Chapter 6.32 SANITARY SEWAGE SYSTEMS

“Cesspool” means an excavation into the earth which is used for the reception of untreated sewage or drainage from plumbing fixtures, together with water used in carriage of said sewage or drainage.

“Chemical toilet” means a watertight, portable, self-contained toilet containing a chemical bactericide or deodorant, or both.

“Construction” means construction, repair, alteration or relocation of a sewage disposal system.

“Department” means the Rancho Cordova health department.

“Drainage system” means and includes all the piping within public or private premises which conveys sewage or other liquid waste to a point of disposal, but does not include the mains or laterals of a public sewerage system.

“Grease interceptor” means a device installed in a sewage waste line to collect grease.

“Health officer” means the city health officer or his authorized representative.

“Leaching pit” means one or more pits extending into a permeable stratum but not into a subterranean water-bearing stratum, filled with cobbles or other similar material, and protected with a concrete cover.

“Lot” means a parcel of land shown upon a subdivision map or a record of survey map or described by metes and bounds and recorded in the office of the county recorder of Sacramento County.

“Permit” means a permit issued by the health department of the city of Rancho Cordova.

“Person” means any person, firm, association, partnership, business trust, organization or corporation.

“Privy” means a structure used as a toilet under a part or all of which is a vault or pit intended or used for the reception of human waste matter.

“Public sanitary sewer” means any sewage disposal system operated and maintained by any municipality, district or public corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of California.

“Septic tank” means a watertight receptacle which receives the discharge of a drainage system or a part thereof which is designed and constructed so as to retain solids, digest organic matter through a period of detention, and allows the liquids to discharge into the soil outside the tank through a subsurface drainage system meeting the requirements of this chapter.

“Septic tank cleaner” means any person or firm carrying on or engaging in the business of the cleaning of septic tanks, chemical toilets, cesspools, sewage seepage pits, grease interceptors, or disposing of the cleanings therefrom, as provided in Section 25000 et seq. of the California Health and Safety Code.

“Sewage disposal” means any septic tank, privy, structure, vault or pit for disposal or treatment of sewage and any drainage system or other type system used for the disposal of sewage.

“Sewer well” means any hole dug or drilled extending into a subterranean water-bearing stratum and is used or intended to be used for the disposal of sewage or any other waste matter. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 608 § 1, 1984; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.020 Connection required.

The drainage system in every building where persons reside, congregate or are employed, which building is available to a public sanitary sewer, as determined by the city public works department, shall immediately connect to such sewer when there is an existing violation of any provision of this chapter. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.030 Sewage disposal means required.

It is unlawful to maintain or use any residence, place of business or other building or place where persons reside, congregate or are employed which is not provided with a means for the disposal of sewage which complies with the provisions of this chapter or with the rules and regulations relating to sewage disposal made and established by the health officer. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.040 Bond requirements.

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to carry on, contract to perform or engage in the business of constructing, altering, relocating or repairing sewage disposal systems for places of business or human habitation, without first posting a bond of $2,500. The bond may be in the form of cash, or a surety bond issued by a surety company acceptable to the department that is willing and able to guarantee faithful performance on the part of the applicant by the issuance of a corporate surety bond. The cash or surety bond must name the city of Rancho Cordova as obligee and must guarantee workmanship to the satisfaction of the city for one year after completion of the job as a whole, or such severable unit thereof as is expressly approved by the department. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.050 Permit required.

No person shall construct, alter or relocate a sewage disposal system in the city of Rancho Cordova without first having obtained a permit from the department. If such disposal system is to be constructed in connection with a new building, the permit therefor shall be obtained prior to the commencement of construction of such new building. [Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(A)); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.060 Permit application.

Any person desiring to secure a permit or approval required by this chapter shall file an application therefor with the department, on such forms as the department shall require. A fee of $25.00 shall be paid to the department on filing an application for a permit, as required by this chapter, to defray costs of administration and inspection. The application fee is not refundable or otherwise transferable. The application shall contain such information as the city health officer shall prescribe. The department must grant, conditionally grant, or deny an application for a permit within five working days after the application is filed. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.070 Reasons for denial of permit.

