Campbell Municipal Code Ch. 14.04 General Sanitation

Footnotes:

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Note— For statutory provisions pertaining to the regulation of constructing and locating drains and sewers, see West's Gov. Code §§ 38660 and 38900. For provisions authorizing mandatory sewer connections and declaring other means of sewage disposal to be a nuisance, see West's Gov. Code § 54352. For provisions authorizing cities to prescribe, revise and collect sewer rates, see West's Gov. Code §§ 54344—543488, and 54354—54356.

It is unlawful to maintain, or use, any residence, place of business, or other building or place where persons reside, congregate, or are employed which is not provided with means for the disposal of sewage, either by a flush toilet connected with a sewage system approved by the city building official.

(Prior code § 5100).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Every building where persons reside, congregate, or are employed which abuts a street or alley in which there is an approved public sanitary sewer, or which is within two hundred feet of an approved public sanitary sewer, provided a right-of-way can be obtained, and if possible a grade is present, shall be connected to the sewer, by the owner or agent of the premises, in the most direct manner possible, and with a separate connection for each home or building.

(Prior code § 5101).

(a) Every person, firm or corporation whose buildings come within the requirements of Section 14.04.010 shall make written application for sewer connections and alterations to Campbell's Building Division and a separate application to West Valley Sanitation District (WVSD). The application(s) shall contain the location of the premises to be connected, a description of the plumbing facilities contained therein, the type of connection, whether for house or Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), inclusive of: sewer lateral, type materials, pipe connections, building drain, cleanouts, and/or backflow devices. Applicable permit fees will be assessed by both the city building division and WVSD. Upon approval of the application(s) permits will be issued. Inspection of the work, or alteration, or participation will be required by both the city building division and WVSD.

(b) All excavating work and construction in public streets and public property shall be done by licensed contractors, and the same shall be subject to the provisions of regulating excavation in public streets, being Section 11.04.010 et seq., entitled "Public Works" except that no separate application thereunder need be filed.

(Prior code § 5102).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Before granting a permit to connect with the sewer system, the city building division and WVSD shall examine the plumbing facilities of the building to verify compliance to the requirements of this chapter and the adopted California Building and Plumbing Codes and specifications provided by WVSD. If the city building division or WVSD finds that such plumbing does not substantially conform to said requirements, they shall notify the applicant wherein the plumbing is defective, and that upon such defects being corrected, the applicant's permit to connect with the sewer will be granted; and it shall be the duty of such applicant to have the plumbing corrected within thirty days after being so notified.

(Prior code § 5103).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

All soil or waste pipes under or inside of any such building shall be of cast iron, ABS or PVC plastic as approved for sewer systems. All joints in cast iron shall be made with no-hub mission bands. Existing wrought iron pipes and fittings, known as the Durham System, are permissible. All joints shall be made completely watertight and tested during inspection by city building division. All soil or waste pipes shall extend two feet outside the exterior wall of the building and be equipped with a building drain cleanout to a junction with the branch sewer. Two way cleanouts must be back-to-back combination wye and ⅛ (AKA: Eastbay or Texas two-way cleanout).

(Prior code § 5103.1).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Every house or building or ADU in and for which the plumbing work has been properly constructed, shall be separately and independently connected with the sewer system lateral, provided a line of such sewer has been laid in the street, alley, public way or easement on which such house or building abuts, and is within two hundred feet distant therefrom; provided that in the case of bungalow courts, ADU's, duplex or apartment houses one sewer lateral may be permitted. Deviations from the standard of separate building connections or possible connections of sewage ejectors must be approved by the city building official.

(Prior code § 5103.2).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Sewer specifications shall be compliant to current California Plumbing Code (CPC) and WVSD requirements. All sewer lines from two feet outside of the building drain shall be of cast iron, ABS or PVC plastic (sewer rated) pipe and shall have an internal diameter of not less than three inches. Sewer cleanouts are required at: upper terminal, at the building drain, at the property line, at each one hundred feet of developed length, and each horizontal change of direction exceeding one hundred thirty-five degrees. Properties with elevations within twelve inches of the next upstream sewer access hole will be required to provide backflow protection by device or electronic alarm. If the subject property has or will receive a detached ADU, the ADU will require an additional backflow protection device or electronic alarm. Any story above the ground floor must connect to the sewer lateral downstream of the backflow protection device per (CPC 710.0).

