East Palo Alto Municipal Code Art. II General Provisions—Maintenance of Individual Disposal Systems

The provisions of this article are intended to insure that the continued disposal of sewage within a developed building site shall be accomplished in a safe and sanitary manner in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

(Prior code § 11-3.201)

This article is applicable to all individual sewage disposal systems which are constructed after the effective date of this chapter, except:

A. Any sewage disposal system for which a permit was issued prior to the effective date of this article pursuant to the provisions of Sections 8.44.010 through 8.44.110 of this code; or

B. Any individual sewage disposal system maintained by a public entity under and in accordance with regulations satisfactory to the health officer.

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, this chapter is applicable to all septic tank systems granted an exemption to the prohibition contained in Resolution 76-7 of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region, dated April 20, 1976.

(Prior code § 11-3.202)

It is unlawful for any person, whether as principal, servant, agent or employee, to own or operate an individual sewage disposal system for which a current certificate of inspection is not in effect. This prohibition shall not apply to septic tank systems referred to in the last paragraph of Section 8.44.150 until March 1, 1986.

(Prior code § 11-3.203)

The health officer is authorized to issue regulations providing guidelines and criteria to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Such regulations shall be approved by the city council prior to their effective date. The health officer is authorized to waive any particular requirement imposed by such regulations if he determines that equivalence in performance is attained despite noncompliance with the regulations.

(Prior code § 11-3.204)

It shall be the duty of the health officer or his/her duly authorized representative to enforce the provisions of this chapter and the regulations issued thereunder.

(Prior code § 11-3.205)

If the property owner of record of an individual sewage disposal system is dissatisfied with any action or determination of the health officer pursuant to this chapter, he/she shall have the right to appeal to the city council, in writing, within ten days after notification of the action of the health officer. The hearing shall be set within fifteen (15) days. The appellant shall be given notice thereof, at the address shown on the appeal, by registered or certified mail. At the conclusion of the hearing, the city council shall render a decision which shall be final.

(Prior code § 11-3.206)