Chapter 5.28
SEWAGE SYSTEM INSTALLERS
Sections:
5.28.020 Applicability of provisions.
5.28.030 License – Required when.
5.28.040 License – Issuance prerequisites – Bond.
5.28.050 License – Fee – Period of validity – Renewal requirements – Not required when.
5.28.060 License – Suspension or revocation – Grounds and procedure – Appeals.
5.28.070 License – Nontranferability.
5.28.080 Licensee – Notification of address change required when.
5.28.090 Damages by failure of installer to perform – Legal remedies.
5.28.100 Licensee – Permit of self-inspection granted when – Conditions.
5.28.110 Enforcement authority.
5.28.120 Violation deemed misdemeanor – Penalty.
5.28.010 Definitions.
The following shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
A. “Health department” means the Skagit County health department;
B. “Health officer” means the duly appointed health officer of Skagit County or his duly authorized representative;
C. “Individual sewage disposal system” means septic tank, grease trap, leaching pit, surface and subsurface disposal fields or filter beds and appurtenances, or any approved device designed for disposal of sewage other than public sewers;
D. “Installer” means any person engaged for hire to excavate land for an individual septic sewage disposal system, to install, to alter, and/or to repair an individual sewage disposal system;
E. “Installer’s license” means a license granted by Skagit County to installers, or a license issued by the city of Mount Vernon;
F. “Person” means an individual, whether of a firm, a trusteeship, a corporation or an association. (Ord. 1453 § 2, 1964).
5.28.020 Applicability of provisions.
Provisions of this chapter shall apply to all territories lying within the limits of the city. (Ord. 1453 § 1, 1964).
5.28.030 License – Required when.
It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of installation, alteration and/or repair of individual sewage disposal systems, without possessing a valid installer’s license; provided, that an installer’s license shall not be required of any owner installing or repairing an individual sewage disposal system upon his own property for his own residential occupancy. (Ord. 1453 § 3, 1964).
5.28.040 License – Issuance prerequisites – Bond.
Before an installer’s license shall be issued:
A. The applicant shall submit in legible form to the health officer his completed and properly signed application accompanied by the required fee made payable to the city;
B. The applicant shall pass the installer’s examination or otherwise demonstrate to the health officer sufficient knowledge of principles of sanitation and the rules and regulations governing individual sewage disposal systems in Skagit County;
C. The applicant shall deliver to the Skagit County health officer a bond:
1. In the form approved by both the health officer and the prosecuting attorney,
2. In the sum of $1,000, executed by a surety company duly authorized to do business in the state of Washington, or by two good and sufficient guarantors not connected in business with the applicant and approved by the health officer, and
3. Conditioned that the said registered installer and his agents in performing the work governed by this chapter shall exercise all reasonable care and skill and shall fully comply with all provisions of this chapter. The initial bond may be continued in effect thereafter by delivery of the yearly continuation certificate furnished by the bonding company or guarantors. (Ord. 1453 § 4, 1964).
5.28.050 License – Fee – Period of validity – Renewal requirements – Not required when.
Each installer’s license as required under this chapter shall be issued for the calendar year. The license fee shall be $50.00 for the first calendar year, and the renewal fee shall be $10.00 per consecutive calendar year. All license renewal applications, accompanied by the required bond and renewal fee, shall be submitted to the Skagit County health department by December 15th. Any person holding a current and valid installer’s license issued by Skagit County, Washington, shall be exempt from payment of installer’s license fees required by this chapter.
All applications for installer’s licenses shall be made upon forms provided by the Skagit County health department. (Ord. 1453 § 5, 1964).
5.28.060 License – Suspension or revocation – Grounds and procedure – Appeals.
An installer’s license may be suspended or revoked for misrepresentation in giving false information, or for failure to comply with the rules and regulations governing individual sewage disposal systems in Skagit County or the provisions of this chapter.
Suspension and/or revocation of a license shall be carried out as follows: The health officer shall notify by person, telephone or mail as to the deficiencies and/or violations of each installation disapproved. If after 48 hours, except for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the licensee fails to advise the health office of his plan to correct the deficiencies or violations, the health officer shall then confirm the notification by registered mail to the latest reported address of the installer’s business or residence and giving an opportunity within eight days for a hearing before the health officer; 10 days from the date of receipt of this notification, the health officer shall suspend or revoke the license unless, within this 10-day period, the licensee has given in writing satisfactory reason for not suspending or revoking his license. Said revocation may be further appealed to the city council of Mount Vernon. (Ord. 1453 § 6, 1964).
5.28.070 License – Nontranferability.
An installer’s license is not transferable. (Ord. 1453 § 7, 1964).
5.28.080 Licensee – Notification of address change required when.
Any person having been issued an installer’s license is required to notify the health officer in writing within four days, of any change in his business address and/or of his home address. (Ord. 1453 § 8, 1964).
5.28.090 Damages by failure of installer to perform – Legal remedies.
Any person who may be damaged by failure of a licensed installer to install, alter or repair any individual sewage disposal system as required under the rules and regulations of the Skagit County board of health, shall in addition to other legal remedies have a right of legal action in his own name on the bond as required under this chapter and for an amount not exceeding $1,000. (Ord. 1453 § 9, 1964).
5.28.100 Licensee – Permit of self-inspection granted when – Conditions.
Pursuant to this chapter, the health officer may at his discretion, grant to a licensed installer, without charge, a permit of self-inspection. The conditions of such permit continuation, the limits of such permit authorization, as well as the nullification of such a permit, shall be at the discretion and direction of the health officer. (Ord. 1453 § 10, 1964).
5.28.110 Enforcement authority.
It shall be the duty of the Skagit County health officer to enforce the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1453 § 11, 1964).
5.28.120 Violation deemed misdemeanor – Penalty.
Any person found guilty of willful violation of this chapter is deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the provisions of MVMC 1.20.010. (Ord. 1453 § 12, 1964).