A Way to Make Our Streets Safer

Overgrown vegetation impedes the safe flow of traffic when it blocks our view of traffic signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles. If vegetation is blocking visibility in the street or an intersection, it is your responsibility as the adjacent property owner or resident to trim the vegetation. Below are the County visibility standards. To determine which one applies to your street, find the speed limit for your street. Residential street are 25 mph, unless otherwise posted.

Traffic Signs and Signals Visibility Standards

Street and Driveway Corners

All bushes near intersections can be no higher than Thirty (30) Inches giving clear visibility for pedestrians and vehicles, even if no traffic signs or signals are present. If the County is notified that there might be a visibility problem at your corner, we will contact you as a reminder to keep nearby vegetation trimmed. If the trees and shrubs are not trimmed in a timely manner, the County will trim the trees for you at your cost.

Streets and Sidewalks

To ensure safe passage for everyone, tree limbs over streets and sidewalks must meet the standards below:

When a tree abuts a sidewalk, it must be 7.5 feet above the surface and behind the right of way.

When a tree abuts an urban street,  it must be 14.0 feet above the surface and behind the right of way.

When a tree abuts a rural street, it must be 16.0 feet above the surface and behind the right of way.

About Trees & Public Property

The land between the curb and the Right-of-Way line is part of the public right-of-way.  However, county Codes require the adjacent property owner (or occupant) to maintain the strip. For more information, call (559) 624-7000.

Tulare County Ordinance Section 7-19-1210. Special Setback Distances:

Trees, Shrubs and Vines:

“In order to prevent trees, shrubs and vines from encroaching on County roads, it shall be unlawful to plant, or cause to be planted, a tree, shrub or vine less than ten (10) feet from the edge of the right of way, or one half (1/2) of the spacing for that type of tree, shrub or vine which is customary in orchards and vineyards in the area, whichever is greater.”