Los Angeles Municipal Code Art. 4 Sewers, Water Courses and Drains

Section 64.00 Definitions and Abbreviations. 64.06 Water Supply – Contamination of. 64.06.1 Water Supply – Sanitary Standards. 64.10 Water Courses. 64.11 Sewers – Undedicated Streets. 64.11.1 House Connection Sewer. 64.11.2 Sewage Facilities Charge for New Tracts. 64.11.3 Basis for Sewerage Facilities Charge. 64.11.4 Disposition of Sewerage Facilities Charge. 64.11.5 Temporary Waiver of Sewer Facilities Charge Due to 1994 Northridge Earthquake. 64.12 House Sewer Connection – Permit. 64.13 Permit Exemptions. 64.14 Duration and Revocation of Permits. 64.15 Permit and Inspection Fees. 64.15.1 Liability Insurance and Deposit Requirements. 64.16 Exemptions from Liability Insurance and Deposit Requirements. 64.16.1 Sewerage Facilities Charge for Sewer Connection. 64.16.2 Transfer of Industrial Flow Sewerage Facilities Charge Credits Within or Between Revitalization, Enterprise or Empowerment Zones. 64.17 Sewer Connection Regulations. 64.18 Bonded Sewers – Fees. 64.19 Refund of Sewer Fees. 64.19.1 Sewerage Facilities Fund. 64.19.2 Sewer Construction and Maintenance Fund. 64.19.3 Sewer Operation and Maintenance Fund. 64.19.4 Sewer Capital Fund. 64.20 Tapping Sewers, Storm Drains and Catch Basins. 64.21 Emergency Work. 64.22 Board to Keep Accounts. 64.22.1 Permit Fee Exemptions. 64.23 Drains, Sewers, Etc. – Notice of Abandonment. 64.25 Investigation on Private Property. 64.26 Mandatory Abandonment of Private Sewage Disposal Systems. 64.30 Industrial Wastewater Disposal. 64.30.1 Industrial Wastes Treated by County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (CSDLA). 64.31 Septage Disposal Control. 64.32 Privies – Prohibited. 64.33 Testing and Analysis of Materials, Products, Services, Processes and Technologies.

(Amended In Entirety by Ord. No. 173,980, Eff. 7/1/01.)

A. Definitions. (Amended by Ord. No. 183,756, Eff. 8/11/15.) For the purpose of this article, the following words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as hereinafter set out, unless it shall be apparent from the context that they have a different meaning:

1. Act shall mean the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, also known as the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1251, et seq.

2. Approval Authority shall mean the California State Water Resources Control Board upon an approval of the State Pretreatment Program, or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

without an Approved State Pretreatment Program.

3. Authorized Representative shall mean the following:

   (a) a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice-president in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision-making functions, if the discharger is a

   corporation;

   (b) the manager of one or more manufacturing, production or operating facilities, provided the manager is authorized to (1) make management decisions that govern the operation of the regulated facility

   including having the explicit or implicit duty of making major capital investment recommendations, and initiate and direct other comprehensive measures to assure long-term environmental compliance with environmental laws and regulations; (2) ensure that the necessary systems are established or actions taken to gather complete and accurate information for control mechanism requirements; and (3) sign documents in accordance with corporate procedures;

   (c) a general partner or proprietor if the discharger is a partnership or proprietorship, respectively;

   (d) a principal executive officer or director having responsibility for the overall operation of the discharging facility or a ranking elected official if the discharger is a governmental entity, charitable

   organization or other such unincorporated entity; or

   (e) a representative authorized in writing by any individual designated above, if the authorization is submitted to the Director and specifies an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall

   operation of the facility. This includes the position of plant manager, a position of equivalent responsibility, or an individual having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company. If an authorization under Paragraph (e) is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has the responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, or overall responsibility for environmental matters of the company, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of Paragraph (e) of this section must be submitted to the Director prior to, or together with, any reports to be signed by an authorized representative.

4. Average Daily Flow shall mean the number of gallons of wastewater discharged into the POTW during a 24-hour period.

5. Best Management Practices (BMP) shall mean activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce pollutants in discharges. BMP also include

treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw materials storage.

6. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) shall mean the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter in five (5) days at 20 degrees celsius expressed in terms of milligrams per liter

(mg/l) and analyzed in accordance with the most recent publication of “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” prepared and published by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation.

7. Blood shall mean human or animal blood, human or animal blood components, and products made from human or animal blood. (Added by Ord. No. 183,756, Eff. 8/11/15.)

8. Bloodborne Pathogens shall mean pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human or animal blood and can cause disease in humans.

9. Board shall mean the Board of Public Works of the City of Los Angeles or its duly authorized representative.

10. Bonded Sewer shall mean any public sewer within the territorial limits of the City of Los Angeles as they now exist for which the cost of construction thereof was not directly assessed against the property in accordance with benefits, or paid for by the present or prior owners of the connecting property.

11. Bonded Sewer House Connection Sewer shall mean any house connection sewer or portion thereof from a lot, or part of a lot, to a bonded sewer located directly in front, rear, or at the side of such lot, or

part of such lot.

12. Bypass shall mean the intentional diversion of wastestreams from any portion of a discharger’s treatment facility.

13. Categorical Standards shall mean National Categorical Pretreatment Standards or Pretreatment Standards as promulgated by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

14. City shall mean the City of Los Angeles or its duly authorized representatives.

15. Commercial Establishment shall mean a private establishment such as a restaurant, hotel, laundry, store, filling station, or recreational facility. A nonprofit private or government entity such as a church, school, hospital, military facility, correctional institution, recreational facility or a facility owned or operated by a charitable organization is considered a commercial establishment.

16. Commingled Load shall mean a load of septage which includes septage generated both within and outside the City’s boundaries.

17. Composite Sample shall mean a sample formed by mixing discrete samples taken at periodic points in time or a continuous proportion of the flow. The number of discrete samples which make up the composite sample depends upon the variability of pollutant concentration and flow.

18. Construction shall be deemed to include the acquisition of any and all rights of way or real property necessary for the performance and completion of the work referred to wherever authority is given to the City for any construction under the provisions of this article.

19. Contract Agency shall mean a governmental agency or private entity which has contracted with the City to discharge into the City’s Publicly Owned Treatment Works.

20. Cooling Water shall mean the water discharged from any use including, but not limited to, air conditioning, cooling or refrigeration, during which the only pollutant added is heat.

21. Director shall mean the Director of the Bureau of Sanitation of the Department of Public Works of the City of Los Angeles or the duly authorized representative thereof.

22. Discharge shall mean the introduction of pollutants into the POTW.

23. Discharger shall mean a nondomestic source of discharge.

24. Domestic Septage shall mean the liquid or solid material removed from a private sewage disposal system (PSDS), portable toilet or other holding device that receives only domestic sewage.

25. Domestic Wastewater (Domestic Sewage) shall mean sanitary wastewater and wastewater generated from household type operations.

26. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall mean the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, its Administrator, or its duly authorized representative.

27. Food Service Establishment shall mean a facility engaged in preparing food for consumption by the public such as, but not limited to, a restaurant, bakery, commercial kitchen, caterer, hotel, school, hospital, prison, correctional facility or care institution.

28. Grab Sample shall mean a sample which is taken from a wastewater discharge on a onetime basis without regard to the volume of flow in the discharge.

29. Gravity Grease Interceptor (GGI) shall mean an approved device with a minimum total volume of 300 gallons that is specifically designed to separate, trap and hold nonpetroleum fats, oil and grease (FOG) from an industrial wastewater discharge, and which shall be remotely located from where food is handled, and is identified by the following: volume, a minimum retention time of 30 minutes, baffle(s), a minimum of two compartments and gravity separation.

30. Grease Interceptor - See Gravity Grease Interceptor.

31. Grease Trap - See Hydromechanical Grease Interceptor.

32. Gross Floor Area shall mean the area included within the exterior of the surrounding walls of a building or portions thereof, exclusive of courts.

33. House Connection Sewer shall mean any sewer pipe line, or portion thereof, constructed in a street, alley, walk or other public place or in a sewer easement granted to the City and connecting, or proposed to connect, any lot or part of a lot with any public sewer.

34. Hydromechanical Grease Interceptor (HGI) shall mean an approved device that is installed in an industrial wastewater drainage system to separate, trap, and hold nonpetroleum fats, oil and grease (FOG) from a wastewater discharge and is identified by flow rate, retention time, and separation efficiency. HGI design incorporates, in combination or separately, air entrainment, hydromechanical separation, interior baffling and internal barriers.

35. Industrial Wastewater Sewer Connection shall mean any house connection sewer, or portion thereof, used in the disposal of any and all liquid or waterborne waste from industrial or commercial processes except domestic sewage.

36. Industrial Wastewater shall mean liquid and water-carried waste other than domestic sewage. Wastewater generated from household type operations, including, but not limited to, dishwashing, laundry and car washing, performed at commercial establishments for or to support commercial purposes is considered industrial wastewater.

37. Industrial Wastewater Permit shall mean a permit issued by the Board as provided in and subject to provisions of Subdivision 1 of Subsection C and payment of fee requirements of Subsection D of Section 64.30.

38. Interceptor Sewer shall mean a collecting sewer that intercepts and collects the sewage from a number of lateral or local public sewers.

39. Interference shall mean the inhibition or disruption of the POTW process or operations or any actions or omission which alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources is a cause of violation of any requirement of the City’s NPDES Permits (including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation). The term interference also includes prevention of biosolids use or disposal by the POTW in accordance with Section 405 of the Act or any violation of criteria, guidelines, or regulations developed pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA), the Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substance Control Act, the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act or violation of more stringent State criteria (including those contained in any State sludge management plan prepared pursuant to Title II of SWDA) applicable to the method of disposal or use employed by the POTW.

