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Chapter 29 — SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL

Sec. 29.1. - Definitions.

Oceanside Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Oceanside

For the purposes of this article the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

Act or the act. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (PL 92-500), also known as the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 United States Code, 1251 et seq.

Approval authority. The director in an NPDES state with an approved state pretreatment program and the administrator of the EPA in a non-NPDES state or NPDES state without an approved state pretreatment program.

Aquifer. A geological formation, group of formations, or portion of a formation capable of yielding usable quantities of ground water to wells or springs.

Brine. The wastewater from water softener or cooling tower which characteristically has a high salt content.

Building sewer. A sewer conveying wastewater from the premises of a user to the POTW.

City. The City of Oceanside or the City Council of Oceanside.

Cooling water. The water discharge from any use such as air conditioning, cooling or refrigeration, or to which the only pollutant added is heat.

Direct discharge. The discharge of treated or untreated wastewater directly to the waters of the State of California.

Director. The person designated by the city manager to have charge of the administration and supervision of the water utilities department, and such other duties as the city manager may prescribe.

Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or, where appropriate, the term may also be used as a designation for the administrator or other duly authorized official of said agency.

Equivalent dwelling unit. "Equivalent dwelling unit" means the unit of measure which is based on the flow characteristics of an average single-family residence in terms of sewage quantity and constituent quality.

Exchange type water softener. The water conditioning apparatus that is removed from the premises upon which it normally operates and is regenerated at a commercial regeneration plant.

Grab sample. A sample which is take from a waste stream on a one-time basis with no regard to the flow in the waste stream and without consideration of time.

Grease. Any material which is extractable from an acidified sample of a waste by hexane or other designated solvent and as determined by the appropriate procedure in "Standard Methods" (includes fats and oils).

Grease interceptor. A pretreatment device designed and installed to separate fats, oils, and grease from wastewater.

Groundwater. Water found in the saturated zone of the earth; normally confined within a water-bearing stratum, or aquifer.

Holding tank waste. Any waste from holding tanks such as vessels, chemical toilets, campers, trailers, septic tanks, and vacuum-pump tank trucks.

House connection. "House connection" means the service pipes from the private property line to the public sewer main or lateral in a public street, alley or easement.

Indirect discharge. The discharge or the introduction of nondomestic pollutants from any source regulated under Section 307(b) or (c) of the act (33 U.S.C. 1317), into the POTW (including holding tank waste discharged into the system).

Living unit. "Living unit" means a living quarter whether located in a single house or in an apartment house or other permanent place of abode, where one single family resides.

Mass emission rate. The weight of material discharged to the sewer system during a given time interval. Unless otherwise specified, the mass emission rate shall mean pounds per day of a particular constituent or combination of constituents.

Medical waste. Isolation wastes, infectious agents, human blood and blood products, pathological wastes, sharps, body parts, contaminated bedding, surgical wastes, potentially contaminated laboratory wastes, and dialysis wastes.

Mobile home. "Mobile home" is a vehicle designed and equipped for human habitation and for being drawn by a motor vehicle. It is designed to be used as a more or less permanent place of abode, as distinguished from a recreational vehicle, which is designed for a temporary or emergency use.

Mobile home park. "Mobile home park" is any area or tract of land where one or more mobile home lots are rented or leased, or held out for rent or lease, to accommodate mobile homes used for human habitation.

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit or NPDES permit. A permit issued pursuant to Section 402 of the act (33 U.S.C. 1342).

National prohibitive discharge standard or prohibitive discharge standard. Any regulation developed under the authority of 307(b) of the act and 40 CFR, Section 403.5.

Person. Any individual, partnership, copartnership, 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.

pH. The reciprocal of the logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. It indicates the intensity of acidity and alkalinity on a pH scale running from 0 to 14. A pH value of 7.0, the midpoint of the scale, represents neutrality. Values above 7.0 indicate alkalinity and those below 7.0 indicate acidity.

Pollution. The manmade or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological integrity of water.

Recreational trailer park. "Recreational trailer park" is defined as any area or tract of land within an area zoned for recreational use where one or more lots are rented or leased, or held out for rent or lease, to owners or users of recreational vehicles or tents, and which is occupied for temporary purposes.

Recreational vehicle. "Recreational vehicle" is a camp car, motor home, travel trailer, or tent trailer with or without motive power designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy.

