This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Wetlands Law of the Town of Southold."
A.Â
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
ACCESS PATH
ADMINISTRATIVE PERMIT
AESTHETICS
AGRICULTURE
APPLICANT
APPLICATION
AQUACULTURE
AS-BUILT PLANS
BANK
BAY
BEACH
BLUFF
BLUFF LINE
BLUFF, TOE OF
BLUFF, TOP OF
BOARD
BOAT/VESSEL
BUFFER AREA
BULKHEAD
CATWALK
CLEARING
CLERK
COASTAL CONSTRUCTION
COASTAL CONTRACTOR
COASTAL EROSION HAZARD LINE
COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE
COMMERCIAL DOCK
CONSERVATION
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION (C & D) DEBRIS
CREEKS
CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS
DECK
DECKING
DOCK
DOCK LENGTH
DUNE
EROSION CONTROL
FIXED DOCK
FLOAT
FLOATING DOCK
FUNCTIONAL
FUNCTIONAL BULKHEAD
FUNCTIONAL JETTY/GROIN
GABION
GROIN
HABITAT
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
HARVESTING
HOMEOWNERS' OR HOMES ASSOCIATION
HORTICULTURE
IMMEDIATE PROJECT AREA
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
JETTY
LANDWARD
LOW-PROFILE JETTY
LOW-SILL BULKHEAD
MAINTENANCE DREDGING
MAN-MADE POND
MARINA
MATERIAL
MEAN HIGH WATER (MHW)
MEAN LOW WATER (MLW)
MONOPOLIZE
MOORING
NONDISTURBANCE BUFFER
NONFERTILIZER
NONTURF BUFFER
OPERATIONS
(1)Â
(2)Â
(3)Â
(4)Â
(5)Â
ORDINARY AND USUAL MAINTENANCE
ORIGINAL STRUCTURE
PATENT LANDS
PEAK LUNAR TIDES
PERSON
PIER
PIER LINE
PLATFORM
POND
PREEXISTING NONPERMITTED AND/OR NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
PROACTIVE RESTORATION
RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL DOCK
RESIDENTIAL HORTICULTURE
RESOURCE BUFFER AREA
RETAINING WALL
REVETMENT
RIPRAP
SEASONAL STRUCTURE
SETBACK
SHEATHING
SHORELINE STRUCTURE
SILT BOOM
SOUND
SPAWNER SANCTUARY
SPLIT-RAIL FENCE
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
STRUCTURE
SUBTIDAL
SWIM PLATFORM
TIDAL WATERS
TOWN
TOWN WATERS
TROPICAL HARDWOOD
TRUSTEES
VEGETATED WETLANDS
WALER
WATER-DEPENDENT USES
WETLAND BOUNDARY OR BOUNDARIES OF WETLAND
WETLANDS (FRESHWATER)
(1)Â
(2)Â
(a)Â
[1]Â
[2]Â
[3]Â
[4]Â
[5]Â
[6]Â
[7]Â
[8]Â
(b)Â
(c)Â
(d)Â
WETLANDS (TIDAL)
(1)Â
(2)Â
WHARF
WIDTH OF CREEK
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms
shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings as herein
defined. Any word or term not noted below shall be used with a meaning
as defined in Webster’s Third International Dictionary of the
English Language, unabridged (or latest edition).
[Amended 10-11-2005 by L.L. No. 17-2005; 12-18-2007 by L.L. No.
23-2007; 10-9-2012 by L.L. No. 12-2012]
A building or structure detached from a principal building
located on the same lot as and customarily incidental and subordinate
to the principal building.
An area, cleared by hand or hand-held equipment, no more
than four feet wide, left in its natural state and devoid of any man-made
structure, to provide a walkway to a body of water.
A permit intended to provide an expedited review for projects
that are deemed consistent with the Trustee's policy regarding protection
of wetland resources.
The natural intrinsic appearance of a site or object in the
context of surrounding land use, views, viewsheds and vistas important
to the community.
The production, keeping or maintenance, for sale, lease or
personal use, of all plants and animals useful to man, including but
not limited to forages and sod crops; grains and seed crops; dairy
animals and dairy products; poultry and poultry products; livestock,
including beef cattle, sheep, swine, horses, ponies, mules or goats
or any mutation of hybrids thereof, including the breeding and grazing
of any or all of such animals; bees and apiary products; fur animals;
fruits of all kinds, including grapes, nuts and berries, vegetables;
floral, ornamental and greenhouse products; or lands devoted to a
soil conservation or forestry management program.
