La Mesa Municipal Code Ch. 17.20 Sewage Disposal Systems

For the purpose of this chapter certain terms are defined as follows:

APPROVED or APPROVAL means the approval of the director, and/or approval shall mean meeting the approval of the director as the result of investigation and/or tests conducted by the director or by reason of accepted principles or tests by national authorities, technical or scientific organizations, or research laboratory or recognized authority.

BUILDING includes all structures.

DEPARTMENT means the director of public health of the county of San Diego.

DIRECTOR means the director of public health of the county of San Diego or a representative designated by him.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM or DRAINAGE PIPING means and includes all the piping within public or private premises which conveys sewage, or other liquid wastes, to a legal point of disposal, but shall not include the mains or laterals of a public sewer system.

PLUMBING includes all drainage systems, both direct and indirect, and all vent piping, water piping and other piping in any building or within the boundaries of any property through which sewer, water, waste water or any other substance or liquid is conveyed.

(San Diego County Ord. 1258 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

This chapter shall be known as the "septic tank ordinance."

(San Diego County Ord. 1258 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Every building shall have the sinks, water closets and other sanitary fixtures and facilities required by the county plumbing ordinance of the county of San Diego.

(San Diego County Ord. 1258 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

It is unlawful for any person to cause, suffer or permit the disposal of sewage, human excrement or other liquid wastes, in any place or manner except through and by means of an approved plumbing and drainage system and an approved sewage disposal system installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the county plumbing ordinance and this chapter.

(San Diego County Ord. 1258 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

The plumbing and drainage system of every building hereafter constructed or reconstructed shall be connected to a public sewer if the property on which such building is located abuts a public sewer.

(San Diego County Ord. 1258 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

When a public sewer is not available for use, the plumbing and drainage system of a building shall be connected to an approved private subsurface sewage disposal system.

(San Diego County Ord. 1258 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Where the director of public health determines it is probable that a public sanitary sewer will become available to property within twenty-four months, he may issue a permit to the owner of such property authorizing the construction of a temporary sewage disposal facility provided the permittee executes and records in the office of the county recorder an agreement with the director providing:

(a) That the permittee will connect the property to the sanitary sewer within thirty days after it becomes available to the property.

(b) That if the sanitary sewer does not become available to the property within a period of time specified by the director, the permittee will apply for a permit for and construct a septic tank and sewage disposal system in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(c) That the permittee will pump and remove all sewage from said temporary sewage disposal facility and fill said facility with soil or other material in a manner approved by the director at the time the property is connected to the sanitary sewer or a septic tank and sewage disposal system specified in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) That in the event the property is sold or transferred before the connection of the property to said sanitary sewer is made, the said agreement with the director shall be made a part of the contract to sell or transfer said property.

(e) That the property will not be occupied until a sewage disposal facility has been installed and approved by the director.

(f) That the agreement with the director shall be binding upon the owner, his heirs, administrators, executors, successors and assigns.

It shall be unlawful for any person bound by the terms of such agreement to violate any provision of such agreement.

(Ord. 1109 § 1; December 8, 1959)

The type of system required shall be determined on the basis of location, area, soil porosity, the groundwater level, the density of population in the area and shall be designed to receive and dispose of all sewage and liquid waste from the property served.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

No person shall maintain a septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system on any premises adjacent to a public sewer; provided, however, that where a public sewer is installed adjacent to premises upon which there is located an existing building served by a septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface disposal unit or system, the director may approve the continued use of such subsurface disposal system until such time as he deems that the public health and sanitation require the connection of such building to the public sewer and the discontinuance of the use or maintenance of such subsurface disposal system.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

For the temporary occupancy of buildings in isolated areas remote from any public highway, the director may authorize the construction and use of an approved type sanitary toilet in lieu of connection to a public sewer or to a subsurface disposal unit or system installed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

No person shall install or permit to be installed an interconnection between a drinking water supply and any equipment or connection of any kind, class, or description which may contain water or any liquid or substance unfit for human or domestic consumption.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

The director shall make or cause to be made inspections to determine if prohibited interconnections exist; and, if such interconnections are discovered, the director shall require the purveyor of water to discontinue water service unless the condition is abated within a reasonable period of time fixed by the director.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

No device shall be sold in this city which provides a prohibited interconnection as a means of operation unless the water supply is adequately protected.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

No opening shall be provided in any drainage system or in any septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface disposal unit or system for the purpose of receiving the surface drainage from any yard or building.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

It is unlawful for any person to connect any house sewer line or other plumbing to a septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system hereafter installed, constructed or reconstructed, unless such septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system has been approved by the director as provided in this chapter.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

No septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system shall be installed or constructed or reconstructed in this city unless there is in effect a valid permit therefor issued by the director.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS, as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Any person desiring to install, construct, reconstruct, repair or add to a septic tank, settling tank, seepage pit, cesspool, subsurface tile line system, or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system, or any part thereof, shall file with the director a written application for a permit for such installation construction, reconstruction, repair or addition. A separate application and permit for each installation shall be required. The application shall be made upon a form prescribed and furnished by the director and shall be accompanied by an inspection fee set forth below.