Shall is mandatory; may is permissive.

Special user. A special user shall mean any establishment that discharges more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) gallons per day and/or that has all characteristics of a significant industrial user and/or has loading impacts on the wastewater system of BOD of greater than three hundred (300) parts per million, TSS greater than three hundred (300) parts per million and/or ammonia greater than twenty-five (25) parts per million, and/or any establishment that cannot be classified in any other user category, based on its individual flow and strength characteristics.

Special user flow charge. The special user flow charge is based on an establishment's individual flow and strength characteristics and is determined based on the calculation in section 29.18.

Special user wastewater system buy-in fee. The special user wastewater system buy-in fee is based on an establishment's excess water usage and strength characteristics and is determined based on the calculation in section 29.11.1(a).

Standard industrial classification (SIC). A classification pursuant to the Standard Industrial Classification Manual issued by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, 1987.

Standard methods. The current edition of "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater" as published by the American Public Health Association and Water Pollution Control Federation.

State. State of California.

Stormwater. Any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation and resulting therefrom.

Toxic pollutant. Any pollutant or combination of pollutants listed as toxic in regulations promulgated by the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under the provision of CWA 307(a) or other acts.

Wastewater. The liquid and water-carried industrial or domestic wastes from dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and institutions, whether treated or untreated, which is contributed into or permitted to enter the POTW.

Wastewater contribution permit. As set forth in section 29.47.2 of this chapter.

Water utilities department. That certain department, branch or function of the city which cares for the maintenance, operation and construction of water and sanitary sewer systems for the water supply and sanitation of the city. It includes all officers, agents, servants and employees engaged in such work or service.

Waters of the state. All 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 or any portion thereof.

(Ord. Code §§ 8310—8310.4; Ord. No. 65-26, § 4; Ord. No. 74-64, § 1, 12-18-74; Ord. No. 81-34, §§ 1, 2, 6-3-81; Ord. No. 82-37, § 1, 8-11-82; Ord. No. 85-32, § 1, 11-13-85; Ord. No. 90-35, § 1, 11-28-90; Ord. No. 93-22, § 1, 11-17-93; Ord. 94-16, § 1, 7-20-94; Ord. No. 07-OR0632-1, § 1, 10-3-07; Ord. No. 11- OR0603-1, § 1, 8-17-2011)

Sec. 29.1.1. - Abbreviations.

The following abbreviations shall have these designated meanings:

BOD. Biochemical oxygen demand.

BPJ. Best professional judgment.

CFR. Code of Federal Regulations.

CIU. Categorical industrial user.

COD. Chemical oxygen demand.

EPA. Environmental Protection Agency.

l. Liter.

LEL. Lower explosive limit.

mg. Milligrams.

mg/l. Milligrams per liter.

NPDES. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

POTW. Publicly owned treatment works.

SIC. Standard industrial classification.

SIU. Significant industrial user.

SNC. Significant noncompliance.

SWDA. Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C., 6901 et seq.

TDS. Total dissolved solids.

TOMP. Toxic organics management plan.

TRC. Technical review criteria.

TSS. Total suspended solids.

TTO. Total toxic organics.

USC. United States Code.

(Ord. No. 82-37, § 2, 8-11-82; Ord. No. 90-35, § 2, 11-28-90; Ord. 94-16, § 2, 7-20-94)

