How close to a fire hydrant may you park?

Most US states prohibit parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. The reason is critical: fire trucks need clear access to connect hoses to hydrants in an emergency, and a parked vehicle blocking access can mean the difference between containing a fire and losing a building or lives. Penalties for hydrant parking are significant — often $50-$200 plus the cost of towing. In some jurisdictions, fire crews will break windows or otherwise damage vehicles blocking hydrants if needed to deploy hoses. The 15-foot distance applies even when the hydrant appears to be in disuse or partially obscured; treat every hydrant as active.