The application shall contain the following information and such other information the director may require: street name and number of the premises where the installation is to be made; the name and address of the owner; the name and address of the contractor who is to perform the work; the size and type of the septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system to be installed and the number of people it is to serve. When required by the health officer the application shall include or be accompanied by a plan or diagram showing the character and kind of installation to be made and the manner and location in which the work is to be done.

(Ord. 2253; March 12, 1981).

The fee for filing all applications pursuant to this section, including reinspection and land development applications without field investigation shall be established by the county of San Diego.

(Ord. 2299; September 23, 1982, as amended by Ord. 2371, § 20; August 28, 1984)

The application shall contain the following information and such other information as the director may require.

(a) Street name and number of the premises where the installation is to be made;

(b) The name and address of the owner;

(c) The name and address of the contractor who is to perform the work;

(d) The size and type of the septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system to be installed and the number of people it is to serve.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS, as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

The application shall include or be accompanied by a plan or diagram showing the character and kind of installation to be made and the manner and location in which the work is to be done.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS, as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Whenever the health officer is requested to review and comment on any special project designated by the city of La Mesa community development department, such as a major or minor use permit or a special use permit, or any other special project or land development application, the applicant shall complete a written application furnished by the health officer. This application shall be accompanied by a fee established by the county of San Diego and any additional documents required by the health officer to accomplish said review. The health officer shall have an investigation made to determine whether the special project complies with rules and regulations of the health department and to the codes of the state of California and any regulations issued pursuant thereto pertaining to particular activities subject to regulation therein and whether the activity will result in a violation of such codes and regulations. The health officer shall notify the applicant in writing of his reasons for approval or denial of the project.

(Ord. 2299; September 23, 1982, as amended by Ord. 2371, § 21; August 28, 1984: Ord. 2390, § 6; August 27, 1985)

A permittee to whom there has been issued a permit pursuant to this chapter, may apply for a supplemental permit authorizing such work to be performed at a different location provided that no work has been commenced at the location specified in the original permit. The application for a supplemental permit shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the county of San Diego department of health services. On receipt of such an application and payment of fees established by the county of San Diego, a supplemental permit authorizing the performance of work at the substituted location may be issued.

(Ord. 2299; September 23, 1982, as amended by Ord. 2371, § 22; August 28, 1984: Ord. 2390, § 7; August 27, 1985)

The application for a supplemental permit shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the director. On receipt of such application and a fee of two dollars, the director may issue a supplemental permit authorizing the performance of work at the substituted location.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS, as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Upon receipt of an application for a supplemental permit, the director shall make or cause to be made such investigation as he deems necessary.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS, as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

The director may require the applicant for the permit to furnish him the report of an engineer registered in the state of California showing that soil percolation tests have been made by such engineer on the site of the proposed subsurface sewage disposal system or unit and the results of such tests.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS, as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

If pursuant to other sections of this code, a percolation test is performed or a septic tank system layout is inspected by the county, there shall be paid to the department of health services a fee established by the county of San Diego.

(Ord. 2326; October 13, 1983, as amended by Ord. 2371, § 23; August 28, 1984: Ord. 2390, § 8; August 27, 1985)

If the director determines that the location, area, soil porosity, groundwater level, density of population in the area, the number of persons to be served or other conditions would cause the operation of the subsurface sewage disposal unit or system described in the application to create an insanitary condition endangering public health, he shall not issue the permit for which application was made.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS, as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall be void at the expiration of one year from the date of issuance.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS, as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

The director shall inspect or cause to be inspected in a thorough manner all septic tanks, settling tanks, cesspools and other subsurface sewage disposal units or systems hereafter installed, constructed or reconstructed in the county. It shall be his duty to see that there is compliance with the terms and provisions of this chapter.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Any person desiring for any reason, the inspection of an existing septic tank, settling tank, cesspool, or other subsurface disposal system, or unit by the director shall file with the director a written request for such inspection accompanied by an inspection fee established by the county of San Diego. A separate request for each unit or system shall be required, and the request shall contain such information as the director may require and shall be made upon a form prescribed and furnished by the director. As soon after the request is made as is practical, the director shall make or cause to be made the requested inspection and shall determine whether the inspected unit or system functions satisfactorily in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. In the event that the unit or system is found not to function satisfactorily the director shall upon written request make or cause to be made a reinspection, and a fee for each such reinspection shall be established by the county of San Diego made payable to the director in advance.