The party applying for permits or other approval pursuant to Chapter 275.
The completed form or forms and all accompanying documents, exhibits, and fees required of an applicant pursuant to Chapter 275.
The raising or cultivation of living aquatic organisms.
Plans prepared to scale by a licensed surveyor detailing
any and all operations conducted according to a valid permit.
Land incline adjoining a body of water, wetland and/or beach.
[Added 5-9-2017 by L.L.
No. 8-2017]
A body of water within the boundaries of the Town of Southold,
excluding the Long Island Sound, lakes, and those bodies of water
defined under "creeks."
The zone of unconsolidated earth that extends landward from
the mean low-water line to the seaward toe of a dune or bluff, whichever
is most seaward. Where no dune or bluff exists landward of a beach,
the landward limit of a beach is 100 feet landward from the place
where there is a marked change in material or physiographic form or
from the line of permanent vegetation, whichever is most seaward.
Shorelands subject to seasonal or frequent overwash or inundation
are considered to be beaches.
Land presenting with a precipitous or steeply sloped face
adjoining a beach or a body of water. For the purposes of this chapter,
a precipitous or steeply sloped face shall be a face with a slope
of 20% or greater and a height of greater than 20 feet between the
toe of the bluff and the top of the bluff.
[Amended 5-9-2017 by L.L.
No. 8-2017]
The landward limit of a bluff that is 25 feet landward of
the receding edge or, in those cases where there is no discernible
line of active erosion, 25 feet landward of the point of inflection
on the top of the bluff. The point of inflection is that point along
the top of the bluff where the trend of the land slope changes to
begin its descent to the shoreline.
The waterward limit of a bluff where the trend of the land
slope changes to begin its ascent towards the top of the bluff. Where
a hardened structure is in place, the toe of the bluff shall be the
bottom of the seaward side of the structure.
[Added 5-9-2017 by L.L.
No. 8-2017]
The receding edge of the bluff or, in those cases where there
is no discernible line of active erosion, the point of inflection.
The point of inflection is that point where the trend of the land
slope changes to begin its descent to the shoreline.
[Added 5-9-2017 by L.L.
No. 8-2017]
Unless otherwise indicated, the Board of Trustees of the
Town of Southold.
Any floating object capable of carrying people as a means
of transportation in water, including an airplane capable of landing
on water, as well as any floating structure not otherwise considered
to be part of a dock structure as defined herein, with or without
means of propulsion, that can be moored independently or can be secured
by any means to a piling, dock, bulkhead, groin, or other fixed device
located above or below mean high water. This definition excludes floating
docks and swim platforms.
A defined area landward of a wetland boundary, coastal erosion
hazard line or bluff line measured as a linear distance, perpendicular
to said boundary.
A structure or barrier, the intended use for which is to
separate and act as a barrier between earthen material and water.
This definition excludes gabions and revetments.
An elevated walkway, usually built to gain access to a commercial
or residential dock, built at a fixed height above grade and which
is constructed landward of the high-water mark.
Cutting down, felling, thinning, logging or removing, killing,
destroying, poisoning, ringbarking, uprooting or burning vegetation,
severing, topping or lopping branches, limbs, stems or trunks or substantially
damaging or injuring in other ways that would cause or contribute
to the death or affect the survivability and growth of vegetation.
This definition also includes removal of dead and dying vegetation.
Unless otherwise indicated, the Clerk of the Board of Trustees.
The repair, modification, reconstruction or new construction of structures, including but not limited to bulkheads, docks, floats, jetties, groins, catwalks, stairways, decks, revetments, any erosion or water control device. Included in this definition is landscape design, landscape architecture, the installation or maintenance of lawns, hedges, trees and other plantings or structural elements such as patios, decks, retaining walls, in-ground irrigation systems, or other work in and around wetland areas which requires a permit pursuant to this chapter entitled "Wetlands and Shoreline" or Chapter 111, Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas, of the Town Code.
[Added 11-8-2017 by L.L.
No. 16-2017]
A person who carries out, engages in, undertakes or holds
himself out to others as performing or available to perform coastal
construction.
[Added 11-8-2017 by L.L.
No. 16-2017]
The landward boundary of the Coastal Erosion Hazard Area
defined by Article 34 of the New York State Environmental Conservation
Law.
Agriculture (See above.) intended to earn an income.
Any catwalk, fixed or floating dock or extension of such,
designed, used and/or intended for use other than as a residential
dock, as defined in this chapter.
Protection in natural or existing condition.
