Source: https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/html/SantaCruzCounty16/SantaCruzCounty1630.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 03:08:17+00:00

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The purpose of this chapter is to minimize and to eliminate any development activities in the riparian corridor, preserve, protect, and restore riparian corridors for: protection of wildlife habitat; protection of water quality; protection of aquatic habitat; protection of open space, cultural, historical, archaeological and paleontological, and aesthetic values; transportation and storage of floodwaters; prevention of erosion; and to implement the policies of the General Plan and the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan. [Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2460, 1977].
This chapter sets forth rules and regulations to limit development activities in riparian corridors; establishes the administrative procedure for the granting of exceptions from such limitations; and establishes a procedure for dealing with violations of this chapter. This chapter shall apply to both private and public activities including those of the County and other such government agencies as are not exempted therefrom by State or Federal law. Any person doing work in nonconformance with this chapter must also abide by all other pertinent local, State and Federal laws and regulations. [Ord. 4166 § 3, 1991; Ord. 4027 § 5, 1989; Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2460, 1977].
Any revision to this chapter which applies to the Coastal Zone shall be reviewed by the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission to determine whether it constitutes an amendment to the Local Coastal Program. When an ordinance revision constitutes an amendment to the Local Coastal Program such revision shall be processed pursuant to the hearing and notification provisions of Chapter 13.03 SCCC and shall be subject to approval by the California Coastal Commission. [Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982].
“Agricultural use” means routine annual agricultural activities such as clearing, planting, harvesting, plowing, harrowing, disking, ridging, listing, land planning and similar operations to prepare a field for a crop.
“Arroyo” means a gully, ravine or canyon created by a perennial, intermittent or ephemeral stream, with characteristic steep slopes frequently covered with vegetation. An arroyo includes the area between the top of the arroyo banks defined by a discernible break in the slope rising from the arroyo bottom. Where there is no break in slope, the extent of the arroyo may be defined as the edge of the 100-year floodplain.
“Body of standing water” means any area designated as standing water on the largest scale U.S. Geological Survey topographic map most recently published, including, but not limited to, wetlands, estuaries, lakes, marshes, lagoons, and manmade ponds which now support riparian biota.
“Buffer” means the area abutting an arroyo where development is limited in order to protect riparian corridor or wetland. The width of the buffer is defined in SCCC 16.30.040(B).
(1) “Grading” means excavating or filling or a combination thereof; dredging or disposal of dredge material; mining; installation of riprap.
(2) “Land clearing” means the removal of vegetation down to bare soil.
(3) “Building and paving” means the construction or alteration of any structure or part thereof, including access to and construction of parking areas, such as to require a building permit.
(4) “Tree and shrub removal” means the topping or felling of any standing vegetation greater than eight feet in height.
(5) The deposition of refuse or debris.
(6) The use of herbicides, pesticides, or any toxic chemical substances.
(7) Any other activities determined by the Planning Director to have significant impacts on the riparian corridor.
“Disturbed area” means an area determined by the Planning Director to have experienced significant alteration from its natural condition. Such disturbance may typically consist of clearing, grading, paving, landscaping, construction, etc.
“Director” means the Planning Director or his or her designee.
“Emergency” means a sudden unexpected occurrence involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of or damage to life, health, property, or essential public services.
“Ephemeral stream” means a natural watercourse or portion thereof which flows only in direct response to precipitation, as identified through field investigations.
(2) Has a well-defined channel, free of soil and debris.
“Minor proposal” means building remodels or additions less than 500 square feet or grading less than 100 cubic yards which takes place within a previously developed or disturbed area; tree removal or trimming for the purpose of mitigating hazardous conditions or allowing solar access; drainage structures (e.g., culverts, downdrains, etc.); erosion control structures (e.g., retaining walls, riprap, checkdams, etc.); emergency measures requiring prompt action; resource management programs carried out under the auspices of a government agency; development activities within buffer which do not require a discretionary permit; other projects of similar nature determined by the Planning Director to cause minimal land disturbance and/or benefit the riparian corridor.
“Perennial stream” means any watercourse designated by a solid line symbol on the largest scale U.S. Geological Survey topographic map most recently published or verified by field investigation as a stream that normally flows throughout the year.
(6) Lands containing a riparian woodland.
“Riparian vegetation/woodland” means those plant species that typically occur in wet areas along streams or marshes. A woodland is a plant community that includes these woody plant species that typically occur in wet areas along streams or marshes. Characteristic species are: Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), Red Alder (Alnus oregona), White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia), Sycamore (Plantanus racemosa), Box Elder (Acer negundo), Creek Dogwood (Cornus californica), Willow (Salix).
“Vegetation” means any species of plant. [Ord. 4346 § 69, 1994; Ord. 3601 § 1, 1984; Ord. 3441 § 1, 1983; Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2800, 1979; Ord. 2536, 1978; Ord. 2535, 1978].
The buffer shall always extend 50 feet from the edge of riparian woodland and 20 feet beyond the edge of other woody vegetation as determined by the drip-line, except as provided for in SCCC 16.30.060. Once the buffer is determined, a 10-foot setback from the edge of the buffer is required for all structures, to allow for construction equipment and use of yard area.
See allowable density credits within the General Plan.
[Ord. 4346 § 70, 1994; Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2460, 1977].
The following activities shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
(A) The continuance of any preexisting nonagricultural use, provided such use has not lapsed for a period of one year or more. This shall include change of uses which do not significantly increase the degree of encroachment into or impact on the riparian corridor as determined by the Planning Director.
(B) The continuance of any pre-existing agricultural use, provided such use has been exercised within the last five years.
