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Visual Clear Zone
Brochure pdf
The City of Hillsboro has implemented a vegetation program to insure that the City Code requirements are met. These codes were adopted to provide improved vehicular and pedestrian safety and to enhance maintenance abilities.
A Public Works employee placed this pamphlet on your door to notify you of an existing problem that is in violation of Municipal Code, Sub-Section 8, "Health and Safety" Number 8.20.010.
On the following pages is a brief description of each vegetation or visual clear zone. In the Procedures section of this pamphlet one or more boxes have been checked to indicate which clear zone is in violation.
Visual Clear Zones at Intersections
Concerned about the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers, the City of Hillsboro has established visual clear zones at all intersections to help people approaching an intersection see each other clearly. The zone includes the area behind the property line (on private property) and the area on the street side of the property line (within public right-of-way).
Vegetation and/or landscaping on or abutting your property has grown to the point where it restricts sight distance and must be trimmed to insure public safety. See illustration below.
Street and Sidewalk Vegetation Clear Zones
In order to insure unimpeded parking and maintenance of city streets and alleys, trees must be trimmed to a 13-foot minimum above roadways. Shrubbery cannot extend past the edge of a curb line. These guidelines are set to allow street sweepers to do a thorough job and prevent damage to vehicles when parking. These practices also aid in reducing unwanted materials from being washed down storm drains which may plug the lines or overburden wastewater treatment plants.
In order to prevent pedestrian traffic from being hindered when using public sidewalks, trees must be trimmed 8 feet above sidewalks and shrubs may not extend past the sidewalk edge.
Vegetation has grown, within the zone, to the point where it interferes with vehicular or pedestrian access and must be trimmed. See illustration below.
Traffic Control Device Clear Zone
In order to promote safe and orderly flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, traffic signs and signals must be visible far enough in advance to allow adequate time for a motorist to identify and respond to the message the device is conveying. Overhanging tree branches or other vegetation may obstruct these devices resulting in delayed reactions which may cause crashes.
Vegetation from your property or vegetation in the right-of-way abutting your property has grown to the point where it obstructs traffic signs or signals and must be trimmed.
Procedures
One or more of the boxes below has been checked which indicates the type of vegetation problem that must be addressed.
Visual Clear Zone Needing Attention For Trimming
 VISUAL CLEAR ZONES AT INTERSECTIONS
 STREET AND SIDEWALK VEGETATION CLEAR ZONES
 TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE CLEAR ZONE
In a few days a Public Works crew will return to perform this work. Work will be done according to proper tree trimming standards as far as practical and all debris will be removed. There is no charge to you for this work.
If you prefer to perform the work yourself or have any other special considerations such as usable wood, questions, etc., please call the Public Works Department at 503-615-6509.
Please be aware that if you choose to do the trimming yourself, you are responsible for the removal of all debris.
THANK YOU!
OTHER INFORMATION SERIES TOPICS
Additional
information series brochures are also available
through the City of Hillsboro Engineering Division on
the following topics:
• NEIGHBORHOOD
TRAFFIC CALMING
• STOP
SIGNS
• SPEED ZONING
Public Works Department
Operations Division
142 SE Maple Street
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Phone: 503-615-6509
Fax: 503-615-6580
www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/PublicWorks
Engineering Division
150 E Main Street, 4th Floor
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Phone: 503-681-6146
Fax: 503-681-6245
www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/PublicWorks
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