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.070
Section 17E.070.030
 

Title 17E Environmental Standards

Chapter 17E.070 Wetlands Protection

Section 17E.070.030 Identification, Designation, and Mapping of Wetlands
  1. Wetland Maps.

The approximate location, and extent of wetlands in the city is compiled in the City’s wetlands inventory. Their approximate location is displayed on City maps. The foregoing maps are to be used as a guide for the city, project applicants, and/or property owners, and may be continuously updated as new wetlands are identified. The maps are references and do not provide a final wetlands designation or delineation. Wetlands of any size and state of isolation are regulated under the provisions of this ordinance. Wetlands not shown on city maps or wetlands inventory are presumed to exist in the City and are protected under the provisions of this chapter. In the event that any of the wetland designations shown on the wetland inventory or maps conflict with the criteria set forth in this chapter, the criteria shall control.

  1. Determination of Wetland Boundary.
    1. The applicant shall, through the performance of a field investigation by a qualified professional wetland scientist applying the wetland definition provided in this chapter and in SMC 17A.020.230 and as part of the wetlands report requirement found in this chapter provide a site analysis including: a determination of the exact location of the wetland boundary; an analysis of wetland functions and values; and a wetland rating according to the wetlands rating system criteria adopted in SMC 17E.070.100. Qualified wetland scientists shall perform wetland delineations using the Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands (1987), Arid West Final Regional Supplement (2008), as revised or supplemented. The Director, upon consultation with the Department of Ecology, may determine that wetland identification and delineations made prior to adoption of these standards, or for a different use requiring permit changes, require a new determination by a qualified wetland scientist. Wetland determinations are subject to Corps Regulatory Guidance Letter (RGL) 05-02, 2005 and expire after five years from the date of determination and must follow requirements for review by a qualified wetland scientist upon expiration of the five year limitation.
    1. Where an applicant has provided a delineation of a wetland boundary, the department shall verify the accuracy of, and may render adjustments to, the boundary delineation. The applicant may be charged by the department for costs incurred in verifying the accuracy of the delineation. In the event the adjusted boundary delineation is contested by the applicant, the department may, at the applicant’s expense, obtain the services of a second wetlands scientist to perform a delineation. The second delineation shall be final, unless appealed to the hearing examiner.

Date Passed: Monday, June 19, 2017

Effective Date: Sunday, July 30, 2017

ORD C35508 Section 3