SDMC §113.0273 – Measuring Visibility Area (b) (1) (policy nomination)

Visibility Areas for ‘streets’ is an obnoxious regulation created with public safety (“adequate sight distance”) as the reason. In urban environments, street corners help define community character – just look at wonderful corners scattered all throughout San Francisco!

Enforcing a 25′ x 25′ triangular setback on urban corners (unless you’re willing to argue with the City Engineer over it) does not improve safety. In a city that was developed with small lot width dimensions, this regulation is not only a burden on property owners (having to maintain an open, somewhat public zone on their property) it is a regulation that limits developable building area and increases the cost of construction should you wish to use this area on upper floor levels when many urban zones allow for a zero-foot front & street-side setback.

I am NOT suggesting that Visibility Area regulations at narrower streets, alleys, or driveways be removed, although the entire code section could be revisited.