§ 17.52.530. Resource and natural features protection development restrictions.

A.

The following natural features shall be restricted to development, including roads, as follows:

Feature	Percent Restricted
Lakes, ponds, watercourses	100
Wetlands and riparian areas	100
Floodways	90
	(Floodplain ordinance also applies)
Slopes (15 to 30%)	80
Steep slopes (over 30%)	95

 

B.

All development shall require identification of any environmental or natural features described above, and shall meet the standards of environmental protection as set forth below: Site alterations, regrading, filling, and clearing or planting vegetation prior to approval of the development permit shall be a violation of this title.

1.

Wetlands and Riparian Areas.

a.

All such areas shall remain as permanent open space, except as noted in subsection (B)(1)(c) of this section.

b.

Wetlands shall not be filled nor dredged.

c.

Permitted Uses. The following buildings or structures may be permitted within wetlands. Permits are required from the Army Corps of Engineers and Idaho Department of Water Resources, in addition to a county zoning permit.

i.

Boat launching ramps, boat, piers, bridge and bridge approaches, marinas, picnic shelter, and stormwater detention facilities, provided that a licensed engineer has certified that such structures are designed to withstand the forces exerted by the 100-year storm event. Evidence of this certification shall be presented as precondition to issuance of a zoning certificate;

ii.

Boat houses, boat buildings, and accessory structures (except boat or motor repair buildings) associated with uses permitted in subsection (B)(1)(c)(i) of this section, provided that a licensed engineer certifies that such structures are designed to allow free entrance of floodwater and to withstand structurally the forces exerted by the 100-year flood event at that location, and conformance with the county flood damage control ordinance. Evidence of this certification shall be presented as a precondition to issuance of a zoning certificate.

2.

Steep Slopes. In areas of steep slopes, the following standards shall apply:

a.

Fifteen (15) percent to less than thirty (30) percent slope: No more than twenty (20) percent of such areas shall be developed and/or regraded or stripped of vegetation. All areas of disturbed soils shall be reseeded to National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) standards.

b.

More than thirty (30) percent slope: No more than five percent of such areas shall be developed and/or regraded or stripped of vegetation. All areas of disturbed soils shall be reseeded to NRCS standards.

c.

Buildings are not permitted on slopes of twenty (20) percent or greater.

C.

Lakes and Ponds. All such areas shall be permanent open space. No development or diverting of these bodies of water shall be permitted. Filling shall not be permitted.

D.

Shorelines of Lakes, Ponds, Rivers. No structures, animal runs or enclosures, or septic drainfields are permitted within one hundred (100) feet of the riparian area surrounding a body of water.

E.

Important Agricultural Soils. In the agriculture zoning district at least ninety (90) to ninety-five (95) percent of all such areas shall remain as permanent open space. Accessory farm structures (i.e., barns, silos) shall be permitted in the open space. This is to preserve and protect the important agricultural soils, crop lands and grazing areas of the county. Also, see NRCS definition of "important agricultural soils."

(Ord. 1998-1 § 490)

( Ord. No. 2013-2 , § 1, 3-20-13)