City of Bellingham Municipal Code

16.60.080 - REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

A. The following requirements shall apply to all non-exempt lands subject to the provisions of this chapter:

1. No clearing or removal of vegetation shall be permitted on any undeveloped or partially developed lot, parcel, street or utility without a valid building, street or utility construction permit or an approved management plan for the non-structural activities listed in #2 below.

2. Approved management plans for forestry, agricultural, livestock or landscape uses shall include a site plan, a description of proposed uses, drainage and erosion control measures, fencing where necessary and methods of property management which shall prevent damage to adjacent land and natural resources as required.

3. No clearing shall be permitted within preliminary plats except for within street or utility right-of-ways. All debris storage and handing shall occur within the right-of-way so as to not damage the adjacent land.

4. The boundaries of all areas to be cleared shall be marked by flagging, stakes, paint spots, a continuous ribbon or other readily visible means around the perimeter. Property lines and corners shall be clearly identified if clearing will take place in close proximity.

5. Prior to clearing, a drainage and erosion and sedimentation control plan shall be approved by the PCDD for lots and parcels, or by the Public Works Department for street and utility right-of-ways and constructed accordingly.

6. Clearing for the construction of buildings shall be kept to the minimum necessary, as determined by the PCDD, to provide adequate access to the building footprint, until final landscaping can be installed and the ground surface stabilized to prevent erosion.

7. Forest Practice Permits shall be opposed by the City until the final approval of a site plan and issuance of related development permits. The only exception to this provision shall be for timber management plans that provide for selective cutting only on a continuous basis. (-30%)

1. The appropriate building, street or utility permits have been issued or that an acceptable management plan has been prepared, a copy of which shall be provided to the PCDD.

2. An appropriate erosion and sedimentation control plan is provided and will be implemented prior to clearing.

3. The boundaries of the area(s) to be cleared have been marked as provided in .080 A. 4.