Del Norte County Municipal Code § 14.22 Vault Privies 14.22.10 Purpose 14.22.20 Applicability 14.22.30 Siting Criteria…

It is the intent of this Chapter to allow, on a case by case basis, the use of vault privies for safe, water conserving, human waste storage and disposal for non-residential, recreational use.

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

The installation, relocation, expansion or repair of a vault privy shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. A vault privy is a structure used for disposal of human waste without the aid of water. It consists of a shelter built above a subsurface vault into which human waste falls. The vault privy has no water connection.

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

The use of a vault privy may be allowed in limited circumstances where it is necessary for the public health, safety, or welfare, where installation of an onsite wastewater treatment system is not feasible, where the vault privy is determined to provide the safest and most acceptable method of sewage handling, and is maintained by a permitted waste hauler. A special permit approved by the county public health officer or designee shall be required in each case.

Siting criteria include:

1. The temporary use of a vault privy to abate an existing nuisance or health hazard until the nuisance or health hazard may be resolved in a timely manner.

2. The temporary use of a vault privy when the project site is within a sewer service area, sewers are under construction or contracts have been awarded and completion is expected within two years, there is capacity at the wastewater treatment plant and the sewering agency will assume responsibility for maintenance of the tanks.

3. The permanent use of a vault privy to serve non-residential and non-commercial, limited use applications, such as primitive type picnic grounds, campsites, camps and recreation areas where onsite wastewater treatment systems are not practicable as determined by the county public health officer or designee. Approval to permit a vault privy will be considered by the county public health officer or designee on a case-by-case basis.

Vault privies shall not be used for seasonal dwellings, commercial facilities, or residential purposes (e.g. single family dwellings).

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

1. Installation Permit. In order to construct a new or replacement vault privy the property owner or designee shall obtain an Installation Permit from the environmental health division. Unless otherwise expressly stated in writing on the permit, an Installation Permit shall automatically expire one (1) year after the date of issuance. An Installation Permit may be extended, provided the permittee complies with all the requirements in effect at the time of the request for an extension, including payment of fees required to process the extension based on an actual hourly basis.

   2. Operating Permit. Following the installation of a privy vault, the property owner shall be required to obtain an Operating Permit from the environmental health division. The Operating Permit is valid for five (5) years and subject to conditions of approval. The environmental health division will review Operating Permit renewal applications for compliance with permit requirements including but not limited to those enumerated in section 14.16.50 Permit Requirements.

   3. Repair and Modification Permit. In order to perform repairs or modifications to any existing vault privy the property owner or designee shall obtain a permit from the environmental health division. No permit is required by this Chapter to perform minor maintenance work such as clearing of blockages. This provision shall not preclude the property owner from performing any temporary or other emergency repair work necessary to protect against an imminent threat to the owner’s or the public’s health or safety or environment, provided that the property owner immediately thereafter applies for any required permit. Unless otherwise expressly stated in writing on the Repair and Modification Permit, it shall automatically expire one (1) year after the date of issuance. A Repair and Modification Permit may be extended, provided the permittee complies with all the requirements in effect at the time of the request for an extension, including payment of fees required to process the extension based on an actual hourly basis.

   4. Closure Permit. Unused vault privies are to be removed or abandoned in place. An Closure Permit must be obtained, and a fee paid to the environmental health division. Every vault privy which has been abandoned or has been discontinued otherwise from further use or to which no waste or soil pipe from a plumbing fixture is connected, shall have the sewage removed and have the vault privy removed from the ground or abandoned in place. The pumping must be done by a septage pumper possessing a valid registration issued by the environmental health division. If abandoning in place, the cover and lids are to be removed and a hole punctured at the bottom of the tank. The vault privy shall be completely filled with sand, gravel, concrete or other approved fill material to fill the whole vault privy.

      1. An inspection with the environmental health division shall be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance.

      2. If abandoning a tank in place, an inspection is required prior to backfill/burial.

2. If removing a tank, an inspection is required prior to pulling the tank from the ground.

• (Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

1. The vault privy must be watertight and tested for water tightness at the time of installation using the same methods as for septic tank water tightness.

2. Owner shall conduct water tightness testing every five (5) years as part of the operating permit renewal process. Water tightness testing shall be conducted by a qualified technician prior to the permit expiration date.

   1. The owner shall provide the tightness report to the environmental health division within thirty (30) days of the tightness test.

