Chapter 6.26
SELF-CONTAINED PORTABLE TOILETS
Sections:
6.26.010 Self-contained portable toilets defined.
6.26.040 Maintenance requirements.
6.26.050 Long-term use approval.
6.26.060 Application for waiver.
6.26.070 Effect on existing self-contained portable toilets.
6.26.010 Self-contained portable toilets defined.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
“Long-term use” means any use of one or more self-contained portable toilets for a period of more than 10 consecutive calendar days.
“Self-contained portable toilets” means one or more commercially manufactured or assembled self-contained toilet facility that is portable and is not designed or intended for connection to a sewer system with a standard connection. These facilities are frequently referred to by the brand name of commercially manufactured toilets such as Honey Bucket and Sani Can.
“Site” means any property or properties, consisting of one or more lots, whether developed or undeveloped, that make up an individual location. Examples of a site include but are not limited to a parking lot or lots, a business location consisting of one or more buildings, and a residential property consisting of one or more lots.
“Temporary use” means any use of one or more self-contained portable toilets for a period of 10 calendar days or less.
“Use” means the presence of one or more self-contained portable toilets on a site which are intended for use, even if not actually being used. This would include periods when the toilets are physically secured for security or maintenance periods. The storage of self-contained portable toilets at a commercial facility or business which are not intended to be used is not considered a use under this chapter. (Ord. 1472 § 1, 2010)
6.26.020 Allowed uses.
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any use of self-contained portable toilets that is required by another code or statute. Unless otherwise authorized by another code or statute, self-contained portable toilets shall be prohibited except as provided for herein.
(1) The use of self-contained portable toilets shall be allowed in the marine industrial, mixed use tourist commercial, recreation and parks, and tourist commercial zoning districts subject to the following limitations:
(A) The temporary use of self-contained portable toilets for construction, rehabilitation projects, special events, interruption of sewer service for emergencies or planned upgrades/repairs, and at sites or facilities that are not permanently inhabited and do not have installed toilet facilities such as airports, campgrounds, marinas, service stations and parks is allowed.
(B) The long-term use of self-contained portable toilets for construction, rehabilitation projects, special events, interruption of sewer service for emergencies or planned upgrades/repairs, and at sites or facilities that are not permanently inhabited and do not have installed toilet facilities such as airports, campgrounds, marinas, service stations and parks is allowed, subject to approval in accordance with WMC 6.26.050.
(2) The use of self-contained portable toilets shall be allowed in the residential and ocean beach residential zoning districts subject to the following limitations:
(A) The temporary use of self-contained portable toilets for construction, rehabilitation projects, and interruption of sewer service for emergencies or planned upgrades/repairs is allowed. The use of self-contained portable toilets, limited to four calendar days or less, for special events such as wedding receptions or family reunions on private property is allowed.
(B) The long-term use of self-contained portable toilets for construction, rehabilitation projects, and interruption of sewer service for emergencies or planned upgrades/repairs, is allowed, subject to approval in accordance with WMC 6.26.050.
(3) Uses similar in nature and impact as those listed above are allowed subject to approval of a waiver in accordance with WMC 6.26.060. (Ord. 1472 § 1, 2010)
6.26.030 Prohibited uses.
(1) Unless a waiver is granted in accordance with WMC 6.26.060, the use of self-contained portable toilets in lieu of connection of a site or facility to the City’s sanitary sewer system is prohibited.
(2) The use of self-contained portable toilets for the purpose of providing sewer service to a site or facility when sewer and water service has been discontinued due to delinquency of the utility account is prohibited.