(Prior code § 5104).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

The separate length of the sewer pipe must be laid in a bed of sand or pea gravel on the bottom and sides with a uniform slope downward from the junction with the soil or waste pipe to the connection with the public sewer, and in no case shall the slope be less than prescribed by Section 708.0 CPC.

The pipe shall not be covered or concealed in any way until it has been inspected and approved by the city Building Inspection Division and WVSD.

(Prior code § 5105).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

All wye connections to the public sewer system and lateral placements past property lines shall be made and inspected by West Valley Sanitation District (WVSD).

(Prior code § 5106).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

No person shall permit to run into any sewer of the city any rain or stormwater, roof drains, wash racks or drains of any public or private garages except toilets, showers, bidets, sinks, and wash basins.

(Prior code § 5107).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

It is unlawful for any person to wilfully injure, break, destroy, obstruct or remove or in any way interfere with any manhole or public sewer whether constructed on private ground or in any street, alley or public way or to throw, deposit or cause to be thrown or deposited in any opening of such sewer, any garbage, offal, dead animals, vegetable parings, ashes, hair, acid, cinders, rags, oil or grease of any kind, or the contents of any cesspool, or any bulky or solid substance of any kind whatever having a tendency to obstruct the free flow of sewers, or in anywise to damage the same.

(Prior code § 5108).

There is established, levied and assessed upon each premises having any sewer connection available with the sewerage system of city, as it now exists or as it may be hereafter developed and enlarged, and not forming a part of the sewerage system of Sanitation District No. 4 of Santa Clara County, excepting for interconnection with Sanitation District No. 4 as may exist by contractual arrangement, a schedule of rentals and charges.

(Prior code § 5109).

Sewer participation, connection, service, maintenance, inspection, and use fees shall be as identified by the current, WVSD Fees and Charges viewable from www.westvalleysan.org.

(Prior code § 5109.1).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Sewer participation, connection, service, maintenance, inspection, and use fees shall be as identified by the current, WVSD Fees and Charges viewable from www.westvalleysan.org.

(Prior code § 5109.2).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Sewer participation, connection, service, maintenance, inspection, and use fees shall be as identified by the current, WVSD Fees and Charges viewable from www.westvalleysan.org.

(Prior code § 5109.3).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Sewer participation, connection, service, maintenance, inspection, and use fees shall be as identified by the current, WVSD Fees and Charges viewable from www.westvalleysan.org.

(Prior code § 5109.4).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Sewer participation, connection, service, maintenance, inspection, and use fees shall be as identified by the current, WVSD Fees and Charges viewable from www.westvalleysan.org.

(Prior code § 5109.5).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

For the purpose of this code the term "unit" is defined as relating to the number of individual occupancies, rather than as to the number of units of plumbing fixtures.

(Prior code § 5109.6).

It is unlawful for any person to construct or maintain any privy, cesspool, septic tank, sewage treatment works, sewer pipes or conduits, or other pipes or conduits for the treatment or discharge of sewage or impure waters or any matter or substance offensive, injurious or dangerous to health whereby they shall do any of the following:

(1) Overflow any lands whatever;

(2) Empty, flow, seep, drain into or affect any springs, streams, rivers, lakes or other waters within the county of Santa Clara.

(Prior code § 5110).

Every residence, place of residence, or other building or place where persons congregate, reside, or are employed, shall harbor and keep maintained water flush toilets and sink basins. Maximum water use limits for all plumbing fixtures, residential and commercial, shall comply with the current limits set forth in Cal Green Building Standards Code.

