How far must you park from a fire hydrant?

Parking regulations regarding fire hydrants are designed to ensure that emergency services have clear access to the hydrants in case of a fire. The correct distance to park from a fire hydrant is 5 meters (16 feet). This distance allows fire trucks and emergency responders to reach the hydrant quickly without obstruction.

In many areas, including British Columbia, the requirement is set at 5 meters from the base of the hydrant. This distance is significant enough to ensure that the hydrant remains accessible and effective for firefighting purposes.

Other distances listed, while related to safe parking practices in general, do not comply with the specific regulation concerning fire hydrants. For instance, options stating 3 meters or 10 meters may seem reasonable in other contexts, but they do not meet the legal requirement established for parking near fire hydrants. Additionally, 15 meters may provide too generous of a buffer, potentially leading to unnecessary inconvenience for drivers trying to find parking. Therefore, parking at a distance of 5 meters strikes a balance between accessibility for emergency services and practicality for drivers.