Article IV. - Vineyard and Orchard Site Development Permits.


Sec. 11-10. - Vineyard and orchard site development permit requirements.

(a)   Permit Required. A vineyard and orchard site development permit shall be required prior to commencing any vineyard or orchard site development or related work, including preparatory site clearing and soil disturbance, except where exempted from permit requirements by Section 11-11. A separate vineyard and orchard site development permit shall be required for each site.
(b)   Vineyard and Orchard Site Development Designation and Performance. Vineyard and orchard site development shall be designated in compliance with the requirements in Table 11-3, and shall be performed as follows:
(1)   Level I Vineyard and Orchard Site Development. Level I vineyard and orchard site development shall be performed in compliance with approved plans and specifications prepared by the property owner or the authorized agent of the property owner.
(2)   Level II Vineyard and Orchard Site Development. Level II vineyard and orchard site development shall be performed in compliance with approved plans and specifications prepared by a civil engineer.

Table 11-3—Vineyard and Orchard Site Development Designation

[TABLE BELOW]

Parameter
Threshold
Level I Vineyard and Orchard Site Development Level II Vineyard and Orchard Site Development
Natural slope of planting area having no highly erodible soils No steeper than 15 percent Steeper than 15 percent, but in no event steeper than 50 percent
Natural slope of replanting area having no highly erodible soils No steeper than 30 percent Steeper than 30 percent
Natural slope of planting area having any highly erodible soils No steeper than 10 percent Steeper than 10 percent, but in no event steeper than 50 percent
Natural slope of replanting area having any highly erodible soils No steeper than 15 percent Steeper than 15 percent

(Ord. No. 5891, § 7, 12-9-2008.)

Sec. 11-11. - Exemptions from vineyard and orchard site development permit requirements.

The following vineyard and orchard site development activities are exempt from the provisions of Section 11-10 and may be conducted without obtaining a vineyard and orchard site development permit; provided that exempt vineyard and orchard site development shall still be subject to the standards in this chapter.

(a)   Replacing Missing, Dead, or Diseased Grapevines or Fruit- Or Nut-Bearing Trees. Interplanting young grapevines or fruit- or nut-bearing trees among established grapevines or fruit- or nut-bearing trees for the purpose of replacing individual missing, dead, or diseased grapevines or trees in a vineyard or orchard, where the drainage system, irrigation system, trellis system, and other infrastructure of the vineyard or orchard is kept intact with minimal disturbance. This shall not exempt the replanting of an entire vineyard or orchard.
(b)   Planting and Replanting Hobby Orchard. Planting and unlimited replanting of an orchard for hobby purposes, where the orchard is less than one-half acre in land area. This exemption may only be used for one (1) hobby orchard per legal parcel.
(c)   Planting and Replanting Hobby Vineyard. Planting and unlimited replanting of a vineyard for hobby purposes, where the vineyard is less than one-half acre in land area. This exemption may only be used for one hobby vineyard per legal parcel.

(Ord. No. 5891, § 7, 12-9-2008.)