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▸Contents — Oceanside Municipal Code
Oceanside Municipal Code
  1. Part I — CHARTER
  2. Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  3. Chapter 2 — ADMINISTRATION
  4. Article I — CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
  5. Article I.5 — CITY COUNCIL COMPENSATION
  6. Article II — CITY MANAGER
  7. Article III — CITY CLERK
  8. Article IV — OFFICE OF THE CITY TREASURER
  9. Article V — CITY ENGINEER
  10. Article VI — LIBRARY
  11. Article VII — PLANNING COMMISSION
  12. Article VIIA — REDEVELOPMENT PLANNING COMMISSION
  13. Article VIII — USE OF CITY PROPERTY FOR PRIVATE PURPOSES
  14. Article IX — CITY FUNDS
  15. Article X — DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
  16. Article XI — CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
  17. Article XII — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  18. Article XIII — SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY
  19. Article XIV — RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
  20. Article XV — BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL OFFICES
  21. Article XVI — MEASURE X CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
  22. Article XVII — TERM LIMITS
  23. Article I — IN GENERAL
  24. Article II — ESTABLISHMENTS OF EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE
  25. Chapter 3B — AIRPORT
  26. Article I — AIRPORT RULES AND REGULATIONS
  27. Article II — AIRPORT APPROACH ZONING
  28. Article I — IN GENERAL
  29. Article II — IMPOUNDMENT GENERALLY
  30. Division 1 — GENERALLY
  31. Division 2 — LICENSES
  32. Division 3 — RABIES CONTROL
  33. Division 4 — VICIOUS DOGS
  34. Chapter 5 — BICYCLES AND MOBILITY DEVICES
  35. Chapter 6 — BUILDING CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
  36. Article I — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
  37. Article II — BUILDING CODE
  38. Article III — PLUMBING CODE
  39. Article IV — MECHANICAL CODE
  40. Article V — HOUSING CODE
  41. Article VI — ELECTRICAL CODE
  42. Article VII — DANGEROUS BUILDINGS CODE
  43. Article VIII — MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS
  44. Article IX — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
  45. Article X — ENFORCEMENT OF MOBILEHOME PARKS ACT
  46. Article XI — UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDING MITIGATION
  47. Article XII — RESIDENTIAL CODE
  48. Article XIII — GREEN BUILDING CODE
  49. Article XIV — ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  50. Article XV — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
  51. Article XVI — UNIFORM SWIMMING POOL, SPA AND HOT TUB CODE
  52. Chapter 6A — ALARM SYSTEMS
  53. Article I — REPAIR, STORAGE OR MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLE
  54. Article II — FORTUNETELLING
  55. Article III — CESSPOOL CLEANERS
  56. Article IV — MERCHANDISE COUPONS
  57. Article V — REGISTRATION OF GUESTS IN HOTELS, ROOMING HOUSES, …
  58. Article VI — PEEP SHOW ESTABLISHMENTS
  59. Article VII — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION
  60. Article VIII — REGULATION OF NEWSRACKS AND NEWS STANDS
  61. Article IX — REGULATION OF PAY TELEPHONES
  62. Article X — TOBACCO PRODUCTS
  63. Article XI — TOBACCO AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ESTABLISHMENTS
  64. Article XII — REGULATION AND CONTAINMENT OF SHOPPING CARTS
  65. Article XIII — CANNABIS FACILITIES
  66. Chapter 7B — OBNOXIOUS CONDUCT
  67. Chapter 8 — CARDROOMS
  68. Chapter 9 — CIVIL DEFENSE
  69. Chapter 9A — CABLE SYSTEMS AND OPEN VIDEO SYSTEMS
  70. Article I — GENERAL
  71. Article II — SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE TO CABLE SYSTEMS
  72. Article III — OPEN VIDEO SYSTEMS
  73. Article IV — MISCELLANEOUS
  74. Chapter 9B — REGULATION OF STATE VIDEO FRANCHISE HOLDERS
  75. Chapter 10 — DANCES AND DANCE HALLS
  76. Chapter 10A — SMOKING
  77. Chapter 11 — FIRE PROTECTION
  78. Article I — FIRE DEPARTMENT
  79. Article II — FIRE PREVENTION
  80. Chapter 1 — Administration is hereby amended by adding to (A) …
  81. Chapter 3 — General Precautions Against Fire is hereby amended…
  82. Chapter 5 — Fire Service Features is hereby amended by adding …
  83. Chapter 9 — Fire Protection Systems is hereby amended by addin…
  84. Chapter 12 — Energy Systems is hereby amended by adding to (A)…
  85. Chapter 61 — Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) is hereby amended…
