Chapter 18.64 — SAHO DISTRICTS—SNOW AVALANCHE HAZARD OVERLAY

The intent and purpose of this chapter is to provide a mechanism (overlay zone) to advise current and future property owners within officially designated snow-avalanche-hazard areas of the potential for snow avalanches.

(Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

The uses permitted in the SAHO district are the uses authorized in the district which is combined with SAHO district. (Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

All of the listed development standards, as designated in the district with which the SAHO is combined, shall be the same as the underlying district except as specifically stated in Section 18.64.050 .

(Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

• A. Upon completion and acceptance of a snow-avalanche-hazard study prepared by a qualified and recognized snow-avalanche specialist, the county shall apply this SAHO to those properties identified as within the potential snow-avalanche area.

• B. The SAHO shall encompass those areas designated as historical snow-avalanche areas and potential snow-avalanche areas (one hundred-year-frequency). Whenever possible, the SAHO shall conform to existing property lines, unless the subject property is of such size or configuration to warrant only a portion of the property to be so designated.

• C. Within sixty days of the application of any SAHO zone to property, the county planning department shall send by certified mail to the current property owner, as shown on the latest tax assessment roll, a notification of snow-avalanche-hazard. The certified mail receipt shall be kept on file in the office of the Inyo County planning department.

• D. Within sixty days of the application of any SAHO zone to property, the county planning department shall record, in the office of the county recorder, a notification of snow-avalanche-hazard. The recorded notification of snow-avalanche-hazard shall be deemed sufficient notification of future property owners within the designated SAHO zone.

• (Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

The following additional development standards are imposed on those properties or those portions of properties located within an SAHO:

Avalanche protective, deflective and preventive structures, devices or earthwork which threaten to deflect avalanches toward property of others, or otherwise threaten to increase the danger to persons or property are prohibited.

(Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

Any property owner within the SAHO may request a rezoning out of the SAHO. In so doing, the rezoning application must be accompanied with a report prepared by a county-approved recognized and qualified snow-avalanche-hazard expert that demonstrates that the SAHO currently mapped and zoned on the property either does not exist or should be adjusted. If approved, and the entire property is removed from the SAHO, the planning department shall record, within thirty days, a notice in the office of the county recorder rescinding the recorded notification of snow-avalanche-hazard on the subject property. (Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)