(3) The use of privately manufactured or constructed self-contained portable toilets is prohibited. (Ord. 1472 § 1, 2010)
6.26.040 Maintenance requirements.
It is the responsibility of the property owner of the site where self-contained portable toilets are located to ensure compliance with the maintenance requirements in this section. For special events that obtain a permit from the city, it is the event coordinator’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the maintenance requirements in this section. The following maintenance requirements shall apply to all uses of self-contained portable toilets:
(1) For temporary uses, in addition to the requirements of subsection (3) of this section, the self-contained portable toilets must be in good working condition without any broken surfaces or leaks. Doors must be in good working condition and must be able to be securely latched while in use. The toilet(s) must be monitored and/or permanently secured, or serviced by a licensed disposal contractor if the holding tank becomes full during the period of use.
(2) For long-term uses, in addition to other requirements of this section, a long-term use of self-contained portable toilets requires written proof of a service contract with a licensed disposal contractor to provide periodic inspections and pump outs as necessary.
(3) For all uses, in addition to the other requirements of this section, the following shall apply to the use of self-contained portable toilets. Toilet(s) shall be located on the site so as to be free from obstruction from, nor present an obstruction to, existing structures or driveways. The toilet(s) shall be located in such a manner as to not be potentially impacted by site conditions such as slopes, ditches, or prevailing winds. Toilet(s) located in residential zones shall be located to provide the maximum practical screening from roads and adjacent properties as the site allows.
(4) It is the property owner/event operator’s responsibility to ensure that toilet(s) are not used in a dangerous or inappropriate manner, especially by children. This may be accomplished by monitoring or securing the toilet(s) during periods of inactivity, such as night time and weekend hours, or by other effective means as appropriate. (Ord. 1472 § 1, 2010)
6.26.050 Long-term use approval.
(1) Requests for the use of self-contained portable toilets for construction projects shall be included with the application for development reviews or permits as applicable. Application shall be made on forms provided by the city. The director of public works or designee will review and approve/deny requests made under this section.
(2) An application for uses authorized by this chapter that do not require an application for development review or permit shall be made directly to the director of public works or designee on forms provided by the city. The director of public works or designee will review and approve/deny requests made under this section. (Ord. 1472 § 1, 2010)
6.26.060 Application for waiver.
A request for the waiver of one or more conditions of this chapter may be made by any affected party. The request shall be in writing in the form of a letter addressed to the city council. The letter must indicate the condition or conditions from which a waiver is being requested, the basis for the request, and the action requested. The council shall review the request and recommendations from appropriate staff at a regular meeting. The council may grant a waiver, either partial or fully, from one or more conditions of this chapter where it finds the strict application of said condition(s) would create one or more of the following conditions:
(1) It is not practicable based on the circumstances of the event, activity, or physical conditions of the site.
(2) It would create an unusual hardship to the applicant that is not common to similar events, activities, or sites.
(3) It would not create an unsafe condition, nuisance, or hazard, either on site or to adjacent properties.
(4) The waiver is not simply for the convenience of the applicant, especially in circumstances where other similar events, activities, or sites have complied with the conditions of this chapter. (Ord. 1472 § 1, 2010)
6.26.070 Effect on existing self-contained portable toilets.
Any self-contained portable toilet currently either located on a site or in a manner which is in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be removed within 180 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 1472 § 1, 2010)
6.26.080 Violation – Penalty.
Violation of this chapter shall be declared to constitute a public nuisance and shall be processed in accordance with the applicable sections of Chapter 6.04 WMC, including the summary abatement procedures of WMC 6.04.100. The monetary penalty prescribed in WMC 6.04.110 for each day or part thereof the public nuisance declared under this chapter is permitted to continue after the date set for abatement shall be as follows:
(1) First day through seventh day: $25.00 per day.
(2) Eighth day through fourteenth day: $50.00 per day.
(3) Fifteenth day through twenty-second day: $75.00 per day.
(4) Twenty-third day through thirtieth day: $100.00 per day.
(5) Each additional day beyond thirty days: $125.00 per day.
All other provisions of WMC 6.04.110 shall remain unchanged and apply to any public nuisance declared under this chapter. (Ord. 1472 § 1, 2010)