3. The vault privy must be constructed in substantial compliance with the specifications for septic tanks and designed to facilitate the removal of the wastes.

4. The vault privy must meet the same setbacks requirements as a septic tank found in section 14.12.130 Appendix Table A.

5. The capacity of the vaults shall be adequately sized to accommodate the proposed use.

6. The vault privy shall not be located in a floodway or areas subject to seasonal flooding.

7. Structures must be free of hazardous surface features, such as exposed nail points, splinters, sharp edges, and rough or broken boards, and will provide privacy and protection from the elements.

8. Building ventilation must be equally divided between the bottom and top halves of the room. All vents must be screened with sixteen (16) mesh screen of durable material.

9. Building must be fly and rodent resistant, and will have self-closing doors with an inside latch.

10. The vault privy must be vented to the outside atmosphere by a pipe or vent stack having a minimum inside diameter of four (4) inches.

11. Interior floors, walls, ceilings, partitions, and doors must be finished with readily cleanable impervious material resistant to wastes, cleansers and chemicals. Floors and risers must be constructed of impervious material and in a manner that will prevent entry of vermin.

12. The seat opening must be covered with an open-front toilet seats with lids, both of which can be raised to allow use as a urinal.

13. A toilet tissue holder must be provided for each seat.

14. Vents must be sized to equal in area to a minimum of three (3) square feet.

15. A minimum clear space of twenty-four (24) inches between multiple unit installations and a clear space of twelve (12) inches from the seat opening to the side building wall in single and multiple units.

16. No water-carried sewage shall be piped to or be placed in vault privies.

17. A copy of a contract with a county licensed septage pumper that shows the tank shall be pumped at regular intervals or as needed.

18. Record of pumping dates and amounts pumped shall be maintained by the property owner and stored at the site.

19. The property owner shall submit the septage pumper’s receipt to the environmental health division within thirty (30) days of its pumping.

20. Have a handwashing station located next to the vault privy.

21. Inspections and enforcement shall take place on a complaint response basis.

22. The vault privy shall not be allowed to become filled with excreta to a point within two (2) feet of the ground surface.

23. The vault privy shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and in good repair.

24. A caustic shall be added routinely to vault chambers to control odors.

25. A record of regular maintenance shall be maintained onsite.

26. Doors, must be self-closing, sturdy, and designed to resist warping.

27. Lighting within the building in such a way that the visitor can see the waste in the vault.

28. Place vault privy building so that odors emitted from the vent stack will not affect parties, campground, or individuals.

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

Properties may change ownership. The new owner shall obtain his/her own operating permit for the vault privy. The issuance of the operating permit must be for the same activity on the previous permit. The vault privy is prohibited from residential private use. The vault privy shall not be used until all requirements from this chapter are met with the approval of the environmental health division and issued.

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

No person shall engage in the business of cleaning cesspools, septic tanks, seepage pits, pit privies, and vaults and the removal of the contents thereof within the county without first having obtained a permit from the environmental health division.

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

For the purpose of inspecting or monitoring any vault privy, the environmental health division may enter any area of any property at reasonable times subject to the environmental health division providing advanced notice to the owner, lessee, occupant, user or designated agent as is reasonable and practicable under the circumstances.

This section shall not preclude the environmental health division from entering property without notice, based on reasonable cause to believe that there exists a condition related to a vault privy that poses an imminent threat to public safety, water resources, recreation, health or welfare.

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

A bond, or other security, in the amount of five thousand dollars, payable to the county of Del Norte, shall be posted by the applicant prior to the issuance of an Installation Permit for the construction of the vault privy. Any bond posted as security pursuant to this section shall comply with the provisions of the California Bond and Underwriting Law which commences with Section 995.010 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. This performance bond is to be held by the county and may be called at any time by the county to decommission the vault privy.

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

Failure to pay the required fee or submit the specified monitoring and reporting information, or failure to undertake any required corrective work specified by the environmental health division may be cause for issuance of a citation, penalty fees, non-renewal and/or revocation of a permit by the environmental health

division.

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)

It shall be unlawful to conduct or carry on any operation which will in any way pollute or contaminate the waters of any river or stream within the county in such a manner as to decrease or affect the clarity of said waters, and more specifically to affect the reasonable enjoyment by fishermen, swimmers and other members of the public using said waters for recreation.

(Ord. 2022-008 § 2, 2022)