Guidelines For Evaluating Visibility Improvement Requested (VIR) Work

Section I. General Guidelines

1. Section 501.22 of the Encroachment Permits Manual describes the Outdoor Advertising Visibility Improvement Encroachment Permit. It requires:
   • A 152.4 meter (500 foot) limit of work;
   • City or county consent if cost of tree removal is more than $500;
   • Thirty day limit for city or county review;
   • The permit application to be reviewed by specified Caltrans personnel;
   • Work to be performed in accordance with the guidelines of the International Society of Arboriculture, current ANSI A300 Standards.
     
2. Visibility improvement modification shall not detract from appearance, compromise function, or adversely affect the maintainability or longevity of the vegetation. Within these limitations, the intent is to maintain:
   • Visibility of off-premise displays; and,
   • Identity of on-premise business establishments adjacent to the freeway. Pruning to identify businesses is allowed. Pruning or removal of vegetation to provide showroom visibility of businesses, being able to view window or exterior displays of merchandise or services, is not allowed.
   
   
3. Pruning of vegetation is the preferred method for achieving visibility improvement. Pruning shall not disfigure or compromise the health of the plant. More frequent light pruning may be preferred. Removal of more than 25% of existing tree canopy is not allowed.
   
   
4. The 152.4 meter (500 foot) visibility improvement limit for off and on-premise outdoor advertising displays is shown on Attachment A. Highway alignment due to curves may require modification to this guide. However, the 500 foot limit shall not be exceeded.
   
   
5. Removal of obstructing vegetation will only be considered if replacement vegetation is installed and maintained until established by the permittee as directed by Caltrans. Replacement vegetation may be installed in the location of the removed vegetation or at other locations in the vicinity as directed by Caltrans. Where replacement vegetation is to be installed, the overall aesthetic quality of the existing landscaping should not be changed. Caltrans district office will evaluate the need for coordination with the local community when vegetation is to be removed and replaced.
   
   
6. Installation of new irrigation systems or modification of existing systems necessary to accommodate a change in type of plant material, additional plants, or for relocated plants shall be considered as integral to the requested work.
   
   
7. When reviewing requests involving designated "landscaped freeway" sections, modification of the vegetation shall not adversely affect the designation.
   
   
8. Caltrans strives to be a good neighbor and treat all in a fair and equal manner. It is not our responsibility to attempt to assess the degree of benefit which may accrue to the business due to the requested trimming or modification. Our judgment shall be based on the considerations listed above and on current design standards.
   
   
9. Where planting is owned and maintained by the local jurisdiction, e.g. on a conventional highway, visibility pruning and replacement planting should comply with the requirements of the local jurisdiction.
   
   
10. For displays on American Indian Reservations, Caltrans may issue permits for visibility improvement pruning according to these guidelines.
    
    
11. Pruning may be delayed until the horticulturally appropriate time of year.
    
    
12. Bonding may be required.
    
    
13. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 17, passed in September 1989, requires State agencies to preserve and protect native oak woodlands and to provide for replacement plantings whenever Blue, Engelmann, Valley or Coast Live Oak are removed from native woodlands.

Section II. Guidelines for Disapproving VIR Work

The following criteria should be considered when disapproving the requested VIR work:

1. The request involves an off-premise (outdoor advertising) display adjacent to existing planting when the off-premise display was placed subsequent to the planting.
   
   
2. The display is illegally placed.
   
   
3. The display is currently under contract with the State or local jurisdiction to be removed within one year.*
   
   
4. The display is required to be removed within one year pursuant to a local zoning ordinance.*
   
   
5. A right of way take affecting the display is imminent within one year.*
   
   
6. The vegetation to be trimmed, relocated or replaced for visibility improvement is over 152.4 meters (500 feet) from the display or business measured along the highway. (See: Typical Visibility Improvement Limits graphic below.)
   
   
7. The tree or group of trees is determined to be a scenic resource which would be reduced or compromised by pruning. A scenic resource is defined as a tree that displays outstanding features of form or age, landmark tree, trees accented in a setting as a focus of attention, unusual planting that has historical value or a tree having unique value associated with its type of appearance.
   
   
8. The permittee has not fulfilled previous commitments or mitigations.

* Minor pruning may be done at the discretion of the District.

A Classified "Landscaped Freeway" is a section of freeway with planting that meets the criteria of the Outdoor Advertising Regulations. It is used in the control and regulation of Outdoor Advertising Displays.

 

Section III. Guidelines for Pruning Plants in the Median

1. Permits to prune plants in the median are intended to be used on sections of highway which are currently being pruned, or need pruning for safety.
   
   
2. Reasonable starting and stopping points for the median pruning should be considered. Reasonable points can be:
   • at overcrossings, undercrossings, bridges or similar structures.
     
   • at the beginning or ending of a planting or breaks in the planting of 61 meters (200 feet) or more.
     
   
   
3. After the limits of the project are identified, the permit should specify the traffic control requirements including access times/dates and special access requirements. The time of year to prune, the type of equipment to use and any special treatment required shall be based on the types of plants, site conditions, and geographical location of the project and shall be noted on the permit.
   
   
4. Plants are to be side-pruned to a width sufficient to provide clearance required for the safety of the traveling public. Plants shall be top-pruned to a height no lower than 1.5 meters (5 feet) measured from the higher paved shoulder.