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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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — Oceanside Municipal Code
- Part I — CHARTER
- Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — ADMINISTRATION
- Article I — CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
- Article I.5 — CITY COUNCIL COMPENSATION
- Article II — CITY MANAGER
- Article III — CITY CLERK
- Article IV — OFFICE OF THE CITY TREASURER
- Article V — CITY ENGINEER
- Article VI — LIBRARY
- Article VII — PLANNING COMMISSION
- Article VIIA — REDEVELOPMENT PLANNING COMMISSION
- Article VIII — USE OF CITY PROPERTY FOR PRIVATE PURPOSES
- Article IX — CITY FUNDS
- Article X — DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
- Article XI — CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
- Article XII — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
- Article XIII — SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY
- Article XIV — RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
- Article XV — BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL OFFICES
- Article XVI — MEASURE X CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
- Article XVII — TERM LIMITS
- Article I — IN GENERAL
- Article II — ESTABLISHMENTS OF EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE
- Chapter 3B — AIRPORT
- Article I — AIRPORT RULES AND REGULATIONS
- Article II — AIRPORT APPROACH ZONING
- Article I — IN GENERAL
- Article II — IMPOUNDMENT GENERALLY
- Division 1 — GENERALLY
- Division 2 — LICENSES
- Division 3 — RABIES CONTROL
- Division 4 — VICIOUS DOGS
- Chapter 5 — BICYCLES AND MOBILITY DEVICES
- Chapter 6 — BUILDING CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
- Article I — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Article II — BUILDING CODE
- Article III — PLUMBING CODE
- Article IV — MECHANICAL CODE
- Article V — HOUSING CODE
- Article VI — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Article VII — DANGEROUS BUILDINGS CODE
- Article VIII — MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS
- Article IX — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
- Article X — ENFORCEMENT OF MOBILEHOME PARKS ACT
- Article XI — UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDING MITIGATION
- Article XII — RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Article XIII — GREEN BUILDING CODE
- Article XIV — ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Article XV — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Article XVI — UNIFORM SWIMMING POOL, SPA AND HOT TUB CODE
- Chapter 6A — ALARM SYSTEMS
- Article I — REPAIR, STORAGE OR MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLE
- Article II — FORTUNETELLING
- Article III — CESSPOOL CLEANERS
- Article IV — MERCHANDISE COUPONS
- Article V — REGISTRATION OF GUESTS IN HOTELS, ROOMING HOUSES, …
- Article VI — PEEP SHOW ESTABLISHMENTS
- Article VII — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION
- Article VIII — REGULATION OF NEWSRACKS AND NEWS STANDS
- Article IX — REGULATION OF PAY TELEPHONES
- Article X — TOBACCO PRODUCTS
- Article XI — TOBACCO AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ESTABLISHMENTS
- Article XII — REGULATION AND CONTAINMENT OF SHOPPING CARTS
- Article XIII — CANNABIS FACILITIES
- Chapter 7B — OBNOXIOUS CONDUCT
- Chapter 8 — CARDROOMS
- Chapter 9 — CIVIL DEFENSE
- Chapter 9A — CABLE SYSTEMS AND OPEN VIDEO SYSTEMS
- Article I — GENERAL
- Article II — SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE TO CABLE SYSTEMS
- Article III — OPEN VIDEO SYSTEMS
- Article IV — MISCELLANEOUS
- Chapter 9B — REGULATION OF STATE VIDEO FRANCHISE HOLDERS
- Chapter 10 — DANCES AND DANCE HALLS
- Chapter 10A — SMOKING
- Chapter 11 — FIRE PROTECTION
- Article I — FIRE DEPARTMENT
- Article II — FIRE PREVENTION
- Chapter 1 — Administration is hereby amended by adding to (A) …
- Chapter 3 — General Precautions Against Fire is hereby amended…
- Chapter 5 — Fire Service Features is hereby amended by adding …
- Chapter 9 — Fire Protection Systems is hereby amended by addin…
- Chapter 12 — Energy Systems is hereby amended by adding to (A)…