(Ord. 2253; March 12, 1981, as amended by Ord. 2371, § 24; August 28, 1984)

As soon as the septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system is installed and ready to receive its cover, the person to whom the permit for such unit or system was issued shall notify the department that such unit or system is ready for inspection. As soon thereafter as practical, the director shall make or cause to be made an inspection of the work.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

If the unit or system is approved by the director, an inspection certificate shall be posted in a conspicuous place upon the property where the unit or system is located, which inspection certificate shall note the date and approval and the signature of the director or the person making the inspection on his behalf.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

When an inspection has been ordered and the work is found to be not ready for inspection and approval, the director shall cause an official notice to be posted on the job stating the changes necessary in order that the work will comply with the requirements of this chapter. As soon thereafter as practicable the owner or contractor shall cause the changes to be made and upon completion thereof shall notify the department that the unit or system is ready for reinspection. At the time of the reinspection is requested, the applicant shall pay to the department a reinspection fee. As soon thereafter as practicable the director shall make or cause a reinspection to be made.

If upon reinspection the work is approved, a certificate to that effect shall be posted as hereinabove specified. The fee for each reinspection shall be established by the county of San Diego which fee shall be paid to the director.

(Ord. 2253; March 12, 1981, as amended by Ord. 2371, § 25; August 28, 1984)

No person shall cover or cause to be covered any septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface disposal system prior to its approval by the director as provided in this chapter.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

No septic, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal system or unit shall be installed or constructed on a lot or parcel containing an area of less than six thousand square feet.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Any subsurface sewage disposal unit or system or part thereof hereafter constructed or installed in this city shall be so situated that it will be a safe distance from any source of water supply as determined by the director.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

In determining what is a safe distance from source of water supply the director shall consider: the source of possible pollution, the type of soil, surface, the type and source of water supply, the geological formation of the ground, the direction of surface drainage, and the depth and direction of groundwater flow.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Under no circumstances shall any part of such subsurface sewage disposal unit or system, except the house sewer line, be located closer than fifty feet from any water supply.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

No part of such subsurface sewage disposal unit or system, except the house sewer line, shall be located less than five feet from every building or structure or less than five feet from every property line.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Any house sewer line or part thereof hereafter constructed or installed in this city shall be constructed of bell and spigot cast iron pipe with leaded joints when located less than fifty feet from any well used as a domestic water supply.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

A cesspool or series of cesspools may be substituted for or used in conjunction with a subsurface tile system, when such substitution or use is approved by the director; provided, however, no cesspool shall be permitted where the director determines that its use might contaminate or pollute an underground water supply.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Any subsurface sewage disposal unit or system hereafter constructed or installed in this city shall consist of a septic tank with effluent discharging into a distribution box connected to a subsurface tile system consisting of at least two lateral absorption lines each of which lines shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five feet in length; or, with the approval of the director, such distribution box may be connected to a cesspool or cesspools each having at least three feet inside diameter.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Any septic tank hereafter constructed or installed in this city for one-family and two-family residences or small institutions or industries where used by not more than ten persons shall meet the following minimum specifications:

(a) Depth of tank: Such tank shall have an inside depth of at least five feet with a liquid depth of at least four feet.

(b) Length of tank: The length of the tank shall not exceed three times the width of such tank and shall have a liquid capacity of not less than nine hundred sixty gallons.

(c) Compartments and manholes: Such tank shall have at least two compartments and a manhole of adequate size shall be installed in each compartment.

(d) Tees at inlet, outlet: The inlet and outlet of such tank shall have a vertical four inch tee extending two feet below and six inches above the liquid level of the tank.

(e) Tightness and material: Such tank shall be watertight and shall be constructed of concrete, concrete block, brick or tile.

(f) Top of tank: The top of such tank shall be constructed of reinforced concrete at least four inches thick.

(g) Thickness of walls and bottom: When such tank is constructed of concrete, the walls and bottom of the tank shall be at least six inches thick and shall be adequately reinforced with steel or other approved material.

(h) Aggregate: The concrete used for such tanks shall contain one part cement, two parts sharp sand and four parts crushed rock or gravel.

(i) Plastering of masonry: Where brick, concrete block, or tile is used in the construction of such tank, the inside shall be plastered with Portland cement mortar composed of one part cement and three parts sand.

