Chapter 7.42
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT FEES

Sections:

7.42.010    Title.

7.42.020    Purpose.

7.42.030    Hourly rate.

7.42.040    Basis for fees.

7.42.050    Retail food facilities.

7.42.060    Water.

7.42.070    Recreation.

7.42.080    Housing and institutions.

7.42.090    Solid waste.

7.42.100    Liquid waste.

7.42.110    Wells.

7.42.120    Land development.

7.42.130    Unified permits--CUPA.

7.42.140    Body art.

7.42.150    Complaint investigations.

7.42.160    Administrative fees.

7.42.170    Emergency incident response.

7.42.180    State surcharge for CUPA program elements.

7.42.190    Permit or license--Denial, suspension, revocation.

7.42.200    Nontransferability.

7.42.210    Collection.

7.42.010 Title.

This chapter shall be known as the environmental health department fee ordinance.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.020 Purpose.

The provisions of this chapter establishing fees associated with environmental health services are enacted pursuant to the provisions of the California Health and Safety Code, Sections 101325 and 101280; California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100), Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 25280), Chapter 6.95 (commencing with Section 25500) and Chapter 6.11 (commencing with Section 25404); California Water Code (commencing with Section 13700), and California Constitution, Article XI, Section 7.

Fees are necessary as a source of revenue to defray the costs of personnel, materials, support services, and other costs incurred by the county in conducting the regulatory programs established by state and local laws and regulations.  The costs incurred by the county for the majority of such regulatory purposes are not met by any grants by the state of California.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.030 Hourly rate.

The term "hourly rate" refers to the rate used to calculate the majority of program fees.  The rate is calculated using methodologies approved by the Amador County board of supervisors and the Amador County auditor’s office.  The board of supervisors establishes that the hourly rate for environmental health department services shall be ninety-six dollars.  The board may increase or decrease the hourly rate by ordinance revision at any time if it determines that there has been a significant change in program or departmental costs.  The hourly rate shall be reviewed and, if necessary, revised no less frequently than once every three years.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.040 Basis for fees.

Fees are based on the expected time and materials required to conduct inspections, review plans, program administration, or processing the necessary information for the normal maintenance of records and issuance of those permits or registrations, or other services rendered by the environmental health department.  Unusual circumstances requiring additional staff time in excess of that budgeted for the adopted fee shall require payment of additional fees to be levied by the department at the hourly rate, based on one-half hour increments, at the time the service is rendered.  Cost recovery for materials or services required above and beyond standard forms, tests, laboratory services, etc., will be charged to the permittee, registrant, or responsible party and shall be due and payable within thirty days of the invoice date.  Specific fee amounts are itemized in Sections 7.42.050 through 7.42.160, inclusive.  Established fees shall be reviewed for revision no less frequently than every three years.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.050 Retail food facilities.

A.    Bed and breakfast:  one hundred sixty-eight dollars.

B.    Restaurant.

1.    One to twenty seats:  one hundred sixty-eight dollars.

2.    Twenty-one to fifty seats:  two hundred six dollars.

3.    Fifty-one to one hundred seats:  two hundred fifty-five dollars.

4.    One hundred one plus seats:  three hundred fifty-one dollars.

5.    Plus bar:  sixty-three dollars additional.

C.    Bar only:  one hundred twenty-eight dollars.

D.    Temporary food facility:  ninety-six dollars.  Fee reduced to thirty-two dollars per facility at an event where ten or more facilities are planned at least fourteen days in advance.

