16.06.210 Filling.
The following provisions shall apply to filling activities within shorelines:
(1) Fill within surface waters or wetlands shall be allowed only where necessary in conjunction with water-dependent uses or an approved reclamation plan under Section 16.06.230 (Reclamation).
(2) Fill for the purpose of increasing elevation may be permitted if such can be accomplished in a manner consistent with the policies of this chapter.
(3) Fill shall be the minimum necessary to accomplish the use or purpose and shall be confined to areas having the least impact to the stream corridor. Other alternatives should be preferred over fill to elevate new homes in the floodplain, such as increasing foundation height or zero-rise methods such as piers, posts, columns, or other methods.
(4) Fill in floodplains shall meet the requirements of Chapter 11.19.
(5) Pile or pier supports shall be preferred over fill for water-dependent uses and facilities.
(6) Unless site characteristics dictate otherwise, fill material within surface waters or wetlands shall be sand, gravel, rock, or other clean material, with a minimum potential to degrade water quality.
(7) Fill placement shall be scheduled at times having the least impact to fish spawning, nesting patterns, and other identified natural processes.
(8) Fill shall be stabilized with native vegetation where appropriate to prevent erosion, migration of sediments and other material from the fill area to surrounding water, shore, and wetlands, unless technical consultation with other regulating agencies indicates alternative means are required.
(9) Projects that propose fill shall make every effort to acquire fill on site (also known as compensatory storage) where appropriate.
(10) Fill should not obstruct, cut off, or isolate stream corridor features.
(11) Additional Shoreline Standards for Fill. The requirements below shall apply to all filling activities within shoreline jurisdiction.
(A) Fill projects shall be evaluated for effects on total water surface reduction, navigation restriction, impediment to water flow and circulation, impediment to irrigation systems, reduction of water quality, and destruction of fish and wildlife habitat.
(B) Applications shall include a reclamation plan that provides for revegetation and protection of shoreline areas from erosion and siltation. A revegetation or erosion protection plan judged by the administrative official to be insufficient for the protection or restoration of the shoreline environment shall cause denial of a substantial development permit. (Ord. 2123, § 1 (Att.), 2021.)