Landscaping
- Overgrown Sidewalks
- Intersection Sight Distance
- Vegetation Blocking Signs
- Low Tree Branches
- View blocked at Driveways
Landscaping – Keeping sidewalks clear and safe
Sometimes property owners are not aware that overgrown vegetation can become a safety hazard and is regulated by City Code.
When it comes to sidewalks, property owners are required to keep flowers, shrubs, trees and other vegetation from growing over the sidewalk, from the side or above (branches can not hang lower than 9 feet above the walking surface. If there are no sidewalks, vegetation may still be required to be trimmed away from the right-of-way because the vegetation has become a sight obstruction or other nuisance.
Landscaping must be maintained to allow for adequate intersection sight distance
Sometimes property owners are not aware that overgrown vegetation can become a safety hazard and is regulated by City Code.
For corner properties, a minimum sight triangle is required to be kept clear for unobstructed view where two residential local streets intersect. The minimum sight triangle measurement will depend on the classification of the roadway, speeds, street grade, etc., but can be determined by reference City Code. Where two residential local streets intersect, the minimum sight triangle is typically 10 by 10 feet.
A single tree trunk is allowable within that triangle as long it is pruned up high enough that view is not blocked, generally 8 feet. Low vegetation is allowable within the triangle as long as it is routinely maintained so it stays always below two feet of height. Please note that the City will generally not interfere with residents’ landscaping unless it poses a safety hazard. Many times vegetation can be quite desirable at intersections! For example, if an intersection has no landscaping and is wide open, motorists tend to drive though at higher speeds and possibly ignore stop signs.
Vegetation may not block view of traffic signs
Sometimes property owners are not aware that overgrown vegetation can become a safety hazard and is regulated by City Code.
Vegetation around STOP signs: Vegetation should never block the view of a stop sign or oncoming traffic. However, most people do not know that a STOP sign does not mark the spot from where motorist can always see cross traffic. The STOP sign only marks where one should stop in a safe distance from the intersection and where pedestrians cross. Sometimes, due to physical constraints, stop signs have to be placed farther from the intersection than it would if no limitation were present. After the initial stop, motorists are to slowly and carefully roll forward where they have a clear view of the street, which in some cases is fairly close to the cross street. If you find the view blocked at the stop sign or stop bar, please move forward as far as you can. If the view is still blocked by landscaping, please be sure to let us know by filing a service request online or calling the Citizen Resource Center at 417-864-1010.
Vegetation blocking warning or regulatory signs: Property owners are required to maintain vegetation in such a manner that traffic signs are not obstructed. To report an overgrown sign, please be sure to let us know by filing a service request online or calling the Citizen Resource Center at 417-864-1010.
Tree branches hindering vehicles or pedestrians
Sometimes property owners are not aware that overgrown vegetation can become a safety hazard and is regulated by City Code.
Private trees must to be maintained by the property owners, as defined by City code.
Trees over sidewalk and the public Right-of-Way must have their branches trimmed up to nine feet. Foliage may not intrude from the side and should be trimmed back at least one foot from the sidewalk. At intersections, where there is a tree within the sight triangle, tree branches must be trimmed up to 8 feet. Shrubs, grasses and other vegetation over 2 feet are not permitted in the sight triangle. See the Intersection Sight Distance tab. Branches have to be pruned so they do not hang lower than 12 feet above the roadway, obstructing large vehicles such as buses or dump trucks.
Trees planted in the public Right-of-Way must have a tree permit.
Sight distance at Driveways
Sometimes property owners are not aware that overgrown vegetation can become a safety hazard and is regulated by City Code.
Most residents back out of their driveways, and it is important that the view is unobstructed. One person's driveway with tall vegetation can negatively effect the sight for many neighbors. Therefore, property owners are required to keep vegetation low where the driveway meets the street. By ordinance, the first 12 feet of the driveway should not have any vegetation over 2 feet growing next to it.
Complaints and judgment calls
If view is blocked from a reasonable distance from the intersection, a sign is obscured or vegetation is physically blocking a sidewalk, pathway, or road, please submit a sight obstruction complaint by following this link.
Public Works staff will confirm the obstruction and take further action to remedy the situation. In most cases, Public Works leaves an educational door hanger that points out the property owner's responsibility and the current violation. In some cases, Public Works will have to follow abatement procedures, which is a legal process.