California City Municipal Code Ch. 5 Private Sanitation Systems

This chapter governs the construction, operation and maintenance of private sanitation systems. This chapter supplements and does not replace provisions of state law dealing with private sanitation systems.

The following terms are defined for the purposes of this chapter:

"Private sanitation system" means wells, pipelines, reservoirs, pumps and other devices used to transport sewage or waste water.

"Abandonment" means the cessation of use of all or parts of a private water system for a period of thirty (30) days or more.

"Sanitation Code" means Part 3 of the Ordinance Code of the County, being the Health and Sanitation Code of the County, as amended, three copies of which are on file in the Office of the City Clerk for public record and inspection.

(a) A person shall not construct, operate or maintain a private water sanitation system without first securing a permit as required by this chapter.

(b) The permit shall not allow a private sewage disposal system to service property within Building Code Occupancy Groups Assembly (A), except A2, Educational (E), Institutional (I), or multi-family residential (R) without the consent of the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

(Ord. No. 09-675, 5-19-2009)

(a) A construction permit is required for the construction of any part of a private sanitation system. The permit will be issued by the public works director if the owner of the system: (1) applies for the permit on forms approved for that purpose by the director; (2) submits the completed application forms with the required application fee; (3) submits plans showing the system will be constructed in accordance with criteria established by the city; (4) obtains the director's approval of the plans; and (5) constructs the system in accordance with the approved plans.

(b) The council shall approve the criteria for the construction of private sanitation systems upon the recommendation of the Public Works Director. The criteria shall include compliance with the Sanitation Code.

(a) An operations permit is required before any part of a private water system is operated or maintained. The permit will be issued by the Director of Public Works if the owner of the system: (1) applies for the permit on forms approved for that purpose by the director; (2) submits the completed application forms with the required application fee; (3) submits plans showing the system will be operated in accordance with criteria established by the city; (4) obtains the director's approval of the plans; and (5) operates the system in accordance with the approved plans.

(b) The council shall approve the criteria for the operation of private sanitation systems upon the recommendation of the Public Works Director. The criteria shall include compliance with the Sanitation Code.

(a) A construction or operations permit may be revoked if the permit holder fails to comply with this chapter or fails to satisfy permit conditions. Except when public health or safety is threatened, the Director of Public Works shall give the permit holder at least ten (10) days prior written notice of intent to revoke the permit. The notice shall state the reasons for the revocation and invite the permit owner to answer the allegations. If public health or safety is threatened, the Director's notice shall be by the best practical means in light of the threat.

(b) The permit holder may contest the Director's decision by filing a written appeal with the City Clerk within ten (10) days of receipt of the director's notice. The appeal shall state the permit holder's rebuttal to the Director's allegations.

(c) The City Council shall conduct a public hearing to consider the appeal of the permit holder at the next regular meeting held not sooner than five (5) days nor more than fifteen (15) days after the appeal is filed with the City Clerk. The council shall consider all relevant evidence. The decision of the council is final.

(a) A permit shall be obtained before any part of a private sanitation system is abandoned. The permit will be issued by the Director of Public Works if the permit holder: (1) applies for the permit on forms approved for that purpose by the director; (2) submits the completed application forms with the required application fee; (3) submits plans showing the system will be abandoned in accordance with criteria established by the city; (4) obtains the director's approval of the plans and (5) the system is abandoned in accordance with the approved plans.

(b) The council shall approve the criteria for the abandonment of all or part of a private sanitation system upon the recommendation of the Public Works Director. The criteria shall include compliance with the Sanitation Code.