The Stream Corridor (SC) Overlay District is intended to help reduce stream temperatures, prevent stream habitat degradation, and protect and restore significant fish-bearing stream corridors identified on The Dalles Stream Corridor Inventory (2011) by:
A. 
Conserving significant stream corridors consistent with Statewide Planning Goal 5 (Natural Resources) and The Dalles Comprehensive Land Use Plan;
B. 
Protecting and enhancing water quality by restoring stream corridor vegetation;
C. 
Minimizing property damage during floods and storms;
D. 
Limiting development activity in designated stream corridors;
E. 
Maintaining and restoring fish and wildlife habitats and vegetative cover; and
F. 
Conserving associated scenic and recreational values.
The stream corridor setbacks shall be 50 feet from the top-of-bank as shown on The Dalles Stream Corridor Inventory. An applicant for development may rely on this map to determine how a stream corridor setback affects an individual property. However, this mapped setback may be modified in two ways:
A. 
Stream Corridor Delineation Process. The Director may approve a modification stream top-of-bank ("bankfull stage" or the "two year recurrence flood elevation" defined in DSL Administrative Rules (OAR 141-085-0510(5)), based on site survey prepared by a registered land surveyor. The required setback shall be revised accordingly.
B. 
Hardship Adjustment. The Hearings Officer may approve a hardship adjustment to the stream setback provisions of this Chapter, without going through a formal variance process, under the following circumstances:
1. 
Where application of the stream setback provisions of this Chapter makes it impossible to build a structure (including a building, required parking and access) otherwise permitted in the underlying zoning district, the Hearings Officer may allow reductions of the setback standards of the underlying zoning district by up to 40% to permit the siting of such structures to avoid infringing on the stream setback area.
2. 
If, after considering the effect of hardship setback adjustments, it is still impossible to build a structure permitted in the underlying zoning district, the Hearings Officer may approve up to 500 square feet of impervious surface area within the required stream setback area, provided that:
a. 
The structure, parking and access area is located as far from the top of bank as reasonably possible; and
b. 
The applicant submits a stream corridor restoration plan prepared by a wetland scientist, government agent, or other professional with expertise in riparian plans and restoration techniques acceptable to the Director. The stream corridor restoration plan shall:
i. 
Ensure removal of invasive plant species and replacement with suitable native plant species that will effectively shade the stream and minimize stream bank erosion; and
ii. 
Include provisions for monitoring and replacement of native plans over at least a three-year period.
(Ord. 22-1392; Ord. 26-1424, 1/12/2026)
The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) shall be notified in writing of all applications to the City of The Dalles for development activities, including applications for plan authorizations, development permits, or building permits, and of development proposals within The Dalles UGB, that may affect known wetlands or streams.
A. 
The following uses are permitted within SC Overlay District setback areas:
1. 
Passive recreation uses and activities, including paths, access ways, trails, picnic areas or interpretive and educational displays and overlooks, including benches and outdoor furniture;
2. 
Maintenance of existing structures, lawns and gardens;
3. 
Normal maintenance, replacement and improvements to existing public facilities, roads and driveways, provided that the footprint of these facilities does not expand;
4. 
Construction of public facilities and transportation projects identified in adopted public facilities master plans or the Transportation System Plan;
5. 
Replacement of existing structures with structures located on the original building footprint that do not disturb additional wetland or stream corridor surface area;
6. 
Water-related and water-dependent uses, including drainage facilities, water and sewer facilities, flood control projects, and drainage pumps;
7. 
Routine maintenance or replacement of existing public facilities projects and public emergencies, including emergency repairs to public facilities;
8. 
In-channel erosion or flood control measures that have been approved by DSL;
9. 
Perimeter mowing of a wetland for fire protection purposes;
10. 
Removal of non-native vegetation and replacement with native plant species; and
11. 
Minor improvements that have no material effect on the listed purposes of this Chapter.
B. 
Prohibited Uses. Except as listed in Section 10.5.130.050(A), the following uses and activities are prohibited within stream corridor setback areas:
1. 
New residential, commercial, industrial, or public/semi-public construction;
2. 
Expansion of existing buildings or structures;
3. 
Expansion of areas of pre-existing non-native ornamental landscaping such as lawn and gardens;
4. 
The placement of structures or impervious surfaces, including grading and the placement of fill; and
5. 
Dumping, piling, or disposal of refuse, yard debris, or other material.
When a use or activity that requires the issuance of a building permit or approval of a land use application is proposed on a parcel within, or partially within the SCW Overlay District, the property owner shall submit a scaled site plan to the City that shows:
A. 
Topographic contours at two-foot intervals;
B. 
The stream top-of-bank;
C. 
Special flood hazard area (SFHA) elevation;
D. 
The required riparian setback;
E. 
Existing vegetative cover and type;
F. 
Existing and proposed site improvements; and
G. 
A riparian restoration plan if development is proposed within 50 feet of the stream top-of-bank.
(Ord. 25-1414, 7/14/2025)