40. Local Industrial User (LIU) shall mean a discharger of industrial wastewater which

    (a) is not subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards under 40 C.F.R. 403.6 and 40 C.F.R. Chapter I, Subchapter N,

    (b) discharges an average of less than 25,000 gallons per day of process wastewater to the POTW; and

    (c) as determined by the Director, does not have a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW’s operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirements in accordance with 40

    C.F.R. 403.8(f)(6).

41. Lot shall mean any piece or parcel of land, as bounded, defined or shown upon the latest map, plat or deed recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Los Angeles County provided however that in the event any building or improvements appurtenant to said building covers more area than a “lot,” as herein defined, the term “lot” shall be deemed to be and include all such pieces or parcels of land upon which said buildings or improvements are wholly or partly located.

42. May is permissive.

43. Medical Waste shall mean waste as defined in the California Health and Safety Code.

44. National Categorical Pretreatment Standard (National Standard) shall mean any regulation containing pollutant discharge limits promulgated by the EPA in accordance with Section 307(b) and (c) of the Act.

45. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES Permit) shall mean a permit issued pursuant to Section 402 of the Act.

46. Non-Domestic Septage shall mean the liquid or solid material removed from a private sewage disposal system (PSDS) or other sanitation holding device that receives industrial wastewater or a combination of domestic and industrial wastewater.

47. Pass Through shall mean a discharge which exits the POTW into waters of the State in quantities or concentrations which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources, is the cause of a violation of any requirement of the POTW’s NPDES Permit (including an increase in the magnitude and duration of a violation).

48. Peak Flow shall mean the maximum five minute rate of wastewater flow to be generated from the premises as estimated by the City Engineer.

49. Person shall mean any individual, partnership, co-partnership, firm, company, corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, governmental entity or any other legal entity, or their legal representatives, agents or assigns. The masculine gender shall include the feminine, the singular shall include the plural where indicated by the context.

50. pH shall mean the logarithm (base 10) of the reciprocal of the concentration of hydrogen ions expressed in gram equivalents per liter of solution.

51. Pharmaceutical Waste shall mean a discarded prescription or over-the-counter human or veterinary drug.

52. Pigment shall mean a substance that imparts black or white or a color to other materials.

53. Point of Discharge shall mean any physical location at which a discharger, directly or indirectly, disposes wastewater. The term point of discharge also includes, but is not limited to, disposal to ponds, injection wells, leach fields, or surface spreading.

    54. Pollutant shall mean any dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, pigment, wrecked or

    discharged equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt or other waste.

    55. Portable Toilet shall mean any portable or permanently installed sanitation apparatus or system which includes a tank for toilet waste retention. Portable Toilet includes sanitation holding devices from

    airplanes, trains, boats with type III marine sanitation devices, buses, movie dressing room trailers, recreational vehicles, or other similar transport vehicles.

    56. Pretreatment shall mean the reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater to a less polluted state prior to, or in lieu

    of, discharging such pollutants into the POTW. Pretreatment can be obtained by physical, chemical or biological processes, or process changes by other means, except as prohibited by 40 Code of Federal Regulation (C.F.R.) at Section 403.6(d).

    57. Pretreatment Requirements shall mean any substantive or procedural requirement related to pretreatment, other than a National Categorical Pretreatment Standard.

    58. Private Septage Disposal Facility (PSDF) shall mean a disposal site, other than a City designated discharge location, with a direct connection to the City sewer, which accommodates the discharge of

    hauled septage.

    59. Private Sewage Disposal System (PSDS) shall mean any septic tank, cesspool, seepage pit, leach field, or any other receptacle, or any combination thereof, which receives any wastewater not discharged

    into a public sewer.

    60. Public Sewer shall mean any sewer, other than a house connection sewer, which has been constructed in a public street, alley, walk, or other public place, or in a sewer easement, and is a part of the POTW.

54. Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) (Sanitary Sewer System) shall mean treatment works defined by Section 212 of the Act, which are wholly or partially owned by the City. This includes any public sewers, treatment plants, land, appurtenances, pumping stations, or equipment. For the purpose of this ordinance, POTW shall also include any sewers within the City of Los Angeles that convey wastewater to the POTW from persons outside the City who are, by contract or agreement with the City, dischargers to the City’s POTW.

    62. Rules and Regulations shall mean Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board Governing the Disposal of Industrial Wastewater into the Publicly Owned Treatment Works of the City of Los Angeles.

    63. Sanitary Wastewater shall mean wastewater of human origin derived from toilets, urinals, showers, baths and restroom sinks.

    64. Septage shall mean the liquid or solid material removed from a private sewage disposal system (PSDS), portable toilet or other sanitation holding device that receives wastewater.

    65. Septage Hauler shall mean a person or an owner/operator of a business that holds Septage Disposal Permit(s) issued by the Director to discharge septage to the City’s POTW.

    66. Sewage Generation Factor shall mean as a number which, when multiplied by a parameter which indicates the level of activity in an occupancy such as floor area or number of seats, produces an estimate of

    the average sewage discharge from the occupancy.

    67. Shall is mandatory.

    68. Sharps shall mean hypodermic needles, hypodermic syringes, blades and broken glass. Sharps also include any devices, instruments or other objects which have acute rigid corners, edges or protuberances.

    69. Significant Change shall mean alterations or additions to the discharger’s operation, processes, pretreatment systems, production, or alterations to the nature, quality or volume of the discharger’s wastewater

    that affect pretreatment standards or requirements since the issuance of the effective Industrial Wastewater Permit.

    70. Significant Industrial User (SIU), subject to the provisions established in 40 C.F.R. 403.3(v), shall mean the following:

        (a) any discharger of industrial wastewater that is subject to National Categorical Pretreatment Standards;

        (b) any other discharger that discharges an average of 25,000 gallons or more per day of process wastewater (“process wastewater” excludes sanitary, non-contact cooling water and boiler blowdown

        wastewaters) or contributes process wastewater which makes up 5% or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic (BOD, TSS, etc.) capacity of the treatment plant;

        (c) any discharger that is designated by the Director to have a reasonable potential to adversely affect the POTW’s operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement.

55. Slug Discharge shall mean any discharge of a non-routine, episodic nature, including, but not limited to, an accidental spill or a non-customary batch discharge, which has a reasonable potential to cause Interference or Pass Through, or in any other way violate the POTW’s regulations, local limits or permit conditions.

    72. Special Drainage Connection shall mean any house connection sewer or storm drain connection from any swimming pool, wading pool, fountain, pond, tank, vat or receptacle which receives or disposes of

    rain water or surface water.

    73. Special House Connection Sewer shall mean any house connection sewer from a lot, or part of a lot, which does not have a public sewer directly in front, rear, or at the side of such lot or part of such lot,

    and which has not been directly assessed for a public sewer.

    74. Split Sampling shall mean dividing of wastewater samples for analysis at two (or more) analytical laboratories for comparison of results.

    75. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) shall mean classification pursuant to the Standard Industrial Classification Manual issued by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and

    Budget, 1972, or subsequent revisions.

    76. State shall mean the State of California.

    77. Storm Drain Connection shall mean any pipeline, or portion thereof, constructed in a street, alley, walk, or other public place, or in an easement granted to the City, and connecting or proposed to connect

    any lot or part of a lot with any storm drain.

    78. Storm Drain System shall mean all of the property involved in the operation of the storm drainage collection and disposal system of the City of Los Angeles, including conduits, natural or artificial drains,

    channels and watercourses, together with appurtenances, pumping stations and equipment.

    79. Suspended Solids (SS) shall mean the total nonfilterable residue in water, wastewater, or other liquids, which is removable in accordance with the most recent publication of Standard Methods for the

    Examination of Water and Wastewater, prepared and published by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and the Water Environment Federation. (Amended by Ord. No. 188,363, Eff. 10/19/24.)

    80. Temporary Permit shall mean an interim status permit issued to a discharger until a final decision is made by the Director to issue an Industrial Wastewater Permit.

    81. Toxic Pollutant shall mean any pollutant or combination of pollutants listed as toxic in regulations promulgated by the Administrator of EPA under the provisions of Section 307 of the Act, or other Federal

    or State statutes, rules or regulations.

    82. Type III Marine Sanitation Device shall mean a device that is designed to prevent the overboard discharge of treated or untreated domestic sewage.

56. Wastewater shall mean liquid and water-carried industrial and/or domestic wastes and sewage from facilities, including, but not limited to, dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, agricultural activities, hospitals, medical facilities and other institutions, together with other wastes which may be present, whether treated or untreated, which enter the POTW. 84. Waters of the State shall mean all saline waters, streams, lakes, ponds, marshes, watercourses, waterways, wells, springs, reservoirs, aquifers, irrigation systems, drainage systems and all other bodies or accumulations of water, surface or underground, natural or artificial, public or private, which are contained within, flow through, or border upon the State of California or any portion thereof.

B. Abbreviations. The acronyms or sets of letters set forth in this subsection, when used in this chapter, shall stand for and be understood and may be accepted or used as abbreviations for those terms or phrases set forth opposite each:

BOD - Biochemical Oxygen Demand
BMP - Best Management Practice
CFR - Code of Federal Regulations
COD - Chemical Oxygen Demand
FOG - Fats, Oil and Grease
FSE - Food Service Establishment
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
mg - Milligrams
mg/l - Milligrams per liter
O&M - Operation and Maintenance
NCPS - National Categorical Pretreatment Standards
NPDES - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
POTW - Publicly Owned Treatment Works
PSDF - Private Septage Disposal Facility

PSDS - Private Sewage Disposal System SIC - Standard Industrial Classification SS - Suspended Solids SWDA - Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901, et seq. USC - United States Code

(Deleted by Ord. No. 172,118, Eff. 8/31/98.)

