Chapter 13.48
WATER WELL INSTALLATION, CONVERSION AND DESTRUCTION
Sections:
13.48.040 Application procedures--Requirements.
13.48.070 Water wells--Developments.
13.48.080 Destruction, abandonment and conversion of water wells.
13.48.010 Definitions.
As set out in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
A. “Applicant” means a property owner or his/her agent wishing to drill a well within the corporate limits of the city.
B. “City” means the city of Half Moon Bay.
C. “District” means the Coastside County water district.
D. “Abandoned” means a well that has not been used for a period of one year or more, unless the applicant demonstrates his/her intention to use the well for supplying domestic water for human consumption or agricultural use.
E. “Destroy” means the complete filling of the well in accordance with the department of water resources bulletin 78-81/90 and San Mateo County department of environmental health regulations to prevent further use of the well.
F. “Agricultural well” means any well serving as a water supply for the development of commercial floriculture and agricultural irrigation uses. (Ord. C-2014-04 §5(part), 2014: Ord. 2-95 §1(part), 1995; Ord. 4-89 §1, 1989).
13.48.030 Approval required.
It is unlawful for any individual or entity to dig, drill, bore or drive a well in the city without first having obtained approval from the city in accordance with this chapter and a coastal development permit in accordance with the requirements of Title 18. (Ord. C-2014-04 §5(part), 2014: Ord. 4-89 §3(A), 1989: Ord. 16-86 §3(A), 1986).
13.48.040 Application procedures--Requirements.
All applicants shall comply with the following:
A. Submit an application, in the form provided by the city;
B. Pay a fee of five hundred twenty dollars per well, and an additional one hundred dollars for each additional dwelling unit served;
C. Obtain approval for the well from the county of San Mateo department of environmental health, complying with the county of San Mateo’s technical regulations for the installation of water wells;
D. Have in place and contiguous to the parcel of property and dwelling unit(s) to be served by the water well, sewer, water for fire protection, public streets, and all utilities;
E. Comply with California Environmental Quality Act. (Ord. C-2014-04 §5(part), 2014: Ord. 2-95 §1(part), 1995; Ord. 4-89 §3(B), 1989: Ord. 16-86 §3(B), (D), (E), 1986).
13.48.070 Water wells--Developments.
Applicants for water wells for development of more than one contiguous lot, and for multi-unit development, shall in addition to other regulations herein comply with the following:
A. Meet all city zoning regulations for accessory structures for the water well(s) and appurtenant structures and fixtures thereto;
B. Screen all wells, water tank(s) and appurtenant structures and fixtures thereto;
C. Obtain site and design approval of the planning commission in accordance with the site and design regulations of the zoning ordinance of the city;
D. Obtain approval of the city attorney for covenants, conditions and restrictions to be recorded against the properties sharing a well system. (Ord. C-2014-04 §5(part), 2014: Ord. 4-89 §3(E), 1989).
13.48.080 Destruction, abandonment and conversion of water wells.
A. To destroy a well, all applicants shall comply with the following:
1. Submit an application for a permit for well destruction, in the form provided by the city;
2. Obtain approval for destruction of the well from the county of San Mateo department of environmental health, complying with the county of San Mateo’s technical regulations for the destruction of water wells;
3. Connect to an approved water source other than an individual or mutual groundwater well system.
B. To convert a well from interim domestic use to agricultural use, all applicants shall comply with the following:
1. Connect the domestic water system to an approved water source other than an individual or mutual groundwater system;
2. The property to be irrigated shall be within, or contiguous to, the parcel on which the interim well is situated;
3. The property to be irrigated, at the time of the application for conversion of the well, shall be:
a. Under common ownership with the parcel on which the well is situated, and
b. A parcel where a viable agricultural use has been previously established or demonstrated;
4. Submit evidence from the county of San Mateo department of environmental health that the interim well has been decertified for domestic use;
5. Submit evidence that all fixtures and apparatus from the well to the residence, agricultural, or commercial building have been permanently removed;
6. Submit evidence that any condition of a coastal development permit, for the parcel on which the well is situated, requiring abandonment or destruction of the well has been suitably modified to allow the well to be retained for agricultural use. (Ord. C-2014-04 §5(part), 2014: Ord. 2-95 §1(part), 1995).