(j) Reinforcing of walls: The side walls of such tank shall be adequately reinforced with steel or other approved material so as to withstand any inside or outside pressure.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

The line from such septic tank to the distribution box shall be constructed of watertight bell and spigot pipe.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Any distribution box hereafter constructed or installed in this city shall meet the following minimum specifications:

(a) Tightness and material: Such distribution box shall be watertight and shall be constructed of the same materials authorized for the construction of a septic tank.

(b) Outlets: The outlets for such distribution box shall have exactly the same elevation.

(c) Inlet elevation: The inlet to such distribution box shall be one inch above the elevation of the outlets.

(d) Tile system: Such distribution box shall be connected to a subsurface tile system consisting of at least two lateral absorption lines; provided that one or more cesspools may be substituted for or used in conjunction with lateral absorption lines when approved by the director.

(e) Joints: All lines leading from the distribution box to the lateral absorption lines or to cesspools shall be constructed with watertight joints.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Any subsurface tile system hereafter constructed or installed in this city for the purpose of disposing of the effluent from a septic tank shall meet the following minimum specifications:

(a) Number and length of absorption lines: Such tile system shall consist of at least two lateral absorption lines totaling at least two hundred feet in length; provided, however, each line shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five feet in length. Where it is practical, each line shall be one hundred twenty-five feet in length.

(b) Tile pipe spacing: Lateral absorption lines shall be constructed of tile pipe spaced one-quarter inch apart so as to provide open joints.

(c) Covering of joints: The upper one-half of each open joint shall be covered with tar paper or copper screen.

(d) Trench: Each lateral absorption line shall be placed in a trench at least eighteen inches wide, which trench shall contain at least thirteen inches of rock or gravel grading not less than one inch with at least four inches of such rock or gravel beneath the bottom of the line and four inches of such rock or gravel over the top of the line.

(e) Grade: Lateral absorption lines shall have a grade of two inches per one hundred feet with not more than fifty percent variation either way.

(f) Depth: Lateral absorption lines shall not be more than thirty inches below the surface of the ground.

(g) Spacing of lines: Every lateral absorption line shall be at least ten feet from every other lateral absorption line.

(h) Ells and wyes: Where it is necessary to use ells or wyes on any lateral absorption line, at least ten feet of closed-joint tile shall be inserted at each such fitting so as to space the absorption lines at least ten feet apart.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, surface water, ground water, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters into any sanitary sewer.

Storm water and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as storm sewers or to a natural outlet approved by the City Engineer. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, upon approval of the City Engineer, to a storm sewer, sanitary sewer or natural outlet.

(Ord. 2076 § 1, August 24, 1976)

Except as otherwise provided in this Section, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or wastes to any public sewer:

(a) Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than one hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

(b) Any water or waste which may contain more than one hundred parts per million, by weight, of fat, oil or grease.

(c) Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas.

(d) Any garbage that has not been properly shredded.

(e) Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastic, woods, paunch manure or any other solid or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interferences with the proper operation of the sewage works.

(f) Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.0 or higher than 11.0 or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the sewage works.

(Ord. 2297; August 12, 1982).

(g) Any waters or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant.

(h) Any waters or wastes containing suspended solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment plant.

(i) Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance.

(Ord. 2076; August 24, 1976)

The admission into the public sewers of any waters or wastes having a five-day B.O.D. greater than five hundred parts per million by weight, or containing more than five hundred parts per million by weight of suspended solids, or containing any quantity of substances having the characteristics described above, or having an average daily flow greater than two per cent of the average daily sewage flow of the city, shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. Where necessary, in the opinion of the City Engineer, the owner shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to reduce the B.O.D. to five hundred parts per million and the suspended solids to five hundred parts per million by weight, or reduce objectionable characteristics or constituents to within the maximum limits provided above, or control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes. Plans, specifications and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted for approval of the City Engineer, and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until such approval is obtained in writing.

Where preliminary treatment facilities are provided for any water or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his expense.

(Ord. 2076; August 24, 1976)

Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the city engineer, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand and other harmful ingredients; except, that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters of dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the city engineer, and shall be so located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious materials capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperature. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight and equipped with easily removable covers.

(Ord. 2076; August 24, 1976)

Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner, at his expense, in efficient operation at all times.

(Ord. 2076; August 24, 1976)

All measurements, tests and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in other sections shall be determined at a control manhole, or upon suitable samples taken at such control manhole. In the event that no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the building sewer is connected.

(Ord. 2076; August 24, 1976)

No statement contained in said Sections shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the city and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to payment therefor by the industrial concern.