(Deleted by Ord. No. 172,118, Eff. 8/31/98.)

(Deleted by Ord. No. 172,118, Eff. 8/31/98.)

(Deleted by Ord. No. 172,118, Eff. 8/31/98.)

(Deleted by Ord. No. 172,118, Eff. 8/31/98.)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 182,237, Eff. 9/28/12.)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 182,237, Eff. 9/28/12.)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 182,237, Eff. 9/28/12.)

(Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 182,237, Eff. 9/28/12.)

A. Water Course Interference.

1. Interference Prohibited. No person shall do anything to any natural water course or any channel that may carry storm water that would in any manner obstruct or interfere with the flow of water through such course or channel without first obtaining a permit from the Bureau of Engineering pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B. of this Section.

2. Property Owner Duties. A property owner and a lessee or tenant of any property through which a natural water course or any channel that may carry storm water passes shall keep and maintain the course or channel free from any obstruction that would in any manner prevent or disrupt the flow of water through the course or channel without first obtaining a permit from the Bureau of Engineering pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B. of this Section.

B. Water Course Disruption Permit.

1. Permit Required. Any person desiring to do any of the following actions must first obtain a permit issued by the Bureau of Engineering:

   a. Dam, fill, or obstruct any natural water course or channel that may carry storm water;

   b. Construct, reconstruct, alter, repair, install or maintain any drainage structure in any natural water course or channel that may carry storm water;

   c. Construct, reconstruct, or repair any drainage structure; or

   d. Alter, fill, obstruct, or otherwise change any natural water course or channel, or natural drainage channel or course.

2. Permit Application. Any person applying for issuance of a permit pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall file an application with the Bureau of Engineering. The application shall contain all

information required by the Bureau of Engineering, including but not limited to the proposed location of the construction, reconstruction, repair or alteration, the materials to be used, and a diagram of the work to be performed.

3. Bureau Determination. The Bureau of Engineering shall issue a permit pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection if it finds all of the following:

   a. The proposed structure, fill, alteration or repair would not become part of the City’s permanently improved storm water drainage system;

b. The proposed structure, fill, alteration or repair would not interfere with the flow of natural storm water; and

c. The proposed structure, fill, alteration or repair would not injure adjoining property.

If the Bureau determines that the proposed structure, fill, alteration or repair would become part of the City’s permanently improved storm water drainage system, the Bureau shall require an applicant to apply for

a Class “B” permit and if a permit is issued, to perform work pursuant to the provisions of Section 62.110 et seq. of this Code.

4. Permit Conditions. A permit issued by the Bureau of Engineering pursuant to the provisions of this Section may impose conditions and requirements for its use, and the permit applicant must ensure compliance with all such conditions and requirements. No person shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with any term or condition contained in any permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section.

   5. Fees. Before acceptance for examination by the City Engineer, the Bureau of Engineering shall charge and collect a fee as set forth in Section 61.16 of this Code for each permit application made pursuant to

   the provisions of this section. The provisions of Section 61.14 and 61.15 of this Code shall also apply to Bureau of Engineering services provided pursuant to the provisions of this section. (Amended by Ord. No. 188,752, Eff. 12/7/25.)

(Amended by Ord. No. 150,478, Eff. 2/6/78.)

(a) No person shall make, construct, alter, or repair any house connection sewer, bonded house connection sewer, special house connection sewer, industrial waste sewer connection, industrial waste storm drain connection, storm drain connection, or special drainage connection, or any portion of any such sewer or storm drain connections, including sampling maintenance holes, or connect any house sewer, soil pipe, or plumbing to any such sewer or storm drain connections or to a sewer or storm drain under the jurisdiction of the City of Los Angeles, without first obtaining a written permit therefor from the Board of Public Works.

(b) Persons desiring to obtain a permit for any of the purposes enumerated in Sections 64.12 to 64.22 inclusive, shall file with the Board a written application therefor signed by the applicant, on printed forms, furnished by it for that purpose. The application shall contain such information as the Board may require. If it appears from the application that the work to be performed thereunder is to be done according to the regulations contained or referred to in this article, governing the doing of such work, a permit shall be issued upon payment of the permit charges required or referred to in Section 64.15.

(c) The Board before granting any permit in accordance with the provisions of Sections 64.12 to 64.22 inclusive, which will necessitate any excavation in, upon or under any State highway in this City or the making of a connection to a sewer or house connection sewer for which a permit is also required from a County Sanitation District, or a political subdivision other than this City, shall require such permit to be presented for inspection.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be deemed or construed to require the application for or the issuance of a permit for the purpose of removing stoppages in any house connection sewer, except when it is necessary to replace any part or all of such sewer connection or to excavate in any street or sidewalk or sewer easement in connection therewith.

(e) A permit under which an excavation, tunnel, or the laying of sewer, or storm drain pipe in any public street is contemplated will be issued only to other departments of the City, other governmental agencies, or contractors holding a valid contractor’s license issued by the Contractors’ License Board of the State of California in the classification of A-1 General Engineering, B-1 General Building, C-36 Plumbing, or C-42 Sewer, Sewage Disposal, Drain, Cement Pipe Laying. (Added by Ord. No. 121,900, Eff. 6/4/62.)

EXCEPTION: A permit for making sewer connections at the property line may be issued to any responsible person when in the opinion of the Board, the granting of such permit will not endanger public property or jeopardize the public’s interests.

(f) Any person performing work pursuant to a permit issued under this section shall comply with all the provisions of Section 62.03.1 of this Code. (Added by Ord. No. 150,478, Eff. 2/6/78.)

The provisions of Section 64.12 requiring permits for the construction of house connection sewers shall not be construed to apply to contractors constructing house connection sewers under contracts entered into under proceedings had or taken pursuant to any of the procedure ordinances of this City, or the County of Los Angeles, or the Statutes of the State of California, or other contracts authorized by the City Council, providing for the construction of such house connection sewers.

(Amended by Ord. No. 168,578, Eff. 3/13/93.)

(a) If the work authorized by a permit issued pursuant to Sections 64.12 to 64.22, inclusive, of this Code is not commenced within two years from the date of its issuance, such permit shall expire and be canceled. In the event the permit is revoked, canceled or expires, the City shall retain a portion of the permit fee to defray administrative costs in an amount determined and adopted in the same manner as provided in Section 12.37 I.1. of the Los Angeles Municipal Code for establishing fees. If the work authorized by a permit is commenced, it must be prosecuted diligently to completion.

(b) The Board may suspend or revoke the permit at any time in the public interest upon receipt of a written request showing good and sufficient cause therefor by the permittee, the owner of the affected property, or other interested party. Any such action shall not be deemed to release any applicable insurance or surety filed pursuant to Section 64.15.1.

(c) Any Sewer Connection Permit that has not expired by the effective date of this section shall be given an extended duration of two years from the original date of issuance.

No person having obtained a permit from the Board shall construct, alter, or repair any house connection sewer or any portion of any house connection sewer, or makes a connection to any public sewer, or house connection sewer, pursuant to any such permit, at any place other than that designated thereon, or fail, refuse or neglect to comply with any such requirement contained or referred to in this section.

At all times, while the work under any such permit is in progress, the original of such permit must be kept at the place of the work and must, on demand be exhibited to the Board or to any of its inspectors, agents or representatives, or to any police officer.

(a) In those streets and alleys included in that portion of this City, designated by Chapter 8 of this Code as the Central Traffic District, when an excavation is commenced, the making of the excavation, the work

to be done therein and the refilling of the excavation, shall be prosecuted diligently and continuously until completed, so as not to obstruct the street or other public place or travel thereon, more than is actually necessary.

(b) The construction of all house connection sewers, and all repairs to such house connection sewers, shall be as follows:

1. All pipe shall be clay, cement, cast iron, ABS and PVC plastic pipe or asbestos cement and have a minimum internal diameter of six inches. (Amended by Ord. No. 152,157, Eff. 5/13/79)

2. House connection sewers in easements over private property shall be constructed of only clay pipe with flexible joints, ABS and PVC plastic pipe or cast iron pipe, and may have an internal diameter

of four or six inches. (Amended by Ord. No. 152,157, Eff. 5/13/79)

3. Upon proper application to the Board, the Board may permit the increase in the internal diameter of house connection sewers to not more than two inches less than the internal diameter of the public

sewer to which it is connected, if such increased diameter is in accordance with good engineering practice.

4. The quality of the pipe, the type of joint and other materials used, the manner of constructing house connection sewers, the backfilling of the trench, except where specifically provided for herein, or by the Board, shall be the same as is required by the latest specifications and standard plans for the construction of sanitary sewers in this City.

(c) Whenever, in connection with the construction or repair of a sewer connection, a hazardous excavation must be made or an excavation is to be made by tunneling under the surface of a street or alley, the

Board may adopt such regulations and require such special inspections as it may deem necessary. The cost of such special inspection shall be estimated by the Board and paid as outlined in Section 64.15.

(d) All house connection sewers, unless otherwise authorized by the Board, shall be laid on a uniform grade of not less than two per cent, with a depth, measured to the invert, at the property line, of not less than

four feet below the top of the existing curb or proposed curb at the nearest point. If there is no existing or proposed curb, then such house connection sewers shall be laid on a uniform grade of not less than two per cent, with a depth, measured to the invert, not less than four feet below the surface of the roadway, sidewalk or alley at the property line, unless a greater depth is required to serve such property.

(e) (None)

(f) Where a building is on or immediately adjacent to the property line, to which a sewer connection must be constructed, and an existing house sewer from said building ends at such property line at a depth of

less than the depth required in this section for the upper end of a house connection sewer to be constructed to such property line; or where an earth bank over 4 feet in height exists adjacent to the curb line or property line, the Board shall adopt such regulations, for the construction of that portion of the house connection sewer between the curb line and property line, if in a street, and between the main sewer and the property line, if in an alley, walk or other public place improved or to be improved without a curb, which will meet such conditions better than the method of construction herein prescribed.

