18E.30.040 Wetland Standards.
The following activities may be allowed within the standard buffer established pursuant to PCC 18E.30.060, when mitigated according to PCC 18E.30.50 A. and B.:
A. New construction of a single-family residence; or the reconstruction, remodeling, or maintenance of an existing single-family residence, within an existing lot of record subject to the following:
1. No more than one residential structure may be present within the lot.
2. Both the size of the proposed home and the character and intensity of development are consistent with the surrounding area or are of lesser intensity.
3. Impervious surface shall be limited to the minimum amount necessary to accommodate the proposed homesite and, where possible, surfaces such as driveways and patios shall be made of pervious materials.
4. The single-family residence must comply with applicable site development stormwater requirements.
5. Any well and necessary appurtenances, including a pump and appropriately sized pump house, but not including a water storage tank (unless the water storage tank can be contained within the pump house), must comply with the following conditions:
a. The pump house is a one-story building with a ground area of less than 120 square feet; and
b. The well is more than 75 feet deep; and
c. Access to the well and pump house shall be by a pervious trail for pedestrian traffic only or, if necessary, by an unimproved access for a maintenance vehicle.
6. Unless otherwise allowed by PCC 18E.30.040 B. or C., in no case shall the Department allow development within a buffer to occur closer to a wetland boundary than 75 percent of the buffer size as determined through use of PCC 18E.30.060 and Appendix F. An applicant who wishes to modify a buffer beyond these limits must pursue a variance as defined within PCC 18E.20.060.
7. The conversion from one family to multi-family use is prohibited.
B. The placement of utility lines which do not require excavation or utility pole installation in any part of a buffer for a Category II, III, or IV wetland. They may be placed in a buffer for a Category I wetland, provided that the minimum distance from the wetland edge is no less than 50 percent of the Category I buffer width established for the specific land use intensity type in the table in PCC 18E.30.060 A.
C. Within existing lots of record located in wildland areas, creation of a defensible space for protection against wildfire may be allowed in buffer areas located within 30 feet of dwellings, barns, and commercial-use buildings. These allowances do not apply to features such as swing sets, fences, dog houses, and other structures that can be easily relocated. The following defensible space activities may be allowed:
1. Tree limb removal. Where understory shrubs are present below the tree, removal shall follow the guidelines of PCC 18E.40.070 – Appendix E. Where understory shrubs are not present, tree limbs may be removed to a height of 10 feet above the ground;
2. Interruption of continuous shrub vegetation by selective thinning as defined within PCC 18E.40.070 – Appendix E;
3. Replacement of evergreen species with less flammable, native species as defined within PCC 18E.40.070 – Appendix E.
D. New farm and agricultural activities may be permitted within a buffer subject to the following:
1. Agricultural activities and structures shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 18E.70 PCC, Flood Hazard Areas.
2. The agricultural activity is in compliance with the USDA, NRCS Conservation Reserve Program farm management standards.
3. A copy of an approved NRCS or Pierce County Conservation District farm management plan that documents compliance with the USDA, NRCS Resource Management System Standards within the critical area has been submitted to the Department for review and approval.
E. Trimming of vegetation for purposes of providing view corridors will be allowed without a complete mitigation plan provided that trimming shall be limited to view corridors of a maximum 20-foot width and that benefits to fish and wildlife habitat are not reduced. Trimming shall be limited to hand pruning of branches and vegetation. Trimming shall not include felling, topping, or removal of trees. An applicant that wishes to remove trees or create a view corridor of larger size must complete review as set forth in PCC 18E.30.030 and 18E.30.060.