fine for parking closer than this
Therefore, when parking near a fire hydrant, it's safest to maintain at least 15 feet distance unless local regulations specify otherwise.
