(a)
Except as provided in sections 14-6, 14-8 and 14-9 of this chapter, no person shall perform any grading, excavation or fill without
first obtaining a grading permit and land use permit for such work from the planning
and development department of the County of Santa Barbara. Issuance of a land use
permit by the planning and development department shall be subject to the application,
processing and enforcement procedures provided in the land use and development codes
and regulations of the County of Santa Barbara. A separate permit shall be required
for each site and may cover both excavation and fills. Adjacent sites being graded
as one integrated project may be considered one site for purposes of this section.
Land use permits shall not be required for Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) Federal Cost Share projects (including, but not limited to, projects under
the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP)
and/or the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), approved with a finding
of no significant impact under the National Environmental Policy Act and conducted
pursuant to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices consistent with the mandated
nine-step planning process that includes post installation field assessment.
(b)
The issuance of a permit under this chapter shall constitute an authorization to do
only that work which is described or illustrated on the grading plans and erosion
and sediment control plans (or SWPPP, if applicable) specifications approved by the
building official.
(c)
Permits issued under the requirements of this chapter shall not relieve the owner
of the responsibility for securing permits required by any other ordinance, department
or division of the County of Santa Barbara, State of California, or United States
government.
(d)
The issuance of a permit, performance of grading under an exemption provided in this
chapter, or inspections by the county pursuant to this chapter, shall not relieve
the owner or permittee of responsibility for damages from work performed or transfer
responsibility for such damages to the County of Santa Barbara or to any of its officers,
agents or employees.
(e)
In granting any permit under this chapter, the director may impose such conditions
as may be necessary to prevent creation of a nuisance or a hazard to public health,
public safety, on public or private property or to assure conformity to the county
comprehensive plan.
(f)
Corrections, remedies and repairs made necessary by an emergency situation involving
the sudden, unexpected occurrence of a break, rupture, flooding or breach of an existing
facility, which break, rupture, flooding or breach presents an immediate threat to
life, health or property, may be made as required before permits are applied for or
issued.
(g)
Permits for emergency work, temporary work and projects begun under temporary exemption,
which require permits, shall be applied for on the next business day following commencement
of such work.
