Wedge Test / 'Not 15 Feet from Hydrant' Measurement Defense
Chicago Municipal Code §9-64-100(b) and 625 ILCS 5/11-1303 prohibit parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. However, this measurement is from the closest point of the vehicle to the hydrant. Tickets are commonly issued where the actual distance was 15+ feet. A photograph with a tape measure or precise measurement (Google Maps measure tool) showing the vehicle was 15+ feet from the hydrant is a §9-100-060(a)(5) defense.
Legal basis
Chicago Municipal Code §9-64-100(b); 625 ILCS 5/11-1303; §9-100-060(a)(5)
Sample appeal wording
TO: City of Chicago, Department of Administrative Hearings RE: Hydrant Violation [TICKET_NUMBER] — §9-64-100(b) Dismissal under §9-100-060(a)(5). The vehicle was more than 15 feet from the fire hydrant. The attached photograph shows my vehicle parked at [ADDRESS]. The measurement from the closest point of my vehicle to the hydrant is [N] feet, exceeding the 15-foot statutory minimum. Evidence: (1) photograph with tape measure; (2) Google Maps measurement; (3) photo of curb markings. Signed, [FULL_NAME] Date: [DATE]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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- Chicago Municipal Code §9-64-100(b)
- 625 ILCS 5/11-1303
Related appeal grounds
- 1 V.S.A. §316 Public Records Act Discovery
- Chain-of-Custody / Evidence Authentication Challenge
- Citation Documentation Defect — Officer ID, Plate Mismatch, Time Errors
- City Sticker — 30-Day New Resident / New Vehicle Grace
- Compliance Violation Corrected Before Adjudication ('Fix-It Defense')
- CRS 42-3-204 / 42-4-1206 — Wrong Plate / Mistaken Identity Defense