El Cerrito Municipal Code Ch. 8.28 Blasting

It is unlawful for any person, without a permit from the city engineer, to do any blasting within the city or to explode or cause to be exploded any, dynamite, nitroglycerin or any other explosive.

(Ord. 92-13 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

A. Any person desiring to use explosives within the city for the purpose of blasting shall make a written application to the city engineer for a permit and pay the registration fee specified in the city's master fee schedule. The application shall set forth the name, age and address of the applicant, and a statement of the previous experience of the person or persons who are in charge of such blasting operations and their qualifications to safely handle and use the explosive or explosives mentioned in Section 8.28.010 of this chapter.

B. If the city engineer is satisfied as to the propriety and necessity of such blasting, and that the same can be safely done in the specified location, and is satisfied as to the experience and qualifications of the person or persons named by the applicant, he/she shall issue a permit under such conditions as he/she may deem necessary for the protection of persons and property in the vicinity. The applicant shall deposit with the city clerk a good and sufficient bond as set by the city engineer in the sum of not less than fifty thousand dollars, and upon such conditions as may be designated by the city engineer in the permit, which bond shall run in favor of the city and shall inure to the benefit of the city and all persons who may suffer any damage, in person or property, from the blasting operations conducted by the permittee, and shall be conditioned to pay for all loss or damage to person or property caused or resulting from the blasting operations by the permittee.

C. The bond shall be approved by the city attorney before filing with the city clerk. If a recovery is had on the bond, the permittee shall immediately file a new bond in the same sum, and if he does not do so the permit issued by the city engineer shall be immediately terminated and revoked.

D. The application must be accompanied by evidence of a current insurance policy or policies providing for workers compensation and for damage and injury liability of one million dollars minimum. The city engineer may amend but not waive this requirement.

(Ord. 92-13 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

The permit shall be issued for a maximum of sixty days and the city engineer may extend the period of the permit for an additional sixty days when conditions warrant. A continuous permit for blasting operations shall not be granted.

(Ord. 92-13 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)

It is unlawful for any person to explode or cause to be exploded any blast without first covering the same in such a manner as to prevent materials from being thrown against or upon lots or buildings, or upon any public street or highway.

(Ord. 92-13 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1992.)