Kern County Municipal Code Art. IV Standards and Regulations

All sewerage systems within an area to which this chapter applies shall be constructed, operated and maintained at all times in a sanitary manner, in conformity with the requirements of the regional board, the county, and the health officer, now in effect or as may be adopted, amended or revised from time to time, and in such manner as to safeguard against and prevent pollution, contamination and nuisance.

(Ord. G-6746 § 6, 2001: prior code § 3904.1)

A. In furtherance of the objectives mentioned in this section, and to ensure the protection of surface and ground waters against contamination and pollution, the county shall conduct and maintain a program of monitoring waste discharges from private systems within each area to which this chapter applies, and as may otherwise be necessary for determination and preservation of water quality, when so ordered in the discretion of the board of supervisors.

B. Such program of monitoring shall be in conformity with the standards determined by the health officer and the regional board.

(Prior code § 3904.2)

A. Every building in which any plumbing fixture is installed, and which is located within an area to which this chapter applies, and which is on a lot which abuts any street or easement in which the sewer line of a public system is located, shall be connected to such sewer line prior to occupancy.

B. If such building was served by a private system prior to availability of the public system, connection to the public system shall be carried out immediately upon such other time as the board of supervisors may by order determine.

C. Such connection shall be made at the expense of the landowner.

D. Such connection shall be made in accordance with the ordinances of the county, adopted general and specific plans, and the rules and regulations of the health officer.

E. Exceptions.

1. The health officer in his discretion may except from any portion of the requirements of this chapter any building which is located more than two hundred (200) feet from the sewer line of such public system.

2. The health officer in his discretion may except from the requirements of this chapter any single-family dwelling, and any buildings or structures accessory thereto, existing and connected to an approved private system, if he finds there is insufficient grade or fall to permit drainage to the public system by gravity, or if he finds that a pump or lift station cannot be provided or operated efficiently or economically.

(Ord. G-6746 § 7, 2001; prior code §§ 3905.1, 3905.2)

* Editor's note: See Chapter 14.16 of this title for sewer connection regulations.

A. If the landowner fails to conform to the requirements of this chapter within thirty (30) days after written notice has been mailed to the landowner as his name and address appears on the last equalized assessment roll of the county, the connection may be carried out by the county, and the expenses thereof shall be a charge against the landowner in the manner provided in this chapter for extraordinary costs.

B. In the alternative, the provisions of Section 5463 of the Health and Safety Code may be applied for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 3905.3)

* Editor's note: See Chapter 14.16 of this title for sewer connection regulations.

A. Except in cases where a connection to a public system is required by Sections 14.12.330 and 14.12.340 of this chapter or a proper connection has been made to a public system, every building in which any plumbing fixture is installed and which is located within an area to which this chapter applies, shall be properly connected to a private system.

B. Connection to the private system shall be completed, and shall be subject to approval by the health officer, prior to occupancy of such building.

(Prior code § 3906.1)

A. The type, capacity, location and layout of each private system shall comply with the rules and regulations of the health officer, and the waste discharge requirements of the regional board.

B. A private system shall be constructed and maintained on the lot which is the site of the building it serves, unless the health officer in his discretion authorizes a different location.

(Prior code § 3906.2)

Each private system shall be managed, cleaned, regulated, repaired, modified and replaced from time to time by the owner or owner's representative, in accordance with the rules, regulations and other reasonable requirements of the health officer in conformity with the waste discharge requirements of the regional board and in a manner which will safeguard against and prevent pollution, contamination or nuisance.

(Ord. G-6746 § 9, 2001: prior code § 3907.1)

A. Each private system shall be cleaned of sludge and liquid waste at intervals and in a manner prescribed by the health officer.

B. Each landowner shall furnish such proofs of his ability to conform to the requirements of this section as the health officer may require from time to time.

C. The health officer may in his discretion accept a certified copy of a contract with the holder of an unrevoked registration for cleaning septic tanks, as mentioned in Sections 25000-25007 of the Health and Safety Code, as evidence of the landowner's ability to conform to the requirements of this chapter.

(Prior code § 3907.2)

A. On connection to a public system of all buildings served by a private system, use of such private system shall terminate and it shall be abandoned.

B. On abandonment of a private system for any cause it shall be filled with suitable material as determined by the health officer.

C. A private system shall be cleaned immediately prior to the time it is abandoned or filled.

(Prior code § 3907.3)

A. If the landowner fails to conform to the requirements of this chapter within thirty (30) days after written notice has been mailed to the landowner as his name and address appears on the last equalized assessment roll of the county, any necessary services may be carried out and any necessary facilities may be supplied or installed by the county, and the expenses thereof shall be a charge against the landowner in the manner provided in this chapter for extraordinary costs.

B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the health officer determines that any condition causes or creates immediate danger of pollution, contamination or a nuisance, without notice to the landowner, the board of supervisors or the health officer may carry out any services or furnish any facilities as may be reasonably necessary to prevent or abate such pollution, contamination or nuisance, and the expenses thereof shall be a charge against the landowner in the manner provided in this chapter for extraordinary costs.

(Prior code § 3907.4)