Includes, but is not limited to, waste cement, concrete,
masonry work, brick, tile, sheetrock, plaster, wood shingles and the
like and rubble resulting from remodeling, demolition, repair and
building of structures.
Broadwaters Cove, Brushes Creek, Budd's Pond, Cedar Beach
Creek, Corey Creek, Dam Pond, Deep Hole Creek, Down's Creek, East
Creek, East Harbor, Goose Creek, Goldsmiths Inlet, Gull Pond, Hallock's
Bay, Halls Creek, Hashamomuck Creek, Haywaters Cove, James Creek,
Jockey Creek, Little Creek, Long Beach Bay, Mattituck Creek, Mattituck
Inlet, Mud Creek, Paradise Point Creek, Pipes Neck Creek, Richmond
Creek, Town Creek, West Creek, West Harbor, West Lake, Wickham Creek,
Wunnewata Lagoon and Wunnewata Pond.
All sites which are critical environmental areas worthy of
protection, including, but not limited to, Cutchogue Harbor Wetlands,
Hallock's Bay, Dam Pond, Downs Creek, Orient Creek, West Creek, Richmond
Creek and Beach, Brush's Creek, Cedar Beach Creek, Corey Creek, Deep
Hole Creek, Goldsmith's Inlet, Halls Creek, Goose Creek, Little Creek,
Mill Creek and Pipes Cove Creek.
A structure and/or platform without a roof that is either
freestanding or attached to a building supported by pillars and/or
posts constructed of various materials.
Horizontal structural components of a dock, deck, pier or
other shoreline structure intended to be walked upon.
Any permanent or seasonal structure, except a building, located
or proposed to be located on lands abutting or comprised of freshwater
or tidal wetlands or connected to a bulkhead or the upland and extending
over the water's surface, designed to secure vessels and provide access
from the shore to a body of water. For the purpose of this chapter,
this term shall also include the associated structures necessary to
cross wetlands and adjacent natural areas. The term "dock" includes
the terms "wharves," "piers," "fixed docks," "docks," or "floats."
The length of a dock, including all fixed docks, ramps, floating
docks and mooring piles, as measured from the most landward portion
of the structure to the seaward-most portion of the dock or the seaward-most
mooring pile, whichever distance is greater.
A ridge or hill of loose, windblown or artificially placed
earth, the principal component of which is sand.
Actions taken or structures installed to prevent the wearing
away of the land or loss of soil by the action of water, ice or wind.
Erosion control typically relates to stabilization of unvegetated
soils resulting from excavation, grading, stockpiling, construction
or other activities.
An elevated walkway which is constructed at a fixed height
above grade and which extends seaward from the high-water mark or
a point landward.
See "boat/vessel."
Any structure, raft or floating platform, the intended use
of which is to secure a boat or vessel, which is designed to float
upon the surface of a water body and is secured in place by poles,
pilings, anchors, or any other type of mooring system that provides
access to the water. A floating dock includes the float itself and
any pilings or mooring system designed to keep the dock at a fixed
point.
Any structure that has retained its intended purpose and
use, as determined by the Board of Trustees.
A bulkhead that is at least 75% physically intact and serving
the purposes for which it was designed.
A jetty or groin that is at least 75% physically intact and
serving the purposes for which it was designed.
A shoreline structure consisting of stone and/or rock enclosed
in a mesh cage or similar, designed to stabilize soil or sediments.
A man-made barrier, typically perpendicular to the shoreline,
used to change the natural littoral drift, prevent erosion, or protect
an area from wave energy.
The place where a plant or animal species naturally lives
and grows; or characteristics of the soil, water, and biologic community
(other plants and animals) that make this possible.
Destruction or impairment of habitat such that it results
in breaks in areas of contiguous habitat. Habitat fragmentation can
also cause a greater distance between adjacent (noncontiguous) habitats.
These actions prevent the transfer of organisms, natural materials
and energy within a habitat. Habitat fragmentation can result from
the placement of physical barriers within a contiguous habitat or
between adjacent habitats, but can also occur as a result of removal
of vegetative cover, changes in sediment characteristics and/or changes
in hydrology.
The gathering or collecting of natural resources and organisms.
A community association, including a condominium association,
which is organized in a residential development in which individual
owners have a shared interest in the responsibility for open space
or facilities.
The raising of plants. (See "agriculture.")
The minimum area required to allow access to the site by
the machinery conducting the operation.
Any hard-surfaced, man-made area that does not retain or
absorb water, including but not limited to building roofs, paved parking
lots and driveways, sidewalks and other paved areas.
A man-made barrier used to maintain beach elevation, prevent
erosion, and maintain inlet entrances.
In the opposite direction from the water or wetland.
The definition of "low-profile jetty" is site specific, but
it typically is a structure no higher than 18 inches above existing
soil or sediment grade on the down-drift side and shall not extend
seaward of apparent low water.
A subtidal structure designed to stabilize the toe of a slope
or shore and often associated with boat basins or other navigable
waterways.
A dredging project will be considered maintenance dredging
if there is documentary evidence that it has been previously dredged.
A constructed inland body of water, including, but not limited
to, lined and unlined irrigation ponds and ornamental ponds.
Any dock, pier or other facility operated for profit, or
to which public patronage is invited, providing moorings, dockage
or other marine services primarily for power and sailing yachts, launches
or other watercraft, other than floating homes, and which may also
be capable of removing any and all watercraft moored or docked within
the marina from the water for repair and/or storage.
Soil, sand, stone, gravel, clay, bog, peat, mud, wood or
any other material, including liquids, organic or inorganic.
The average of all the high-water heights observed over the
most previous eighteen-and-one-half-year period.
The average of all the low-water heights observed over the
most previous eighteen-and-one-half-year period.
The use for an unreasonable period of time to the exclusion
of others or to unreasonably restrict or obstruct the use of any public
bulkhead, dock or landing owned or controlled by the Town of Southold.
Anchoring for greater than 48 hours other than in designated
anchorage areas as established by a governmental agency.
A vegetated area, as designated by the Board of Trustees,
immediately landward of the wetland boundary, shoreline structure,
or other line designated by the Trustees where no operations, maintenance,
placement of signs or other activities may take place, except that
man-made debris may be removed from such area by hand without the
permission of the Board of Trustees.
Not to include the use of fertilizers of any type.
A designated area where turf grass, pesticides and fertilizers
are not permitted. Any pervious material allowing for percolation
of surface runoff into the soil is allowed. Examples include native
vegetation, wood chips, mulch, gravel, and sand. Decks may be allowed
if they are level or pitched away from the water, are pervious to
precipitation and are constructed of materials other than treated
lumber. Any and all runoff generated by such structures must be allowed
to percolate into the ground directly below the structure.
The machine excavation and/or removal of material from wetlands;
any activity in freshwater or tidal wetlands or in any area within
Trustee jurisdiction.
The placement, repair or removal of structures, including, but
not limited to, boats, floating docks, floats, dock components, and
duck blinds;
The deposit or discharge of material on any area that results
in the transport of said materials into wetlands or in any area within
Trustee jurisdiction; or
The erection, construction, alteration, repair or enlargement
of any building, dock, pier, wharf, bulkhead, jetty, groin, or any
system or other structure, temporary or permanent, on wetlands, or
in any area within Trustee jurisdiction; or
Removing or otherwise affecting the growth of plants in wetlands
or in any area within Trustee jurisdiction.
Actions on a wetlands-permitted, functional structure which
do not involve more than 75% of the entire structure and which are
required to preserve such structure in a condition or state of equivalent
quality to that which was approved or required by permit.
The earliest known, permitted or otherwise documented structure.
All uplands and underwater lands owned in fee title by the
Trustees by virtue of the Andros Patent (October 31, 1676).
Those excessively high tides or spring tides caused by lunar
gravitational phenomena.
Any individual, any combination of individuals, firm, partnership,
association, society, corporation, joint-stock company, company, organization
or other legal entity of any kind, including municipal corporations
or governmental agencies or subdivisions thereof.
A fixed structure to secure vessels unloading or loading
persons or property or providing access to the water.
The seaward projection created by drawing an imaginary line
between the immediately adjacent existing permitted principal structures,
docks, piers, wharves or floats.
[Amended 3-28-2023 by L.L. No. 5-2023]
See "deck."
An inland body of water.
A structure, use or lot that is not otherwise permitted but
which is allowed to continue solely because it was lawfully existing
prior to the effective date of the original law or ordinance or prior
to any subsequent amendment, as the case may be. Any determination
of lawful existence must at least include a review of prior land use
laws and ordinances.
Restoration undertaken solely for the benefit of the natural
environment and not associated with compensatory mitigation or other
regulatory requirements. Proactive restoration typically includes
planting of beneficial native vegetation (i.e., vegetative enhancement)
in a natural setting at a time, place and in a position that are conducive
to future survival and growth.
Associated with a single- or multiple-family home, apartment
or condominium, excluding marinas and public property.
