(1) This chapter applies to all land uses, activity, and development in the City of Covington, and all persons within the City shall comply with this chapter.

(2) City shall not approve any permit or otherwise issue any authorization to alter the condition of any land, water or vegetation or to construct or alter any structure or improvement without first ensuring compliance with this chapter.

(3) Approval of a development proposal in accordance with this chapter does not discharge the obligation of the applicant to comply with this chapter.

(4) This chapter applies to all forest practices over which the City has jurisdiction under Chapter 76.09 RCW and WAC Title 222.

(5) Unless exempted in CMC 18.65.047 or 18.65.048, these critical area regulations shall apply to all developments within one or more of the following critical areas or their associated buffers, regardless of whether the site has been previously identified as a critical area. Critical areas include any of the following areas or ecosystems as defined in RCW 36.70A.030 and WAC 365-190-030 and the corresponding buffers and setbacks: