5.1.7. Sight Distance Triangles

   A.   Sight Distance Triangles Established. Corner lots and lots with driveways, alleys, or other methods of ingress/egress to a street shall include sight distance triangles to ensure visibility for drivers and pedestrians moving through or in an intersection. Required sight distance triangles shall be configured in accordance with Table 5.1.7.A: Sight Distance Triangle Requirements. Land within a required sight distance triangle shall comply with the standards in Section 5.1.7.C, Limitations on Obstructions within Required Sight Distance Triangles.

 

TABLE 5.1.7.A: SIGHT DISTANCE TRIANGLE REQUIREMENTS
Type of Street, Intersection, or Driveway		Minimum Sight Distance Triangle Configuration Required [1] [2]
Intersections of streets [3]		10/70
Driveways serving parking lots		10/70
Driveways serving individual land uses without parking lots	Single-family detached, single-family attached, Duplex, Triplex, Quadriplex	None
	All other uses of land	10/70, wherever possible
NOTES: [1] The NCDOT may require an alternative sight distance triangle configuration. [2] AASHTO requirements shall be applied to curved or curvilinear streets. [3] Includes all streets (State-maintained and Town-maintained).

 

   B.   Measurement of Sight Distance Triangle. Sight distance triangles shall be an area between a point at the edge of a street right-of-way located 70 linear feet from the intersection and a second point at the edge of the opposing street right-of-way located ten feet from the intersection (see Figure 5.1.7.B: Sight Distance Triangles).

   C.   Limitations on Obstructions Within Required Sight Distance Triangles.

      1.   No planting, structure, fence, wall, slope, embankment, parked vehicle, or other obstruction to vision between the heights of two-and-one-half (2 ½) feet and ten feet above the centerline grades of intersecting streets or accessways may be located within a required sight distance triangle.

      2.   No structure or object, regardless of its size, which obstructs visibility within a required sight distance triangle to the detriment of vehicular or pedestrian traffic shall be permitted.

Figure 5.1.7.B: Sight Distance Triangles

(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)