San Luis Obispo County Municipal Code Ch. 12.04 Wharves Generally

For the purpose of regulating the conduct and business effecting the wharves belonging to the county, and also for the purpose of producing revenue to carry on public functions of the county, particularly in connection with the maintenance, development and operation of the wharves, a license tax in connection therewith shall be fixed and collected as hereinafter specified.

(Prior code § 3-016.1)

"Boat" as used in this chapter means and includes all commercial boats and craft, pleasure craft, whether sail, power or otherwise.

"Power hoist" means any mechanical contrivance set upon the wharf for the purpose of lifting onto or from the wharf, any boat, fish or other objects required to be lifted or lowered by power other than manual power.

(Prior code § 3-016)

In the interests of safety of persons traveling on and using any county wharf and for the protection of life and property thereon, the installation, operation and maintenance of a power hoist upon any such wharf shall be under the supervision of the board of supervisors; and any person, firm or corporation desiring to erect a power hoist shall first secure the written permission of the board so to do and shall pay the sum of twenty-five dollars per year for the right to install, maintain and operate the same, the fee to be paid to the tax collector or the wharfinger at the time the application to erect a hoist is granted; provided that the annual fee thereafter shall be twenty-five dollars and shall be payable in advance on the 1st day of July in each year that such power hoist is thereafter maintained and operated.

(Prior code § 3-016.2)

Every commercial fish, shellfish or abalone dealer using any county wharf for the purpose of receiving fish, shellfish or abalone caught and delivered to the wharf, shall pay to the county the sum of fifty cents per ton for the fish, shellfish or abalone so delivered, which fee shall be paid to the wharfinger of the wharf where the same is delivered; provided further that the dealer shall deliver to the wharfinger immediately upon receiving the fish, shellfish or abalone so delivered, a copy of the weight tag, and payment shall be made thereon within thirty days after the delivery of the fish, shellfish or abalone; it is further understood that the wharfinger shall have the right to inspect the books of the dealer at any time, in relation to fish, shellfish or abalone delivered at the wharf.

(Prior code § 3-016.3)

Every person using any wharf of the county for a mooring place for pleasure or commercial craft, shall pay to the county a license fee of five dollars per year for each said boat, or the sum of one dollar per month in the event that the rental is by a monthly period; every person renting a locker on the wharf shall pay a monthly rental of two dollars per month, all of said fees being payable to the wharfinger or the tax collector of the county, in advance, provided that the board of supervisors and the wharfinger shall have the right to limit the number of power hoists and locker rooms to be installed upon the wharf, and the number of hoists and/or lockers to be leased to any person, firm or corporation making application.

(Prior code § 3-016.4)

The wharfinger in charge of any county wharf shall have the authority and it shall be his duty to inspect the wharf, all the equipment, hoists, lockers and other appurtenances thereon as often as may be deemed necessary in order to preserve order, promote cleanliness and sanitation, and protect life and property of persons using the wharf, and to that end shall have the absolute authority to inspect the hoists, lockers, lavatories or other property constructed thereon without advance notice, and shall forthwith report to the board of supervisors any conditions affecting the maintenance and operation and use of the wharf which require attention.

(Prior code § 3-016.5)

No person, firm or corporation shall at any time establish, maintain or operate upon any county wharf, any abalone, fish or shellfish or other commercial factory, packing or cleaning plant or commercial, retail or wholesale business thereon, except that a commercial fisherman shall be allowed to unload fish, shellfish and abalone as herein provided. Provided that no part of the wharf shall be used as storage place for fish, shellfish or abalone or any combustible material, provided, however, that the time necessarily required from the time of the delivery on to the wharf until the produce is transported therefrom in the due course of business, shall not be considered storage.

(Prior code § 3-016.6)

No person, firm or corporation shall ever deliver gasoline or other like combustible material or substance upon the wharf except in sealed containers.

(Prior code § 3-016.7)

The board of supervisors and the wharfinger shall have the right and it shall be their duty to secure from each owner or lessee of a power hoist, a properly executed legal instrument holding the county and the public harmless from injury as a result of the negligent operation or construction of the hoist.

(Prior code § 3-016.8)

Before any commercial sports-fishing boat can use any county-owned or county-lease pier, wharf, and/or dock to pick up person or persons for sports-fishing purposes, the operator of the boat shall obtain from the county division of parks and beaches, a use permit which shall set out the conditions under which the county shall permit said operation.

(Ord. 688 § 1, 1963: prior code § 3-018.11)