Where a main sewer exceeds 14 feet in depth the manner of constructing a house connection sewer from such a sewer shall be regulated by the Board.

(g) (Amended by Ord. No. 142,123, Eff. 7/31/71.) Persons making an excavation in any street or sidewalk for any of the purposes mentioned in Sections 64.12 to 64.22 inclusive, must maintain free access to all fire hydrants and water gates. All materials excavated shall be laid compactly along the side of the trench and kept trimmed up so as to cause as little inconvenience as possible to public travel. If any excavation is made across any street or alley, at least one safe crossing must be maintained at all times for vehicles and pedestrians. Where required to keep traffic lanes and sidewalk passageways clear, tight board fences shall be used to hold excavated material. All gutters must be maintained free and unobstructed for the full depth of the adjacent curb and for at least one (1) foot in width from the face of such curb at the gutter line. All work shall be performed in accordance with the latest adopted manual entitled “Work Area Traffic Control ”, the latest adopted “Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction”, any required plans and special specifications and shall be performed to the satisfaction of the Board.

If the warning signs, lights and devices required under this section are not promptly provided, the Board may provide them; the cost of such work performed by the Board may be billed to the permittee.

(h) Any excavation made for the purpose of making a house connection to a sewer shall be refilled in the manner required by this article within three days after inspection of the pipe by the Board, or within three

days after the date of the completion of the excavation if no work is done therein. Nothing in this article contained shall be construed to allow a longer period of time therefor.

The top surface of the backfill shall conform closely enough to the level of the adjoining street or sidewalk surface and shall be compacted so that it is hard enough and smooth enough to be safe for pedestrian travel over it as well as for vehicular traffic to pass safely over it at a legal rate of speed. The permittee shall maintain the surface of the backfill in a condition safe for pedestrian and vehicular traffic until the said surface has been repaired by the Board, and said permittee shall be responsible for all accidents which may occur due to pedestrians traveling over or upon the site of the excavation as well as vehicles crossing said site at a legal rate of speed, until said surface has been so repaired. (Amended by Ord. No. 142,123, Eff. 7/31/71.)

If it is impracticable to maintain the surface of the backfill in safe condition for pedestrian travel or vehicular traffic, subject to concurrence by the inspector, then the permittee shall maintain barriers and lights

around it in accordance with Subsection (g) hereof until the sidewalk and street pavements have been repaired. (Added by Ord. No. 142,123, Eff. 7/31/71.)

(i) The street surface excavated or damaged shall be replaced by the Board, and the cost thereof shall be recovered by the Board in accordance with the provisions of Section 62.05 of this Code. (Amended by Ord. No. 121,900, Eff. 6/4/62.)

(j) In all cases where the public records of a public sewer, or house connection sewer, do not correctly represent the existing condition of or conditions surrounding such sewer, or where, in the opinion of the

Board, the physical conditions are such that strict compliance with the provisions of Section 64.12 to Section 64.22, inclusive, if unnecessary or unreasonable, the Board is granted the power to make modifications for individual cases, and determine the procedure to be followed, and its decision shall be final.

(k) No person shall connect a 4-inch house sewer to a 6-inch house connection sewer without first installing a 6-inch by 4-inch by 4-inch increaser tee on the end of the 6-inch house connection sewer, or a six- inch by 4-inch increaser followed by a 4-inch by 4-inch by 4-inch tee branch.

(Amended by Ord. No. 188,752, Eff. 12/7/25.)

An applicant requiring issuance of a permit to connect to or construct a Special House Connection Sewer or Bonded Sewer House Connection Sewer must file an application with the Bureau of Engineering. The Bureau shall charge and collect, in addition to all other required fees and charges, the following fee where applicable:

(a) For rectangular lots, a fee as set forth in Section 61.16 of this Code for each linear foot of the lot frontage for which the connection or construction is sought, except that for rectangular lots that have multiple

frontages providing access to sewers, a fee as set forth in Section 61.16 of this Code for each linear foot of the shortest frontage.

(b) For lots that are not rectangular, the Bureau shall calculate the area of the lot for which the connection or construction is sought, determine the size of a rectangular lot that would be equal in area, and impose

a fee as set forth in Section 61.16 of this Code for each linear foot of frontage of the equivalent rectangular lot.

(c) The Bureau of Engineering may reduce the total fee imposed pursuant to the provisions of Subsection (a) or (b) of this section where it determines that the fee would exceed the fee amount charged with

respect to other lots in the same bonded sewer area.

(d) The provisions of this section do not apply to permit applications for a Bonded Sewer House Connection Sewer where the lot for which the connection is sought was the subject of an assessment for a public

sewer connection at the front, rear, or side of the lot.

Fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be deposited into the Sewer Construction and Maintenance Fund established pursuant to the provisions of Section 64.19.2 of this Code.

(Amended by Ord. No. 184,054, Eff. 3/6/16.)

(a) In addition to all other required fees and charges, where the Bureau of Engineering determines that an applicant for a permit pursuant to the provisions of Section 64.12 of this Code must construct a connection to a sewer, storm drain, or catch basin at a location where there is no existing connection, the Bureau shall charge and collect the following: (Amended by Ord. No. 188,752, Eff. 12/7/25.)

1. A fee as set forth in Section 61.16 of this Code for each required connection to a storm drain or catch basin.

2. Special Inspection Charges pursuant to the provisions of Section 62.05(a)(1)(cc) for connection to a sewer that is 18 inches in diameter or less as set forth in Section 61.16 of this Code.

(b) Any permit issued by the Bureau of Engineering that requires an applicant to construct a connection to an existing sewer line at a place where there is no existing connection may impose conditions and requirements for making such connection, and the permit applicant must ensure compliance with all such conditions and requirements. No person shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with any condition or requirement contained in any

permit requiring a connection that is subject to the provisions of this Subsection.

Conditions and requirements that the Bureau may impose pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Determining the means and methods of making a connection;

2. Requiring applicants to connect to a smaller sewer line that has sufficient capacity, if such a line is available;

3. Requiring applicants to utilize existing “wye” or “chimney” connections;

4. Requiring that a bonded sewer contractor perform work involving sewers 15 inches in diameter or less;

5. Requiring house connections to sewer lines 18 inches in diameter or larger to include a private trap; and

6. Requiring installation of a backflow device where a plumbing fixture or drain would be lower than the lid elevation of an adjacent maintenance hole cover.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent any person maintaining any house connection sewer in any street, by virtue of any law, ordinance or permit, from making such excavation as may be necessary for the preservation of life or property, when such necessity arises during such hours as the offices of the City are closed; provided, that the person making such excavation shall obtain a permit therefor within four (4) hours after the offices of the City are first opened subsequent to the making of such excavation.

(a) Notice of Contents Thereof. When any zanja, drain, storm drain, storm water channel, watercourse, sewer, pipe or conduit which is the property of or under the control of this City is abandoned or the use thereof discontinued by the City, the Board is hereby authorized to give written notice thereof to the owners of or the persons in possession of all property served by or in any manner connected to or with any such zanja, drain, storm drain, storm water channel, watercourse, sewer, pipe or conduit, which notice may order, with regard to such zanja, drain, storm drain, storm water channel, watercourse, sewer, pipe or conduit, (1) that the use of any existing connections be discontinued and disconnected; (2) that the placing or discharging therein of any water waste matter articles, substance or material of any kind or nature whatsoever, or other use, be discontinued; and (3) any necessary work or repairs required to be done by said owners or persons in possession after such disconnection or discontinuance, which order shall designate the materials to be used and specify the manner in which said work shall be done and the time when such work or repairs shall be commenced and completed. Such notice may be served by delivering the same personally to said owners or persons in possession, or by posting the same upon said property.

(b) Owner’s Compliance with Notice. Any owner, agent or occupant of any such premises within seven days after service of the notice as provided in Subsection (a) of this section, shall comply with the provisions of said notice or order and shall commence the necessary work of disconnection, repair or reconstruction, and shall do the same in a manner, with the materials and within the time specified in said notice.

(c) Failure to Comply with Notice. No person who is the owner, agent or occupant of any such premises where notice is given, as provided in this section, shall fail, refuse or neglect to disconnect any connections and to discontinue the use of any such zanja, drill, storm drain, storm water channel, watercourse sewer, pipe or conduit in any manner, or fail, refuse or neglect to begin the work required in said notice within the time given, or having begun such work to fail refuse or neglect to prosecute said work to completion in the manner, with the materials and within the time specified in said notice, unless a permit for a variance therefrom in writing shall have first been obtained from the Board.

(d) Discharge into Abandoned Drains. No persons shall place or discharge any water, waste matter, or any article, substance or material of any kind whatsoever in any zanja, drain, storm drain, storm water channel, watercourse, sewer, pipe or conduit, which has been abandoned or the use of which has been discontinued, or make or maintain any connection with or to any such zanja, drain, storm drain, storm water channel, watercourse, sewer, pipe or conduit, unless a permit in writing shall have first been obtained from the Board.

(e) Tampering with Drain. No person shall in any manner tamper with, open, cut, break or destroy any zanja, drain, storm drain, storm water channel, watercourse, sewer, pipe or conduit, whether abandoned, in use, or otherwise, unless a permit in writing shall first have been obtained from the Board.

The Board of Public Works or any of its authorized representatives may make such inspections or investigations as said Board deems necessary at any reasonable time, in any building, premises or lot for any of the purposes set forth in this section. No person shall interfere with, prevent or refuse to permit the entry of said Board or any of its authorized representatives into or upon any building, premises or lot for any of the purposes set forth in this section. (Amended by Ord. No. 113,953, Eff. 8/23/59.)

