Stream Protection Setbacks

Streams are protected by several sections of the municipal code.

AMC 21.45.210 regulates activities within 25 feet of any stream or watercourse in the Municipality.  This section of the code does not apply to lakes.  It prohibits:

• Clearing of vegetation             
• Grading, fill, or excavation             
• Buildings             
• Storage of vehicles             
• Channel alteration (including installation of culverts)             
• Storage or processing of hazardous materials

AMC 15.65.060.A.1.a prohibits septic drain fields within one hundred feet from the mean annual flood level of any surface water, major drainage course or source of domestic water supply.  This section of the code does apply to lakes.

AMC 21.40.115.F.3 prohibits "construction or excavation within 100 feet of the mean high-water line of any stream, lake or other permanent body of water" in the R-10 district.  This section of the code does not apply to any other zoning district.

AMC 21.60 requires a flood hazard permit for structure located within floodplains.

All new subdivisions must have "stream maintenance and protection easements" dedicated on the plat.  This requirement is found in AMC 21.80.040.

The erosion and sediment control plans for construction projects must also be reviewed under the NPDES program.

If you use the online version of the code, try searching on "21.45.210 " "15.65.060" "21.40.115" or "21.60.005" for more information.  Please note that recent amendments may not have been published yet.  Land Use Enforcement will be happy to verify the current code language for you.