1.    Removal of Traffic Hazards.

In all areas on public or private property at any corner formed by intersecting public streets, it shall be unlawful to create a traffic hazard by installing, setting out or maintaining or allowing the installation, setting out or maintenance of any sign, fence, hedge, shrubbery, natural growth or other obstruction to view, or the parking of any vehicle within that triangle formed as hereby described, such areas to be described as sight triangles:

(a)   Uncontrolled Intersections – Local Street to Local Street:  A sight triangle is the triangular area formed by the intersection of two streets bound by two lines extending from the point of intersection along the edge of traveled way for a distance of 50 feet. 

(b)   Uncontrolled Intersections – Local to Collector/Arterial:  A sight triangle is the triangular area formed by the intersection of two streets bound by two lines extending from the point of intersection along the edge of traveled way for a distance 50 feet on the local street and 60 feet on the collector or arterial street.

(c)   Controlled Intersections – Partial Traffic Signalization/Signage:  A sight triangle is the triangular area formed by the intersection of two streets bound by two lines extending from the point of intersection along the edge of traveled way for a distance of 25 feet on the street with the stop sign and 60 feet on the street with no traffic signage.

(d)   Controlled Intersections – Full Traffic Signalization or 4 Way Stop Signs:  A sight triangle is the triangular area formed by the intersection of two streets bound by two lines extending from the point of intersection along the edge of traveled way for a distance of 25 feet.

2.    Exceptions.

The provisions of sight triangle shall not apply to those shrubs or bushes located within a designated sight triangle, the maximum height of which is less than 3 feet (36 inches) measured from the established street level.  For trees located within a sight triangle, a minimum height clearance for limbs and relative growth shall be trimmed for clearance of 8 feet from the established street level.  Utility poles and equipment required for traffic control shall be exempt from this section’s restrictions.

3.    Notice.

When the Community Development Department determines upon the basis of a sight triangle investigation that such a traffic hazard exists, it shall notify the owner by certified mail and order that the hazard be removed within 10 days.

4.    Removal; Penalty.

The failure of the owner to remove such a traffic hazard within 10 days shall constitute an offense punishable by a penalty of $50.  Every day said owner shall fail to remove the hazard shall be a separate and distinct offense.  If the traffic hazard has not been removed within 10 days of the receipt of notice, the city shall remove the obstruction.  A notice of costs shall be sent to the property owner by certified mail.  If payment of costs is not received within 30 days after receipt of the invoice, the costs shall be certified with the County Clerk and added to the tax rolls of the county as a special assessment against the property.

5.    Severability.

If any provision of this policy is declared unconstitutional, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of the policy and the applicability thereof to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected.

(Code 2015)