612-2. Permits.
(a) Permit Required. No person shall construct, modify, repair, replace, abandon, or excavate for any kind of onsite wastewater treatment system or any portion thereof without having first obtained a permit to do so from the Health Officer. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(b) Applications.
(1) Each application for a permit to construct, modify, repair, replace, abandon, or excavate for any kind of onsite wastewater treatment system is to be made on a form provided by the Health Officer. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(2) A separate application is required for each onsite wastewater system proposed. In cases where multiple OWTS are proposed for the same parcel, a separate application is required for each. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(3) The information which the applicant is required to present includes, but is not limited to, the following information: (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/07/2017)
(A) Name, address and telephone number(s) of the applicant and the owner of the property, and their agents, if any, on which the building or place to be served by the onsite wastewater treatment system is located. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(B) Location of the property, the Assessor’s parcel number, directions to the site, and any site accessibility restrictions. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(C) A scale map of the lot showing: Appropriate landmarks; steep slopes; roads; surveyor’s landmarks; lot dimensions; existing and proposed easements for road or utility purposes; wells, waterbodies or drainage swales; and existing, proposed, or abandoned onsite wastewater treatment systems. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(D) A scaled site plan or detail of the proposed project showing the area of the work, the average cross slope, the structure(s) served, and all items in C (above) within one hundred fifty feet (150') of the project. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(E) The intended use or uses of the property.
(F) The number of dwelling units and rooms usable as sleeping quarters. If a nonresidential use is proposed, an estimate of the quantity of sewage flow and the method of estimating the flow shall be provided.
(G) Soils testing information from a site evaluation performed by a Qualified Professional, including wet weather ground water elevations and percolation test results as required by the regulations issued by the Health Officer, as referenced in § 612-1(a). (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(H) The source or purveyor of domestic water.
(I) Plans and specifications for the proposed onsite wastewater treatment system as specified by the regulations issued by the Health Officer. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(J) Other information which the Health Officer may deem to be necessary to the making of an informed and professional decision on the application. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(4) The Health Officer may specify the time of year during which water table determinations are to be made.
(5) Any tests, data gathering, or analysis which the Health Officer may require as part of the application process shall be performed at the expense of the applicant.
(6) Any tests, data gathering, or analysis which the Health Officer may require as part of the application process may be required to be performed under the supervision of the Health Officer or performed by individuals authorized by the Health Officer to carry out such testing, data gathering, or analysis. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(7) Any tests, data gathering, or analysis which the Health Officer may require as a part of the application process shall be performed in accordance with regulations issued by the Health Officer.
(8) Each application for a permit shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount sufficient to cover costs, as set by resolution or ordinance of the Board of Supervisors. No part of the permit filing fee shall be refundable. (Ord. 2351, § 19, 12/6/2005; Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(d) Inspections.
(1) Prior to approval of any onsite wastewater treatment system permit application, the Health Officer shall conduct a site inspection and review other information as needed to determine the suitability of the site for the proposed system installation. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(2) Periodic inspections may be made by the Health Officer during the installation process. A final inspection of each installation shall be made by the Health Officer prior to the time the system is backfilled or covered. In the event that the Health Officer determines that there has been an improper installation, a stop work order or Notice of Violation may be posted on the job site. No further work may be performed until the Health Officer has determined that the improper installation has been corrected. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(e) Approval.
(1) Design Approval. If the Health Officer finds that the proposed onsite wastewater treatment system conforms to the requirements of this division, regulations issued by the Health Officer, and other relevant state laws, regulations, and policies, he/she shall approve the permit application. Application approval by the Health Officer signifies design approval only. The granting of design approval by the Health Officer shall be made subject to any terms and conditions attached thereto and made a part thereof. Installation of new onsite wastewater treatment systems may commence after the Health Officer has approved the application and after the applicant has obtained a building construction permit from the County Building Official. Installation of repairs to existing systems does not require a building construction permit and may commence after the Health Officer has approved the application. If the onsite wastewater treatment system requires major repair, the permit shall require the entire system to conform as closely as is possible to this division, the regulations issued by the Health Officer, and any other relevant state laws, regulations, and policies. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(2) Construction Approval. The Health Officer shall conduct a final inspection upon completion of the construction of the onsite wastewater treatment system for final approval. This final approval does not guarantee that the system will function satisfactorily. Final approval means only that the system has been installed in a manner consistent with the approved design and the terms and conditions of the permit. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(f) Denial.
(1) The Health Officer shall not approve an application if he/she finds that the proposed onsite wastewater treatment system does not conform to all the requirements of this division, regulations issued by the Health Officer, or other pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and Code sections. The Health Officer shall not approve an application if he/she finds the proposed design inadequate to the sewage demands of the situation or may constitute or result in a public nuisance. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(2) The Health Officer shall give written notice to the applicant of the decision to deny the application. Such notice shall include the reasons for denial. Written notice shall be sent to the applicant by certified mail, return receipt requested. Notice shall be effective upon actual receipt or refusal as shown on the receipt obtained pursuant to the foregoing. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(g) Expiration of Design Approval.
(1) New Construction or Modification Permits. Onsite wastewater treatment system design approvals for new construction or modification shall expire and become null and void if the work authorized thereby has not been completed and passed final inspection within one (1) year following the issuance of the building construction permit by the County Building Official. Prior to the expiration of the one (1) year period, the Health Officer may extend the term of the Design Approval for up to an additional one (1) year period if presented with evidence that the work authorized can reasonably be expected to be completed during the extension period. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(2) Repair and Abandonment Permits. Onsite wastewater treatment system design approvals for repairs and abandonments shall expire and become null and void if the work authorized thereby has not been completed and passed final inspection within one (1) year following the issuance of the design approval by the Health Officer. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(h) Revocation.
(1) Any onsite wastewater treatment system permit or application approval may be revoked or suspended by the Health Officer if he/she determines that a violation of this division or regulations issued by the Health Officer exists; or that the permit or approval was obtained by fraud, misrepresentation, or material omission; or for any other reason that conflicts with state or local laws. Prior to revoking or suspending the permit or approval, the Health Officer must cause written notice to be mailed to the permittee or applicant and the owner of the property. The notice shall specify the violation(s) and the work to be done and shall allow thirty (30) days to complete the work. The notice shall inform the permittee or applicant of the right to an optional informal hearing before the Health Officer. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)
(2) If a permittee or applicant fails to comply with the pre-revocation or pre-suspension notice, the Health Officer shall send to the permittee or applicant and owner of the property a notice of revocation or suspension. The notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. Notice shall be effective upon actual receipt or refusal as shown on the receipt obtained pursuant to the foregoing. The notice shall inform the permittee or applicant of his/her right to file an appeal to the Board of Supervisors as set forth in § 612-3. (Ord. 2584, § 2, 11/7/2017)