This section shall apply to any person or entity conducting activities within the City or County of Durham, except where such activities are otherwise regulated by the State of North Carolina or the United States. Outside of the Neuse River Basin, activities otherwise regulated by the State include forest harvesting and agricultural activities, activities conducted by a local, state, or federal government, and activities under multiple jurisdictions except where such multiple jurisdictions are the City and County of Durham exclusively. This section shall supersede all locally implemented buffer requirements stated in 15A NCAC 02B .0214 through .0216 as applied to WS-II, WS-III, and WS-IV waters in the Jordan watershed. Where any requirement of this section conflicts with any other valid law, the most stringent requirement shall apply.

The requirements of this section shall apply in all cases, including where State standards are less stringent. Review and approval by the City or County is always required, except in the case of an exempt use, and shall occur pursuant to the applicable process in each case (e.g., Preliminary Plat, Major Site Plan, etc.). Within the Neuse River Basin, final review by the City or County shall occur after any State action is completed.