Contra Costa County Municipal Code Ch. 88-14 Oil and Gas Drilling and Production

The purpose of this chapter is to assure that oil and gas drilling and production activity is developed to be compatible with existing and planned surface uses. This chapter also seeks to assure maintenance of public health standards and protection of natural resources and public facilities. To this end, the following provisions are intended to establish reasonable regulation of oil and gas drilling and production activity.

(Ord. 86-61 § 5).

This chapter provides review procedures of oil and gas drilling and production activity for all land use districts except the Planned Unit Development (P-1) district, which is subject to review procedures described in Chapter 84-66.

(Ord. 86-61 § 5).

As used in this code, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given in this section:

(1) "Material alterations" means substantive modifications in the design or operation of an existing well, limited to installation of new compressor units, installation of oil storage or water condensation tanks, or installation of subsurface injection equipment to enhance natural flow of mineral resources.

(2) "Oil and gas drilling and production activity" means all activities related to the exploration for and recovery of subsurface oil or gas deposits. This phrase excludes exploration methods not involving subsurface drilling activity.

(3) "Urban land use designation" means those collective areas shown on land use element maps of the county general plan which are planned for either residential, commercial, industrial, office, country estate, interim agriculture or similar uses.

(Ord. 86-61 § 5).

Article 88-14.4. Uses

Oil and gas drilling and production activity is allowed within the Light Agricultural (A-1), General Agricultural (A-2), Heavy Agricultural (A-3), Agricultural Preserve (A-4) and Exclusive Agricultural (A-20, A-40, and A-80) land use districts subject to the administrative review and approval of the zoning administrator, provided the subject parcel is not located in any of the following areas:

(1) Within one thousand feet of a city boundary;

(2) Within an urban land use designation;

(3) Within one thousand feet of an urban land use designation.

New oil and gas drilling and production activity may not commence, and material alterations to existing oil and gas wells may not be installed, until the zoning administrator certifies that the project site is located in a permitted use area and issues a permit. The zoning administrator shall impose conditions on permitted activity to assure maintenance of public health standards, protection of natural resources and public facilities, and compatibility with adjoining uses. Permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance. Failure, neglect or refusal to exercise a permit within one year from the date of issuance shall automatically cause the same to become null and void.

(Ord. 86-61 § 5).

New oil and gas drilling and production activity and material alterations to existing oil and gas wells are permitted on the issuance of a land use permit in the following districts:

(1) Within the Light Agricultural (A-1), General Agricultural (A-2), Heavy Agricultural (A-3), Agricultural Preserve (A-4) and Exclusive Agricultural (A-20, A-40 and A-80) land use districts and within one or more of the areas enumerated in Section 88-14.402(1) through (3);

(2) Within any land use district not listed in Section 88-14.402, except the Planned Unit Development (P-1) district.

(Ord. 86-61 § 5).

Article 88-14.6. Land Use Permits and Administrative Review Permits

Land use permits for oil and gas drilling and production activity located in areas enumerated in Section 88-14.404 may be granted in accordance with Chapters 26-2 and 82-6. Permits subject to administrative review and approval for allowed oil and gas drilling and production activity in locations described in Section 88-14.402 shall be issued through review procedures established by the board of supervisors.

(Ord. 86-61 § 5).

The board may from time to time, by resolution, issue regulations to establish administration, procedures, interpretations and policy direction for this chapter.

(Ord. 86-61 § 5).