Keeping Sidewalks Clear Of Plantings Per City Code

 

hedge in neighborhood

The Laurelhurst Blog has received emails from neighbors requesting that those that own overgrown hedges or other plantings partially covering sidewalks maintain them to keep sidewalks completely clear. 

Some comments received said:

Thanks for asking neighbors to be good neighbors and to take care of their sidewalks. 

Plants infringing on sidewalks is a City ordinance violation. Neighbors can upload pictures and addresses to the City's "Find It Fix it" smartphone app. The City will then contact the advise property owner to clear the debris off the sidewalk or face a fine.  I have the City Code which is very clear that horizontal or vertical intrusions of sidewalks must be abated by the property owner. There must ben an 8 feet clearance above the sidewalk and 14 feet above the street. Sidewalks must be clear all the way across. 

I have concerns about the number of overgrown shrubs, which are City code violations.   It makes it difficult to stay on the sidewalk, in some cases, and poses a danger when walking with children and pets and having to walk into the street.

Unfortunately, I was scratched across the face by a tree limb hanging over a sidewalk on an evening walk.  Neighbors can report overgrowth over a sidewalk on the Find it Fix It site as maintaining sidewalk space is the responsibility of the home owner as well as the parking strip.

It would be greatly appreciated if neighbors could trim back their plants that encroach on the sidewalks in front of their homes.  It's very hard in some areas of the neighborhood to walk side-by-side in too many places in the neighborhood. 

One neighbor received this information after reporting overgrowth from Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI):

SDCI enforces the Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 10.52 Weeds and Vegetation Code. It applies to vegetation that originates on private property or adjacent planting strips and encroaches onto the public right of way (that is, the sidewalk, street or alley).

Property owners are required to trim or remove vegetation growing on their private property that overhangs and obstructs streets, alleys or sidewalks or creates a fire hazard. A clearance of 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over traveled roadways is required. In most cases, abutting property owners must also trim vegetation that interferes with the view of an intersection at a distance of 30 feet. SDCI will inspect only those complaints of vegetation overgrowth that indicates a hazardous situation such as blocked traffic visibility or overgrowth that forces pedestrians off the sidewalk into the street. Other violations of the Weeds and Vegetation Code will be recorded and information about code requirements sent to the property owner or occupant responsible for the site. Information on regulation of vegetation overgrowth is available here. To report vegetation overgrowth from private property go here or call (206) 684-CITY (2489).

The City of Seattle code states:

To protect the health and safety of the public, it is important to keep streets, alleys and sidewalks free of obstructions, litter, and other material.

Property owners must trim or remove overhanging trees, plants, shrubs, vegetation or debris which obstruct streets, alleys or sidewalks, or which are a fire hazard.