- Chapter 61 — Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) is hereby amended…
- Article III — ABATEMENT OF CERTAIN VEGETATION AND WASTE MATTER
- Chapter 12 — FOOD AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
- Article II — REFRIGERATION PLANTS
- Article III — PERMITS FOR FOOD-HANDLING ESTABLISHMENTS
- Article IV — FOOD HANDLERS
- Article V — DESTRUCTION OF SPOILED FOOD
- Article VI — FOOD VENDING VEHICLES
- Article VII — FOOD VENDING MACHINES
- Article VIII — ICE CREAM VENDORS
- Chapter 13 — SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING
- Article I — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Article II — DISCARDED MATERIALS COLLECTION SERVICES
- Article III — ENFORCEMENT
- Article IV — MARINE DEBRIS REDUCTION ORDINANCE
- Chapter 14 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
- Article II — PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN COUNCIL CHAMBER
- Article III — FEE SCHEDULE: PERMIT PROCEDURE
- Article IV — HAZARDOUS WASTES
- Article V — LIABILITY FOR COSTS OF RESPONSE TO HAZARDOUS WASTE…
- Article VI — MEDICAL WASTE
- Chapter 14A — HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
- Chapter 14C — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING
- Chapter 15 — LICENSES
- Article II — LICENSING, MASSAGE TECHNICIANS AND ESTABLISHMENTS
- Article III — CONCEALABLE FIREARMS
- Article IV — BINGO GAMES
- Article V — SIDEWALK VENDORS
- Chapter 16 — MINORS
- Chapter 16B — MANUFACTURED HOME FAIR PRACTICES
- Chapter 16C — MUNICIPAL LOBBYIST REGISTRATION AND REPORTING RE…
- Chapter 17 — NUISANCE ABATEMENT
- Article I — REAL PROPERTY NUISANCE ABATEMENT
- Article II — WEED ABATEMENT
- Article III — VEHICLE ABATEMENT
- Article IV — DISTURBANCE ABATEMENT
- Chapter 18 — MUNICIPAL PIER
- Chapter 19 — OCEANSIDE BEACH
- Chapter 19A — OCEANSIDE BEACHES; CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALLS, REV…
- Article I — DECLARATION OF PURPOSE
- Article II — DEFINITIONS
- Article III — PERMITS
- Article IV — APPLICABLE STANDARDS
- Article V — REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
- Article VI — EMERGENCY WORK
- Article VII — PENALTIES—CONSTITUTIONALITY
- Chapter 20 — OFFENSES—MISCELLANEOUS
- Article I — PUBLIC PEACE, SAFETY AND WELFARE
- Article II — PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Article III — NUISANCES
- Article IV — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
- Article V — ILLEGAL STREET RACING
- Article VI — RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES AND SERVICE …
- Article VII — SYNTHETIC DRUGS AND MISLABELED/MISBRANDED PRODUC…
- Chapter 21 — PARKS AND RECREATION
- Article II — PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
- Article III — SKATEBOARD PARKS
- Chapter 22 — PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS
- Chapter 23 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
- Article I — IN GENERAL
- Article II — PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
- Article III — COMPETITIVE SERVICE
- Article IV — SUSPENSION, DISCHARGE, REDUCTION IN PERSONNEL, ETC.
- Article V — DETERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
- Chapter 24 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS
- Chapter 24A — OCEANSIDE TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT
- Chapter 25 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 26 — POOLROOMS AND SHOOTING GALLERIES
- Chapter 28A — PURCHASES AND SALES
▸Chapter 29 — SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Overview- Sec. 29.1. - Definitions.
- Sec. 29.2. - Sewer connection mandatory.
- Sec. 29.3. - Connections to be separate.
- Sec. 29.4. - Use of sewer system required.
- Sec. 29.5. - Right of inspection.
- Sec. 29.6. - Director to enforce chapter provisions and the ad…
- Sec. 29.7. - Supervision and enforcement of contracts.
- Sec. 29.8. - Negotiations with applicants.
- Sec. 29.9. - Application of revenues.
- Article II — SEWER CONNECTIONS
- Article III — SERVICE CHARGES
- Article IV — EXTENSION OF SEWER MAINS
- Article V — ENLARGEMENT OF MAINS BEYOND MINIMUM CAPACITY REQUI…
- Article VI — RESERVED
- Article VII — SEWER ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS
- Article VIII — SEPTIC TANKS, CESSPOOLS, ETC.