(a) To determine the size, depth and location of any sewer or storm drain connection.

(b) To determine the outlet of any sewer or storm drain connection by depositing testing materials in any plumbing fixture attached thereto and flushing the same, if necessary.

(c) To determine by measurements and samples the quantity and nature of sewage or waste water being discharged into any sewer, storm drain or water course.

(d) To inspect, test, and sample the discharge of any device used to prevent the discharge into any seer, storm drain or water course of illegal waste or illegal quantities of waste, such as floor drains, sand boxes, grease traps or other clarifiers, also, of those devices used to grind, shred, pulverize, or otherwise treat garbage or industrial waste, before discharging same into a sewer or storm drain.

(e) To determine the location of roof, swimming pool and surface drains, and whether they are connected to a street gutter, storm drain or sewer.

(f) To determine the nature and quantity of flow in any open water course or storm drain.

(g) To locate, inspect, test, and sample the discharges to, from and within a PSDS. (Added by Ord. No. 160,388, Eff. 10/21/85.)

(Added by Ord. No. 160,388, Eff. 10/21/85.)

A. General Provisions.

1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to protect and preserve the water quality of the groundwater basins located generally in the San Fernando Valley and certain adjacent areas by phasing out the use of

private sewage disposal systems employed by commercial and industrial uses, and in multiple residential units. The continued use of private sewage disposal systems by commercial and industrial uses in the San Fernando Valley and certain adjacent areas is declared to be a threat to the quality of the ground water and to the public health. Therefore, the City is providing a systematic method of requiring both the connection to public sewers and permanent abandonment of private sewage disposal systems.

2. Scope. This section shall apply to all private sewage disposal systems in the City of Los Angeles located northerly of the boundary line described as follows:

   Beginning from the west at the intersection of Mulholland Highway and the City boundary, thence along Mulholland Highway in a northerly direction to the intersection with Mulholland Drive, thence along Mulholland Drive in an easterly direction to the intersection of Mulholland Drive and Laurel Canyon Boulevard, thence northerly along Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and the Los Angeles River, thence along the Los Angeles River in an easterly and then southerly direction to the intersection of the Los Angeles River and the Glendale Freeway, thence along the Glendale Freeway in a northerly direction to the City boundary.

B. Definitions. For purposes of this section, “Notice to Connect” shall mean a notice to connect to a public sewer and to abandon a Private Sewage Disposal System (PSDS) as defined at Number 42.5 in Section 64.00 of this Code.

C. Issuance Of Notice To Connect To The Public Sewer And To Abandon A PSDS.

1. Issuance by Director. When connection to a public sewer is available or becomes available for a lot upon which a PSDS is located, the Director shall issue a Notice to Connect to the owner of the lot as

identified on the Los Angeles County equalized assessment roll or as known to the City Engineer. The Director may, in addition, issue a copy of a Notice to Connect to any person using or maintaining the PSDS. (Amended by Ord. No. 181,595, Eff. 4/10/11.)

(a) When Sewer is “Available”. A public sewer is available when it is located in any public street or easement abutting a lot.

(b) Phasing. The Board shall adopt standards for the issuance of Notices to Connect to be administered on a phased basis. The standards shall permit the Director to give priority to lots located in areas

where the Department of Water and Power has determined the underlying groundwater has been contaminated by industrial chemicals.

(c) Exemption. If a PSDS is in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and is located on a lot occupied by four or fewer units which are used solely for residential purposes, it shall be exempt from the requirements of this section and the Director shall not issue a Notice to Connect for such PSDS.

2. Time for Compliance. The Notice to Connect shall be fully complied with no later than one year from the date of issuance of the Notice to Connect, provided however, that if the Director finds that a PSDS is not in compliance with any applicable law, rule, or regulation, the Notice to Connect shall provide for full compliance within 30 days of the issuance of the Notice to Connect.

3. Contents of a Notice to Connect. A Notice to Connect shall;

   (a) identify, by address, the property to which it is directed;

   (b) state that the Director has determined that a public sewer is available for that lot;

   (c) require discontinued use of the PSDS after the time specified in the notice and connection to a public sewer, or vacation of the premises;

   (d) require full compliance within the time limit specified in the Notice;

   (e) describe the procedures whereby an application for variance may be filed within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Notice to Connect; and

   (f) advise that failure to comply may result in discontinuance of water service and referral to the City Attorney for appropriate criminal and/or civil action.

The Notice to Connect may also include references to the payment of fees and the procedures for obtaining any required permits for connection to a public sewer and abandonment of the PSDS.

At the time of issuance of the Notice to Connect, the Director shall provide to the person to whom the Notice is issued a document which briefly explains the purpose and scope of the program and its system of administration, and indicates whom to contact for further information.

4. Subsequent Notices. The Director shall issue the following subsequent notices in cases where the Notice to Connect provides for full compliance within one year:

   (a) Reminder Notice. If full compliance with the requirements of a Notice to Connect has not been achieved four months prior to the date specified for such full compliance in the Notice to Connect, the

   Director shall issue a Reminder Notice which shall repeat the deadline for compliance and the possible sanctions for failure to comply;

   (b) Final Notice. If full compliance with the requirements of a Notice to Connect has not been achieved one month prior to the date specified for such full compliance in the Notice to Connect, the

   Director shall issue a Final Notice which shall repeat the deadline for compliance and the possible sanctions for failure to comply.

5. Service of Notices. Each of the Notices described in this section shall be either personally delivered or sent by certified mail with return receipt requested.

   6. Effect of Failure To Issue or Receive Subsequent Notices. Failure to issue or receive a Reminder Notice, Final Notice, or Notice of Violation shall not relieve any owner or person using or maintaining a

   PSDS from the duty to comply with the Notice to Connect and shall not be a defense to a criminal or civil enforcement action.

D. Compliance With Notice To Connect: Every owner of a lot upon which a PSDS is located, and every person using or maintaining a PSDS, shall comply with the requirements of a Notice to Connect, or Notice to Connect modified by any variance granted in accordance with Subsection E of this section which is issued for that PSDS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, no person shall permit or cause the discharge of any wastewater to a PSDS after the compliance date specified in a Notice to Connect issued for that PSDS, as modified by any variance granted in accordance with Subsection E of this section.

E. Variances

1. Application to Director. Any person who owns, uses, or maintains a PSDS which is in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations who has received a Notice to Connect, upon payment of a

fee of $100, may file with the Director within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Notice to Connect, an application for a variance from the requirements of this section.

2. Discretion of Director. The Director may grant a variance from the requirements of this section, including an extension of the deadline for compliance specified in a Notice to Connect, if the Director finds

that the applicant has demonstrated that:

(a) the strict application of the requirements of this section will result in extreme hardships unessential to the overall purpose of such requirements; and

(b) the continued operation of the subject PSDS will not have any significant adverse effect upon water quality in the groundwater basin of concern.

The determination of the Director shall be supported by written findings of fact. The Director may impose reasonable conditions upon the granting of a variance, including a requirement that connection to a public sewer and disconnection and abandonment of a PSDS occur within 60 days or a change of ownership of the property.

The effective period of any variance granted to an applicant shall not exceed two years. Renewal of a variance shall be required by the applicant in writing and shall be at the discretion of the Director in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

The Director shall act upon an application for a variance within 60 days of its filing.

3. Appeal to Board. An appeal from a determination by the Director may be filed with the Board by the applicant or any person aggrieved by the determination upon payment of a fee of $100, or by any officer, board, department or bureau of the City. Appeals shall be filed with the Secretary of the Board within fifteen days of the Director’s action on the application for variance. The Board, after notice duly given, shall hear and act upon the appeal, within 90 days of its filing. If the Board fails to act within 90 days of the filing of an appeal, the decision of the Director shall be deemed affirmed. In considering appeals the Board shall be subject to the same limitations as are applicable to the Director under Paragraph 2 of this subsection.

4. Appeal to Council. If the applicant for a variance or any other person aggrieved, or any officer, board, department or bureau of the City is dissatisfied with the Board’s determination; or if the Board has failed to act within 90 days of the filing of an appeal, a new appeal may be taken to the City Council upon payment of a fee of $100. Appeals to the City Council shall be filed with the City Clerk within 15 days of the Board’s determination or the close of the 90 days in which the Board may act, whichever comes first. The City Council shall act upon the appeal within 90 days of its filing. If the City Council fails to act within 90 days of the filing of an appeal either the decision of the Board shall become final or, if the Board failed to act within 90 days, the decision of the Director shall become final. In considering appeals the Council shall be subject to the same limitations applicable to the Director under Paragraph 2 of this subsection.

   5. Fee Waiver. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code to the contrary, no department, bureau, officer or board of this City shall pay any fee required by this section for appeal.

F. Rules And Regulations. The Board may adopt rules or regulations governing the procedures to be followed in carrying out the provisions of this section.

G. Enforcement.

1. If full enforcement with the requirements of this section has not been achieved by the deadline for full compliance provided in the Notice to Connect, as modified by any variance, the Director shall do all of the following:

   (a) issue a Notice of Violation to the owner of the affected property and the person using or maintaining the PSDS.

   (b) provide to the City Attorney copies of the applicable Notice to Connect, Reminder Notice, Final Notice, and Notice of Violation, and proof that such notices were delivered or mailed, together with

any responses to such notices which may have been received by the Director, and the records concerning any application for variance and any appeal therefrom which may have been filed.

(c) provide to the Department of Water and Power a copy of the Notice of Violation. A written request that water service be discontinued at the affected property may also be filed with said department if

deemed appropriate by the Director; and

(d) provide to the Superintendent of Building a copy of the Notice of Violation. Any building which is the subject of a Notice of Violation is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and the Director may

request the Superintendent of Building to order that the subject building be vacated and remain vacated until full compliance with the Notice to Connect has been achieved.