  86. Article III — ABATEMENT OF CERTAIN VEGETATION AND WASTE MATTER
  87. Chapter 12 — FOOD AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  88. Article II — REFRIGERATION PLANTS
  89. Article III — PERMITS FOR FOOD-HANDLING ESTABLISHMENTS
  90. Article IV — FOOD HANDLERS
  91. Article V — DESTRUCTION OF SPOILED FOOD
  92. Article VI — FOOD VENDING VEHICLES
  93. Article VII — FOOD VENDING MACHINES
  94. Article VIII — ICE CREAM VENDORS
  95. Chapter 13 — SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING
  96. Article I — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  97. Article II — DISCARDED MATERIALS COLLECTION SERVICES
  98. Article III — ENFORCEMENT
  99. Article IV — MARINE DEBRIS REDUCTION ORDINANCE
  100. Chapter 14 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  101. Article II — PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN COUNCIL CHAMBER
  102. Article III — FEE SCHEDULE: PERMIT PROCEDURE
  103. Article IV — HAZARDOUS WASTES
  104. Article V — LIABILITY FOR COSTS OF RESPONSE TO HAZARDOUS WASTE…
  105. Article VI — MEDICAL WASTE
  106. Chapter 14A — HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
  107. Chapter 14C — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING
  108. Chapter 15 — LICENSES
  109. Article II — LICENSING, MASSAGE TECHNICIANS AND ESTABLISHMENTS
  110. Article III — CONCEALABLE FIREARMS
  111. Article IV — BINGO GAMES
  112. Article V — SIDEWALK VENDORS
  113. Chapter 16 — MINORS
  114. Chapter 16B — MANUFACTURED HOME FAIR PRACTICES
  115. Chapter 16C — MUNICIPAL LOBBYIST REGISTRATION AND REPORTING RE…
  116. Chapter 17 — NUISANCE ABATEMENT
  117. Article I — REAL PROPERTY NUISANCE ABATEMENT
  118. Article II — WEED ABATEMENT
  119. Article III — VEHICLE ABATEMENT
  120. Article IV — DISTURBANCE ABATEMENT
  121. Chapter 18 — MUNICIPAL PIER
  122. Chapter 19 — OCEANSIDE BEACH
  123. Chapter 19A — OCEANSIDE BEACHES; CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALLS, REV…
  124. Article I — DECLARATION OF PURPOSE
  125. Article II — DEFINITIONS
  126. Article III — PERMITS
  127. Article IV — APPLICABLE STANDARDS
  128. Article V — REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
  129. Article VI — EMERGENCY WORK
  130. Article VII — PENALTIES—CONSTITUTIONALITY
  131. Chapter 20 — OFFENSES—MISCELLANEOUS
  132. Article I — PUBLIC PEACE, SAFETY AND WELFARE
  133. Article II — PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY
  134. Article III — NUISANCES
  135. Article IV — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
  136. Article V — ILLEGAL STREET RACING
  137. Article VI — RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES AND SERVICE …
  138. Article VII — SYNTHETIC DRUGS AND MISLABELED/MISBRANDED PRODUC…
  139. Chapter 21 — PARKS AND RECREATION
  140. Article II — PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
  141. Article III — SKATEBOARD PARKS
  142. Chapter 22 — PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS
  143. Chapter 23 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
  144. Article I — IN GENERAL
  145. Article II — PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
  146. Article III — COMPETITIVE SERVICE
  147. Article IV — SUSPENSION, DISCHARGE, REDUCTION IN PERSONNEL, ETC.
  148. Article V — DETERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
  149. Chapter 24 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS
  150. Chapter 24A — OCEANSIDE TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT
  151. Chapter 25 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
  152. Chapter 26 — POOLROOMS AND SHOOTING GALLERIES
  153. Chapter 28A — PURCHASES AND SALES
  154. ▸Chapter 29 — SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
  155. Article II — SEWER CONNECTIONS
  156. Article III — SERVICE CHARGES
  157. Article IV — EXTENSION OF SEWER MAINS
  158. Article V — ENLARGEMENT OF MAINS BEYOND MINIMUM CAPACITY REQUI…
  159. Article VI — RESERVED
  160. Article VII — SEWER ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS
  161. Article VIII — SEPTIC TANKS, CESSPOOLS, ETC.
  162. Division 2 — PERMITS
  163. Division 3 — INSPECTIONS
  164. Division 4 — CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN STANDARDS
  165. Division 5 — CONDEMNATION OF BUILDINGS
  166. Article IX — REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL KITCHEN GREASE DISPOSAL
  167. Article X — REGULATION OF DISCHARGE INTO CITY SEWER SYSTEM
  168. Chapter 29A — SMALL CRAFT HARBOR
