The placement of a sign has great impact on the ability of drivers to see oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The visibility obstruction triangle is also referred to as: "clear vision area" or "the sight triangle". This triangular-shaped area is a geometric calculation of the ability of drivers or pedestrians to tell if they can safely enter the traffic flow or cross the street.
Signs, fences, landscaping and other obstructions within this area are limited to a specific height above the elevation of the curb or street centerline so that drivers stopped at an intersection can see oncoming traffic. For design standards of visibility obstruction triangles see our standard drawing STD-401(Visibility Obstruction Triangle, Missoula Municipal Code 12.28.020).
All ground, sidewalk and other signs, as determined by Development Services staff, require the Visibility Obstruction Triangle to be shown on the site plan required with the application documentation.
Engineering Division approval must be in place before a sign permit is issued final approval.