Chapter 15.45 — OIL-GAS (O-G) ZONE

The Oil-Gas (O-G) Zone is intended to provide for areas where present and future drilling for and production of oil, gas and other hydrocarbon substances can be established and operate while establishing certain limitations on said oil drilling and production for the purpose of ensuring their compatibility with present and future surrounding land uses.

(Ord. 2982, passed - -2001)

In the Oil-Gas (O-G) Zone, the following uses only are permitted, subject to the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 15.56 of this title: (A) Oil and gas drilling, including secondary recovery activities, and operations related to the routine rework or repair and maintenance of the wells used for such drilling, including the installation and use of structures and equipment incidental, necessary and accessory to such drilling, repair or maintenance. All such structures and equipment must be for the sole use of the owner or lessee of the land;

• (B) Storage tanks, provided each tank does not exceed a capacity of 2,000 barrels;

• (C) Agricultural uses, including flower and vegetable gardens, orchards, tree crops, berry or bush crops, for the purpose of propagation and culture, including the wholesaling of crops grown on the premises, but excluding cannabis cultivation, as defined in Chapter 15.04; and (D) Golf courses.

• (Ord. 2982, passed - -2001; Ord. 3227, passed - -2015)

The following uses may be allowed with the approval of a conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 15.70 of this title:

(A) Commercial horse stables as defined in Chapter 15.04 of this title, and subject to the development requirements and restrictions in Chapter 15.55 of this title;

• (B) Recreation facilities, such as golf driving ranges;

• (C) Caretaker’s residence;

• (D) Temporary stands for the display and retail sale of crops raised on the premises;

• (E) Commercial nurseries;

• (F) Exportation of dirt;

• (G) Facilities and equipment that are owned and operated by the owner or lessee of the land for the purpose of processing substances; and

(H) Facilities and equipment owned and operated by a person or persons other than the owner or lessee of the land for the primary purpose of rendering services to the oil operations.

• (Ord. 2982, passed - -2001)

No well for oil and gas extraction may be drilled and thereafter operated, produced and maintained in an oil zone without a permit granted by the Director of Development Services. Such permit shall be granted, provided that:

(A) The surface location of the well and facilities are not less than 150 feet from the outer boundary of any property with an Oil-Gas (OG) Zone, except that if the Oil-Gas (O-G) Zone has a common boundary with property with either a Public Land (P-L) Zone or an Open Space Wildlife Habitat (O-S-WH) sub-zone, wells and facilities may be located within 150 feet upon approval of a conditional use permit. In the case of an adjacent property with a Open Space (O-S) Zone (other than a Wildlife Habitat sub-zone), no setback shall apply from the Open Space Zone;

(B) The applicant agrees, that within 90 days after the drilling of the well has been completed, and the well placed on production or abandoned, the derrick shall be entirely dismantled; provided, however, that the use of a portable rig shall be permitted thereafter at any time, and from time-to-time, for servicing such well;

(C) The applicant agrees that upon abandonment of the well, the surface of the premises shall be restored to its original condition as nearly as it is practicable to do so. Included in this condition is the removal of sump holes;

(D) The application for a permit shall designate by map and description the exact location of the proposed well or facility, and shall contain the agreement of the applicant to observe the conditions of this chapter; and

(E) A fee of $150 per well shall be paid upon the filing of each application for a permit. This fee shall be in lieu of any other licensing or permit fee required by the city in connection with an application for the drilling of oil wells.

(Ord. 2982, passed - -2001)

(A) No permit for the erection of any derrick or the drilling for oil or gas shall be issued by the Director of Development Services or be valid or effective for any purpose, unless at the time of issuance there is on file with the City Clerk and in full force and effect, a satisfactory surety corporate bond in favor of the city, in the sum of $2,000 per well, or $10,000 for five or more wells, conditioned upon the compliance by the applicant with all conditions set forth in this chapter.

(B) The conditions of the bond shall be as follows.

(1) The city shall be indemnified against any expense or liability resulting from the operation or use of land and equipment for which a permit is granted.

(2) Upon cessation of operations or abandonment, the property shall be cleaned and made safe and the derrick, other equipment and sumps shall be removed.

(3) The applicant shall comply with all the laws of the city and all other applicable laws.

(4) The applicant shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the permit to the reasonable satisfaction of the Director of Development Services.

(5) Such other conditions as the City Attorney shall reasonably require incidental to the foregoing conditions.

(C) The bond shall be terminated upon one of the following conditions:

(1) Upon the applicant’s filing with the City Clerk a substitute bond in the principal sum required by this chapter; and

(2) Upon the applicant’s filing with the City Clerk a release of the bond showing an abandonment of all operations for which the permit was issued, or upon the revocation of such permit, provided that all the conditions of the bond have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the City Council.

(Ord. 2982, passed - -2001)