18.08.120 Wetlands – Permitted uses in buffer areas.
The following activities are permitted within the wetland buffer; provided, that any impacts are mitigated through the requirements of this chapter:
A. Wells and necessary appurtenances associated with single-family dwellings, including a pump and appropriately sized pump house, including a storage tank, may be allowed on each site in a wetland buffer if all the following conditions are met:
1. The well is either an individual well (serving only one residence) or a Class B well (a maximum of 15 connections including necessary storage tanks);
2. For Category I and II wetlands, the minimum distance from the well and appurtenances to the wetland edge is not less than 75 percent of the buffer widths established in GHMC 18.08.100. A decrease in the required buffer width through buffer reduction or buffer width averaging or other means does not indicate a corresponding decreased distance is allowed from the wetland edge to the well and appurtenances;
3. Access to the well and pump house shall be allowed.
B. Pervious trails and associated viewing platforms; provided, that in the case of Category I wetlands, the minimum distance from the wetland edge is not less than 75 percent of the Category I buffer width established in GHMC 18.08.100. A decrease in the required buffer width through buffer width averaging or other means does not indicate a corresponding decreased distance from a Category I wetland edge for trails and viewing platforms.
C. The placement of underground utility lines, on-site septic drainfields meeting the requirements of the Pierce County health code, and grass-lined swales and detention/retention facilities for water treated by biofiltration or other processes prior to discharge, provided the minimum distance from the wetland edge is not less than 75 percent of the buffer widths established in GHMC 18.08.100.
D. Placement of access roads and utilities across Category II, III and IV wetland buffers, if the department determines that there is no reasonable alternative location for providing access and/or utilities to a site and mitigation is provided as designated in this chapter. (Ord. 1036 § 19, 2006; Ord. 611 § 1, 1991).