Onondaga County and NY VTL require clear sight triangles at street intersections for traffic safety. Typical residential standard: a 30 ft × 30 ft triangle measured from the curbs or pavement edges, kept clear of fences, hedges, and plantings taller than 3 feet. Enforcement is local — each town's zoning code incorporates the standard.
Onondaga County Department of Transportation design standards and NY Vehicle & Traffic Law §1202(a)(1) prohibit obstructions that interfere with visibility at intersections. Most Onondaga towns adopt a 30 ft × 30 ft corner-visibility triangle on local residential streets, with larger triangles (up to 50 ft × 50 ft or 30 ft × 100 ft) on arterials or county routes. Within the triangle, solid fences, walls, signs, shrubs, and tree branches below 8 feet must be kept below 3 feet in height. Syracuse Zoning Ordinance applies similar rules at city street corners. Property owners are responsible for trimming vegetation; towns can enter and abate at owner's cost.
Civil infraction: $50–$250 per violation; daily fines for continuing obstructions. If a crash is attributed to the obstruction, owner may face civil liability. Abatement costs billed to property owner and placed as lien if unpaid.
See how Syracuse's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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