(Prior code § 5111).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Every residence, place of residence, or other building or place where persons congregate, reside, or are employed, shall connect, and participate in the public sewer system. Those properties without public sewer connection shall abandon the private septic, or other system, and connect to the public system upon application for any building permit that includes additional habitable space, or a valuation in excess of one hundred thousand dollars, or transfer of property ownership.

(Prior code § 5112).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), adopted Nov. 15, 2022, repealed § 14.04.110, which pertained to septic tanks—construction and derived from prior code § 5113.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), adopted Nov. 15, 2022, repealed § 14.04.115, which pertained to size of septic tank and derived from prior code § 5113.1.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), adopted Nov. 15, 2022, repealed § 14.04.120, which pertained to septic tank materials and derived from prior code § 5113.2.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), adopted Nov. 15, 2022, repealed § 14.04.125, which pertained to septic tank drains and derived from prior code § 5113.3.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), adopted Nov. 15, 2022, repealed § 14.04.130, which pertained to cesspools and derived from prior code § 5114.

All sewer wells are declared to be a public nuisance. It is unlawful to drill, construct, maintain or operate a sewer well, and such an offense shall constitute a misdemeanor.

(Prior code § 5115).

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), adopted Nov. 15, 2022, repealed § 14.04.140, which pertained to private sewage disposal plants and derived from prior code § 5116.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), adopted Nov. 15, 2022, repealed § 14.04.145, which pertained to pit privy and derived from prior code § 5117.

Portable chemical privies, may be used temporarily at construction sites, special events, and emergency use by permission of the city building official or other health officer, or such other person who may be hereafter designated as event planner. Privies must be maintained, cleaned, and kept in a sanitary condition. Privies in place for excess of thirty days shall be permitted by the city building inspection division.

(Prior code § 5118).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to construct, build, or rebuild any residence, place of residence, or other building or place where persons congregate, reside or are employed which is not to be connected to an approved public sanitary sewer.

(Prior code § 5119).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), adopted Nov. 15, 2022, repealed § 14.04.160, which pertained to building permits—approval of health officer and derived from prior code § 5120.

No certification of occupancy shall be issued for any building which is not connected to an approved public sanitary sewer without the written approval of the city building official.

(Prior code § 5121).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

It shall be the duty of the city building official and/or code enforcement agent or such other person who may be hereafter designated, to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 5122).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

If, with respect to existing septic tanks, sewage treatment works, sewer pipes or conduits or other pipes or conduits for the treatment or discharge of sewage or impure waters, it would be exceptionally difficult, if not impossible, to comply with the provisions of this section, the city building official shall have the power by special permit to allow such variations from the provisions contained in this section as will prevent unnecessary hardship or injustice and at the same time most nearly accomplish the general purpose and intent hereof.

(Prior code § 5123).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

This chapter shall not be construed as imposing upon the city or the county of Santa Clara any liability or responsibility for damage resulting from the defective construction of any sanitary disposal system as herein provided, nor shall the city or the county of Santa Clara or any official or employee thereof be held as assuming any such responsibility by reason of the inspection authorized thereunder.

(Prior code § 5125)

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)

Unlawful actions or violations shall be interpreted, enforced, or penalized by the city building official and/or Code Enforcement Agent.

(a) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to violate any provision, or fail to comply with any mandatory requirement of this chapter. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section any entity violating any provision, or failing to comply with any mandatory requirement of this chapter is guilty of an infraction, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, any person, firm or corporation committing any act made unlawful pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars and/or imprisonment of not more than six months, if any of the following circumstances exists:

(1) The violation was committed willfully or with knowledge of its illegality;

(2) The violator does not cease or otherwise abate the violation after receiving notice of such violation;

(3) The violator has previously been convicted of violating the same provision of this title within two years of the currently charged violation; or

(4) The provision violated specifies that such violation shall be misdemeanor.

(c) Each person, firm or corporation violating any provision, or failing to comply with the mandatory requirements of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter is committed, continued, or permitted by such person, firm or corporation, and shall be punishable as provided in this section.

(Ord. 1693 § 9, 1988).

(Ord. No. 2290, § 2(Exh. A-2), 11-15-2022)