ORD 2203 ORDINANCE NO . 2 2c 3
AN ORDINANCE prohibiting the removal of vegetation from
steep and unstable slopes , adopting a penalty for violation thereof,
and declaring an emergency .
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CAMAS DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS :
Section I
The Council hereby adopts the following findings :
A . The City of Camas has numerous locations within its corporate limits that have either
steep or potentially unstable slopes and that are covered with vegetation .
B . Development within the City has resulted in increased impermeable surfaces which in
turn create additional storm water runoff and surface water thereby resulting in a greater risk of
erosion and landslide .
C . As available land within the urban growth boundary is subdivided, there is increase in
pressure to develop areas with steep or unstable slopes .
D . The City currently has no ordinance regulating vegetation removal from steep or
unstable slopes .
E . Staff has been directed to prepare a draft ordinance for the regulation of vegetation
removal on steep or unstable slopes .
F . Until such a regulation has been adopted , the public health , safety and welfare will be
promoted by prohibiting any vegetation removal from steep and unstable slopes .
Section II
Definitions . For the purpose of this Chapter , the following definitions shall apply :
A . " Steep slopes " shall mean areas characterized by slopes of fifteen ( 15 %) percent or
greater .
B . " Unstable slopes " shall mean any land potentially subject to landslides , severe
erosion , or seismic activity . Unstable lands may have impermeable subsurface materials , and/or
springs or seeping ground water during the wet season . Seismic areas are those lying along or
adjacent to identified earthquake faults .
C . "Vegetation removal " shall mean the destruction of plant life and shall include
cutting , clearing , pruning , killing by herbicide , burning , or any other method of removing all or
any portion of plant life .
Ordinance No . Page 2
Section III
Prohibition . No person shall remove or cause to be removed any vegetation from any
steep or unstable slope or from any area within 100 feet of any steep or unstable slope .
Section IV
Exceptions . This ordinance shall not apply to steep or unstable slopes containing less
than 10 , 000 total square feet in area, nor to the removal of non- native blackberry vines .
Section V
Penal Any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of
a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for a maximum term of not more
than one ( 1 ) year or by a fine in a maximum amount of not more than $ 5 , 000 . 00 , or by both such
imprisonment and fine .
Section VI
Emer,gencX . This ordinance is necessary for the protection of public health , safety , and
property , and shall be effective upon adoption .
PASSED by the Council and APPROVED by the Mayor t of May , 1999 .
SIGNED :
Mayor
ATTEST :
Clerk
APP a toform :
' ty A orney
s