Paso Robles Municipal Code Art. III Private Wastewater Systems

To the fullest extent allowed by law, any person seeking to construct a private wastewater system must obtain approval from the director of public works during the discretionary approval process for the construction of a privately owned wastewater system. The plans for such system shall be reviewed and approved by the director.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

All private wastewater systems shall be designed and constructed per the city's standard specifications and details.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

A. The property owner shall enter into an agreement with the city in a form acceptable to the city attorney. The agreement shall be recorded in the county recorder's office and shall include the following provisions:

1. The owner of the private wastewater system is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the private wastewater system. This responsibility includes clearing stoppages, inspecting, maintaining, and repairing the private system so as to maintain the system in a condition that avoids negative impacts to the operation and maintenance of the city's sewer system. This may include the following:

a. The private wastewater system should be kept free from roots, grease deposits, and other solids that may impede or obstruct the flow of wastewater.

b. All pipes joints should be tight, sound, and free from structural defects, including cracks, breaks, and missing portions, to prevent root intrusion, exfiltration by waste, or infiltration by groundwater or stormwater.

c. No drains or other appurtenances that collect stormwater or surface water should be connected to the private system.

2. The owners of the private wastewater system will be held liable for all damages and costs to the city's system caused by the private wastewater system, including costs for excessive sewer maintenance or damage to facilities as described in subsection 14.08.030.H.

3. All users of the private wastewater system shall comply with prohibitions and requirements in Sections 14.10.040—14.10.070.

4. The owner of the private wastewater system shall grant to the city authority to enter premises in the event of an emergency involving the system or a nuisance created by the system, which, in the sole opinion of the city, creates a hazard that threatens the health and safety of the citizens. The owner shall repair, conduct maintenance, or otherwise cause the hazard to be remedied as instructed by the city, and any service rendered or cost incurred pursuant to such instructions shall be paid for by the owner.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

A. If wastewater is discharged from the private wastewater system to the city right-of-way, the city shall be notified immediately. The owner of the private wastewater system will be liable for the cost of the cleanup of the city property.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

It shall be the goal of the city to make available the city's sewage system to all premises within the boundaries of the city. Permission to construct a septic system may be granted only when the provisions of this Code have been met.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

When it has been determined by the city council that sewers are not reasonably available to serve a given property (generally more than two hundred feet from the property) within the city, the owner of said property, meeting provisions of this chapter, may request of the city council a permit for the construction of a septic system. The granting of such permit shall not overrule any negative action as may be formally issued against such installation by either the water quality control board or the county health department.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

A. The property owner shall enter into an agreement with the city in a form acceptable to the city attorney. The agreement shall be recorded in the county recorder's office and shall include the following provisions:

1. Consent to future formation of an assessment district if said district is established by the city council for the purpose of constructing sewers to serve said property.

2. Connect said property to the city sewer system, obtain appropriate permits and pay connection fees and special fees as applicable, when available and when directed to do so by the director of public works. Such connection shall be completed within six months of the date of receipt of said notification.

3. Construct septic tank and appurtenances in accordance with requirements of the water quality control board, Central Coast Basin Plan, county health department, California Plumbing Code as modified within Title 17 of this Code, and the city's standard specifications and details.

4. Operate and maintain the septic system in a safe and sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the city.

5. Grant to the city authority to enter premises for periodic inspection to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Said authority shall be conveyed in writing by the owner of the property and shall be binding upon all future owners, heirs, lessees, or occupants.

6. Grant to the city authority to enter premises in the event of an emergency involving the system or a nuisance created by the system, which, in the sole opinion of the city, county health department or water quality control board creates a hazard that threatens the health and safety of the citizens. The owner shall follow the instructions of the city to remedy the hazard or nuisance, and any service rendered pursuant to such instructions shall be paid for by the owner. When a health hazard or nuisance is determined to exist or water quality is threatened, the city may revoke certificates of occupancy for buildings utilizing the septic system.

7. Upon connection to the city sewer, abandon the septic tank and leach field per Code requirements when an order to do so has been issued by the city council or its designated representative, and within the time set forth in such order.

8. For septic systems that are approved for use for five years or longer, dual leach fields shall be installed with initial construction. A diverter valve shall be installed to control drainage into either or both leach fields. Each leach field shall be designed to handle one hundred percent of the design flow. For septic systems where use can be reasonably demonstrated to be five years or less, only one leach field may be required. However, an additional area shall be designated, tested for adequacy as a leach field for use, and maintained free from any installation which could inhibit the potential use of said area as a leach field should the first leach field installed be determined by the state, county, or city to have failed or to be inadequate in any way.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

A. If a septic system fails and a city sewer is determined to be reasonably available, the city engineer shall direct the owner to connect to the city sewer pursuant to subsection 14.08.280.A.2. The owner shall pay to the city all applicable connection fees and reimbursements and shall cause the property to be connected to the city's sewer system in a timely manner.

B. The city engineer shall notify the property owner, in writing, of such determinations, the amount of fees and special fees that must be paid, and any other requirements regarding the connection to the city sewer system.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)