2. Upon receipt of the Notice of Violation and request described in this subsection, the Department of Water and Power shall initiate procedures to discontinue water services, if specified by the Director, after providing reasonable notice thereof to the occupying party and the owner of the property, and the Department of Building and Safety. Upon receipt of notification from the Director that compliance has been achieved, the Department of Water and Power shall act to reinstitute normal water service.

3. Notwithstanding any provision of this Code to the contrary, upon receipt of the Notice of Violation and notice that the Department of Water and Power intends to discontinue water service, the Superintendent of Building shall order the subject building to be vacated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 91.8903 of this Code.

(Added by Ord. No. 172,118, Eff. 8/31/98.)

A. General Provisions.

1. Objectives. This section sets forth regulations and requirements for accepting septage for discharge to the City’s Publicly Owned Treatment Works (P.O.T.W.). Through a Permit, monitoring and an

inspection program, the City seeks to ensure compliance with all applicable Federal and State regulations and seeks to assure implementation of the following objectives:

(a) To protect the health, safety and welfare of the public;

(b) To protect the health and safety of the P.O.T.W. operating and maintenance personnel;

(c) To protect the P.O.T.W. and its operations and treatment processes from harmful pollutants;

(d) To prevent any hazardous wastes from being discharged to the P.O.T.W.;

(e) To provide cost recovery for its services, including wastewater treatment administration, operations, maintenance, expense and equipment expenditures, implementation and enforcement of the

program established herein.

2. Scope. This section provides for the regulation of the discharge of septage to the City’s P.O.T.W., through the issuance of Septage Disposal Permits, enforcement of discharge prohibitions, designation of

discharge sites, requirements for waste tracking and load manifesting. This section further establishes fees for the recovery of all program costs. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Director of the Bureau of Sanitation (Director) under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works (Board) shall administer, implement and enforce the provisions of this section. This section applies to all Septage Haulers who discharge septage to the City’s P.O.T.W.

B. Septage Disposal Rules and Regulations. The Board shall adopt Rules and Regulations consistent with the provisions of this section, to effectuate its intent and purpose in regulating the discharge of septage to the City’s P.O.T.W. and to administer the operations of any designated discharge site. These Rules and Regulations shall be titled “ RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING DISPOSAL OF SEPTAGE INTO THE P.O.T.W. OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES”, herein referred to as the Board’s Septage Disposal Rules and Regulations.

C. Septage Disposal Permit. No person may discharge or cause to be discharged any septage to the City’s P.O.T.W. without first obtaining a Septage Disposal Permit in writing from the Director. A separate Septage Disposal Permit shall be required for each vehicle used to haul septage for discharge to the City’s P.O.T.W.

1. Permit Application. To obtain a Septage Disposal Permit, an application must be filed with the Director in the prescribed form and must be accompanied by the applicable fees. The applicant must submit the following information for evaluation:

   (a) Name, address of any and all principals, owners, major shareholders of the company applying for the Permit (whichever is applicable).

(b) State Vehicle License Number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the septage hauling vehicle to be permitted.

(c) Copy of the applicant company’s City Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC).

(d) Copy of the applicant company’s Los Angeles County Health Department License and vehicle registration number.

(e) The total septage hauling capacity, in gallons, and that of each compartment in the vehicle, to be permitted.

(f) Any other information deemed by the Director to be necessary to evaluate the applicant’s Permit application.

2. Permit Conditions. Septage Disposal Permits are subject to all provisions of this Code, all applicable statutes, Rules and Regulations, fees and charges established by the City. This Permit must be kept on

the permitted vehicle used to haul septage and available for immediate inspection at all times. The Director has the authority to impose additional Permit conditions as follows:

(a) Prohibitions and/or “discharge limitations” for discharge of specific pollutants.

(b) Requirements for maintaining, submitting and affording City access to waste hauling records or Septage Manifests.

(c) Requirements for wastewater sampling and analysis.

(d) Other Permit conditions deemed appropriate and as recommended by the Director to ensure compliance with this section.

3. Duration of Permit. A Septage Disposal Permit is valid for one year. A Permit may be issued for a period less than a year or may be stated to expire on a specific date, not to exceed one year from the date of Permit issuance.

4. Renewal of Permit. Applications for Permit renewal must be filed with the Director a minimum of sixty (60) days prior to the Permit’s expiration date. A permittee must pay any delinquent fees or charges, in full, prior to Permit renewal.

5. Non-Transferability. A Septage Disposal Permit, identification decal or card and any site access card or key shall be issued to a specific permitted vehicle and is not transferable from one business or vehicle to another.

D. Prohibitions and Limitations. The following prohibitions and limitations shall apply to all persons discharging septage to the City’s P.O.T.W.

1. Discharge Prohibitions

   (a) Except as expressly allowed through a Septage Disposal Permit, Septage Haulers are subject to the “discharge prohibitions” specified in Section 64.30, Subsection B.1. of the Code for all loads

   discharged to the City’s P.O.T.W.

   (b) Discharge of septage to any portion of the City’s storm drain system or the Waters of the State is expressly prohibited.

   (c) No person may discharge, attempt to discharge or cause the discharge of septage, directly or indirectly to the City’s P.O.T.W. through any sewer maintenance hole or through any other sewer

   connection not specifically approved as a designated discharge site.

(d) Discharge of septage consisting of materials mixed from different types of septage is prohibited as specified under Section 5 of the Board’s Septage Disposal Rules and Regulations.

2. Specific Pollutant Limitations. Septage Haulers are subject to specific pollutant limitations specified in Section 64.30, Subsection B.2. of the Code for all loads discharged to the City’s P.O.T.W., except

when discharging domestic septage, other than portable toilet waste, to the City’s P.O.T.W.

E. Septage Manifests. As part of a septage tracking system, a manifest, in a form prescribed by the Director, must be completed and submitted by every Septage Hauler for each generator or source of septage to be discharged to the City’s P.O.T.W.

The manifest for each load being transported must be fully completed and be available, in the transport vehicle, for inspection by the City inspector at the time of discharge of such loads at the designated discharge sites. The manifest must be completed and submitted according to the provisions of the Board’s Septage Disposal Rules and Regulations.

F. Industrial Wastewater Permit. Upon determination by the Director, a generator of Industrial Wastewater or non-domestic septage, who intends to discharge such wastes at a designated discharge site, may be required to obtain an Industrial Wastewater Permit, per the requirements of Section 64.30, Subsection C.1. of the Code.

G. Physical or Chemical Analysis. The Director may require physical and chemical analysis of any septage hauled by any Septage Hauler before permission is granted to discharge to the City’s P.O.T.W. The Director may also collect and analyze samples of septage to determine its compliance with any applicable wastewater discharge pollutant limitations or requirements.

H. Right to Reject. The Director may reject septage from any Septage Hauler if there is reason to believe that the septage may contain hazardous waste, industrial waste or any other waste which may require a chemical analysis to determine its quality and therefore acceptability for discharge to the City’s P.O.T.W.

I. Discharge Sites. The Board shall designate discharge sites and may establish the hours of operation where properly permitted Septage Haulers shall be allowed to discharge properly manifested septage.

J. Service Area. Service Area shall mean the County of Los Angeles. The City shall not accept any septage originating from outside the County of Los Angeles unless specifically permitted by the Director as part of the Septage Disposal Permit provisions.

K. Fees and Charges. Septage Haulers shall pay all applicable Septage Disposal Permit fees and charges established in this section. All fees and charges collected from Septage Haulers shall be deposited in the Sewer Construction and Maintenance Fund established by Section 64.19.2 of this Code. Monies collected are to be expended for the purposes set forth in the above Subsection A.1.(e) and to provide for any appropriate refunds relative to such fees.

1. Determination of Fees and Charges. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,076, Eff. 4/6/12.) When necessary, as determined by the Board, the Board with the concurrence of the Office of the City Administrative
Officer shall propose an appropriate and revised schedule of fees and charges. The Board shall then transmit the schedule of fees and charges to the Mayor and to the City Council for their approval and adoption.

2. Septage Disposal Permit Fee. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,076, Eff. 4/6/12.) An Annual Septage Disposal Permit Fee of $2,500 is required for each Septage Hauler vehicle that is permitted to discharge
septage to the City’s P.O.T.W. This fee shall be paid annually at the time of submittal of each application for issuance or renewal of a Septage Disposal Permit. The fee shall be annually adjusted as shown in the
table below:

Fee Permit Fee ($/year)
July 1, 2012 3,000
July 1, 2013 3,500
July 1, 2014 4,000
July 1, 2015 4,500
July 1, 2016 5,000
July 1, 2017 5,500
July 1, 20182 6,000
July 1, 2019 6,500
July 1, 2020 7,000

3. Septage Treatment Cost Recovery User Fees. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,076, Eff. 4/6/12.) The Septage Treatment Cost Recovery User Fee rate established at Subsection D.5.(b) of Section 64.30 will be
applied to the full tank capacity of the Septage Hauler’s vehicle, for each vehicle permitted by the Director.

4. Emergency or Special Event User Fee. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,076, Eff. 4/6/12.) An Emergency or Special Event User Fee shall be charged to any Septage Hauler requesting access to any designated
septage discharge site during non-business hours. The amount of the fee will be determined by the Director and will be equal to the City’s costs to provide such a service. The fee shall recover all direct and indirect
costs and shall include, at a minimum, City costs equal to the overtime salary rate of an Industrial Waste Inspector for three (3) hours. The fee will be billed to the Septage Hauler and will be charged in addition to
the applicable user fee rates imposed pursuant to the provisions of Subdivision (3) of this Subsection.