E.    Retail Markets.

1.    Liquor/convenience store (prepackaged, no food preparation):  one hundred fifteen dollars.

2.    Under one thousand square feet:  one hundred fifty-nine dollars.

3.    One thousand to five thousand square feet:  two hundred eighty-eight dollars.

4.    Five thousand one plus square feet:  three hundred eighty-four dollars.

5.    Each additional food prep site within market add:  sixty-three dollars.

F.    Bakery.

1.    Under one thousand square feet:  two hundred forty dollars.

2.    One thousand plus square feet:  two hundred eighty-eight dollars.

G.    Catering:  one hundred sixty-eight dollars.

H.    Meat market:  two hundred forty dollars.

I.    Produce stand:  one hundred forty-four dollars.

J.    Mobile or stationary/mobile food prep unit:  one hundred fifty-nine dollars.

K.    Mobile food facility:  one hundred twenty dollars.

L.    Commissary:  forty-eight dollars additional.

M.    Plan review and pre-opening inspections:  deposit equal to twice the annual permit fee.  Additional time to be billed at ninety-six dollars per hour.

N.    Private school food prep kitchen:  one hundred fifty-nine dollars.

O.    Private school satellite kitchen:  ninety-six dollars.

P.    Public school food prep kitchen:  two hundred fifty-five dollars.

Q.    Public school satellite kitchen:  one hundred ninety-two dollars.

R.    Vending machine--potentially hazardous food:  forty-eight dollars/unit.

S.    CURFFL water system:  ninety-six dollars additional.

Annual fees are reduced fifty percent for those facilities opening on or after July 1st.

Reduced fee does not apply to businesses closing prior to July 1st.  Penalty for operating without valid permit is three times the normal permit fee per Health and Safety Code Section 113923.  (Ord. 1669 §2(part), 2007).

7.42.060 Water.¹

A.    Community system--one hundred plus service connections:  six hundred sixty dollars (15.5 hours).

B.    Community system--twenty-five to ninety-nine service connections:  five hundred twenty-eight dollars (11.9 hours).

C.    Community system--fifteen to twenty-four service connections:  three hundred thirty dollars (11.5 hours).

D.    Nontransient, noncommunity:  four hundred sixty-two dollars (7.5 hours).

E.    Noncommunity (without additional permitted facilities):  one hundred ninety-eight dollars (8.33 hours).

F.    Noncommunity (with additional permitted facilities):  one hundred thirty-two dollars (3.2 hours).

G.    State small water system:  one hundred dollars (3.2 hours).

H.    Water system plan check--one hour minimum:  ninety-six dollars per hour.  (Ord. 1669 §2(part), 2007).

7.42.070 Recreation.

A.    Public pool:  one hundred forty-four dollars.

B.    Each additional pool or spa at same location:  ninety-six dollars.

C.    Public spa:  one hundred twenty-eight dollars.

D.    Beach/freshwater bathing place:  one hundred forty-four dollars.

E.    Private pool site inspection and clearance:  sixty-three dollars.

F.    Public pool plan check and construction inspections:  deposit of three hundred eighty-four dollars--time required beyond four hours to be billed at ninety-six dollars per hour.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.080 Housing and institutions.

A.    Detention facility--approximately eight hours/year:  no charge.

B.    Organized camp (includes noncommunity water system):  six hundred nine dollars.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.090 Solid waste.

A.    Active Landfill.

1.    Permitting:  deposit of nine hundred sixty dollars‑-time beyond ten hours to be billed at ninety-six dollars per hour.

2.    Annual fee:  two thousand three hundred four dollars.

B.    Closed landfill--annual fee (post 1987):  one thousand seven hundred twenty-eight dollars.

C.    Transfer station--annual fee:  one thousand one hundred fifty-two dollars.

D.    Truck inspection--annual license fee:  sixty-three dollars.

E.    Other regulated solid waste facilities:  deposit of three hundred eighty-four dollars--time beyond four hours per year to be billed at ninety-six dollars per hour.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.100 Liquid waste.

A.    Septic tank pumper:  one hundred ninety-two dollars per truck.

B.    Chemical toilet company:  one hundred twenty-eight dollars.

C.    Sewage Disposal.

1.    Septic System Application.

a.    New construction:  ninety-six dollars.

b.    Repair/replacement:  sixty-three dollars.