Any fixed dock and/or floating dock designed or constructed
as a continuous unit to provide access to the surface waters from
a lot that is zoned for residential use. The term "dock" shall include
all associated structures such as ramps and mooring piles.
The raising of plants for ornamental purposes on residential
lots.
A buffer area with specific quantifiable natural resource
value.
A bulkhead landward of the wetland boundary.
A shoreline hardening structure landward of the wetland boundary
typically constructed of rock or stone. See "gabion."
A layer, facing or protective mound of rubble or stones randomly
placed to prevent erosion, scour, or sloughing of a structure or embankment;
also the stone used for this purpose.
A structure that may not be installed prior to April 1 of
each calendar year and must be removed by December 1 of each calendar
year.
The minimum distance by which any building, structure or
operations must be separated from a wetland boundary, coastal erosion
hazard line or bluff line.
Vertical structural components of a bulkhead or retaining
wall necessary to keep soil and sediment from passing through the
structure.
Any intentionally constructed structure on the shore composed
of man-made or natural materials. See "structure."
A structure deployed within the water column that is designed
to prevent the passage or spreading of suspended sediments and contaminants
from the immediate project area to surrounding waters.
Includes the following: Long Island Sound, Fishers Island
Sound and Block Island Sound.
An area of bottom designated by the Trustees for the purpose
of protecting and enhancing shellfish populations for a specific period
of time.
A linear fence structure composed of posts and rails.
Pilings, deadmen, rails, whalers and other significant components
used to hold together and anchor docks, piers, wharves, jetties, groins
and other shoreline structures.
Any object constructed, installed or placed in, on or under
land or water, including but not limited to a building; permanent
shed; deck; in-ground and aboveground pool; garage; mobile home; road;
public service distribution, transmission or collection system; tank;
dock; pier; wharf; groin; jetty; seawall; bulkhead; breakwater; revetment;
artificial beach nourishment; boat rack; trellis; arbor; gazebo; walkway;
statue; sculpture; stairs; or any addition to or alteration of the
same.
Existing at or below mean low water.
Any structure, raft or floating platform that is not intended
to be used to secure a boat or vessel, which is designed to float
upon the surface of a water body and is secured in place by poles,
pilings, anchors or any other type of mooring system, that provides
access to the water. A swim platform includes the platform itself
and any pilings or mooring system designed to keep the platform at
a fixed point.
All waters bordering on or within the boundaries of the Town
of Southold subject to fluctuation in depth from peak lunar, storm
or normal tidal action, and including, but not limited to, all brackish
and salt waters of streams, ponds, creeks, estuaries, sounds, bays
and inlets.
The Town of Southold.
All the waters within the boundaries of the Town of Southold
lying over patent lands.
Any of a number of species of hardwood harvested from areas
situated in the tropics (the region on either side of the equator).
The Board of Trustees of the Town of Southold.
Any and all wetland types supporting or capable of supporting emergent, submerged or floating-leaved vegetation as described in § 275-2, "wetlands (freshwater)" and "wetlands (tidal)."
Structural member of a bulkhead used to hold the sheathing
behind the pilings. Normally there are top and bottom walers.
An activity which can only be conducted on, in, over or adjacent
to a water body because such activity requires direct access to that
water body, and which involves, as an integral part of such activity,
the use of the water. The uses include, but are not limited to commercial
and recreational fishing and boating facilities, finfish and shellfish
processing, fish storage and retail and wholesale fish marketing facilities,
waterfront dock facilities, shipyards and boat-building facilities,
navigation aides, basins and channels, industrial uses dependent upon
waterborne transportation or requiring large volumes of cooling or
processing water and which cannot reasonably be located or operated
at an inland site, and uses which primarily provide general public
access to marine or tidal waters.
Wetland ecosystems generally possess three essential characteristics:
(1) hydrophytic vegetation, (2) hydric soils, and wetland hydrology.
The wetland indicator status of all plants can be found in the National
List of Plants that Occur in Wetlands (USFWS). The wetland boundary
is most easily determined by defining the outer limit of the vegetation
specified in the definition of "freshwater, brackish or tidal wetlands."
The wetland boundary is to be defined and flagged at the point where
existing wetland indicator species no longer have a competitive advantage
over upland species. Wetland and upland plants will mix together at
this transition zone. For freshwater wetlands that frequently lack
standing water (shrub swamps, deciduous swamps, coniferous swamps
and wet meadows), vegetation alone may not be adequately diagnostic
for identification of a wetland boundary. In these wetland types,
field verification of wetland hydrology and/or hydric soils might
be required to define the boundary. The methodology used to determine
this boundary shall be the same methodology utilized in the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Technical
Methods Statement relating to the Freshwater Wetlands Act.
