(1) The applicant shall avoid all impacts that degrade the functions and values of a critical area or areas. Unless otherwise provided in this Chapter, if alteration to the critical area is unavoidable, all adverse impacts to or from critical areas and buffers resulting from a development proposal or alteration shall be mitigated in accordance with the critical area report and SEPA documents.

(2) Mitigation shall be in-kind and on-site, when possible, and sufficient to maintain the functions and values of the critical area, and to prevent risk from a hazard posed by a critical area.

(3) Except as otherwise allowed by this Chapter, mitigation shall not be implemented until: a) the Director of Community Development has approved a critical area report that includes a mitigation plan, and b) the city has approved the applicable development permit. (Ord. 21-15 §6, 2021; Ord. 03-18 §17, 2003).