Torrance Municipal Code Art. 2 Visibility at Intersections

No person owning or in possession of real property shall install or maintain, or permit the installation or maintenance or existence of any tree, shrub or plant within that triangular area between the property lines parallel to intersecting streets and a diagonal line joining points on said property lines twenty-five (25) feet from the intersection of said property lines or within twenty (20) feet of said property lines, which growth prevents or interferes with a driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection on one street seeing a vehicle approaching the intersection on another street.

Subject to the provisions of Section 75.2.5., whenever the Traffic Engineer finds that any tree, shrub or plant does exist within the area described in the foregoing Section, he shall cause such growth to be reduced or trimmed to provide a clear cross-visibility within the area bounded by three (3) feet above the edge of the roadway and six (6) feet above the edge of the roadway.

The foregoing provisions shall not apply to public utility poles, permanent buildings or walls, trees trimmed to the trunk so that only the trunk obstructs the view, or to ground cover not exceeding eighteen (18) inches in height.

No obstruction to cross-visibility shall be deemed to be excepted from the application of this Article because of its existence at the time of the adoption thereof.

In addition to the remedy by prosecution for violation of this Article, any obstruction maintained in violation of this Article shall be deemed a nuisance, upon failure to abate the same within ten (10) days after notice thereof has been given as provided in Section 75.2.6., the Superintendent of Parks or his authorized representative may enter upon the premises and remove or eliminate the obstruction.

No tree, shrub or plant standing on private property shall be cut down, trimmed or removed pursuant to Section 75.2.5. unless ten (10) days notice thereof in writing shall first be given by the Superintendent of Parks to the owner or occupant of the property upon which such nuisance exists.

If the owner or occupant of said private property within seven (7) days after receipt of said notice files with the Superintendent of Parks his written objection to the removal of any tree, shrub or plant, such tree, shrub or plant shall not be cut down or removed unless so ordered by the City Council.