A. “Accelerated erosion” means erosion much more rapid than normal or geologic erosion, primarily as a result of the influence of the activities of humans or, in some cases, of the animals or natural catastrophes that expose bare surfaces (e.g., fires).

B. “Clearing” means the destruction and removal of vegetation by manual, mechanical, or chemical methods.

C. “Filling” means the act of transporting or placing (by any manner or mechanism) fill material from, to, or on any soil surface, natural vegetative covering of soil surface, or fill material (including temporary stockpiling of fill material).

D. “Grading” means any excavating, filling, clearing, or re-contouring of the ground surface or combination thereof.

E. “Ground cover” means small plants such as salal, ferns, mosses, grasses or other types of vegetation which normally cover the ground, including trees less than six inches in diameter measured at 24 inches above ground level, which renders the surface of the soil stable against accelerated erosion.

F. “Impervious surface” means a hard surface area that either prevents or retards the entry of water into the soil mantle as under natural conditions prior to development. A hard surface area which causes water to run off in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from the flow under natural conditions prior to development. Common impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to, rooftops, walkways, patios, driveways, parking lots, storage areas, concrete or asphalt paving, gravel roads, packed earthen materials, and oiled macadam or other surfaces which similarly impede the natural infiltration of storm water. Open, uncovered retention/detention facilities shall not be considered as impervious surfaces for the purpose of determining whether the thresholds for application of minimum requirements are exceeded. Open, uncovered retention/detention facilities shall be considered impervious surfaces for purposes of runoff modeling.

G. “Land disturbing activity” means any activity that results in movement of earth, or a change in the existing soil cover (both vegetative and nonvegetative) and/or the existing soil topography. Land disturbing activities include, but are not limited to, clearing, grading, filling, and excavation. Compaction that is associated with stabilization of structures and road construction shall also be considered land disturbing activity. Vegetation maintenance practices are not considered land disturbing activity.

H. “Permanent structure” means any buildings which are immovable including homes, garages, barns, storage buildings, or a driveway not wider than 20 feet which is the exclusive route of ingress and egress to an immovable garage or carport.

I. “Pre-loading” means the placement of material with the intent to surcharge and compress subsurface soils for a limited amount of time.

J. “Permit” means official document issued by the city that authorizes a specified scope of work. Document may be in the form of discrete permit approval documents or as plans approved in conjunction with associated public facility extension (FAC) or capital project.

K. “Sedimentation” means the process by which solid particulate matter is transported by water off the site of the land disturbing activity and settles onto land or the bed of a creek, stream, river, wetland, pond, lake, or other water body.

L. “Stockpiling” means the placement of material with the intent to remove at a later time.

M. “Tree” means any self-supporting perennial woody plant characterized by natural growth of one main stem or trunk with a definite crown, and maturing at a height of at least six feet above the ground.

N. “Shrubs” means any living terrestrial plant or vegetation other than a tree or ground cover on land.

O. “Significant tree” means a healthy evergreen tree, six inches or more in diameter measured four feet above grade, or a healthy deciduous tree four inches or more in diameter measured four feet above grade.

P. “Underdeveloped property” means any parcel which under the city’s zoning code may be further subdivided to allow further development, or is not already developed to the fullest zoning potential.

Q. “Undeveloped property” means any parcel which has not been altered from its natural state by grading or filling or by construction of private structures or public infrastructure that allows further development. (Ord. 6902 § 21, 2023; Ord. 6601 § 33, 2016; Ord. 6283 § 13, 2009; Ord. 6146 § 1, 2007; Ord. 4861 § 1, 1996; Ord. 4266 § 1, 1988.)