"Freshwater wetlands" as defined in Article
24, Title 1, § 24-0107, Subdivisions 1(a) to 1(d) inclusive,
of the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York; or
All lands and waters in the Town which contain
any or all of the following:
Lands and submerged lands commonly called "marshes,"
"swamps," "sloughs," "bogs" and "flats" supporting aquatic or semiaquatic
vegetation of the following types:
Wetland trees which depend upon seasonal or
permanent flooding or sufficiently waterlogged soils to give them
a competitive advantage over other trees, including, among others,
red maple (Acer rubrum), willows (Salix spp.), black spruce (Picea
mariana); swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), red ash (Fraxinum pennsylvanica),
black ash (Fraxinus nigra), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), American
elm (Ulmus americana) and larch (Larix laricina);
Wetland shrubs which depend upon seasonal or
permanent flooding or sufficiently waterlogged soils to give them
a competitive advantage over other shrubs, including, among others,
alder (Alnus spp.), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), common
winterberry (flex verticillata) leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata),
and swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum);
Emergent vegetation, including, among others,
cattails (Typha spp.), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), bulrushes
(Scirpus spp.), arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), arrowheads (Sagittaria
spp.), common reed (Phragmites australis), wild rice (Zizania aquatica),
bur-reeds (Sparganium spp.), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria),
swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus) and water plantain (Alisma
plantago-aquatica);
Rooted, floating-leaved vegetation, including,
among others, water-lily (Nymphaea odorata), water shield (Brasenia
schreberi) and spatterdock (Nuphar spp.);
Free-floating vegetation, including, among others,
duckweed (Lemna spp.), big duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) and watermeal
(Wolffia spp.);
Wet-meadow vegetation which depends upon seasonal
or permanent flooding or sufficiently waterlogged soils to give it
a competitive advantage over other open land vegetation, including,
among others, sedges (Carex spp.), rushes (Juncus spp.), cattails
(Typha spp.), rice cut-grass (Leersia oryzoides), reed canary grass
(Phalaris arundinacea), swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus)
and spikerush (Eleocharis spp.);
Bog mat vegetation, including, among others,
sphagnum mosses (Sphagnum spp.), bog rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla),
leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), pitcher plant (Sarracenis purpurea)
and cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon and V. oxycoccos); or
Submergent vegetation, including, among others,
pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.), naiads (Najas spp.), bladderworts (Utricularia
spp.), wild celery (Vallisneria americana), coontail (Ceratophyllum
demersum), water milfoils (Myriophyllum spp.), muskgrass (Chart: spp.),
stonewort (Nitella spp.), water weeds (Elodea spp.) and water smartweed
(Polygonum amphibium).
Lands and submerged lands containing remnants
of any vegetation that is not aquatic or semiaquatic that has died
because of wet conditions over a sufficiently long period, provided
that such wet conditions do not exceed a maximum seasonal water depth
of six feet and provided further that such conditions can be expected
to persist indefinitely, barring human intervention.
All lands generally covered or intermittently
covered with, or which border on, tidal waters, or lands lying beneath
tidal waters, which at mean low tide are covered by tidal waters to
a maximum depth of five feet, including but not limited to banks,
bogs, salt marsh, swamps, meadows, flats or other low-lying lands
subject to tidal action;
All banks, bogs, meadows, flats, tidal marsh
and beaches subject to such tides and upon which grows or may grow
some or any of the following: smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora),
salt hay grass (Spartina patens), blackgrass (Juncus gerardii), saltwort
(Salicornia spp.), sea lavender (Limonium spp.), marsh elder (Iva
frutescens), groundsel (Baccharis halimifolia), or marshmallow (Hibiscus
spp.).
See "pier."
The distance across a creek from mean low water to mean low
water, perpendicular to the main channel directly in front of the
subject parcel.
B.Â
When not inconsistent with the context, words in the
present tense include the future; words used in the plural number
include the singular number; and words used in the singular number
include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and
not directory.
A.Â
Findings. The Town Board of the Town of Southold finds
that rapid growth, the spread of development and increasing demands
upon natural resources are encroaching upon or eliminating many of
its wetlands and patent lands, which, if preserved and maintained
in an undisturbed and natural condition, constitute important physical,
social, aesthetic, recreational and economic assets to existing and
future residents of the Town of Southold. In addition, there has been
a significant increase in the applications for and the numbers of
fixed and floating piers and docks accessory to upland residential
and other uses. Most of these structures and the uses they support
are on and in publicly owned land and waters and always have some
effect on physical, biological, ecosystem functions and values, development
patterns and the aesthetic character of the area. Therefore it is
essential to regulate the type and placement of such structures.