2.    Site investigation (soil profiles):  one hundred forty-four dollars.

3.    Plan review deposit--three hours:  two hundred eighty-eight dollars.

4.    Engineering consultation:  flat rate--at current rate of service.

a.    Expedited review:  flat rate--at current rate of service.

5.    Septic System Permit.

a.    Conventional:  one hundred twenty-eight dollars.

b.    Nonengineered with pump station:  one hundred ninety-two dollars.

c.    Engineered--nonalternative:  two hundred fifty-five dollars.

d.    Alternative:  five hundred seventy-six dollars.

e.    Tank set or destruction only:  ninety-six dollars.

f.    Reinspection:  ninety-six dollars per hour--one-half hour increments.

6.    Permit Renewal/Reactivation.

a.    Conventional:  ninety-six dollars.

b.    Engineered:  one hundred forty-four dollars.

D.    Holding tank use permit:  one hundred ninety-two dollars.

E.    Alternative system monitoring--CSA No. 6 (new enrollees only):  two hundred eleven dollars.

F.    Winter groundwater monitoring:  one hundred ninety-two dollars.

G.    Mortgage inspection--septic system:  one hundred forty-four dollars.

H.    Gray Water System.

1.    Application:  seventy-seven dollars.

2.    Site investigation:  one hundred forty-four dollars.

3.    Permit:  one hundred ninety-two dollars.

I.    Penalty for construction without permit is a minimum of two hours investigation, one hundred ninety-two dollars, in addition to any application, site review, permit, or other fees.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.110 Wells.

A.    Individual water supply well permit:  two hundred eighty-eight dollars.

B.    Well deepening permit:  one hundred forty-four dollars.

C.    Lab fee:  at current cost.

D.    Monitoring well permit:  two hundred eleven dollars.

E.    Soil boring permit (groundwater anticipated):  ninety-six dollars.

F.    Ground Source Heat Pump.

1.    First well:  two hundred eleven dollars.

2.    Additional wells:  sixty-three dollars each.

G.    Well destruction permit:  one hundred twenty dollars.

H.    Mortgage inspection--water:  ninety-six dollars plus lab fee.

I.    Penalty for construction without permit is minimum two hours investigation time, one hundred ninety-two dollars, in addition to any other applicable fees.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.120 Land development.

A.    Land Divisions.

1.    Water Supply.

a.    Connecting to existing public water system:  six dollars, forty cents per parcel.

b.    Proposing new public water system:  twelve dollars, eighty cents per parcel.

c.    Individual wells:  thirty-two dollars per parcel.

2.    Sewage Disposal.

a.    Connecting to existing public sewer:  six dollars, forty cents per parcel.

b.    Proposing new public sewage system:  nineteen dollars, twenty cents per parcel.

c.    On-site sewage systems:  two hundred fifty-six dollars per parcel.  Includes application and site review for each undeveloped parcel.

d.    Developed parcels (on-site):  nineteen dollars, twenty cents per parcel.

B.    Zone change and/or general plan amendment:  one hundred forty-four dollars.

C.    Conditional use permit:  one hundred ninety-two dollars.

D.    CEQA Review and Comment.

1.    Negative declaration:  ninety-six dollars.

2.    Environmental impact report:  three hundred eighty-four dollars deposit for up to four hours review and comment.

E.    Boundary line adjustment:  two hundred forty dollars per parcel to be investigated.  Includes sewage disposal application and site investigation.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.130 Unified permits--CUPA.

A.    Hazardous Materials Business Plan.

1.    Large businesses:  four hundred eighty dollars.

2.    Small businesses:  two hundred eighty-eight dollars.

3.    Fuel storage only:  one hundred forty-four dollars.

4.    State surcharge:  at cost.

B.    CAL-ARP.

1.    Initial review:  five hundred seventy-six dollars.

2.    Annual:  two hundred eighty-eight dollars.

3.    State surcharge:  at cost.

C.    Underground Storage Tanks.

1.    Plan check--new installation:  two hundred eighty-eight dollars for up to three hours review and comment.

2.    Annual fee--first tank:  two hundred twenty-four dollars.

3.    Additional tanks:  one hundred twenty-eight dollars each.

4.    Tank or Piping Alterations.

a.    Plan review:  two hundred eighty-eight dollars for three hours.

b.    Inspections:  ninety-six dollars per hour.