(Ord. 2076; August 24, 1976)

No statement contained in Sections 17.20.431 to 17.20.437 shall be construed as waiving any of the requirements of the Industrial Waste Program of the Metropolitan Sewerage System. All industries shall be required to complete an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit Application and conform to the provisions (self-monitoring, pretreatment, etc.) for the issuance of the permit.

(Ord. 2297; August 12, 1982)

(a) Waste Disposal — Permit Required. Any person, municipality, sanitation district, or governmental agency desiring to discharge industrial waste into a public sewer shall obtain a permit to discharge said wastes into said system from the city manager known as a permit for industrial wastewater discharge.

(b) Permit for Industrial Wastewater Discharge. The permit for industrial wastewater discharge may require pretreatment of industrial wastewaters before discharge, restriction of peak flow discharges, discharge of certain wastewaters only to specified sewers of the city, relocation of point of discharge, prohibition of discharge of certain wastewater components, restriction of discharge to certain hours of the day, payment of additional charges to defray increased costs of the city created by the wastewater discharge and such other conditions as may be required to effectuate the purpose of this section.

No person shall discharge industrial wastewaters in excess of the quantity or quality limitations set by the permit for industrial wastewater discharge. Any person desiring to discharge wastewaters or use facilities which are not in conformance with the industrial wastewater permit should apply to the city manager for an amended permit.

(c) Discharge Reports. The city may require that any person discharging or proposing to discharge wastewater into a public sewer file a periodic discharge report. The discharge report may include, but not be limited to, nature of process, volume, rates of flow, mass emission rate, production quantities, hours of operation, or other information which relates to the generation of waste, including wastewater constituents and characteristics in the wastewater discharge. Such reports may also include the chemical constituents and quantity of liquid or gaseous materials stored on site even though they may not normally be discharged. In addition to discharge reports, the city may require information in the form of industrial wastewater discharge permit applications and self-monitoring reports.

(d) Permit Application. Persons seeking an industrial wastewater discharge permit shall complete and file with the city manager, an application in the form prescribed by the city manager, and accompanied by the applicable fees. The applicant may be required to submit, in units and terms appropriate for evaluation, the following information:

(1) Name, address and Standard Industrial Classification number of applicant;

(2) Volume of wastewater to be discharged;

(3) Wastewater constituents and characteristics including but not necessarily limited to those mentioned in paragraph (m) as determined by a laboratory approved by the city;

(4) Time and duration of discharge;

(5) Average and thirty minute peak wastewater flow rates, including daily, monthly and seasonal variations if any;

(6) Description of activities, facilities and plant process on the premises including all materials, processes and types of material which are or could be discharged;

(7) Any other information as may be deemed by the city manager to be necessary to evaluate the permit application.

The city manager will evaluate the data furnished by the applicant and may require additional information. After evaluation and acceptance of the data furnished, an on-site inspection of the waste discharge system, treatment systems, or other systems relating to the waste discharge may be required. The city manager may then issue an industrial wastewater discharge permit subject to terms and conditions provided herein.

(e) Permit Conditions. Industrial wastewater discharge permits shall be subject to all provisions of this section and all other regulations, user charges and fees established from time to time by resolution of the city council. The conditions of industrial wastewater discharge permits shall be uniformly enforced by the city manager in accordance with this section, and applicable local, state and federal regulations.

(f) Duration of Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permits. Permits shall be issued for a specified time period, not to exceed five years. A permit may be issued for a period less than a year or may be stated to expire on a specific date. If the permittee is not notified by the city thirty days prior to the expiration of the permit, the permit shall be extended one additional year. The terms and conditions of the permit may be subject to modification and change by the city during the life of the permit as limitations or requirements as identified in paragraph (m) are modified and changed. The permittee shall be informed of any proposed changes in his permit at least thirty days prior to the effective date of change. Any changes or new conditions in the permit shall include a reasonable time schedule for compliance.

(g) Transfer of Any Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit or Changed Use. Industrial wastewater discharge permits shall be issued only for specific use for a specific operation. Any sale, lease, transfer or assignment of the premises or operation for which the permit was issued shall require a new permit to be issued. Any new or changed conditions of operation shall require a new permit to be issued.

(h) Revocation of Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit. The city manager may revoke the permit of any permittee who is found to be in violation of this section or applicable local, state or federal regulations or who:

(1) Fails to factually report the wastewater constituents and characteristics of its discharge;

(2) Fails to report significant changes in operations, or wastewater constituents and characteristics;

(3) Refuses reasonable access to the permittee's premises for the purpose of inspection or monitoring; or

(4) Violates conditions of the permit.