- Division 2 — PERMITS
- Division 3 — INSPECTIONS
- Division 4 — CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN STANDARDS
- Division 5 — CONDEMNATION OF BUILDINGS
- Article IX — REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL KITCHEN GREASE DISPOSAL
- Article X — REGULATION OF DISCHARGE INTO CITY SEWER SYSTEM
- Chapter 29A — SMALL CRAFT HARBOR
- Article II — SANITATION AND REFUSE
- Article III — COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
- Article IV — UNSEAWORTHY, SUNK OR ABANDONED VESSELS
- Article V — MISCELLANEOUS VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN REGULATIONS
- Chapter 30 — SOLICITORS, PEDDLERS, HAWKERS, ITINERANT MERCHANT…
- Article I — SOLICITATION IN GENERAL
- Article II — MISCELLANEOUS SOLICITATIONS
- Article III — AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATIONS
- Article IV — CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS
- Chapter 30A — SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
- Chapter 30B — SPECIAL OPERATIONS PERMIT: USE OF PUBLIC RECREAT…
- Chapter 31 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
- Article I.1 — PARKWAYS
- Article II — EXCAVATIONS GENERALLY
- Article IIA — EXCAVATIONS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Article IIB — ENCROACHMENTS ON PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
- Article III — UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES GENERALLY
- Division 1 — OBSTRUCTIONS
- Division 2 — REPAIRS
- Article V — DRIVEWAYS
- Article VI — POLES, WIRES, ETC.
- Article VII — OVERHANGING AWNINGS
- Article VIII — RESERVED
- Article IX — HOUSE NUMBERS
- Chapter 31A — STREET TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION
- Chapter 31B — SWAP MEETS
- Chapter 32A — RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
- Article I — PROCEDURES
- Chapter 32C — PUBLIC FACILITY FEE REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 32D — PARKS IMPACT FEE
- Chapter 32E — SCHOOL FACILITIES MITIGATION
- Chapter 34 — TAXATION
- Article I — TRANSFER OF CITY TAX FUNCTION TO COUNTY
- Article II — SALES AND USE TAX
- Division 1 — IN GENERAL
- Division 2 — TEMPORARY ONE-HALF CENT SALES TAX
- Article III — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Article IV — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
- Article V — CANNABIS BUSINESS TAX
- Chapter 35 — TAXICABS AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
- Article II — CERTIFICATE TO OPERATE
- Article III — LICENSES
- Article IV — OPERATING REGULATIONS
- Article V — DRIVERS
- Article VI — SPECIFICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT
- Article VII — FARES
- Chapter 36 — TRAMPOLINE CENTERS
- Chapter 36A — TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
- Article II — BUS LOADING ZONES
- Chapter 36B — UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
- Chapter 37 — WATER
- Article II — WATER RATES AND COLLECTION THEREOF
- Division 2 — METERS
- Article III — EXTENSION OF WATER MAINS
- Article IV — WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT FEES
- Article V — WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
- Article VI — EXTERNAL WATER PROVIDER CHARGES
- Article VII — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS
- Article VIII — RECYCLED WATER
- Article IX — CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION
- Chapter 38 — NOISE CONTROL
- Article III — SOUND LEVEL LIMITS
- Article IV — PROHIBITED NOISES
- Article V — EXEMPTIONS
- Article VI — ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 39 — LIGHT POLLUTION REGULATIONS
- Chapter 40 — URBAN RUNOFF AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
- Article I — DEFINITIONS
- Article II — TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION
- Article III — ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
- Article IV — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
- Article V — TURNING MOVEMENTS
- Article VI — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
- Article VII — STOP AND YIELD REQUIREMENTS
- Article VIII — MISCELLANEOUS DRIVING RULES
- Article IX — PEDESTRIANS' REGULATIONS
- Article X — STOPPING, STANDING AND GENERAL PARKING REGULATIONS
- Article XI — SPECIAL PARKING ZONES
- Article XII — RESTRICTED USE OF CERTAIN STREETS
- Article XIII — PAID, OFF-STREET, AND BEACH AREA PARKING AREAS
- Article XIV — SPECIAL SPEED ZONES
- Article XV — SCHOOL CROSSING REGULATIONS
- Article XVII — REMOVAL OF KEYS FROM UNATTENDED VEHICLES