Article IV — PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS

No septic tank, settling tank, seepage pit, cesspool, subsurface tile line system, or any other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system, or any part thereof, shall be installed, constructed, reconstructed, repaired in any manner, or added to in the City unless there is in effect a valid permit therefor issued by the Director.

Any person desiring to install, construct, reconstruct, repair or add to, a septic tank, settling tank, seepage pit, cesspool, subsurface tile line system, or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system, or any part thereof, shall file with the Director a written application for a permit for such installation, construction, reconstruction, repair or addition. A separate application and permit for each installation shall be required. The application shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the Director and shall be accompanied by an inspection fee set forth below. The application shall contain the following information and such other information as the Director may require: street name and number of the premises where the installation is to be made; the name and address of the owner; the name and address of the contractor who is to perform the work; the size and type of the septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system to be installed and the number of people it is to serve. When required by the Health Officer the application shall include or be accompanied by a plan or diagram showing the character and kind of installation to be made and the manner and location in which the work is to be done. The fee for filing all applications pursuant to this section shall be as set forth in this Code.

The permit fee for land development applications that are processed without field investigation shall be as set forth in this Code.

Whenever the Health Officer is requested to review and comment on any special project designated by the Department of Planning and Land Use, such as a major or minor use permit or a special use permit, or any other special project or land development application, the applicant shall complete a written application furnished by the Health Officer requesting the review. This application shall be accompanied by a fee as set forth in this Code and any further documents required by the Health Officer to accomplish said review. The Health Officer shall have an investigation made to determine whether the special project complies with the rules and regulations of the Health Department and to the codes of the State of California and any regulations issued pursuant thereto pertaining to particular activities subject to regulation therein and whether the activity will result in a violation of such codes and regulations. The Health Officer shall notify the applicant of his reasons for approval or denial in writing.

A permittee to whom there has been issued pursuant to this chapter a permit for an installation to be made at a particular location may apply for a supplemental permit authorizing such work to be performed at a different location provided that no work has been commenced at the location specified in the original permit. The application for a supplemental permit shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the Director. On receipt of such application and a fee as set forth in this Code the Director may issue a supplemental permit authorizing the performance of work at the substituted location.

Prior to issuance of a septic tank permit, the Director shall make, or cause to be made, such investigation as deemed necessary. The Director may require the applicant for the permit to furnish a report of soil percolation tests performed on the site of the proposed subsurface disposal system or unit and the results of such tests. The soil percolation testing, and the preparation of plans, drawings or specifications shall be done by a:

(a)

California Registered Engineer,

(b)

California Registered Sanitarian,

(c)

California Registered Geologist.

Persons listed in subsections (b) and (c) are limited by the Business and Professional Code Section 6737.1 to projects for:

(a)

Single or multiple dwellings not more than two stories and basement in height.

(b)

Garages or other structures appurtenant to building described under subsection (a) above.

(c)

Farm or ranch buildings.

(d)

Any one-story building where the span between bearing walls does not exceed 25 feet; provided, however, that the exemption in this subdivision does not apply to a steel frame or concrete building.

The Director may require such individuals to demonstrate knowledge of San Diego County Laws and policies related to subsurface disposal systems.

If the Director determines that the location, area, soil, porosity, ground water level, density of population in the area, the number of persons to be served or other condition Section 8.56.230 would cause the operation of the subsurface sewage disposal unit or system described in the application to create an unsanitary condition endangering public health, he shall not issue the permit for which application was made.

If, pursuant to Section 8.56.190, a percolation test or septic tank system layout is performed by the County, there shall be paid to the department a fee as set forth in this Code. For each percolation test the examination fee shall be as set forth in this Code.

(a)

No septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal system or unit shall be installed or constructed on a lot, parcel or building site containing an area of less than one acre, except that the Director may issue a permit for the installation or construction of any subsurface sewage disposal system or unit on a lot or a combination of lots shown on a recorded subdivision map, which lot or combination of lots contains an area of less than one acre but not less than 6,000 square feet, provided that there exists a 100-percent reserve area, percolation data satisfactory to the Director, and the Director's investigation indicates that an approved type of subsurface disposal system would function satisfactorily in a building site of such area at that location.

(b)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 17.101 through 17.103 of the County Code, this section shall expire and be of no further force and effect on August 21, 1981.

Permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall be void at the expiration of one year from the date of issuance.

The Director may revoke any outstanding permit for the installation of an evapotranspiration type system which in the judgment of the Director is not adequate for the lot and its use.

Any permittee whose permit is revoked may file an appeal with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Section 16.114 of the County Code and shall be entitled to a hearing as prescribed by Section 16.114 and Section 16.115 of the County Code. The filing of such an appeal shall not stay the order of the Director revoking the permit.

The Director shall inspect or cause to be inspected in a thorough manner all septic tanks, settling tanks, cesspools and other subsurface sewage disposal units or systems hereafter installed, constructed or reconstructed in the County. It shall be the duty of the Director to see that there is compliance with the terms and provisions of this chapter.

As soon as the septic tank, settling tank, cesspool or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system is installed and ready to receive its cover, the person to whom the permit for such unit or system was issued shall notify the department that such unit or system is ready for inspection. As soon thereafter as practical, the Director shall make or cause to be made an inspection of the work. If the unit or system is approved by the Director, an inspection certificate shall be posted in a conspicuous place upon the property where the unit or system is located, which inspection certificate shall note the date and approval and the signature of the Director or the person making the inspection on the Director's behalf.

No person shall backfill, or cause to be backfilled any septic tank, settling tank, seepage pit, cesspool, subsurface tile line system, or other subsurface disposal system or unit prior to its approval by the Director as provided in this chapter.

The responsibility for protecting the public from hazards from test holes and subsurface sewage disposal system excavations is that of the engineer, or persons performing percolation testing and proposing such systems.

It shall be unlawful for any person to connect any house sewer line or other plumbing to a septic tank, settling tank, cesspool, seepage pit or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system hereafter installed, constructed or reconstructed, unless such septic tank, settling tank, cesspool, seepage pit or other subsurface sewage disposal unit or system has been approved by the Director as provided in this chapter.

When an inspection has been ordered and the work is found to be not ready for inspection and approval, the Director shall cause an official notice to be posted on the job stating the changes necessary in order that the work will comply with the requirements of this chapter. As soon thereafter as practicable the owner or contractor shall cause the changes to be made and upon completion thereof shall notify the department that the unit or system is ready for reinspection. As soon thereafter as practicable the Director shall make or cause a reinspection to be made. If upon reinspection the work is approved, a certificate to that effect shall be posted as hereinabove specified. The fee for each reinspection shall be $30.00, which fee shall be paid to the Director.

Any person violating the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined in an amount not to exceed $500.00 or by imprisonment for a period of not more than six months in the County Jail or by both such fine and imprisonment.