City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 17E
Chapter 17E.060
Section 17E.060.210
 

Title 17E Environmental Standards

Chapter 17E.060 Shoreline Regulations

Article III. General Provisions: Part II. No Net Loss of Shoreline Ecological Functions and Mitigation

Section 17E.060.210 No Net Loss
  1. Purpose.

As established in WAC 173-26-186(8), the City shall ensure, at a minimum, “no net loss” of shoreline ecological functions necessary to sustain shoreline natural resources and to plan for restoration of ecological functions where they have been impaired. Nearly all shoreline areas, even substantially developed or degraded areas, retain important ecological functions. Therefore, pursuant to WAC 173-26-186(8), the shoreline regulations apply to all shoreline areas, not just those that remain relatively unaltered.

  1. To ensure that a project applicant achieves the no net loss of ecological functions standard, these shoreline regulations contain several development requirements designed to meet the no net loss requirement:
    1. Shoreline environments are designated with appropriate use and development standards (See Article VI).
    1. Critical areas are protected within the shorelines (See SMC 17E.060.180).
    1. Shoreline buffers and structure setbacks are delineated to keep development away from the shoreline areas that contain the most sensitive ecology (See SMC 17E.060.730 and SMC 17E.060.740).
    1. Mitigation sequencing requires shoreline project applicants to prioritize mitigation measures for their project (See SMC 17E.060.230); and
    1. As a final requirement to achieve no net loss, the steps in Article III, Part III, SMC 17E.060.240 through SMC 17E.060.280, address the mitigation measures required of applicants to address the impacts of specific common shoreline uses, modifications, and development activities, including construction activities and removal and replacement of vegetation.
  1. In assessing the potential for net loss of ecological functions or processes, project specific and cumulative impacts shall be considered.
  1. During permit review, the director shall consider the expected impacts when assessing compliance with the no net loss requirement.

Date Passed: Monday, November 3, 2008

Effective Date: Monday, July 26, 2010

ORD C34326 Section 2