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CHAPTER 7. SEWER SYSTEMS

10-7.101 Definitions.

As used in this Chapter:

a. Community Sewer Collection System means the structures, devices, equipment and appurtenances intended for the collection, transportation, and pumping of sewage from two (2) or more structures to a treatment or disposal facility.

b. Health Officer means the Health Officer of the County of Contra Costa and any subordinate(s) that the Health Officer designates from time to time to perform any or all of the Health Officer's functions hereunder.

c. Improperly Functioning Individual System means an individual system which allows sewage to escape to the surface of the ground or prevents plumbing fixtures from draining.

d. Individual System means a system which consists of (1) the drainage pipes of a structure and the septic tank and subsurface absorption system to which they are connected; or (2) any alternative system designed for the disposal of sewage and acceptable to the Health Officer.

e. Sanitary Sewer means a system for collecting residential or municipal waste water and directing the collected waste water to a treatment works prior to disposal.

f. Sewage means liquid or solid waste substance, which is associated with human habitation or which contains or may be contaminated with human or animal excrement or offal.

g. Site Evaluation means the investigation of a subdivision or a lot to determine the feasibility of installing an individual system. It shall include a determination of compliance with all applicable sanitation requirements and a sanitary survey of the area. Should the sanitary survey disclose failing individual systems in the immediate vicinity of the site evaluated, this shall be sufficient grounds for determining the infeasibility of installing an individual system. (§1, Ord. 1761, eff. 3/21/91)

10-7.102 Sewer Connection Required.

Every structure in which plumbing fixtures have been or are proposed to be installed shall be connected to a sanitary sewer and all such plumbing fixtures and sanitary drainage systems or parts thereof shall be connected to the sanitary sewer. (§1, Ord. 1761, eff. 3/21/91)

10-7.103 Prohibitions.

a. No person shall build or alter any structure or build on or improve any land, requiring sewage disposal, without (1) having a currently valid permit for an approved individual system or (2) connecting to a community sewer collection system.

b. No person shall discharge or deposit sewage to the surface of the ground.

c. No person shall have or permit an improperly functioning individual system.

d. No person shall install, construct, repair, reconstruct, relocate, destroy, alter, or abandon any individual system, cesspool, pit privy, sewage holding tank, or seepage pit without the Health Officer's advance written approval.

e. No person shall have or maintain an improperly functioning building sewer or lateral which conducts sewage from the building to a community sewer collection system.

f. No person shall engage in the business of cleaning septic tanks and subsurface leaching devices, sewage holding tanks, cesspools or seepage pits or of providing or cleaning chemical toilets without having a valid permit, license and/or registration issued by the Health Officer.

g. No person shall change any plan or work approved by the Health Officer without the Health Officer's advance written approval. (§1, Ord. 1761, eff. 3/21/91)

10-7.104 Subdivisions.

No tentative subdivision map or tentative parcel map shall be approved pursuant to Chapter 1 of Title 10 of this code unless the map provides for the connection of all parcels proposed to be developed to a community sewer collection system and the agency with jurisdiction over the community sewer collection system approves such a connection. This requirement may be waived if (a) the authority approving the tentative subdivision map or tentative parcel map finds that connection with a community sewer collection system is not feasible and (b) an individual system which is adequate to serve all parcels proposed to be developed is approved by the Health Officer pursuant to section 10-7.106. (§1, Ord. 1761, eff. 3/21/91)

10-7.105 Building Permits.

No building permit involving a structure which requires sewage disposal shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 1 of Title 9 of this code unless the structure will be connected to a community sewer collection system and the agency with jurisdiction over the community sewer collection system approves such a connection. The City Engineer may waive this requirement if (a) the City Engineer determines, in his or her sole discretion, that connection with a community sewer collection system is not feasible and (b) an individual system which is adequate to serve all parcels proposed to be developed is approved by the Health Officer pursuant to section 10-7.106. In addition, the City Engineer may waive this requirement if the structure is an existing structure served by an existing individual system and either (a) the City Engineer determines, in his or her sole discretion, that the work authorized by the building permit will not have a significant effect on the generation or disposal of sewage, or (b) the individual system is approved by the Health Officer pursuant to section 10-7.106. (§1, Ord. 1761, eff. 3/21/91)

10-7.106 Approval of Individual Systems.

Any person who is required by this chapter to obtain approval of the Health Officer shall submit an application for an individual system permit to the Health Officer together with the fee provided for in section 10-7.107. The Health Officer shall approve, conditionally approve or deny the application, and issue or withhold the permit accordingly, on the basis of compliance with this chapter and with regulations developed by the Health Officer and in a manner which the Health Officer determines to be in the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare. The issuance of a permit pursuant to this section shall constitute an approval for the purposes of this chapter. An individual system permit which is required for the issuance of a building permit pursuant to section 10-7.104 shall expire on the same date as the building permit. An individual system permit which is required for the approval of a tentative subdivision map or a tentative parcel map pursuant to section 10-7.105 shall expire on the same date as the tentative map or final map, if one is approved. In all other cases, an individual system permit shall expire one hundred-eighty (180) days after issuance. (§1, Ord. 1761, eff. 3/21/91)

10-7.107 Fees.

Non-refundable fees shall be paid to the Health Officer at the time of filing for or requesting an investigation, test, inspection or permit required by this chapter in accordance with the fee schedule adopted from time to time by Contra Costa County. (§1, Ord. 1761, eff. 3/21/91)

10-7.108 Authority of Health Officer.

The Health Officer is authorized to enforce the provisions of this Chapter. The Health Officer is further authorized to declare conditions relating to sewage which are detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare to be a nuisance and to abate such nuisance pursuant to Title 1, Chapter 6 of this code. For the purposes of Title 1, Chapter 6, the Health Officer shall be a "division head". (§1, Ord. 1761, eff. 3/21/91)

10-7.109 Penalties.

Any person violating this chapter by failing to submit plans, obtain necessary inspections and approvals, or pay fees, or by commencing or continuing construction or remodeling in violation hereof, shall pay triple the appropriate fee as a penalty and remain subject to all other applicable penalties and enforcement procedures authorized by law. (§1, Ord. 1761, eff. 3/21/91)