(i) Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit Fee. An industrial wastewater discharge permit fee will be collected annually from all permittees. The permit fee shall be established from time to time by a resolution of the city council; provided, however, that prior to considering implementation of the permit fee or any change in said permit fee by resolution as aforesaid, a notice of the proposed implementation and/or change shall be posted by the city clerk at least ten days prior to consideration of such a resolution by the city council.

(j) Sampling, Self-Monitoring and Flows. The city manager shall require the permittee to provide results of periodic measurements of its discharge which is to include chemical analysis and flow. The city manager may require a monitoring facility to be furnished and operated at permittee's expense. All permittees making periodic measurements shall furnish and install at an appropriate location, a calibrated flume, weir, flow meter or similar device suitable to measure flow rate and total volume approved by the city manager. In lieu of wastewater flow measurement, the city manager may accept records of water usage and adjust the flow volume by suitable factors to determine peak and average flow rates for the specific industrial wastewater discharge. The monitoring facility should be situated normally on the permittee's premises, but the city manager may, when such a location would be impractical or cause undue hardship on the user, allow the facility to be constructed in the public street or sidewalk area and located so that it will not be obstructed by landscaping or parked vehicles. Whether constructed on public or private property, the sampling and monitoring facilities shall be provided in accordance with the city manager's requirements and shall be completed within ninety days following written notification by the city manager, unless a time extension is granted by the city manager. Those permittees required by the city manager to make periodic measurements of industrial wastewater flows and constituents shall annually make the minimum number of such measurements as required in the permit. When required by the city manager, permittees shall install and maintain in proper order automatic flow-proportional sampling equipment and/or automatic analysis and recording equipment. Permittees shall allow the city or its representative ready access at all reasonable times to all parts of the premises for purposes of sampling or in the performance of any of their duties. The city manager shall have the right to set up on the permittee's property such devices as are necessary to conduct sampling or metering operations. Where a permittee has security measures in force, the permittee shall make the necessary arrangements with their security guards so that upon presentation of suitable identification, personnel of the city shall be permitted to enter without delay.

All sampling, analysis and flow measurement procedures, equipment, results and records shall be subject at any time to inspection by the city manager.

(k) Pretreatment. Permittees shall make wastewater acceptable under the limitation established herein before discharging to any public sewer. Any facilities required to pretreat wastewater to a level acceptable to the city manager shall be provided and maintained at the permittee's sole expense. Detailed plans, compliance schedule, and operating procedures shall be submitted to the city manager for review and shall be approved by the city manager before construction of the facility. The review of such plans and operating procedures will in no way relieve the permittee from the responsibility of modifying the facility as necessary to produce an effluent acceptable to the city manager under the provisions of this section. Any subsequent changes in the pretreatment facilities or method of operation shall be reported to and be approved by the city manager. No permittee shall increase the use of process water or, in any way, attempt to dilute a discharge as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with any local, state, or federal discharge standard.

(l) Protection from Accidental Discharge.

(1) Each permittee shall provide protection from other substances regulated by this section. Facilities to prevent accidental discharge of prohibited materials shall be provided and maintained at the permittee's own cost and expense.

(2) In the case of an accidental discharge, it is the responsibility of the permittee to immediately notify the city manager of the incident. The notification shall include location of discharge, type of waste, concentration and volume and corrective actions. Within five days following an accidental discharge, the permittee shall submit to the city manager a detailed written report describing the cause of the discharge and the measures to be taken by the permittee to prevent similar future occurrences. Such notification shall not relieve the permittee of any expense, loss, damages, or other liability which may be incurred as a result of damage to the wastewater systems, fish kills, or any other damage to persons or property; nor shall such notification relieve the permittee of any fines, civil penalties, or other liability which may be imposed by this section or other applicable law. A notice shall be permanently posted on the permittee's bulletin board or other prominent place advising employees who to call in the event of an accidental discharge. Permittees shall insure that all employees who may cause, allow or observe such an accidental discharge to occur are advised of the emergency notification procedures.

(m) Prohibited Discharges. In most cases, the concentration or amount of any particular constituent which will be judged to be excessive or unreasonable cannot be foreseen but will depend on the results of technical determinations and the actions of regulatory agencies. The list of constituents which may be regulated provides specific limits only where they are now reasonably well established. The other constituents on the list are presented with the objective of enumerating the types of wastes which will be regulated from time to time. Unless approval has been obtained from the city manager, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged to a public sewer, which directly or indirectly connects to the city's wastewater system, the following:

(1) Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, solvent, fuel oil or any liquid, solid or gas that would cause or tend to cause flammable or explosive conditions to result in the wastewater system.

