Critical areas provide a variety of valuable and beneficial biological and physical functions that benefit the city and its residents, and/or may pose a threat to human safety or to public and private property. The beneficial functions and values of critical areas include, but are not limited to, water quality protection and enhancement, fish and wildlife habitat, food chain support, flood storage, conveyance and attenuation of storm runoff, groundwater recharge and discharge, wave attenuation, aesthetic value protection, and recreation. Hazards include landslides and excessive erosion.
Critical area regulations apply if your property is located within a critical area or its buffer. A critical area study prepared by a professional in the field of wetland or stream biology, engineering, or geology, depending on the type of critical area, is required.