No permit shall be issued by the health officer for the construction, addition to, alteration or modification of any septic tank, sewage treatment works, excavation, sewer pipes or conduits or other means for the disposal, common treatment or discharge of sewage if the means or proposed means will permit any of the following conditions:

A. The escape of any unpleasant or noxious odors, vapors or gases;

B. The ingress and egress of flies, other insects, rodents or animals;

C. The discharge of sewage or the discharge of effluent from the sewage disposal system to empty, flow, seep, drain or condense into or otherwise pollute any stream, river, lake, reservoir, tributary or aquifer;

D. A condition which will be offensive, dangerous or injurious to health. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.080 Notice of completion.

Upon the completion of a sewage disposal system by an applicant to whom a permit has been issued, the department shall be notified forthwith of such fact by phone or in writing. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.090 Inspection.

The department may make such investigation and inspection after notice of completion as may be necessary to determine compliance with the permit conditions. It shall issue a notice of inspection prior to the time that the said work is covered, concealed or put in use. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.100 Changes ordered by health officer.

The city health officer may order reasonable changes in the method, means, manner and place for the disposal, treatment or discharge of sewage, in order that the same shall not constitute a menace to the health of human beings, animals, or be a public nuisance. The orders of the city health officer shall designate the period within which such changes are to be made. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.110 Conditions of construction.

No person shall construct, excavate or maintain any septic tank, sewage treatment works, sewer pipes, conduits, or other structures for the treatment or discharge of sewage or impure waters or substances offensive, injurious or dangerous to health, whereby they shall overflow lands, empty, flow, seep, drain or condense into or otherwise pollute any stream, river, lake, tributary or subterranean or other waters, except where the person is complying with established requirements of the Water Quality Control Board of the state of California. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.120 Special permits.

Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the city health officer may grant special permits allowing for variances from the provisions of this chapter when practicable difficulties and unnecessary hardships exist in the way of strict enforcement of this chapter, and when the general purpose and intent of this chapter can be carried out by the variance. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.130 Health officer rules.

A. For the purpose of carrying the intent of this chapter into effect, the health officer shall have the power to adopt, repeal and amend uniform and reasonable rules establishing requirements not in conflict with this chapter or the laws of the state of California. Such rules or the repeal or amendment thereof shall be filed with the clerk of the city council, and shall not be effective until 30 days after the date of such filing.

B. In order that septic tanks and drains for the disposal of the tank effluent shall not be offensive, injurious or dangerous to health, such rules shall include requirements regarding the size, materials used, location and manner of construction of all septic tanks and drains for the disposal of the tank effluent. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.140 Construction site requirements.

Every person, firm or corporation engaged in doing construction or remodeling work of any kind within the city of Rancho Cordova which employs men to do work for them, and where no sewer connection is available, shall provide a temporary sanitary chemical toilet for each 20 men or fractional part thereof working at each job site. Every sanitary chemical toilet shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and shall be maintained and operated in accordance with the rules and regulations as approved by the health officer of the city. [Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(A)); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.150 Enforcement – Liability.

This chapter shall not be construed as imposing upon the city of Rancho Cordova any liability or responsibility for damage resulting from the defective design, construction, alteration or relocation of any sewage disposal system, nor shall the city of Rancho Cordova or any official or employee thereof be held as assuming any such liability or responsibility by reason of any inspection authorized or permit issued hereunder. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.160 Violation – Public nuisance.

A. Any installation made in violation of the terms of this chapter and standards established, as provided for herein, is hereby determined to constitute a public nuisance, and its maintenance and operation may be abated through appropriate legal action.

B. All sewer wells, pit privys and cesspools are declared a public nuisance. It is unlawful to drill, construct, maintain or to operate a sewer well, pit privy, or cesspool, and such an offense shall constitute an infraction. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 576 § 3, 1983].

6.32.170 Sewage connection fund.

A. General. The city council shall establish a special revolving fund to be designated as the sewage connection fund. Payments shall be made out of the fund upon the demand of the director of public works to defray the costs and expenses which may be incurred by the city in doing or causing to be done the necessary work for sewage connections.

