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It shall be unlawful for any person to disturb any existing vegetation, grades, and contours of land without first applying for and receiving a permit from the building official.
The following development projects do not require written approval pursuant to this chapter: (1)
Construction, alteration, or use of any additions or existing single-family or two-family homes or related structures, when determined by the building official to be insignificant, and such construction, alteration and use does not exceed 1,000 square feet, does not occur within 100 feet of any watercourse or coastal feature, and the slopes at the site of land disturbance do not exceed ten percent.
(2)
Accepted agricultural management practices such as seasonal tilling and harvest activities associated with property utilized for private or commercial agricultural or silvicultural purposes.
(3)
An excavation which exhibits all of the following characteristics:
a.
Is less than four feet in vertical depth at its deepest point as measured from the average elevation of the natural ground surface; and
b.
Does not result in a total displacement of more than 50 cubic yards of material on any lot, land, parcel or sub-division; and
c.
Has no slopes steeper than ten feet vertical in 100 feet horizontal ten percent; and
d.
Has all disturbed surface areas promptly and effectively protected to prevent soil erosion and sedimentation from occurring including seeding or sodding, and provided that all disturbed surface areas which will be exposed for a period of time in excess of 30 days shall be covered with a suitable temporary protective ground cover until permanent ground cover is in place.
(4)
Grading, as a maintenance measure, or for landscaping purposes on existing developed land parcels or lots, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
a.
The aggregate area of activity does not exceed 1,000 square feet;
b.
The change of elevation does not exceed two feet at any point;
c.
All bare surface area is promptly seeded, sodded, or otherwise effectively protected from erosive actions; and
d.
The grading does not involve a quantity of fill greater than 18 cubic yards; except where fill is excavated from another portion of the same parcel and the quantity does not exceed 50 cubic yards.
(5)
Grading, filling, removal or excavation activities and operations undertaken by the city under the direction and supervision of the director of public works for work on streets, roads or rights-of-way dedicated to public use; provided, however, that adequate and acceptable erosion and sediment controls are incorporated in engineering plans and specifications and employed. Appropriate controls shall apply during construction as well as after the completion of such activities.
(6)
Use of a home garden in association with residential use.
(Ord. No. O-16-17, § I(Exh. A), 8-17-16)