Subchapter 3.06 — Individual Sewage Disposal Systems.

It shall be unlawful for any person, whether as principal, servant, agent of employee to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, improve or replace a septic tank, cesspool, seepage pit, drainage field, leaching system or any other type of individual sewage disposal system, or any part thereof, in or upon any property in the Town of Colma without first having obtained a permit to do so from the Health Officer.

[History: formerly § 3.500; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

It shall be unlawful for any person whether as principal, servant, agent or employee to install or replace a chemical toilet installation in or upon any property in the Town of Colma without first having obtained a permit to do so from the Health Officer; provided, however, that no permit shall be required for the installation of such chemical toilets for temporary use upon property where a building or other structure is being constructed during the period of such construction.

[History: formerly § 3.500.1; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

No permit shall be issued under this chapter unless the applicant therefore has previously paid the following non-refundable filing fees:

(a) Where a permit is sought for the construction of a new individual sewage disposal system under Section 3.06.010 of the Code, the filing fee therefore shall be in the sum set forth in the Master Fee Schedule.

(b) Where an examination of property is sought to determine whether a new individual sewage disposal system permit under Section 3.06.010 of this Code can be issued at a future date, the filing fee therefore shall be the sum set forth in the Master Fee Schedule. If such examination approves the issuance of such permit and application for such permit is made within one year, the filing fee for such examination shall be credited towards the filing fee for such permit.

(c) Where a permit is sought for the enlargement, alteration, repair, or improvement of an individual sewage disposal system under Section 3.06.010 of this Code, the filing fee therefore shall be in the sum set forth in the Master Fee Schedule.

(d) Where a permit is sought for a chemical toilet under Section 3.06.020 of this Code, the filing fee therefore shall be in the sum set forth in the Master Fee Schedule.

The filing fees set out in subsections (a) and (b) hereinabove shall be paid by the applicant at the time of application for a permit to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, or improve an individual sewage disposal system or to install or replace a chemical toilet, and prior to the inspection of

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the site of any such construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, or improvement of an individual sewage disposal system or installation or replacement of a chemical toilet. The fee established by subsection (b) hereinabove shall be paid prior to any examination. Filing fees shall not be refunded to the applicant whether or not the City grants him the permit applied for pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) hereof or approves the issuance of a permit pursuant to subsection (b) hereof.

In the event, however, the City fails to process applications under subsections (a) and (c) hereinabove, or to make an examination under subsection (b) hereinabove, it shall return to the applicant any filing fee paid by him.

[History: formerly § 3.501; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05; ORD. 793, 5/22/19]

(a) Sewage means any and all waste, substance, liquid or solid, associated with human habitation or which contains or may be contaminated with human or animal excreta, excrement, offal or any feculent matter or matters, or substances that may be injurious or dangerous to health, either directly or indirectly.

(b) Chemical Toilet means and includes any toilet or water closet constructed, installed or placed for the purpose of having deposited therein sewage which is disposed of by a chemical process than by discharge into a sewer system for treatment in the sewage treatment plant of a public agency or district.

(c) Health Officer means the City Health Officer of the Town of Colma or his authorized representative.

[History: formerly § 3.501; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

(a) No septic tank shall be located within five (5) feet of any building used as a dwelling; within ten (10) feet of any property line; within fifty (50) feet of any well or twenty (20) feet of the top of the bank of a stream or twenty-five (25) feet of a swimming pool.

(b) No drainage field or leaching system shall be located within five (5) feet of any building used as a dwelling; within ten (10) feet of any property line; within seventy-five (75) feet of any well; within twenty (20) feet of the top of the bank of a stream, ditch or cut slope; or within twenty-five (25) feet of a swimming pool.

(c) No seepage pit shall be located within ten (10) feet of any building used as a dwelling; within ten (10) feet of any property line; within one hundred (100) feet of a swimming pool; or within twenty (20) feet of the top of the bank of a stream, ditch or cut slope.

(d) Any deviations from subsections (a), (b), or (c) above shall be with the approval of the Health Officer expressed in writing.

[History: formerly § 3.502; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

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The type and manner of construction and installation of individual sewage disposal system shall conform to size and extent recommended in bulletins issued jointly by the Health Officer and the Building Inspector and on file in both of said offices. Those installations requiring special consideration shall meet a design approved by the Health Officer.

The use of pit privies and cesspools for permanent installations is generally prohibited and shall not be permitted except in unusual circumstances upon a written determination that no health problem exists by the Health Officer. Any such approval shall set forth the terms and conditions upon which the use of a pit privy or cesspool shall be permitted.

[History: formerly § 3.503; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

This chapter in no way prohibits an owner from constructing and installing his or her own sewage system, providing that all of the provisions of this chapter are complied with.

[History: formerly § 3.504; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

No permit shall be granted under this chapter with respect to an individual sewage disposal system where the property is adjacent to or within 100 feet of a public sanitary sewer, except with respect to an individual sewage disposal system permitted under subparagraphs (a) or (b) of section 3.04.040 of the Municipal Code of the Town of Colma.

[History: formerly § 3.504.1; ORD. 349, 5/13/87; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

Structures.

(a) Each applicant for a permit to install an individual sewage disposal system pursuant to this chapter shall, at the time of making such application, submit a plot plan which shall show the following:

(1) The existing property lines of the property in or upon which the disposal system
is to be placed in relation to streets and highways and surrounding properties.

(2) The location of all existing or proposed buildings, structures, driveways, patios
and similar installations upon the property.

(b) Initial inspection of the property in or upon which each individual sewage disposal system is to be placed shall be made by the Health Officer to determine the feasibility of a rural sewage disposal system functioning properly. This may mean having percolation tests made by the owner of the property, or his representative, under the supervision of the Health Officer. A permit will not be issued if, in the opinion of the Health Officer, the proposed disposal system will not function in a sanitary manner due to lack of porosity of ground or by reason of inadequate area available for the proposed disposal system.

Individual Sewage Disposal Systems Colma Municipal Code (May 2019) Page 3.06-3

(c) Final inspection of each installation shall be made by the Health Officer before the individual sewage disposal system, or any part thereof, is back-filled or covered.

[History: formerly § 3.505; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

Individual sewage disposal systems, where permitted, must comply with the regulations governing the approval of individual sewage disposal systems in San Mateo County as adopted pursuant to Section 8506, Chapter 6, Division VII of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code, and such amendments thereto as may be issued by the Health Officer.

[History: formerly § 3.506; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

(a) Each permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire and become null and void if the work authorized thereby has not been commenced within ninety (90) days after the permit has been issued.

(b) If, after the commencement of the installation of a sewage disposal system authorized by a permit issued pursuant to this chapter and before completion thereof, the project is abandoned for a continuous period of ninety (90) days then the permit therefore shall expire and become null and void.

(c) Upon the expiration of any permit as herein provided, no further work may be done in connection with the installation of the sewage disposal system unless and until a new permit for such purpose is issued in accordance with this chapter.

[History: formerly § 3.06.110; ORD. 267, 1/13/82; ORD. 638, 12/14/05]

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CHAPTER THREE: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS