(A) Before land is cleared, graded, filled, transported or otherwise disturbed by the movement of earth for purposes including, but not limited to, the construction of buildings, the mining of minerals including sand and gravel, the development of golf courses, the filling of land, and the construction of roads and streets by any person, partnership or corporation within the city, a site development permit embodying the proposed earth movement shall be obtained from the city. Unless the development is exempted by division (B) below, development comes under any one or more of the following provisions:
(1) Excavation, fill or any combination thereof which will exceed 25 cubic yards;
(2) Fill which will exceed one foot in vertical depth at its deepest point measured from the natural ground surface;
(3) Excavation which will exceed one foot in vertical depth at its deepest point;
(4) Excavation, fill or any combination thereof which will exceed an area of 500 square feet; and/or
(5) Plant cover which is to be removed from an area exceeding 500 square feet on any vacant parcel of land or any parcel of land in excess of one acre.
(B) A site development permit shall not be required in the following cases:
(1) Excavations below finished grade for septic tanks and drain fields, tanks, vaults, tunnels, equipment basements, swimming pools, cellars or footings of buildings or structures for which a building permit has been issued by the city, unless part of a development which would otherwise require a permit;
(2) Excavation or removal of vegetation in public utility easements by public utility companies for the purpose of installing underground utilities;
(3) Tilling of the soil for fire protection purposes; or
(4) Engraving in the following if, but only if, in connection with a farming or other agricultural or conservation enterprise and upon property zoned solely for farming or agricultural purposes and uses:
(a) The construction of sod waterways;
(b) The construction of terraces;
(c) The construction of surface water diversions;
(d) The construction of grade stabilization structures; or
(e) The tilling of soil.
(Prior Code, § 156.16) (Ord. 2419, passed 10-24-1978)