View Restoration, LBMC Chapter 12.16.050, allows a property owner to restore an established pre-existing view. Establishment of a pre-existing view is required to begin Phase 1 of the process, mediation. Should mediation fail to provide a private agreement, the applicant may file for Phase 2, a public hearing before the View Restoration Committee. 

• Notice of Intent to File (Phase I) 
• Application (Phase II)
• Information Guide
• Flowchart

View Restoration requires photographs of the current obstructing vegetation and photographs of the preexisting view(s). Photographs must document the view that existed on or after either the date of acquisition of the claimant's property or November 4, 2003 (the effective date of Ordinance No. 1430 relating to view preservation), whichever is earlier. Photographs from Real Estate websites are not acceptable. Enhanced or altered photographs are not acceptable. Views from hallways, closets, mechanical rooms, bathrooms and garages shall not be considered. 

View Preservation, LBMC Chapter 12.16.040, allows a property owner to document their unobstructed view by filing for a Record of View. The Record of View (click button to the right) does not set height limits on vegetation but rather sets a benchmark for determining significant view impairment should the view become obstructed by vegetation.

• Application
• The View Preservation Process

The view is documented by city staff from selected viewing locations inside the primary residential structure (as defined in LBMC 12.16.020). Submittal of personal photographs is not allowed. View Preservation pertains solely to vegetation. Structures and development of a property is considered by the Design Review Board. Once the photographs are done, you cannot re-record your view later if your view continues to improve. If you currently have a view that you are pleased with, it is highly recommended that you file a View Preservation as soon as possible. 

What is the difference between View Preservation and View Restoration?

View Restoration is a process to restore a previously unobstructed view corridor through mediation or a hearing of the View Restoration Committee, and it requires pre-existing photographs and a documented attempt at neighborly mediation prior to City intervention.

View Preservation is a process where the City captures the unobstructed view corridor in a photographic record-of-views. A determination of significant obstruction based on the criteria in the ordinance is required for restoration or enforcement of a view corridor.

Can you have a View Preservation and a View Restoration at the same time? 

You may have a View Restoration order FIRST against one property and subsequently file a View Preservation to protect the remainder of your view. If you have a View Preservation on file FIRST, you cannot then file for a View Restoration. Enforcement of View Preservation is done through Code Enforcement in order to achieve restoration. 

I have a View Preservation (Record of Views) on file and I believe there is a significant view impairment. Who do I contact?

See: https://clients.comcate.com/newrequest.php?id=167#1 Under “Trees” click on “View Impairment.” City staff must confirm that a significant view impairment of an established Record of Views exists prior to the city informing the affected vegetation owners. Determination of significant view impairment is based on the criteria set forth in L.B.M.C. 12.16.030.