5. Application of the Rates During an Emergency or Special Event. In the case of a major rain storm or earthquake, or other emergency as determined by the Director, or during a Special Event, as declared by the City Council, a Septage Hauler may discharge septage resulting from such emergency or Special Event at a designated septage discharge site. The Director shall screen such septage before it may be discharged to ensure that such a discharge will not adversely affect the City’s P.O.T.W. or violate any of the City’s “ discharge limitations”. The Director shall bill the Septage Hauler the appropriate User Fee according to Subdivision 3. of this Subsection K.

   6. Payment Method and Due Dates – Billing of Fees and Charges. Subject to the provisions of this subsection, all user fees and charges shall be due in quarterly installments payable on the first day of

   January, April, July and October, with each such payment applicable to the immediately preceding quarter. This billing method will not be available to those Septage Haulers that become delinquent with the payment of their fees and charges as defined hereunder in Subdivision 7. of Subsection K. of this section. Delinquent Septage Haulers will no longer be invoiced, following the date on which they become delinquent, and will be required to pay in guaranteed form, prior to discharge, the payment required for the discharge of each load of septage the Septage Hauler intends to discharge, in accordance with Subdivision 8.(a) of Subsection K. of this section. 7. Delinquency – Additional Charge. If the user fees are not paid on or before the last day of the month in which they are due, the Septage Hauler shall be deemed delinquent and will be issued a delinquent notice by the Director. Additionally, a delinquency charge equal to ten percent (10%) of the required user fees, but not less than $10.00, shall be added to said user fees, and such additional charges shall become a part of the user fees required by this section and be payable for said period. If the invoices for said user fees are not postmarked before the due date, such user fees shall not become delinquent until 35 days following the invoice mailing date, at which time, such user fees shall become delinquent and the additional charges and time payment factors as provided above shall apply.

6. Failure to pay user fee or charge. Failure to pay any user fee or charge payable under this section within 10 days after issuance of the delinquent notice by the Director shall constitute grounds for the suspension or revocation of the Permit(s) held by such Septage Hauler or for the issuance of an order by the Director under the provisions of Section 64.31 F. For purposes of this subsection, failure to pay includes a payment which has been dishonored.

   (a) Not withstanding any other provision in this Code:

   i. Pending a final determination by the Director to suspend or revoke a Septage Hauler’s permit(s) for failure to pay; or,

   ii. Pending payment in full of all unpaid user fees or charges pursuant to an agreement to pay such user fees or charges, any Septage Hauler deemed delinquent under this subsection may, at the

   discretion of the Director, discharge septage to the City’s P.O.T.W. on a load-by-load basis on the condition that all user fees applicable for the load to be discharged are paid prior to discharge. All

   payments of applicable user fees and charges under this subsection shall be by way of money order, cashiers check or other guaranteed form of payment.

   (b) Payments made under this subsection will be accepted during normal business hours at one or more locations approved by the Director.

   (c) The remedies provided by this section are cumulative to each other and to all other remedies and penalties available to the City under law. This section shall not be construed to prevent the Director

   from suspending or revoking any Septage Disposal Permit for any reason set forth in Subsection F. of this section.

L. Enforcement. Violation of this Code, any term or condition of a Septage Disposal Permit, the Board’s Rules and Regulations, or any order issued by the Director, may subject the Septage Hauler to enforcement action as provided herein.

1. Cause for Enforcement Action. An enforcement action may be initiated against a permittee for any of the following reasons:

   (a) When a discharge, singly, or by interaction with other discharges, may cause interference, pass through, or otherwise pose a significant risk of causing the City to violate its NPDES wastewater Permit

   requirements;

   (b) When a discharger obtains its Septage Disposal Permit by misrepresentation or fails to disclose fully all relevant facts in either the Permit application or any report, including falsification of self-

   monitoring reports or manifests or tampering with monitoring equipment;

   (c) When a discharger fails to provide timely access to its records;

   (d) When a discharger fails to timely pay applicable fees;

   (e) When a discharge, singly, or by interaction with other discharges, may have an adverse effect on public health, safety or welfare; on the P.O.T.W., its personnel, or on the environment;

(f) When a discharger exceeds effluent “discharge limitations”;

(g) When a discharger fails to provide a complete and accurate Septage Manifest;

(h) When a discharger violates any term or condition of its Septage Disposal Permit, this section, the Board’s Rules and Regulations, or any order issued hereunder; and/or

(i) When the Director determines that a permittee has acted in any manner inconsistent with the intent of this Code, the Septage Disposal Permit or the laws governing the operation of the City’s P.O.T.W.

Enforcement actions as provided herein may include any or all of the following:

2. Notice of Violation.

   (a) Scope of Notice of Violation. The Director may serve upon a Septage Hauler a written Notice of Violation. The Notice of Violation may require the Septage Hauler to promptly respond to the

   Director within a specified time period and to identify the reason(s) and cause(s) for the violation(s) and a plan for the satisfactory correction and prevention of future violations.

   (b) Effect of Notice of Violation. Submission of the response by a Septage Hauler to a Notice of Violation does not relieve the Septage Hauler of liability for any violations occurring before or after

   receipt of the Notice of Violation. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the Director to take any action, including emergency actions or any other enforcement action, whether or not a Notice of Violation has been issued.

3. Administrative Orders.

   (a) Scope of Administrative Orders. The Director may issue Administrative Orders containing such terms and requirements as deemed necessary by the Director for determining the compliance status

   of the Septage Hauler; requiring the Septage Hauler to achieve compliance; and/or suspending the Permit(s) and requiring the cessation of discharge in whole or in part.

   (b) Effect of Administrative Order.

   (1) Failure of a Septage Hauler to comply with any condition or requirement set forth in any Administrative Order issued hereunder is a violation of this section and is independently enforceable for each day of a violation. An Administrative Order has the full force of law and is enforceable in a court of law. Administrative Orders shall become effective and final upon issuance by the Director.

   (2) A Septage Hauler’s compliance with the requirements of an Administrative Order shall not relieve the Septage Hauler of liability for any violation of a Septage Disposal Permit, this section, the Board’s Rules and Regulations or other legally applicable requirements occurring before or after receipt of the Administrative Order.

(3) Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the Director to take any action, including emergency actions, or any other enforcement action, whether or not an Administrative Order has been issued.

(c) Description of Administrative Orders. Administrative orders which the Director may issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Consent Orders. The Director and discharger may enter into a Consent Order establishing an agreement for achieving compliance with discharger requirements. Consent Orders reflect the

agreement of the Director and discharger and are not appealable to the Board or otherwise subject to administrative or judicial appeal.

(2) Cease and Desist Orders. The Director may issue Cease and Desist Orders requiring dischargers, among other things, to cease and desist all such violations and directing the user to:

(A) Immediately comply with all Permit, Rules and Regulations and Code requirements, and;

(B) Take such appropriate remedial or preventive action as may be needed to properly address a continuing or threatened violation, including halting operations and/or terminating the

discharge or preventing further discharges.

(3) Compliance Orders. The Director may issue Compliance Orders requiring dischargers, among other things to:

(A) Comply with interim and/or final dates and steps for achieving compliance;

(B) Submit and implement a plan of corrective actions to be taken to maintain consistent and permanent compliance;

(C) Submit and implement a pollution prevention plan;

(D) Conduct additional self-monitoring; and/or

(E) Pay all delinquent fees and charges.

(4) Permit Suspension Order. The Director may issue Permit Suspension Orders suspending the right of the Septage Hauler to discharge septage to the City’s P.O.T.W. A Permit Suspension

Order may be issued due to the Septage Hauler’s failure to pay applicable fees or penalties or for other good cause, including causes as specified in Subdivision 1 of this Subsection L of this section.

4. Suspension of Septage Disposal Permit(s).

   (a) Notice of Intended Permit Suspension Order. The Director may serve the Septage Hauler with a Notice of Intended Permit Suspension stating the reasons therefor and the opportunity for a Show

   Cause Permit Suspension Hearing before the Director with respect thereto. After such hearing, the Director shall make a final determination whether to issue the Permit Suspension Order or take other enforcement action. In cases where a Septage Hauler holds multiple Septage Disposal Permits and upon determination by the Director, the Permit Suspension Order may suspend all of the Septage Hauler’s permits.

   (b) Cessation of Discharge. Any Septage Hauler notified of suspension of its Septage Disposal Permit(s) shall immediately cease and desist the discharge of all septage previously authorized by the

   Permit(s) to the P.O.T.W. It is unlawful for a Septage Hauler to continue to discharge any septage to the P.O.T.W. after the Septage Hauler’s permit(s) has been suspended.

   (c) Reinstatement of Suspended Permit(s). The Director shall require that all deficiencies, violations and causes which led to the suspension of the Septage Hauler’s permit(s), be removed and corrected

   and/or require that the Septage Hauler pay all of the delinquent fees, charges, penalties and other sums owed by the Septage Hauler to the City, or reach an agreement with the Board to pay such fee and charges before a suspended Permit is reinstated. Suspension of the Permit(s) does not relieve the Septage Hauler of its obligation to pay all applicable fees.

   (d) Failure to Correct as Cause for Revocation. Failure of the Septage Hauler to take the necessary corrective actions and request reinstatement of the suspended Permit(s) within ninety (90) days

   following issuance of a Permit(s) Suspension Order shall be grounds for Permit(s) revocation and service termination according to Subsection 5 of this section.

