Chesapeake enforces a sight triangle at all street intersections requiring fences, walls, and landscaping to be no taller than 30 inches within the triangle. The typical triangle extends 25 feet along each street from the corner. Violations create traffic hazards and are strictly enforced.
The Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance requires an unobstructed sight triangle at street intersections to preserve driver visibility. In most residential corner lots, the sight triangle is formed by measuring 25 feet along each street right-of-way from the intersection point and connecting those points with a hypotenuse. Within this triangle, no fence, wall, sign, or dense planting may exceed 30 inches in height. Trees may be allowed if branches are pruned above 8 feet. Commercial and arterial intersections have larger sight triangles (often 35-50 feet per side). This requirement applies even where city or zoning rules would otherwise permit a 4-foot front yard fence. Compliance is verified during permit review but also enforceable on existing installations if a sight hazard is identified. HOAs cannot override this safety requirement.
Sight obstruction: immediate notice, 15-day compliance order. Noncompliance leads to $100-$500 fine and possible city removal at owner cost.
See how Chesapeake's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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