(C) All activities listed in the California Food and Agriculture Code pursuant to the control and eradication of a pest as defined in Section 5006, Food and Agriculture Code, as required or authorized by the County Agricultural Commissioner.
(D) Drainage, erosion control, or habitat restoration measures required as a condition of County approval of a permitted project. Plans for such measures shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director.
(3) The project has been subjected to environmental review with the County of Santa Cruz serving as the lead agency. [Ord. 4790 § 2, 2005; Ord. 4577 § 12, 1999; Ord. 4474-C § 5, 1998; Ord. 4374 § 2, 1995; Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2537, 1978; Ord. 2460, 1977].
(1) Applicant’s name, address, and telephone number.
(2) Property description. The Assessor’s parcel number, the location of the property and the street address if any.
(3) Project description. A full statement of the activities to be undertaken, mitigation measures which shall be taken, the reasons for granting such an exception, and any other information pertinent to the findings prerequisite to the granting of an exception pursuant to this section.
(4) Two sets of plans indicating the nature and extent of the work proposed. The plans shall depict property lines, landmarks and distance to existing watercourse; proposed development activities, alterations to topography and drainage channels; mitigation measures, including details of erosion control or drainage structures, and the extent of areas to be revegetated. Plans shall be a minimum size of 18 inches by 24 inches, except that plans for minor proposals may be a minimum size of eight and one-half inches by 11 inches.
(5) Applicant’s property interest or written permission of the owner to make application.
(6) Requested information. Such further information as the Planning Director may require.
(7) Fees. The required filing fee, set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, shall accompany the application.
(B) Notice. Notices of all actions taken pursuant to this chapter shall be in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 18.10 SCCC.
(C) Proposals for minor riparian exceptions may be acted upon at Level III and proposals for major riparian exceptions may be acted upon at Level V pursuant to Chapter 18.10 SCCC.
(5) That the granting of the exception is in accordance with the purpose of this chapter, and with the objectives of the General Plan and elements thereof, and the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan.
(1) Maintenance of a protective strip of vegetation between the activity and a stream, or body of standing water.
The strip should have sufficient filter capacity to prevent significant degradation of water quality, and sufficient width to provide value for wildlife habitat, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Installation and maintenance of water breaks.
(3) Surface treatment to prevent erosion or slope instabilities.
(4) Installation and maintenance of drainage facilities.
(5) Seeding or planting of bare soil.
(6) Installation and maintenance of a structure between toe of the fill and the high water mark.
(7) Installation and maintenance of sediment catch basins.
(F) Concurrent Processing of Related Permits. An application for exception may be processed concurrently with applications for discretionary permits required for the activity in question. No ministerial permit(s) for the activities in question shall be issued until an exception has been authorized. All discretionary permits for the activity in question shall include all conditions included in the exception.
Where associated discretionary permits are authorized by the Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors, that body shall be authorized to act in place of the Zoning Administrator in considering an application for an exception if the applications are considered concurrently.
(G) Expiration. Unless otherwise specified, exceptions issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire one year from the date of issuance if not exercised. Where an exception has been issued in conjunction with a development permit granted pursuant to Chapter 18.10 SCCC, the exception shall expire in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18.10 SCCC. [Ord. 3441 § 2, 1983; Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2800, 1979; Ord. 2506, 1977; Ord. 2460, 1977].
The Planning Director may conduct inspections to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(1) A pre-site inspection to determine the suitability of the proposed activity and to develop necessary conditions for an exception.
(2) A final inspection to determine compliance with conditions, plans and specifications.
These inspections may take place concurrent with inspections required by any permits necessary for the activities in question.
(B) Notification. The permittee shall notify the Director 24 hours prior to start of the authorized work and also 24 hours prior to the time he or she desires a required inspection.
(C) Right of Entry. The application for exception constitutes a grant of permission for the County to enter the permit area for the purpose of administering this chapter from the date of the application to the termination of any erosion control maintenance period. If necessary, the Director shall be supplied with a key or lock combination or be permitted to install a County lock. [Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2800, 1979; Ord. 2506, 1977; Ord. 2460, 1977].
(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to do, cause, permit, aid, abet, suffer or furnish equipment or labor for any development activity within a riparian corridor as defined in SCCC 16.30.030 unless either (1) a development permit has been obtained and is in effect which authorizes the development activity as an exception; or (2) the activity is exempt from the requirement for a development permit by the provisions of SCCC 16.30.050.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to do, cause, permit, aid, abet, suffer or furnish equipment or labor for any development activity within a buffer zone of an arroyo as defined in SCCC 16.30.030 and as prescribed by the provisions of SCCC 16.30.040(B) unless either (1) a development permit has been obtained and is in effect which authorizes the development activity as an exception; or (2) the activity is exempt from the requirement for a development permit by the provisions of SCCC 16.30.050.
(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to exercise a development permit authorizing development activity as an exception without complying with all of the conditions of such permit.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly do, cause, permit, aid, abet or furnish equipment or labor for any work in violation of a stop work notice from and after the date it is posted on the site until the stop work notice is authorized to be removed by the Planning Director. [Ord. 3451-A § 18, 1983; Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2800, 1979; Ord. 2506, 1977; Ord. 2460, 1977].
Repealed by Ord. 4392A. [Ord. 3451-A § 19, 1983].
16.30.090 Recording notice of violation.
Repealed by Ord. 4392A. [Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982].
16.30.100 Removal of notice of violation.
All appeals of actions taken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be made in conformance to the procedures of Chapter 18.10 SCCC. [Ord. 3441 § 3, 1983; Ord. 3335 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2800, 1979; Ord. 2506, 1977; Ord. 2460, 1977].

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