Contra Costa County Municipal Code Ch. 416-14 Rat Control and Refuse Disposal

As used in this chapter, "refuse" means all garbage, combustible and noncombustible waste, all computrescible solid or concentrated liquid waste, except sewage, originating from household, business, commercial, and industrial activity, and the admixture of sewage effluent or sewage sludge with any of the above.

(Ord. 88-20 § 2: prior code § 4300: Ord. 1444).

(a) Every owner, lessee and occupant of any premises shall keep the premises free of refuse, nauseous, foul or offensive odors, and/or accumulations of filth and/or decaying animal excrement, and upon notification by the health officer shall remove and abate such nuisance within twenty-four hours, except as provided in subsection (b).

(b) Refuse may be stored on any premises in cans which shall:

(1) Be of watertight galvanized metal or other material of equivalent quality;

(2) Have not more than a thirty-gallon capacity;

(3) Have two handles adequate for lifting;

(4) Be covered continuously with a tight-fitting cover with handle except when being filled or emptied;

(5) Be kept clean by the users.

Refuse consisting of industrial, horticultural or construction waste, or other accumulations of a size larger than the containers herein specified, may be kept, collected and disposed of by any other means approved by the health officer.

(Ords. 88-20 § 2, 76-68 § 1: prior code § 4301: Ords. 1444, 565, 392, 310, 112).

No person shall place refuse on any land in this county except as permitted by county ordinance.

(Ord. 88-20 § 2: prior code § 4302: Ord. 1444).

Every building, dock, wharf and incinerator shall be so constructed and kept in repair as to prevent rats from entering and from being harbored within their walls or beneath their floors.

(Ord. 88-20 § 2: prior code § 4303: Ord. 1444).

The health officer and any agent or inspector appointed by the health officer or by the board of supervisors, after announcing the purpose of the visit, shall be permitted to enter any building or premises in this county between nine a.m. and five p.m. of any day for the purpose of inspection to ascertain whether the provisions of this chapter have been complied with.

(Ord. No. 2024-23, § III(Exh. A), 12-3-24; Ord. 88-20 § 2: prior code § 4304: Ord. 1444).

Any condition existing in violation of this chapter is a public nuisance, and in addition to any other remedy available under the law, may be abated in accordance with the procedures in Article 14-6.4.

(Ords. 88-88 § 4, 88-20 § 2).

If the health officer finds that a violation has created an emergency condition constituting an immediate threat to public health and safety, the health officer may abate the condition summarily and without notice.

(Ord. No. 2024-23, § III(Exh. A), 12-3-24; Ord. 88-20 § 2).