Street/Sidewalk Obstructions

Street or Sidewalk Obstructions

The City of Fruita Municipal code contains several regulations with regard to obstructing streets and/or sidewalks, whether it is for passage or sight. In general it is a violation to place items (such as hoops, ramps, trash cans, fences or walls, etc.) or allow vegetation (such as trees or shrubs) to grow in a public right-of-way in such a way as to obstruct either the passage or sight line of others. Some of the related sections follow:

8.06.100 Pruning and Clearance. Every owner of any tree on their property which overhangs any street, right-of-way, alley, corner, or any other public area or way within the City shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light of a street light, street signs or obstruct the view of any intersection, so that there shall be a clear space of nine feet (9') above the sidewalk or driveway and thirteen feet (13') above the street. Said owners shall remove all dead, diseased, or dangerous branches, or broken or decayed limbs on their trees which constitute a menace to the safety of the public, and shall bear the full financial burden of removal. (Ord. 1993-19)

8.08.080(E.2) Placing of Waste Matter for collection: Containers for solid waste and recyclable materials shall not, at any time, be placed on the sidewalk or in the street or alley, or in such a manner as to impair or obstruct pedestrian, bicycle or vehicular traffic.

9.11.030(R.) Obstructing or tending to obstruct or interfere with or render dangerous for passage any street or sidewalk, lake, stream, drainage, canal or basin, or any public park without first obtaining the written permission of the City, specifically including the placement of portable toilets, construction dumpsters, construction materials, construction debris, topsoil, and/or landscaping material on City streets or sidewalks; or

12.12.020 Clear Passageway on Sidewalk Required When. No person or persons, except when necessarily engaged in loading or unloading goods, wares, and merchandise, shall be allowed to pile up, deposit or keep upon any sidewalk any boxes, bales, barrels, goods, wares or other articles, and when so engaged such person shall at all times leave a passageway of at least two feet wide clear upon such sidewalk for the use of foot passengers. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Section commits a noncriminal municipal offense. (Ord. 44 Art. 2 S8, 1907; Ord. 2000-9, S94)

12.12.040 Trees and Plants - Trimming Requirements. All trees and plants standing on any private property in the city shall be kept by the owner or occupant of the property so that the branches of such trees and plants projecting over any public sidewalk or private driveway shall be not less than nine (9) feet above the sidewalk or driveway. In estimating said height, police department personnel shall take into consideration the variation of height due to normal rain, snow, sleet, and foliage conditions. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Section commits a noncriminal municipal offense.(Ord. 1984-29; Ord. 2000-9, S96)

17.07.070(H.1) No fence shall be erected in such location upon any lot or property in a manner constituting a traffic hazard because of obstruction of view. The City of Fruita Design Criteria and Construction Specifications Manual and the City of Fruita Land Use Code shall be used as the criteria for determining compliance. No fence shall be constructed to within four (4) feet of or prevent access to any fire hydrant, utility pedestal, vault, cabinet or similar feature.