16.10.030 Applicability – Regulated activities.
A. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to any activity that potentially affects a critical area or its buffer unless otherwise exempt. Such regulated activities include but are not limited to:
1. Removing, excavating, disturbing or dredging soil, sand, gravel, minerals, organic matter, or materials of any kind;
2. Dumping, discharging or filling with any material;
3. Draining, flooding or disturbing the water level or water table, or diverting or impeding water flow;
4. Driving pilings or placing obstructions;
5. Constructing, reconstructing, demolishing, or altering the size of any structure or infrastructure;
6. Destroying or altering vegetation through clearing, grading, harvesting, shading, or planting vegetation that would alter the character of or impact a critical area;
7. Release of contaminants to soil or water;
8. Activities that result in significant changes in water temperature, physical or chemical characteristics of water sources, including quantity and pollutants; and
9. Any other activity potentially affecting a critical area or buffer not otherwise exempt from the provisions of this chapter as determined by the director.
B. To avoid duplication, the following permits and approvals shall be subject to and coordinated with the requirements of this chapter: land clearing; grading; subdivision or short subdivision; building permit; planned unit development (if permitted by the city code); shoreline substantial development; variance; conditional use permit; and any other permits that may lead to the development or alteration of land.
C. Administrative actions, such as rezones, annexations, and the adoption of plans and programs, shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter. However, the director may, using discretion, permit any studies or evaluations required by this chapter to use methodologies and provide a level of detail appropriate to the administrative action proposed. (Ord. 6733 § 3 (Exh. B), 2019; Ord. 6187 § 3, 2008; Ord. 5991 § 3, 2006; Ord. 5894 § 1, 2005.)