(2) Any matter containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids or gases in such quantities that, alone or in combination with other substances, may create a health hazard for humans, animals or the local environment, interfere detrimentally with wastewater treatment processes, cause a public nuisance, or cause any hazardous condition to occur in the wastewater system.

(3) Any matter having a pH lower than five (5.0) or having any corrosive or detrimental characteristic that may cause injury to wastewater treatment or maintenance personnel or may cause damage to structures, equipment or other physical facilities of the wastewater system.

(4) Any solids or viscous substances or other matter of such quality, size or quantity that they may cause obstruction to flow in the sewer or be detrimental to proper wastewater treatment plant operations. These objectionable substances include, but are not limited to, asphalt, dead animals, offal, ashes, sand, mud, straw, industrial process shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, wood, whole blood, paunch manure, bones, hair and fleshings, entrails, paper dishes, paper cups, milk containers, or other similar paper products, either whole or ground.

(5) Any rainwater, storm water, groundwater, street drainage, subsurface drainage, roof drainage, yard drainage, water from yard fountains, ponds or lawn sprays or any other uncontaminated water.

(6) Any matter having a temperature higher than one hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (sixty-five degrees Celsius).

(7) Any matter containing more than five hundred mg/l of oil or grease.

(8) Any strongly odorous matter or matter tending to create odors.

(9) Any matter containing over one mg/l of dissolved sulfides.

(10) Any matter with a pH high enough to cause alkaline incrustations on sewer walls.

(11) Any matter promoting or causing the promotion of toxic gases.

(12) Any matter requiring an excessive quantity of chlorine or other chemical compound used for disinfection purposes.

(13) Any excessive amounts of deionized water, steam condensate, distilled water, or single pass cooling water.

(14) Any radioactive matter except:

a. When the person is authorized to use radioactive materials by the state department of health or other governmental agency empowered to regulate the use of radioactive materials, and

b. When the matter is discharged in strict conformity with current California Radiation Control Regulations (California Administrative Code, Title 17), and the nuclear regulatory commission regulations for safe disposal, and

c. When the person is in compliance with all rules and regulations of all other applicable regulatory agencies.

(15) Any matter producing excessive discoloration of the wastewater treatment plant effluent.

(16) Any toxic materials including, but not limited to, all heavy metals, cyanide, phenols, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and other organic compounds unless limited to that concentration which complies with all local, state and federal discharge limitation, and which does not interfere with the operation of the wastewater facilities.

(n) Limitations on the Use of Garbage Grinders. Matter from garbage grinders shall not be discharged into a public sewer except matter generated in preparation of food normally consumed on the premises, or where the permittee has obtained a permit for that specific use from the city manager, and agrees to undertake whatever self-monitoring is required by the city manager. Such grinders must shred the waste to a degree that all particles will be carried freely under normal flow conditions prevailing in the public sewer. Garbage grinders shall not be used for grinding plastic, paper products, inert materials, or garden refuse.

(o) Limitations on Point of Discharge. No person shall discharge any substances directly into a manhole or other opening in a public sewer other than through an approved sewer connection unless upon written application and payment of the applicable charges and fees, the city manager issues a permit for such direct discharges.

(p) Availability of the City's Wastewater Facilities. If wastewater facilities capacity is not available, the city manager may require the industrial waste discharger to restrict his discharge until sufficient capacity can be made available. When requested, the city manager will advise persons desiring to locate new facilities as to the areas where industrial wastewater of their proposed quantity can be received by available wastewater facilities. The city manager may refuse service to persons locating facilities in areas where their proposed quantity or quality of industrial wastewater is unacceptable in the available treatment facility.

(q) Discrepancies Between Actual and Reported Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit Quantities. Should measurements or other investigations reveal that the permittee is discharging a flow rate, or a quantity of flow, chemical oxygen demand or suspended solids significantly in excess of that stated on the permit or in excess of the quantities reported to the city manager by the permittee, the permittee shall apply for an amended permit and shall be assessed for all delinquent charges together with penalty and interest. Before these charges shall be assessed at least two additional twenty-four hour samples and flow measurements shall be obtained by the city manager with all costs of sampling and analyses to be paid by the permittee.

A permittee who violates this section shall, in the absence of other evidence, be presumed to have been discharging at the determined parameter values over the preceding three years or since the city manager's previous verification of quantity parameters, whichever period is shorter.