5.    Tank closure permit:  three hundred twenty dollars.

6.    Temporary closure permit:  two hundred twenty-four dollars.

7.    State surcharge:  at cost.

D.    Hazardous Waste Generators.

1.    Conditionally exempt:  ninety-six dollars.

2.    Small quantity:  one hundred ninety-two dollars.

3.    Large quantity:  three hundred eighty-four dollars.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.140 Body art.

A.    Facility permit:  one hundred forty-four dollars.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.150 Complaint investigations.

A.    Vector, Solid Waste, Housing, and Other Nuisance Complaints.

1.    Initial investigation, first contact, and first follow-up inspection:  no charge.

2.    Additional follow-up visits:  ninety-six dollars per hour--one hour minimum--one-half hour increments.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.160 Administrative fees.

A.    Record Search.

1.    Single file or document:  no charge.

2.    Multiple files or documents:  six dollars.

B.    Office consultation (requiring more than ten minutes):  ninety-six dollars per hour--one-half hour increments.

C.    Copies--up to five copies at no charge--eleven-inch by seventeen-inch maximum:  twenty-five cents per page.

D.    Administrative/appeal hearing:  one hundred ninety-two dollars.

E.    Late payment of annual permit fees (ninety plus days):  fifty percent of annual fee.

F.    Returned check fee:  twenty-five dollars.

G.    Fee refund request processing charge:  thirty dollars.

H.    Replacement permit:  twenty-four dollars.

I.    Requested inspections not otherwise identified are to be billed at cost for materials and third-party services, and ninety-six dollars per hour for staff time.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.170 Emergency incident response.

Costs incurred by the director for services provided in the event of a response to hazardous material release, threatened release, or other emergency response incident based on the current hourly rate established pursuant to Section 7.42.030 shall be reimbursed by the responsible party for each hour expended or portion thereof per responding environmental health department staff member, plus contractor, laboratory, and materials costs, if any, to mitigate the incident.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2004).

7.42.180 State surcharge for CUPA program elements.

For all facilities which fall under one or more CUPA oversight program elements, the applicable state surcharge in the amount prescribed by or pursuant to law shall be collected in addition to fees established pursuant to this chapter.  The state surcharge fees shall be established by the state of California.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.190 Permit or license--Denial, suspension, revocation.

Except as prohibited by federal or state law or regulation, or local ordinance or regulation, the director shall be authorized to deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any permit or license to any party or responsible parties wherein any license, permit, or program cost recovery fees are unpaid and delinquent pursuant to this chapter.  Any decision of the director to deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any permit or license may be appealed to the hearing authority pursuant to procedures adopted by the director.  Any such appeal shall be in writing, shall state the specific reasons therefor and grounds asserted for relief, and shall be filed with the director not later than fifteen days after the date of service of any such decision.  If an appeal is not filed within the time or in the manner prescribed above, the right to review shall be deemed to have been waived.  "Hearing authority" shall be deemed to refer to the land use and community development committee unless or until another body is appointed this duty by the Amador County board of supervisors.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.200 Nontransferability.

Unless specific provision to the contrary is found in law, permits or registrations issued by this office for programs addressed by this chapter may not be transferred to successors in interest.  Exceptions to this section include permits for individual on-site wastewater systems and individual water supply wells.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

7.42.210 Collection.

The department shall be responsible for initial notification and collection of all fees prescribed by this chapter.  Fees over ninety days in arrears may be referred to the Amador County collections department for further action.  Additional costs which may arise in the collection process are not the responsibility of the department.  (Ord. 1648 §2(part), 2006).

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    Water program annual fees will increase by twenty percent per annum until cost recovery target is reached.  Hours listed reflect current average annual time demand by class of water system.