  169. Article II — SANITATION AND REFUSE
  170. Article III — COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
  171. Article IV — UNSEAWORTHY, SUNK OR ABANDONED VESSELS
  172. Article V — MISCELLANEOUS VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN REGULATIONS
  173. Chapter 30 — SOLICITORS, PEDDLERS, HAWKERS, ITINERANT MERCHANT…
  174. Article I — SOLICITATION IN GENERAL
  175. Article II — MISCELLANEOUS SOLICITATIONS
  176. Article III — AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATIONS
  177. Article IV — CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS
  178. Chapter 30A — SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
  179. Chapter 30B — SPECIAL OPERATIONS PERMIT: USE OF PUBLIC RECREAT…
  180. Chapter 31 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
  181. Article I.1 — PARKWAYS
  182. Article II — EXCAVATIONS GENERALLY
  183. Article IIA — EXCAVATIONS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
  184. Article IIB — ENCROACHMENTS ON PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  185. Article III — UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES GENERALLY
  186. Division 1 — OBSTRUCTIONS
  187. Division 2 — REPAIRS
  188. Article V — DRIVEWAYS
  189. Article VI — POLES, WIRES, ETC.
  190. Article VII — OVERHANGING AWNINGS
  191. Article VIII — RESERVED
  192. Article IX — HOUSE NUMBERS
  193. Chapter 31A — STREET TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION
  194. Chapter 31B — SWAP MEETS
  195. Chapter 32A — RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
  196. Article I — PROCEDURES
  197. Chapter 32C — PUBLIC FACILITY FEE REQUIREMENTS
  198. Chapter 32D — PARKS IMPACT FEE
  199. Chapter 32E — SCHOOL FACILITIES MITIGATION
  200. Chapter 34 — TAXATION
  201. Article I — TRANSFER OF CITY TAX FUNCTION TO COUNTY
  202. Article II — SALES AND USE TAX
  203. Division 1 — IN GENERAL
  204. Division 2 — TEMPORARY ONE-HALF CENT SALES TAX
  205. Article III — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
  206. Article IV — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
  207. Article V — CANNABIS BUSINESS TAX
  208. Chapter 35 — TAXICABS AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
  209. Article II — CERTIFICATE TO OPERATE
  210. Article III — LICENSES
  211. Article IV — OPERATING REGULATIONS
  212. Article V — DRIVERS
  213. Article VI — SPECIFICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT
  214. Article VII — FARES
  215. Chapter 36 — TRAMPOLINE CENTERS
  216. Chapter 36A — TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
  217. Article II — BUS LOADING ZONES
  218. Chapter 36B — UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
  219. Chapter 37 — WATER
  220. Article II — WATER RATES AND COLLECTION THEREOF
  221. Division 2 — METERS
  222. Article III — EXTENSION OF WATER MAINS
  223. Article IV — WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT FEES
  224. Article V — WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
  225. Article VI — EXTERNAL WATER PROVIDER CHARGES
  226. Article VII — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS
  227. Article VIII — RECYCLED WATER
  228. Article IX — CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION
  229. Chapter 38 — NOISE CONTROL
  230. Article III — SOUND LEVEL LIMITS
  231. Article IV — PROHIBITED NOISES
  232. Article V — EXEMPTIONS
  233. Article VI — ENFORCEMENT
  234. Chapter 39 — LIGHT POLLUTION REGULATIONS
  235. Chapter 40 — URBAN RUNOFF AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
  236. Article I — DEFINITIONS
  237. Article II — TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION
  238. Article III — ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
  239. Article IV — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
  240. Article V — TURNING MOVEMENTS
  241. Article VI — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
  242. Article VII — STOP AND YIELD REQUIREMENTS
  243. Article VIII — MISCELLANEOUS DRIVING RULES
  244. Article IX — PEDESTRIANS' REGULATIONS
  245. Article X — STOPPING, STANDING AND GENERAL PARKING REGULATIONS
  246. Article XI — SPECIAL PARKING ZONES
  247. Article XII — RESTRICTED USE OF CERTAIN STREETS
  248. Article XIII — PAID, OFF-STREET, AND BEACH AREA PARKING AREAS
  249. Article XIV — SPECIAL SPEED ZONES
  250. Article XV — SCHOOL CROSSING REGULATIONS
  251. Article XVII — REMOVAL OF KEYS FROM UNATTENDED VEHICLES

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