Division III. Private Sewage Disposal Systems
Chapter 13.52
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
13.52.010 Approved sewage disposal method required.
13.52.020 Large-flow situations.
13.52.030 Purpose of provisions.
13.52.060 Failed systems – Connection to public sewer.
13.52.070 Prohibited discharges.
13.52.080 Cesspools, waste wells and privies prohibited – Nuisance declared.
13.52.090 Nonliability of city.
13.52.100 Maintenance of dual-field installations.
13.52.010 Approved sewage disposal method required.
No person shall construct, reconstruct, repair, maintain, or use any building or place which is not connected to a public sewer in accordance with FMC 13.20.070 or which is not provided with a sewage disposal system approved by the health officer of the city. (Ord. 76-370 Art. IV § 1).
13.52.020 Large-flow situations.
A. Multiple-family units, mobile home parks, commercial establishments, motels, hotels, subdivisions and minor subdivisions, and other buildings or places creating a large flow of sewage or waste may be required by the health officer to connect from distances greater than 300 feet.
B. In requiring connection from greater distance, the health officer shall consider for the long term the following:
1. The intent and purpose of this division and Division II of this title;
2. Effect on the general plan, zoning ordinances and open space plan;
3. Potential nuisance creation;
4. Quantity of sewage flow;
5. Cost and suitability of such connection relative to the cost and suitability of constructing and maintaining sewage disposal systems;
6. Such other factors as the health officer deems appropriate. (Ord. 76-370 Art. IV § 2, 1976).
13.52.030 Purpose of provisions.
This division shall apply to all territory embraced within the incorporated limits of the city. The city council enacts the ordinance codified in this division for the control of individual sewage disposal systems in the city in order to promote the health, safety, and well-being of the inhabitants of this city by providing to them a means to prevent ecological strain and resolve the problems of sewage disposal. (Ord. 76-370 Art. I § 1).
13.52.040 Council findings.
The city council recognizes that the people of the city use the land in a fundamentally urban pattern. The city council finds that, in urban and potentially urban lands, the use of the leachfield method of sewage disposal is a temporary measure and that the most appropriate means of sewage disposal for such lands is a public sewer system. (Ord. 76-370 Art. I § 2).
13.52.050 Definitions.
For the purpose of this division, the terms used are defined as follows:
A. “Applicant” means the person making application for a permit for a sewer installation or sewage disposal system and shall be the owner of the premises to be served by the sewer or sewage disposal system for which a permit is requested or his authorized agent.
B. “Building” means any structure inhabited or used by human beings.
C. “Director of public works” means the person appointed by the city council to administer and enforce the rules and regulations of the city.
D. “Health officer” means the Humboldt County health officer or his authorized representative.
E. “Permit” means any written authorization required pursuant to this division or any other regulation of the city for the installation of sewage works.
F. “Public sewer” means a sewer lying within a street or easement and which is controlled by or under the jurisdiction of the city.
G. “Sewage” means a combination of water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments.
H. “Sewage disposal system” means a system for the sanitary, safe, and nuisance-free disposal of sewage or waste, other than a public sewer.
I. “Sewage disposal system failure” includes, but is not limited to, the observation by the city health officer of any of the following:
1. Surfacing of effluent with the bacteriological or chemical characteristics of sewage;
2. Sluggish or inoperative plumbing fixtures;
3. The intrusion of surface or subsurface waters by effluent from a sewage disposal system.
J. “Sewage works” means all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating, and disposing of sewage. (Ord. 76-370 Art. II).
13.52.060 Failed systems – Connection to public sewer.
In instance of serious sewage disposal system failures, the health officer may require connection to a public sewer from a distance of up to 1,000 feet. (Ord. 76-370 Art. IV § 3).
13.52.070 Prohibited discharges.
It is unlawful for any person to deposit by any means whatsoever into any plumbing fixture, floor drain, interceptor, sump, receptacle or device which is connected to any drainage system, public sewer, sewage disposal system, or septic tank any ashes; cinders; solids; rags; flammable, poisonous, or explosive liquids or gases; oils; grease; or any other thing whatsoever which would or could cause damage to the public sewer, private sewer, or private sewage disposal system. (Ord. 76-370 Art. X § 2).
13.52.080 Cesspools, waste wells and privies prohibited – Nuisance declared.
All cesspools, waste wells, seepage pits and privies are declared to be a public nuisance. It is unlawful to drill, construct, maintain, use or operate any cesspool, waste well, seepage pit, privy or any unapproved facility intended for the disposal of sewage. (Ord. 76-370 Art. X § 3).
13.52.090 Nonliability of city.
This division shall not be construed as imposing upon the city any liability or responsibility for damage resulting from the defective installation of any sewage disposal system as provided in this division, nor shall the city or any official or employee thereof be held as assuming any such liability or responsibility by reason of the inspection authorized thereunder. (Ord. 76-370 Art. XI § 1).
13.52.100 Maintenance of dual-field installations.
The operator of a dual-field installation shall alternate the field at times specified by the health officer. (Ord. 76-370 Art. XI § 2).