Street corners covered with overgrown vegetation and other objects that obstruct our view of pedestrians, bicyclists, and cross-street traffic cause a definite hazard to the traveling public. It is critical to traffic safety that sight distance triangles remain free from barriers to visual clearance.

What is a sight distance triangle?

These are areas defined by a driver's line of sight and the location of a visual barrier that is a potential safety hazard. Sight distance problems frequently occur at intersections in neighborhoods where homeowners plant and fail to maintain tall shrubs or build fences that block a driver’s view.

What does the Redmond Community Development Guide say about sight distance at intersections?

Section 20D.210.25 explains sight distance at intersections as follows: "The obstruction of a motor vehicle operator's view at an intersection shall be prohibited within the "Sight Distance Triangle" described in this section between a height of two feet and eight feet above existing street grade. Sight obstructions that shall be excluded from the "Sight Distance Triangle" include parked vehicles, signs, fences, hedges, shrubs, natural vegetation, trees, and other inanimate objects greater than one foot in width. Sight obstructions that are permitted in the "Sight Distance Triangle" include utility poles, traffic control devices, trees, and other inanimate objects 1.5 feet or less in width and spaced at least 50 feet apart."

Check the Redmond Community Development Guide for “sight clearance triangles” for a graphic depiction.

As a homeowner, am I responsible for keeping the sight distance triangle clear?

If you live on a corner and a sight clearance problem is created by overgrown vegetation on your property, the City's Code Enforcement Officers will notify you by mail that you need to take care of the problem within two weeks. If the problem is not resolved within that time frame, Street Operations crews will leave a door hanger at your home with the date they will return to remove the obstruction. Once their work is complete, the homeowner is billed for the job.

A sight clearance problem that presents an immediate traffic safety hazard, such as a stop, yield, or speed limit sign blocked from view by overgrown vegetation, has to be resolved within 24 hours. The homeowner is notified to take care of the obstruction, but the City will return the next day to do the job if the homeowner fails to do so. 

Report a Problem

If you need more information about sight distance, or want to report a problem, contact the City of Redmond Code Enforcement Office at 425.556.2412.