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A. The following requirements shall apply to all nonexempt lands subject to the provisions of this chapter:

1. No clearing or removal of vegetation shall be permitted on any undeveloped or partially developed lot, parcel, street or utility without a valid building, street or utility construction permit or an approved management plan for the nonstructural activities listed in subsection (A)(2) of this section.

2. Approved management plans for forestry, agricultural, livestock or landscape uses shall include a site plan, a description of proposed uses, drainage and erosion control measures, fencing where necessary and methods of property management which shall prevent damage to adjacent land and natural resources as required.

3. No clearing shall be permitted within preliminary plats except for within street or utility rights-of-way. All debris storage and handing shall occur within the right-of-way so as to not damage the adjacent land.

4. The boundaries of all areas to be cleared shall be marked by flagging, stakes, paint spots, a continuous ribbon or other readily visible means around the perimeter. Property lines and corners shall be clearly identified if clearing will take place in close proximity.

5. Prior to clearing, a drainage and erosion and sedimentation control plan shall be approved by the PCDD for lots and parcels, or by the public works department for street and utility rights-of-way and constructed accordingly.

6. Clearing for the construction of buildings shall be kept to the minimum necessary, as determined by the PCDD and the public works department, to provide adequate access to the building footprint, until final landscaping can be installed and the ground surface stabilized to prevent erosion.

7. Forest practice permits shall be opposed by the city until the final approval of a site plan and issuance of related development permits. The only exception to this provision shall be for timber management plans that provide for selective cutting only on a continuous basis (less than 30 percent).

B. Prior to undertaking any nonexempt clearing activity regulated by this chapter, a person who proposes such activity shall submit to the PCDD and the public works department a site plan and other information as required by the PCDD. The PCDD and the public works department shall review the material submitted and determine that:

1. The appropriate building, street or utility permits have been issued or that an acceptable management plan has been prepared, a copy of which shall be provided to the PCDD and the public works department.

2. An appropriate erosion and sedimentation control plan is provided and will be implemented prior to clearing.

3. The boundaries of the area(s) to be cleared have been marked as provided in subsection (A)(4) of this section.

4. A tree retention plan is provided that identifies the species and size of all significant trees on site. Said plan shall identify all trees that will be removed and preserved, and include the method by which the critical root zone of retained trees will be protected during construction, such as fencing. Significant trees that must be removed shall be replaced at a ratio to be determined by the PCDD.

If the proposal conforms to the requirements of this chapter, the PCDD and the public works department shall provide written authorization to the property owner to proceed. No regulated nonexempt clearing activity shall be performed prior to issuance of this authorization.

C. Process. The process for review and approval of clearing shall be the same as the associated building, street or utility construction permit. Applications for a clearing management plan approval shall follow the procedures in Chapter 21.10 BMC. [Ord. 2017-03-009 § 6; Ord. 2004-09-065; Ord. 10308, 1992].