Ventura County Municipal Code Art. 6 Inspections

a. Right to Inspect. Prior to commencing any inspection as herein below authorized, the Authorized Inspector shall obtain either the consent of the owner or occupant of the property or shall obtain an administrative inspection warrant or criminal search warrant.

b. Entry to Inspect.

(1) The Authorized Inspector may enter public or private property to investigate the source or potential source of a discharge to the County Storm Drain System or Receiving Waters located within the unincorporated area of the County at all reasonable times to inspect the same and inspect and copy records related to compliance with this Chapter.

(2) If such entry is refused or cannot be obtained because the owner, occupant or other person having charge or control of the property cannot be found after due diligence, the Authorized Inspector shall have recourse to every legal remedy to secure lawful entry and inspect the property.

(3) If the property requires special security clearances to accommodate inspections, it shall be the responsibility of the discharger to obtain all necessary clearances on behalf of the County so that County inspections are not encumbered. Requirements and provisions for special security clearances shall be included in the SWPCP, SWPPP, PCSMP, or PCSMP control maintenance agreement prior to approval.

c. Compliance Assessments. An Authorized Inspector may inspect public or private property for the purpose of verifying compliance with this Chapter or applicable law:

(1) To identify products produced, processes conducted, chemicals used and materials stored on or contained within the property;

(2) To identify point(s) of discharge of all wastewater, process water systems and pollutants;

(3) To investigate the natural slope at the location, including drainage patterns and conveyance systems (including roads with drainage systems, catch basins, curbs, gutters, channels and storm drains);

(4) To establish the location of all points of discharge from the property, whether by surface runoff or through a County Storm Drain System;

(5) To locate any illicit connection or the source of any illicit discharge;

(6) To evaluate compliance with Sections 6950 and 6951.

d. Mobile and Portable Equipment. An Authorized Inspector may inspect any vehicle, truck, trailer, tank truck or other mobile or portable equipment as is necessary to determine compliance with this Chapter.

e. Records Review. An Authorized Inspector may inspect records of the owner or occupant, or person in charge of day-to-day operations of private property during operating hours, to determine compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

f. Sample and Test. An Authorized Inspector may inspect, sample and test any area runoff, soils area (including groundwater testing), process discharge, materials within any waste storage area (including any container contents), and/or treatment system discharge for the purpose of determining the potential for contribution of Pollutants to the County Storm Drain System. An Authorized Inspector may investigate the integrity of all storm drain and sanitary sewer systems or other pipelines on the property using appropriate tests, including but not limited to smoke and dye tests or video surveys. An Authorized Inspector may take photographs or videotape, make measurements or drawings, and create any other record reasonably necessary to document conditions on the property.

g. Monitoring. An Authorized Inspector may undertake monitoring and analysis including both the construction and maintenance of devices, or require the owner or occupant to undertake construction and maintenance of devices, at the owner's or occupant's expense, for the purpose of monitoring any discharge to the County Storm Drain System.

h. Test Results. The owner or occupant of the property subject to inspection shall provide copies of test results to the County and, on submission of a written request to the Director, be entitled to copy test results conducted by the Authorized Inspector.

(Ord. No. 4450, 7-17-2012)