San Mateo County Municipal Code Ch. 3.60 Explosives

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings stated herein:

(a) "Board" means the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo.

(b) "Explosive" means any substance, or combination of substances, the primary or common purpose of which is detonation or rapid combustion and which is capable of a relatively instantaneous or rapid release of gas and heat, or any substance, the primary purpose of which, when combined with others, is to form a substance capable of a relatively instantaneous or rapid release of gas and heat. The term "explosive" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, those substances and things defined as "explosives" in section 12000 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California.

(Prior code § 3265; Ord. 704, 12/17/46; Ord. 2344, 01/06/76)

It shall be unlawful for any person, without first obtaining a license from the Sheriff of the County of San Mateo as herein provided, to do any blasting within the unincorporated area of the County of San Mateo or to explode, or cause to be exploded, any explosive.

(Prior code § 3266; Ord. 704, 12/17/46; Ord. 2344, 01/06/76)

Any person desiring to use explosives within the unincorporated area of the County of San Mateo for the purpose of blasting shall make written application to the Sheriff for a license. Said application shall set forth the name, age and address of the Applicant and a statement of his or her previous experience with, and qualifications safely to handle and use, explosives. If the Sheriff is satisfied that a license therefor should be issued to the Applicant, the Sheriff may issue such a license after the Applicant has deposited with the County Clerk an indemnity bond in an amount deemed sufficient for its purpose by the Sheriff, but in no case in an amount less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), in favor of the County of San Mateo and inuring to the benefit of that County and all persons who may suffer damage to person or property as a result of the blasting to be done by the Applicant. Said indemnity bond shall be conditioned to pay for all loss or damage to person or property caused or resulting from blasting operations by the Applicant. Said bond shall be approved by the County Counsel before being filed with the County Clerk. After a recovery had upon said bond, the Licensee shall immediately file a new bond in the same form, and if the Licensee does not do so, said license shall immediately terminate. In the event that the Sheriff refuses to issue a license to an Applicant, the Applicant may appeal to the Board for a review of the Sheriff's decision.

(Prior code § 3267; Ord. 704, 12/17/46; Ord. 2344, 01/06/76; Ord. 3214, 4/24/90)

The license provided for in section 3.60.030 shall remain in force for a period of one year from the date upon which it was issued by the Sheriff.

(Prior code § 3268; Ord. 704, 12/17/46; Ord. 2344, 01/06/76)

Before any license provided for in section 3.60.030 shall become effective, the Licensee named therein shall pay to the Sheriff a fee of ten ($10) dollars.

(Prior code § 3269; Ord. 704, 12/17/46; Ord. 2344, 01/06/76)

It shall be unlawful for any person to explode, or cause to explode, any blast without first covering the same in such a manner as to prevent fragments of rock, gravel, earth, trees or other substances and material from being thrown against or upon lots or buildings, or upon any public roadway.

(Prior code § 3270; Ord. 704, 12/17/46; Ord. 2344, 01/06/76)

When, in the opinion of the Sheriff, the use of any license provided for in section 3.60.030 may endanger the public health, welfare or safety, the Sheriff may suspend such a license for any period of time less than one (1) year.

As soon as it can practicably be done, and before the actual date of such suspension if circumstances permit, notice in writing of such suspension shall be given by the Sheriff to the Licensee. Notice may be given by personal delivery to the Licensee or by depositing in the United States mail, with postage prepaid, such notice in an envelope addressed to the Licensee at the Licensee's address shown on the application for the license.

(Prior code § 3271; Ord. 704, 12/17/46; Ord. 2344, 01/06/76)