Corner lots in Cornelius must maintain a clear sight triangle at street intersections. No fence, wall, or vegetation over 3 feet tall is permitted within the 25-foot sight triangle measured from the intersection of right-of-way lines.
Cornelius Land Development Code (LDC) enforces sight-distance triangles at all street intersections and at driveway/street junctions to reduce collisions. The triangle is measured 25 feet along each right-of-way (not curb) line from the point of intersection, connected by the hypotenuse. Within this area nothing over 3 feet in height (measured from street crown) is allowed, including solid fences, decorative walls, hedges, shrubs, ornamental grasses, or parked vehicles. Tree canopies must be limbed up to at least 8 feet. NCDOT applies stricter triangles at state-maintained roads including NC-115 (Main St/Statesville Rd), NC-73, and Catawba Ave. Driveway triangles are typically 10 feet x 10 feet. Violations identified by Code Enforcement or reported by NCDOT following a crash investigation. The town can order immediate removal at owner expense under nuisance-abatement authority.
Code Enforcement issues a written notice with 10 to 30 day cure period. Non-compliance: civil penalty 50 to 100 dollars per day under Cornelius LDC enforcement. Town may abate the nuisance (cut/remove obstruction) and bill the property owner, with lien attaching to the parcel.
See how other cities in Mecklenburg County handle fence requirements.
See how Cornelius's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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