18.81.020   Applicability and exemptions.
   A.   Scope:
      1.   All development projects shall require a Type 1 or Type 2 grading permit, except as exempted in subsection D of this section. In general, small private grading operations do not require a grading permit; major grading for custom home development requires a Type 1 permit, and general grading for larger development projects requires a Type 2 permit.
      2.   County development project shall abide by the requirements of Section 18.41.040, general grading performance standards, of this chapter. The board of supervisors may grant a special exception at a public hearing to a requirement of said section for a county development project.
   B.   Type 1 (grading sketch) permit applicability: A Type 1 grading permit is required for:
      1.   Single dwelling residential development on a single lot with a development envelope of fourteen thousand square feet or greater.
      2.   Nonresidential development which does not require a subdivision plat or development plan.
      3.   Stockpiling of between one hundred cubic yards and fifty thousand cubic yards of material.
      4.   Grading which requires a permanent cut or fill slope greater than five feet in height and steeper than a 3:1 slope, or grading on slopes of fifteen percent or greater.
   C.   Type 2 (grading plan) permit applicability: A Type 2 grading permit is required for:
      1.   Residential development which requires a subdivision plat or development plan.
      2.   Nonresidential development which requires a subdivision plat or development plan.
      3.   Stockpiling of more than fifty thousand cubic yards of material.
   D.   Exemptions: The following activities are exempted from this chapter:
      1.   Residential development on a single lot, with a development envelope of less than fourteen thousand square feet;
      2.   The subsequent expansion, by less than twenty-five percent and not violating the spirit of this chapter, of an exempted or approved graded area;
      3.   The clearing, brushing or grubbing of an area of less than fourteen thousand square feet or for activities exempted in this subsection;
      4.   Stockpiling of less than one hundred cubic yards of material;
      5.   Resurfacing or maintenance of an existing paved surface;
      6.   New pavement of less than three thousand square feet;
      7.   Individual sewage disposal system with a county health department permit;
      8.   Excavation below finished grade for a basement, foundation, wall, or swimming pool authorized by a building permit or zoning construction permit (refer to Section 18.01.030(E), General Provisions);
      9.   Cemetery graves;
      10.   Refuse disposal site controlled by other regulations;
      11.   Exploratory excavation under the direction of a soil engineer or engineering geologist, provided all excavation is properly backfilled;
      12.   Archaeological exploration conducted under state permit by a qualified archaeologist;
      13.   Removal of selected individual plants for storage and replanting;
      14.   Underground utility installations under a paved roadway surface or a continuously-maintained unpaved roadway surface;
      15.   Grading for the maintenance of an existing private access road or driveway, provided that if either existed prior to adoption of, or was established in conformance with, this chapter. Proof of such may be required by the county engineer;
      16.   Grading for an appurtenant access or utility easement;
      17.   Land uses under statutory exemption (refer to Section 18.01.030(C), General Provisions).
(Ord. 2011-2 § 20 (part), 2011; Ord. 1990-61 § 1 (part), 1990; Ord. 1986-187 § 1 (part), 1986)