Environmentally Sensitive Areas requirements can and do sometimes change after action by the City Council. Interested parties should always verify current requirements with the City Planning Department. A slope is delineated on property by determining if and where the ground rises 10 feet or more along 25 feet of horizontal distance. The sides of the slope are also determined as part of the delineation. Slopes are sometimes measured in degrees, but there is difficulty in converting between the degrees and percent.
Several instruments can measure slope inclination.
An inexpensive option is a type of hand held compass with an added device for estimating slopes. This, however, measures only in degrees and is not as accurate. Another common method is use of a transmit for measuring horizontal angles. The most accurate method of measuring slopes is a topographic survey prepared by a licensed surveyor. Many activities, including clearing and grading, are not allowed within this buffer or within the sensitive area itself.