1. Existing and ongoing agricultural activities, as defined in this chapter;

2. Activities involving artificially created wetlands or streams intentionally created from nonwetland sites, including but not limited to grass-lined swales, irrigation and drainage ditches, retention or detention facilities, and landscape features, except wetlands or streams created as mitigation or that provide critical habitat for salmonids and except when the site contains another critical area;

3. Normal and routine maintenance, operation, repair and reconstruction of existing roads, streets, utilities and associated structures; provided, that reconstruction of any structures may not increase the impervious area and may not cause further encroachment on the critical area or its buffer, and may not result in adverse impacts to surface water and groundwater quality. Operation and maintenance includes vegetation management performed in accordance with best management practices that is part of ongoing maintenance of structures, infrastructure, or utilities; provided, that such management actions are part of regular and ongoing maintenance, do not expand further into the critical area, are not the result of an expansion of the structure or utility, and do not directly impact an endangered or threatened species;

4. Minor Utility and Street Projects. Utility or street projects which have minor or short duration impacts to critical areas, as determined by the director in accordance with the criteria below, and which do not significantly impact the functions or values of a critical area(s); provided, that such projects are constructed with best management practices and additional restoration measures are provided. Minor activities shall not result in the transport of sediment or increased storm water. Such allowed minor utility projects shall meet the following criteria:

5. Normal maintenance, repair and reconstruction of residential or commercial structures, facilities and landscaping; provided, that reconstruction of any structures may not increase the previous floor area;

6. The addition of floor area within an existing building which does not increase the building footprint;

7. Additions to a legally established single-family residential structure in existence before May 13, 2005, located within a wetland or stream buffer may be permitted if all of the following criteria area met:

8. Site investigative work and studies that are prerequisite to preparation of an application for development authorization including soils tests, water quality studies, wildlife studies and similar tests and investigations; provided, that any disturbance of the critical area shall be the minimum necessary to carry out the work or studies;

9. Educational activities, scientific research, and outdoor passive recreational activities, including but not limited to interpretive field trips, birdwatching and hiking, that will not have a significant effect on the critical area;

10. Emergency activities necessary to prevent an immediate threat to public health, safety, property or the environment which requires immediate action within a time too short to allow full compliance with this chapter as long as any alteration undertaken pursuant to this subsection is reported to the city as soon as possible. Only the minimum intervention necessary to reduce the risk to public health, safety or welfare and/or the imminent risk of damage to private property shall be authorized by this exemption. The director shall confirm that an emergency exists or existed and determine what, if any, additional applications and/or measures shall be required to protect the environment consistent with the provision of this section and to repair any damage to a pre-existing resource;

11. Activities affecting previously legally filled wetlands;

12. Activities in storm and water quality basins and “wetlands” created by poorly maintained or plugged culverts or lines, and artificially created ditches that are not used by salmonids;

13. Minor activities not mentioned above and determined by the director to have minimal impacts to a critical area.