B.Â
Purpose. It is the intention of this chapter to ensure for the citizens of the Town of Southold the protection, preservation, proper maintenance and use of its wetlands, giving due consideration to the reasonable economic and social development of the Town. In addition, the Town Board declares that it is the intention of this chapter to regulate the type and placement of fixed and floating piers and docks for the protection, preservation, proper maintenance and use of its waters and wetlands. Therefore, the Town Board declares that the regulation of the wetlands of the Town of Southold is essential to the health, safety and welfare of the people of the Town of Southold. The wetlands shall be regulated in order to maintain and contribute to the following resource area values and the attributes and functions they possess: protection of public and private water supply; groundwater; flood control; erosion and sedimentation control; storm damage prevention; water pollution control; fisheries; shellfish, including spawner sanctuaries; wildlife habitat; agriculture; aquaculture; aesthetics; public access; and recreation. In addition, the following resource area values shall be maintained and protected: prevention of flood damage by limiting development in flood hazard areas; prevention of damage to structures and natural resources as a result of erosion; improvement of water quality; protection and enhancement of existing vegetation cover in order to maintain water quality and wildlife habitat: protection of wildlife, waterfowl, and plant habitat and the maintenance of existing populations and species diversity; prevention of loss or degradation of critical wildlife and plant habitat; prevention of new stormwater runoff discharge and the improvement of existing stormwater runoff discharges; protection of coastal ecosystems which support the continued viability of harvestable shellfish and finfish habitat; public access to water and land; improvement of groundwater recharge; and the minimization of the impact of new development, restoration and/or expansion on the resource area values listed above. The provisions of this chapter are not intended to supersede the requirements of Chapter 236 of the Town Code.
[Amended 10-9-2012 by L.L. No. 12-2012]
C.Â
Jurisdiction. The following areas are subject to protection under Chapter 275 of the Code of Southold.
[Amended 10-11-2005 by L.L. No. 17-2005; 10-9-2012 by L.L. No. 12-2012; 12-15-2015 by L.L. No. 9-2015]
(1)Â
Any freshwater wetland, tidal wetland, beach, bank, bluff, dune,
flat, marsh, swamp, wet meadow, bog, or vernal pool;
[Amended 5-9-2017 by L.L.
No. 8-2017]
(2)Â
Any creek, estuary, stream, pond, canal, or lake;
(3)Â
Land under water;
(4)Â
Land subject to tidal action;
(5)Â
Land within 100 feet of the areas listed above;
(6)Â
All Town waters.
D.Â
Setbacks.
[Amended 10-11-2005 by L.L. No. 17-2005; 10-9-2012 by L.L. No. 12-2012; 12-15-2015 by L.L. No. 9-2015; 3-28-2023 by L.L. No. 5-2023]
(1)Â
The following minimum setbacks apply to any and all operations proposed
on residential property within the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees:
(2)Â
The Board of Trustees reserves the right to waive or alter these
setbacks where site-specific and/or environmental conditions justify
such action.
[Added 11-8-2017 by L.L.
No. 16-2017]
A.Â
Commencing January 1, 2018, it shall be unlawful for any person to
engage in coastal construction in the Town of Southold without first
obtaining a license from the Southold Town Board of Trustees' office
in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Such license or
a copy thereof shall be available at all of the contractor's work
sites and shall be produced to any official having jurisdiction upon
demand. Licenses for coastal contractors are nontransferable.
[Amended 2-13-2018 by L.L. No. 2-2018]
B.Â
Exceptions. No license shall be required for the following:
(1)Â
An individual who engages in coastal construction on his or
her own residential property. This exception shall not apply to corporations,
limited liability companies or other unincorporated business entities.
(2)Â
An individual who performs labor or services for a licensed
coastal contractor for wages or salary.
(3)Â
An architect, professional engineer, land surveyor or any other
person who is required by state or Town law to attain standards of
competency or experience as a prerequisite to engaging in such craft
or profession and who is acting exclusively within the scope of the
craft or profession for which he is currently licensed.
(4)Â
Any municipality or government agency.
C.Â
Fees. The fee for a coastal contractor's license shall be set by
the Town Board, and shall be paid upon the filing of each application.
A license issued hereunder shall be for a period of one year from
the date of issuance thereof.
