§ 9-605

This Chapter specifies the requirements for use of private, on-site wastewater disposal facilities.

(a)

Where Not Allowed. Private, on-site wastewater disposal facilities shall not be approved where public wastewater collection and disposal are required; see Chapter 9-604.

(b)

Sanitation Permit Required. No person shall construct, add to, modify, or alter any vaulted privy, septic tank, wastewater disposal system, other pipe or conduit, or other means for the disposal, treatment, or discharge of wastewater without first securing a Sanitation Permit from the Director of Environmental Health.

(c)

Procedure to Obtain a Sanitation Permits.

(1)

Filing an Application. Applications for Sanitation Permits may be initiated by filing a request for a permit with the Environmental Health Department, accompanied by a site plan that clearly delineates the location and characteristics of the proposed use and the required fee.

(2)

Review Procedures. Sanitation Permit applications shall be reviewed by the Director of Environmental Health. No pre-application conference is required. The time limit for approvals is one year.

(3)

Development Requirements. The Director of Environmental Health shall approve a Sanitation Permit upon finding that the proposed on-site disposal facility:

(A)

Will not permit the escape of any unpleasant or noxious odors, vapors, or gases;

(B)

Will not permit the ingress and egress of flies, other insects, rodents, or animals;

(C)

Will not permit the discharge of wastewater or the discharge or drainage of effluent from the wastewater disposal system to empty, flow, seep, drain, condense into, or otherwise pollute any watercourse, or other waters used, or which may be used or suitable for use for domestic, recreational, or agricultural purposes;

(D)

Will not be offensive, dangerous, or injurious to health, or create a nuisance; and

(E)

Will conform in all respects to the standards of the Environmental Health Department for the disposal, treatment, or discharge of sewage.

(d)

Inspection of Permitted Work. Work done under a Sanitation Permit shall not be covered, concealed, or put into use until it has been inspected and approved by the Director of Environmental Health.

(e)

Changes May Be Ordered. The Director of Environmental Health may order changes to any existing system, method, means, manner, or place for the disposal, treatment, or discharge of sewage to eliminate a risk to the health of human beings or animals. The Director shall designate the time within which such changes are to be made.

(f)

Special Permits. The Director of Environmental Health may approve a SpecialPermit for a specific time when the requirements of this Chapter are found to be impracticable or unnecessary. In approving an Interim Permit, the Director of Environmental Health may prescribe conditions necessary to protect the public health.

(a)

Compliance with Standards Required. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt uniform standards for the construction, installation, alteration, modification, and dimensions of private on-site wastewater disposal facilities based on investigation, inspection, and tests or accepted sanitation standards. These standards may be amended as necessary by the Board. They shall not conflict with the requirements of this Title or the laws of the State of California. All private, on-site wastewater disposal facilities, including septic tanks,

wastewater treatment plants, and vaulted privies, may be constructed or modified only if they comply with the adopted standards.

(b)

Operators of Plants. Operators of wastewater treatment plants must possess a current State wastewater treatment plant operator's certificate or license.

(a)

Prohibited Uses. The drilling, constructing, using, maintaining, or operating of sewer wells, pit privies, and cesspools are hereby declared to be public nuisances and are prohibited.

(b)

Prohibited Discharges. Owners or those who maintain private on-site wastewater disposal facilities shall prohibit any of the following to flow or enter a disposal system:

(1)

Automobile and Garage Waste. Wastewater from automobile washing or garage floors;

(2)

Storm Drainage. Roof drainage or drainage waste resulting from natural runoff or irrigation;

(3)

Solvents and Toxics. Gasoline, cleaning solvents, paints, thinners, oils, or greases other than normal residential kitchen wastes;

(4)

Solids. Cloth, rope, metals, and solids of any kind;

(5)

Garbage. Garbage and similar waste material except when processed by approved garbage disposal units;

(6)

Kitchen Wastewater. Wastewater from any restaurant, bar, or other kitchen where food is prepared for public consumption unless first directed through an approved grease trap, as required by the Uniform Plumbing Code;

(7)

Air Conditioners. Waste drainage from water cooled refrigeration air conditioning;

(8)

Hazardous Wastes. Waste from hazardous materials;

(9)

Backwash. Backwash from water softeners, iron filters, and swimming pools; and

(10)

Truck Terminal Wastes. Oil, grease, grit, and miscellaneous waste from operation of truck terminal, including wash-water from trucks and garage floors.

Septic tanks, chemical toilets, cesspools, or sewage seepage pits shall be pumped only by licensed septic tank pumpers as specified in the Health and Safety Code. All septic pumpers shall file with the health officer, or his/her duly authorized representative, by the 12th day of the following month a report on forms approved by the Environmental Health Department showing each premises where septic tanks, chemical toilets, cesspools, or sewage seepage pits are pumped, the gallonage pumped, and the location where cleanings are disposed. All effluent pumped from septic tanks shall be disposed of only at disposal sites approved by the Director of Environmental Health.

It shall be unlawful to maintain or use any residence, place of business, or other building or place where persons reside, congregate, or are employed that is not provided with a means for the disposal of wastewater which complies with the requirements of this Chapter and the standards relating to wastewater disposal established by the Director of Environmental Health.

The Director of the Environmental Health Department shall be responsible for enforcement of this chapter. Any violation of this Chapter shall constitute a public nuisance subject to enforcement under the provisions of Title 8, Division 5 of this Code, also known as the Housing and Nuisance Abatement Code.

Any appeal of a notice of violation shall first be filed with the Environmental Health Department within 30 days of notification of the violation. Upon receipt of a written appeal, the Director of Environmental Health shall designate a hearing official, which official shall schedule an office hearing to attempt to resolve the matter. The matter will be set for hearing not less than seven days and not more than 21 days from the date of receipt of a written appeal.

(a)

Notice of the office hearing shall be sent to the appellant by registered or certified mail. Notice shall be sent to the appellant, the owner if different from the appellant, and anyone else who has requested in writing to receive such notice.

(b)

If the matter is resolved with a determination that a violation did occur or continues to occur, the cost of the office hearing shall be added to the expenses incurred by the County in abating the nuisance and shall be billed to the owner as part of the Statement of Expense.

(c)

If the matter is not resolved at the office hearing, the appellant may file a written appeal to the Board of Supervisors. The written appeal must be filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of receipt of the written decision of the hearing official.

(d)

The written decision shall advise that the owner has 30 days to bring the subject property into compliance or file a written appeal with the Board of Supervisors.

(e)

If the property is not brought into compliance and no appeal to the Board of Supervisors has been filed within the time specified, the Environmental Health Department shall submit a resolution to be placed on the consent calendar of the Board of Supervisors approving the Statement of Expense.

(f)

If the matter is appealed to the Board of Supervisors and the appeal results in a finding of a violation, the cost of the hearing before the Board of Supervisors will be added to the cost of abatement and included on the Statement of Expense.

Chapter 9-606 - Storm Drainage