5. Revocation of Septage Disposal Permit(s).

   (a) Notice of Intended Permit Revocation. The Director, in the event of:

   (i) a violation of a Septage Disposal Permit, this Code, the Board’s Rules and Regulations, any order issued hereunder; and/or

   (ii) The Septage Hauler’s failure to pay applicable fees or penalties; and/or

   (iii) for other good cause (including causes as specified in Paragraph (d) of Subdivision 4 of this subsection, may serve the Septage Hauler with a Notice of Intended Permit Revocation, stating

   the reasons therefore and the opportunity for a Show Cause Permit Revocation Hearing before the Director with respect thereto. After such hearing, the Director shall make a final determination

   whether to revoke the Permit(s) or take other enforcement action. In cases where a Septage Hauler holds multiple Septage Disposal Permits, the Director may revoke all of the Septage Hauler’s permits.

   (b) Cessation of Discharge. Any Septage Hauler notified of the revocation of its Permit(s) shall immediately cease and desist the discharge of all septage previously authorized by the Permit(s) to the

   P.O.T.W. It is unlawful for a Septage Hauler to continue to discharge any septage to the P.O.T.W. after Permit(s) has been revoked.

(c) Issuance of New Septage Disposal Permit Subsequent to Revocation. After revocation of a Septage Hauler’s permit(s), there shall be no further discharge of any septage by the Septage Hauler to the P.O.T.W., unless there has been a new application filed, all fees and charges that would be required upon an initial application and all delinquent fees, charges, penalties and other sums owed by the Septage Hauler and/or the applicant to the City have been paid to the City, or the Septage Hauler has reached an agreement with the Board to pay such charges and fees, and a new Septage Disposal Permit has been issued. Any costs incurred by the City, including administrative costs and investigative fees, in revoking the Septage Disposal Permit(s) shall also be paid for by the Septage Hauler before issuance of new Septage Disposal Permit(s).

6. Appeals and Hearings.

   (a) Appeals. Upon the issuance of an Administrative Order or notification of Permit revocation by the Director, a Septage Hauler may, within 14 days from service of the Director’s order or notice,

   submit a written request to the Secretary of the Board for a Board hearing to appeal said order or notice.

   The filing of said appeal does not act to stay any enforcement action or time set for compliance nor does said filing of an appeal in any way relieve the Septage Hauler from any liability or responsibility for the violation which is the subject of the appeal. Nothing in this section shall act to limit the authority of the Director to take any action, including emergency actions or any other enforcement actions, whether or not a request for appeal has been made. Failure of the Septage Hauler to request a hearing within the specified time or failure to pay any required filing fees shall be deemed a waiver of request for such a hearing.

   In the event of a hearing request to consider an Administrative Order or notification of Permit Revocation as determined by the Director, the Board, or a hearing examiner designated by the Board for that purpose, upon written request by the Septage Hauler, shall conduct the hearing to consider the appeal of said order or notice within a reasonable period of time with consideration shown for the convenience and necessity of all parties and their representatives.

   (b) Hearings.

   (1) At the hearing the Director shall submit, for the record, evidence to support the issuance of the Administrative Order or notification of Permit Revocation which is the subject of the appeal.

   The Septage Hauler shall have the opportunity prior to the hearing to examine the evidence to be submitted by the Director. The Septage Hauler or counsel should be present at the hearing and will be given the opportunity to present any relevant evidence or witnesses, and ask questions or make comments concerning the Director’s evidence and testimony. Failure of the Septage Hauler or the Septage Hauler’s representative to appear at the hearing after receiving notice of the hearing shall be deemed a waiver of hearing rights.

   (2) At the conclusion of the hearing, the Board shall make findings and determine whether the evidence presented at the hearing supports the issuance of the Administrative Order or notification of Permit Revocation which is the subject of the appeal.

   (c) Notification. Only those persons who request a hearing need be notified of the date and time of the hearing. The Board Secretary shall make said notification at least ten (10) days prior to the date of

   the hearing by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the address as shown on the hearing request.

   (d) Continuances. The Board may grant continuances; however when a hearing examiner has been assigned to such hearing, no continuances may be granted except by that hearing examiner, for good

   cause shown, so long as the matter remains before the hearing examiner.

   (e) Reporting. The proceedings at the hearing shall be reported by an electronic recording if requested by any party thereto. A transcript of the proceedings shall be made available to all parties upon

   request and upon payment of the prescribed fee therefor.

   (f) Oaths-Certification. In any proceedings under this division, the Board, any Board member, the secretary of the Board or the hearing examiner has the power to administer oaths and affirmations and

   to certify to official acts.

   (g) Appointment of Hearing Examiner(s). Whenever an appeal or protest is made to the Board pursuant to this section, the Board may appoint one or more hearing examiners or designate one or more

   of its members to serve as hearing examiners, and direct such hearing examiner or examiners to consider all or part of such appeal or protest or to conduct all or part of such hearing and to submit a report or reports thereon as hereafter provided. Hearing examiners may, be appointed from among the officers or employees of the City.

   (h) Report of Hearing Examiner. Within such period as may be fixed by the Board, the hearing examiner shall submit a written report to the Board. Such report shall contain a brief summary of the

   evidence considered and shall state the hearing examiner’s conclusions and recommendations, and if the matter is then ready for decision, the report shall contain a proposed decision, in such form that it may be adopted by the Board as its decision in the case, and a brief statement of the hearing examiner’s reasons therefor. All hearing examiner’s reports shall be filed by the secretary of the Board as public records. A copy of each proposed decision so filed shall then be mailed by the Secretary of the Board to each party.

   (i) Consideration of Report by Board. The Board shall fix a time when the Board will consider the report of the hearing examiner. Notice thereof shall be mailed by the Board Secretary to each party

   not less than ten (10) days prior to the date fixed, unless otherwise stipulated. Not later than five (5) days before such date any party may file written exceptions to any part or all of the hearing examiner’s report.

   (j) Disposition by Board.

   (1) After considering the hearing examiner’s report and any exceptions, proposals, and arguments submitted, the Board may adopt, reject, or modify such report in whole or in part. If the matter is

   then ready for decision, the Board may proceed to make its decision.

   (2) If the Board does not decide the matter upon the hearing examiner’s report, the Board may itself consider the matter either in whole or in part, upon the record, including the transcript, or may

   decide the matter after itself receiving the whole or any part of the evidence or may refer part or all of the matter to the same or another hearing examiner. If part of the matter is so referred to an hearing examiner, such hearing examiner shall prepare and submit to the Board a report, including a proposed decision as provided in this section, upon the evidence heard by such hearing examiner, and the papers, records, and reports which are part of the record of the prior hearing, and thereafter the matter shall proceed as heretofore provided in the case of an original hearing examiner’s report. If additional evidence is received by the Board itself, no member thereof may vote on the matter unless the member has heard the additional testimony or has read a reporter’s transcript of the same, or if there was other additional evidence, unless the member has considered such other additional evidence. The Board shall give such notice of its decision as is provided or required in cases where it makes no reference to a hearing examiner.

   (k) Duty to Exhaust Administrative Remedies. A Septage Hauler has the legal obligation to exhaust administrative remedies. Failure of a Septage Hauler to pursue its appeal rights hereunder or to

   appeal the Director’s decision is a waiver of such rights. Accordingly, any action of the Director which was subject to review by the Board under this subdivision, but was not appealed to the Board, shall not be subject to judicial review in any civil proceeding.

7. Judicial Enforcement Remedies.

(a) Injunctive Relief. Whenever a Septage Hauler has violated or continues to violate the provisions of a Septage Disposal Permit, this section, Board’s Rules and Regulations or any order issued hereunder, the Director, through the City Attorney, may petition the Superior Court for the issuance of a temporary or permanent injunction, as may be appropriate, which restrains or compels the specific performance of the order or other standard or requirement imposed by this section on activities of the Septage Hauler. The Director may also seek such other relief as may be appropriate including a requirement for the Septage Hauler to conduct environmental remediation. The petition for injunctive relief shall not be a bar against or a prerequisite for taking any other action against a Septage Hauler.

(b) Civil Liability. Pursuant to Section 54740 of the Government Code, any person who violates conditions of a Septage Disposal Permit, this section, the Board’s Rules and Regulations, any order

issued hereunder, or any other provision as identified in Section 54739(a) of the Government Code, may be civilly liable in a sum of not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) a day for each violation. The local agency may petition the superior court to impose, assess, and recover such sums.

Remedies under this section are in addition to and do not supersede or limit any and all other remedies, civil or criminal, but no liability shall be recoverable under this section for any violation for which liability is recovered under Subdivision 8 of this section.

(c) Criminal Liability. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any condition of a Septage Disposal Permit, this section, the Board’s Rules and Regulations, or any order issued hereunder. Any

person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of this Code, the Board’s Rules and Regulations or, any order issued by the Director pursuant to this Code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and said violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 for each offense or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Each person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of a Septage Disposal Permit, this Code the Board’s Rules and Regulations, or any order issued hereunder, by such person, and each such violation shall be punishable accordingly. Nothing in this Code shall prohibit the payment of investigative costs by any person so convicted of violating any of the mandatory requirements of this Code, the Board’s Rules and Regulation or, any order issued by the Director pursuant to this Code, to the Bureau of Sanitation, to reimburse said agency for all costs expended to investigate and/or enforce the requirements of this Code, the Board’s Rules and Regulations or, any order issued by the Director pursuant to this Code.

(Added by Ord. No. 127,508, Eff. 6/29/64.)

No privy shall be used or maintained within the City of Los Angeles except as follows: A temporary, sanitary approved-type pit latrine may be used in demonstrations of basic sanitation by recognized groups such as civil defense organizations, when the location and conditions of such use have been inspected and approved by the health officers.

When abandoned, all privy vaults must be filled with clean earth.

(Added by Ord. No. 162,868, Eff. 11/22/87.)

Any person or firm seeking the approval of or the testing and analysis by the Department of Public Works of any material, product, service, process or technology relating to this chapter shall first obtain a Class “B” permit pursuant to Sections 62.106, 62.108 and 62.110, and shall be required to pay the total costs incurred by the City for any such testing and analysis.