Chapter 12.12
OBSTRUCTION OF CORNERS
Sections:
12.12.010 Obstructions at public street intersections and intersection elbows.
12.12.020 Obstructions at private driveways and public streets.
12.12.030 Street right-of-way line defined.
12.12.010 Obstructions at public street intersections and intersection elbows.
It is unlawful to install, set out or maintain or to allow the installation, setting out or maintenance on property at any corner formed by intersecting streets or intersection elbows within the city of Rancho Cordova any sign, hedge, shrubbery, natural growth, fence or other obstruction to the view, higher than two feet, six inches above either the nearest pavement surface or the nearest traveled roadway (where there is no pavement) within that triangular area between the street right-of-way lines and a diagonal line joining points on the street right-of-way lines 20 feet from the point of their intersection or, in the case of rounded corners, the triangular area between the tangents to the curve and a diagonal line joining points on the tangent 20 feet from the point of their intersection. In the case of intersection elbows, 40-foot lengths instead of 20-foot lengths are applicable. The tangents referred to are those at the beginning and at the end of the curve at the corner. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(A)); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 0777 § 1, 1989, SCC 399 § 1, 1979; SCC 785 § 1, 1962].
12.12.020 Obstructions at private driveways and public streets.
It is unlawful to set out, install or maintain, or to allow the setting out, installation, or maintenance of any sign, hedge, structure, natural growth, fence, or other obstruction to the view higher than two feet, six inches above the nearest pavement surface (or traveled area where no pavement exists) on property adjacent to any private road or driveway intersecting a public street, within a triangular area formed by the edge of the driveway, the street right-of-way line, and a line connecting two points, one of which is on the right-of-way line 10 feet from the edge of the driveway, and the other of which is on the edge of the driveway 10 feet back of the right-of-way line measured perpendicular to the right-of-way line in a direction away from the street. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 399 § 2, 1979: SCC 1045 § 1, 1969: SCC 785 § 2, 1962].
12.12.030 Street right-of-way line defined.
Where the street right-of-way line is nearer to the centerline of the street than any existing sidewalk, the street right-of-way line shall be assumed to be coincidental with the back edge of the sidewalk for determining the triangular area for which this chapter controls obstructions to visibility. Where there is no sidewalk but the street right-of-way line is nearer to the centerline of the highway than any existing curb and gutter, the street right-of-way line shall be assumed to be coincidental with the back edge of the curb and gutter for determining the triangular area for which this chapter controls obstructions to visibility. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 785 § 3, 1962].
12.12.040 Exceptions.
The foregoing provisions shall not apply to the following:
A. Permanent buildings;
B. Public utility poles;
C. Trees trimmed to the trunk so as to provide a clear open space between pavement grade and a plane six feet higher, pavement grade being defined as either:
1. The nearest pavement surface; or
2. The nearest traveled roadway (where there is no pavement);
D. Saplings;
E. Fences of a type which in no way obstruct vision;
F. Supporting members of appurtenances to permanent buildings existing on October 31, 1962;
G. Official signs or signals;
H. Places where the contour of the ground is such that there can be no cross-visibility at the intersection;
I. Signs mounted so as to provide a clear, open space (except for supporting members) of 10 feet or more above the ground and whose supports do not constitute an obstruction as defined in RCMC 12.12.020;
J. Fences as may be required by the Federal Housing Administration or other home mortgage lending agency within subdivision corner lots as defined in RCMC Title 22, which have rear yards contiguous to a highway designated by the department of public works as a major highway with 100 feet of right-of-way, or designated by the department of public works as a major arterial with 80 feet of right-of-way or a frontage road;
K. Any passenger motor vehicle not to exceed six feet in height parked either temporarily or on display for sale on property zoned other than residential single-family, residential multiple-family or on other residential property. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 811 § 1 (part), 1963; SCC 785 § 4, 1962].
12.12.050 Enforcement.
A. This chapter shall be enforced by the department of public works of the city. The director of the department of public works or his authorized representative may investigate violations of this chapter, give such notices as may be required to carry out this chapter, and perform such other duties in connection with the enforcement of this chapter as may be appropriate.
B. Remedies. Any obstruction maintained in violation of this chapter may be deemed a public nuisance, and upon failure to abate the same within 15 days after posting upon the premises of a notice to abate the nuisance signed by the public works director, or his authorized representative, and after sending a copy of the notice to abate by registered mail addressed to the owner of record, as shown on the most recent assessment roll of the county of Sacramento, to the address as shown on the assessment roll, the director, or his authorized representative, may enter upon the premises and remove or eliminate the obstruction. In such event, the cost to the city of the abatement of the nuisance shall be a lien upon the premises. The cost of such abatement shall, in addition, be a personal obligation against the owner of the premises upon which the nuisance was maintained, recoverable by the city in an action before any court of competent jurisdiction. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(H)); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 0777 § 2, 1989; SCC 785 § 5, 1962].
12.12.060 Scope.
No obstruction to cross-visibility shall be deemed to be excepted from the application of this chapter because of its being in existence at the time of the adoption hereof, unless expressly exempted by the terms of RCMC 12.12.040. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 785 § 7, 1962].