D.Â
Insurance required. A coastal contractor shall have a certificate of insurance and workers' compensation insurance covering liability upon applying for a coastal contractor's license and shall maintain such policy during the period the license is in effect. In addition to the above, coastal contractors must provide proof of an issued Suffolk County contractor's license where applicable. Failure to maintain said coverage will provide grounds for revocation of the license pursuant to § 275-3.1E.
E.Â
Acknowledgement of Town law compliance. All applicants for a coastal contractor's license shall be required to read, review and provide an acknowledgement that they are on affirmative notice of Chapters 111 and 275 of the Town Code and agree to abide by the requirements set forth therein. They must further acknowledge that failure to do so may result in the revocation of the coastal contractor's license.
F.Â
Revocation of license.
(1)Â
Licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter may be
revoked by resolution of the Board of Trustees upon notice and hearing
before the Board of Trustees.
(2)Â
Licenses may be revoked for failure of contractors to abide by the terms and conditions of trustee permits and/or violations of Chapter 275 of the Town Code.
(3)Â
Notice of the hearing before the Board of Trustees for revocation
of a license shall be given in writing, setting forth the grounds
of the complaint and the time and place of hearing.
(5)Â
Such notice shall be sent by certified mailing to the address
provided in the application for the license on file in the Town Trustees'
office or, in the alternative, to the license holder's last known
address. Such notice must be mailed at least five days prior to the
date of the hearing.
[Amended 2-13-2018 by L.L. No. 2-2018]
(6)Â
At the conclusion of said hearing, the Board of Trustees may,
at its discretion, suspend or revoke the license or take no action.
(7)Â
In the event of two or more suspensions the Trustees may move
to permanently bar the holder from license eligibility.
A.Â
Permit exceptions; nondisturbance buffers.
[Amended 10-11-2005 by L.L. No. 17-2005; 12-18-2007 by L.L. No. 23-2007; 3-23-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010; 10-9-2012 by L.L. No.
12-2012; 1-29-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
(1)Â
The provisions of this chapter shall not require a
permit for the following:
(a)Â
The ordinary and usual operations incidental to the harvesting of
fish and shellfish.
(b)Â
The ordinary and usual operations relative to conservation of soil,
vegetation, fish and wildlife landward of the wetland boundary.
(c)Â
The ordinary and usual operations relative to bona fide preexisting
commercial agriculture and horticultural operations landward of the
wetland boundary.
(d)Â
The ordinary and usual operations relative to residential horticulture
within Trustee jurisdiction provided they are limited to the use of
noninvasive native species of vegetation. This exception does not
include activity on a bluff. Re-grading and removal of trees are not
considered such ordinary and usual operations.
(e)Â
The ordinary and usual maintenance or repair on a wetlands-permitted
structure (of the same dimensions) of a functional building, dock,
pier, wharf, jetty, groin, dike, dam or other water-control device
or structure.
(f)Â
Environmental testing activities, including test borings, small volume
soil sampling, environmental assessment and inventory activities,
provided such operations do not have an undue adverse impact on the
wetlands and tidal waters of the Town.
(g)Â
The ordinary and usual maintenance or repair of a man-made pond as defined in § 275-2. This exception does not apply to filling of unlined man-made ponds.
(h)Â
Proactive restoration or enhancement projects conducted in cooperation
with the Trustees, including, but not limited to, salt marsh restoration,
eelgrass plantings or other vegetative enhancement work.
(i)Â
The demolition, removal, repair and/or upgrading of existing residential
fuel tanks, fuel lines and fuel dispensers, and the installation or
burial of a residential propane tank, including necessary site work,
and provided that such activity will not have an undue adverse impact
on the wetlands and tidal waters of the Town.
(j)Â
Installation of new or replacement windows, roof shingles, solar
panels, siding or doors on existing upland structures.
[Amended 3-28-2023 by L.L. No. 5-2023]
(k)Â
The relocation of an existing septic system from within Trustee jurisdiction
to outside of Trustee jurisdiction.
(l)Â
Flagpoles specifically used for that purpose, with a base not greater
than four feet by four feet.
(m)Â
Operations landward of a public road whereby the public road is located
between the water body that is the source of Trustee jurisdiction
and the operations.
(2)Â
Notwithstanding the above-listed exceptions, operations
within a designated nondisturbance buffer are prohibited.
B.Â
Nothing contained in this section shall alter the
jurisdiction of the Southold Town Board of Trustees. These listed
exceptions do not provide an exemption from the requirements of other
departments or agencies.
[Amended 12-18-2007 by L.L. No. 23-2007]