B. Maintenance of Fund. The city council may at any time transfer to the sewage connection fund, out of any money in the general fund of the city, such sums as it may deem necessary in order to expedite the performance of sewage connections, and any sum so transferred shall be deemed a loan to the sewage connection fund and shall be repaid out of the proceeds of the collections hereinafter provided for. All funds collected under the proceedings hereinafter provided for shall be paid to the finance director, who shall credit the same to the sewage connection fund. [Revised during 2008 codification; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.180 Notice.

Before performing any work which is to be charged against the sewage connection fund, the health officer shall serve written notice upon the owner or reputed owner of the land upon which there is a single-family or duplex dwelling that the owner or reputed owner is in violation of any provision of this chapter, and the notice may order the owner or reputed owner to make proper connection with a public sewage system not later than 30 days after receipt of notice. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.190 Enforcement.

A. The health officer having given written notice pursuant to RCMC 6.32.180, and the owner or reputed owner having refused, neglected, or failed to make proper connection with a public sewage system within 30 days, the health officer may request the director of public works, or his designee, to make the necessary connection with a public sewage system.

B. The costs of the connection incurred by the department of public works shall be paid from the sewage connection fund and may be made a special assessment against the property involved. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.200 Costs.

The amount of costs of work done pursuant to RCMC 6.32.190, and administrative expenses incurred incident to the proceedings, together with other charges uniformly applicable within the jurisdiction of the governing authority for the connection of the premises to the public sewage system, may be a special assessment against the property. The director of public works, or his designee, shall notify the owner or reputed owner of the property of such assessment resulting from such work. Within five days of receipt of such notice any party may file with the director a written request for specification of costs, and within 30 days of receipt of the specifications may file with the city council a request for a hearing on the correctness or reasonableness, or both, of such assessment. Any party concerned who did not receive notice pursuant to RCMC 6.32.180 and who has not had a hearing on the necessity of the work in the request for hearing also may ask that the necessity be reviewed. Any request for review or appeal may be heard in accordance with RCMC 6.32.230. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.210 Assessment.

If the total assessment determined as provided in RCMC 6.32.200 is not paid in full within 30 days after receipt of notice from the director of public works, the director shall record in the office of the county recorder a statement of the total balance due and a legal description of the property. From the date of such recording, the balance due shall be a special assessment against the described property. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.220 Collection of assessment.

The assessment shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ordinary ad valorem county taxes are collected, and shall be subject to the penalties and the same procedure and sale in case of delinquency as provided for county ad valorem taxes. All laws applicable to the levy, collection, enforcement and penalties of county ad valorem taxes shall be applicable to such assessment. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.230 Appeal.

A. Any person whose application for a permit has been denied by the department may, within 30 days after the date of such denial, appeal therefrom in writing to the city council of Rancho Cordova. The appeal shall be heard by the city council within 10 days after the date the appeal is filed with the council and the council shall affirm, modify or overrule the denial of such permit.

B. Any person whose property is subject to a special assessment, pursuant to the provisions of RCMC 6.32.200, may, within 30 days of receipt of the specification of costs made pursuant to RCMC 6.32.200, file a written request with the city council to appeal the correctness or reasonableness, or both, of such special assessment. The appeal shall be heard by the city council within 10 days after the date the appeal is filed with the council, and the council shall affirm, modify or overrule the special assessment. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 247 § 2 (part), 1976].

6.32.240 Septic tank cleaners – Registration – Fee – Disposal of cleanings.

No person shall act within the jurisdiction of the health officer as a septic tank cleaner without first obtaining and holding an unrevoked registration therefor as required by Section 25001 of the California Health and Safety Code. The fee for such registration shall be established and revised from time to time by resolution of the city council and may include a component calculated by the district engineer of the Sacramento Regional Sanitation District as the amount necessary to defray the cost of treatment and disposal of the cleanings. No person shall dispose of such cleanings within the city of Rancho Cordova except at such points and according to such procedures as have been designated in writing by the said district engineer and the health officer. [Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(A)); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 608 § 2, 1984].