Sec. 1007. NRCOZ – Natural Resource Conservation Overlay Zone

• A. Purpose: The purpose of the Natural Resource Conservation Overlay Zone (NRCOZ) is to protect and preserve natural land resources within the County. Such resources consist of high slope areas of the coast ranges, and waterway channels of the Kings River and Cross Creek.

• B. Applicability: These zones are also intended primarily for application to those rural and urban areas of the county where it is necessary and desirable to provide permanent open spaces to protect natural watercourses, drainage basins and sloughs which are necessary to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the County residents as well as protecting and preserving natural and biological resources for the long term benefit of the County. Natural Resource Conservation designations also prevent the intrusion of inharmonious types of land uses that could potentially disrupt the natural scenic beauty and resources of natural land.

• C. Development Standards and Regulations within the Natural Resource Conservation Overlay Zone: All new structures proposed within the NRCOZ require approval of a Conditional Use Permit. The Kings River and Cross Creek are designated as resource conservation areas implemented by the NRCOZ. Construction, development and land

Overlay Zones

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clearing along the Kings River designated floodway channel and Cross Creek may be subject to additional requirements due to potential environmental impacts and the need to protect riparian vegetation and wetlands along the banks. In order to ensure that property owners are aware of the additional requirements or restrictions, the following requirements are necessary:

1. Prior to the issuance of any permit for construction or development in the NRCOZ along the Kings River designated floodway channel the applicant is required to comply with the encroachment permit process required by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board .

2. Property owners who intend to build on property along the Kings River or its levees shall provide written documentation from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Kings River Conservation District showing that the property owner is aware of the possible environmental impacts and has met any permit requirements.

3. All discretionary permit applications for projects along the Kings River and Cross Creek shall be submitted to the appropriate local, state, and federal agencies for review and approval.

Figure 10-5 Natural Resources Conservation Overlay Zone Map 1

Overlay Zones

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DEVELOPMENT CODE

Figure 10-6 Natural Resources Conservation Overlay Zone Map 2