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.060.260
 

Title 17E Environmental Standards

Chapter 17E.060 Shoreline Regulations

Article III. General Provisions: Part III. Vegetation Conservation and Replacement

Section 17E.060.260 Vegetation Replacement Plan
  1. Purpose.

To ensure the replacement of damaged or degraded shoreline vegetation in order to achieve no net loss of shoreline ecological functions. Any person who degrades or removes shoreline vegetation must replace equivalent areas or greater areas than those altered in order to compensate for the loss.

  1. For a permitted use, modification, or development within the shoreline jurisdiction, a vegetation replacement plan shall be prepared when the director concludes from the shoreline/critical areas checklist that the project will damage or degrade shoreline vegetation.
  1. Shoreline vegetation replacement shall follow a vegetation replacement plan prepared by a qualified professional and contain the following components:
    1. Inventory of existing vegetation on the proposed project site as documented in the shoreline/critical areas checklist and pursuant SMC 17E.060.250.
    1. Overview of how mitigation sequencing was conducted and the justification for proposed mitigation activities.
    1. Detailed planting plan showing the location, type and size of all proposed replacement vegetation, pursuant to SMC 17E.060.270(E)(2).
    1. Methodology for removal of any noxious or nonnative vegetation, as necessary, to facilitate establishment of a stable community of native plants; and
    1. Proof of completion and performance bonding requirements, pursuant to SMC 17C.200.090, Completion and Bonding.
  1. The applicant shall receive written approval of the plan prior to commencement of any activity on site.
  1. The following standards shall apply for the replacement of removed native vegetation within the shoreline jurisdiction:
    1. At least twenty-five percent of existing healthy trees over six-inch caliper as identified in the vegetation replacement plan shall be retained when a site is developed.
    1. Removed shoreline vegetation shall be replaced at the following ratios:

TABLE 17E.060.260-1

SHORELINE VEGETATION REPLACEMENT RATIO*

Vegetation Removed

Replacement Ratios

Native Deciduous Trees Less Than 6" Caliper

1:1 replacement ratio;
Replacement tree(s) must be a minimum 2.5" caliper

Native Deciduous Trees Over 6" Caliper

2:1 replacement ratio;
Replacement tree(s) must be a minimum 2.5" caliper

Native Evergreen Trees Less Than 6" Caliper

1:1 replacement ratio;
Replacement trees(s) must be a minimum 4" caliper

Native Evergreen Trees Over 6" Caliper

2:1 replacement ratio;
Replacement trees must be a minimum 4" caliper

Native Shrubs

1:1 replacement ratio;
Replacement shrub(s) must be at a minimum 12" - 18" in diameter (at head)

Native Groundcover

1:1 replacement ratio:
Replacement groundcover(s) must be at a minimum 4" in diameter (at pot)

* For example, when a ten-inch caliper native deciduous tree is removed, the applicant may propose to replace with two five-inch caliper native deciduous trees or four two and one-half inch caliper native deciduous trees. A qualified professional will determine the appropriate vegetation replacement size(s) for the project site.
    1. New plantings shall be native plant species or other approved species similar in diversity, type, density, wildlife habitat value, water quality characteristics and slope stabilizing qualities to the original vegetation.
  1. Vegetation replacement shall be timed to reduce impacts to existing wildlife and flora, consistent with chapter 17E.020 SMC, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Areas.
  1. Applicants shall consult with federal, state, and local agencies having expertise or interest in a shoreline vegetation replacement proposal.
  1. Vegetation replacement shall equal or exceed the anticipated loss of vegetation resulting from the applicant’s proposal. If a qualified professional determines that shoreline vegetation replacement is not feasible on the site, the applicant may be allowed to mitigate for impacts to shoreline vegetation in the form of a contribution to the City of Spokane shoreline restoration fund, pursuant to SMC 17E.060.280.

Date Passed: Monday, November 3, 2008

Effective Date: Monday, July 26, 2010

ORD C34326 Section 2