(r) Records Retention. All permittees subject to this section shall retain and preserve for not less than three years, any records, books, documents, memoranda, reports, correspondence and any and all summaries thereof, relating to monitoring, sampling and chemical analyses made by or on behalf of a permittee in connection with its discharge. All records which pertain to matters which are the subject of administrative action or any other enforcement or litigation activities brought by the city shall be retained and preserved by the permittee until all enforcement activities have concluded and all periods of limitation with respect to any and all appeals have expired.

(Ord. 2360, § 1; June 12, 1984)

Any cesspool hereafter constructed or installed in this city shall meet the following minimum specifications:

(a) Diameter and depth: Such cesspool shall be not less than three feet inside diameter and shall be constructed to a depth where the side wall area of the cesspool will have sufficient porosity to provide adequate drainage as determined by the director.

(b) Shape and construction: Such cesspool shall be either rectangular or round.

(c) Rectangular: In the case of a rectangular shape, such cesspool shall be constructed of brick, concrete block, and/or two inch redwood plank securely braced with four inch by four inch redwood timber.

(d) Round: In the case of a round shape, such cesspool shall be constructed of brick, concrete block, and/or one inch redwood boards of full thickness with supporting two inch by three inch redwood timbers placed every five feet so as to form a securely braced octagon shape.

(e) Cover: The top of such cesspool shall be covered with a concrete slab or cover constructed of concrete reinforced with steel or other approved material, which slab or cover shall extend not less than eighteen inches beyond the outside of the side walls of the cesspool.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

The minimum standards for septic tanks, distribution boxes, tile lines and cesspools, as set forth in this chapter, are the minimum standards for subsurface sewage disposal system or unit serving a one-family or two-family residence or small institution or industry having sanitary facilities used by not more than ten persons.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Every applicant for a permit to install or construct a subsurface sewage disposal system or unit to serve residences, institutions or industries, other than a one-family or two-family residence or a small institution or industry having sanitary facilities used by more than ten persons, shall submit to the director for approval proposed subsurface sewage disposal system. Upon the filing of the required application accompanied by such detailed plans and specifications, the payment of the fee hereinbefore prescribed and the approval of such plans and specifications by the director, the director shall issue a permit for the construction of such subsurface sewage disposal system.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

When any building or premises have been inspected or cause to be inspected by the director, and the plumbing or sewage disposal unit or system of such building or premises is found to be defective or insanitary, notice to that effect shall be served upon the tenant, or the owner or his agent; and the said notice shall specify the character of repairs and alterations to be made in order to eliminate the defective or insanitary condition.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

If such repairs and alterations, as specified in said notice are not commenced in good faith within five days from the date of the service of such notice, and completed within the time specified therein, the director may condemn the said building or premises as being insanitary and unfit for human habitation, and its occupancy thereafter is prohibited.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

When any building or premises have been condemned by the director, the occupants shall immediately vacate the premises until such time as all repairs and alterations required by the director shall have been made.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

When a building or premises have been condemned for any cause, the director shall place or cause to be placed thereon a placard reading as follows:

"WARNING"

"THIS BUILDING HAS BEEN CONDEMNED AS BEING INSANITARY AND UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION, AND IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO OCCUPY THE SAME.

___________

Director of Public Health

Director of Public Healt>

___________

Sanitarian (Inspector)"

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the director from requiring compliance with higher or more stringent requirements or specifications than those contained herein where compliance with such higher or more stringent requirements or specifications is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

The provisions of this chapter requiring connection to a public sewer or to a subsurface disposal unit or system constructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to a trailer, temporary building or an accessory building for which a temporary occupancy permit has been issued pursuant to Ordinance 338, new series, or Ordinance 1254, new series, of the county of San Diego; provided, however, that the violation of any of the provisions or conditions of any such temporary occupancy permit shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

The San Diego County health department is hereby designated as the inspecting and enforcing agency of this chapter.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

Any unauthorized entering, breaking, damaging, destroying, uncovering, defacing or tampering with any temporary or permanent structure, equipment or appurtenance which is owned by the city or a part of the public sewer shall be a violation of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2009-2795, § 2; April 14, 2009)

Any person who violates, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter, or who maintains in service any plumbing system or any septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system installed, constructed, reconstructed or altered in violation of this chapter, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not longer than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(San Diego County Ord. 1158 NS (part), as adopted by Ord. 784; March 12, 1957)

In addition to other penalties, fees and charges stated in this chapter any excessive sewer or sewerage maintenance expenses or reconstruction costs including administrative costs caused by any stoppage or breakage, any toxic, hazardous or odorous condition, or any damage or deterioration of the public sewer, and attributable thereto, shall be charged to the discharger causing or contributing to such conditions.

(Ord. No. 2009-2795, § 3; April 14, 2009)