Chapter 13.10
DESIGN, INSTALLATION AND REPAIR
OF DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
Sections:
13.10.020 Chapter not retroactive.
13.10.030 Designer’s certificate.
13.10.040 Installer’s certificate.
13.10.060 Mobile home and recreational vehicle park inspection fee.
13.10.070 Where private sewage disposal systems required.
13.10.080 Location of systems.
13.10.100 Installation and alteration.
13.10.120 Approval or disapproval of system – Notice.
13.10.130 Maintenance of system.
13.10.140 Sewage disposal technical advisory committee.
13.10.010 Definitions.
Certain words and phrases in this chapter, unless otherwise clearly indicated by their context, mean as follows:
A. “Approved” means approved in writing by the director of public health.
B. “Director of public health” means the director of the Seattle-King County department of public health or his authorized representative.
C. “Sanitary drainage system” means the piping which conveys sewage from plumbing fixtures to a public sewer or private sewage disposal system.
D. “Sewage” means any liquid or liquid-borne waste from the ordinary living processes, or liquid or liquid-borne waste which contains animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, or liquid or liquid-borne waste which may contain chemical in solution, and which may be lawfully discharged into a public sanitary sewer.
E. “Sewage disposal system” means sanitary drainage systems, septic tanks, leaching pits, surface and subsurface leaching filter beds, and appurtenances, or other approved facilities for the disposal of sewage by means other than through a public sewer.
F. “Repair” means the replacement, addition, or alteration of a septic tank, distribution box, tight line, or other appurtenances to an existing individual sewage disposal system, and including any replacement, addition, or alteration to a subsurface disposal field where at least a portion of the original subsurface disposal field is used. In those instances where no portion of the existing drainfield or septic system is to be used, it will be considered the same as a new system and will require a design.
G. “Resident owner or intended resident owner” means a person who constructs not more than one residence in any one year for his own occupancy. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.010).]
13.10.020 Chapter not retroactive.
This chapter shall not apply to any work on a sewage disposal system for which a permit had been issued by the director of public health, and which permit was valid and existing at the time of adoption of the ordinance codified herein, but any such work shall be subject to applicable resolutions existing at the time such permit was issued. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.020).]
13.10.030 Designer’s certificate.
A. It is unlawful to engage in business as a sewage disposal system designer without a currently valid sewage disposal system designer’s certificate of competency, as provided for in this chapter, or a currently valid State of Washington sanitary or civil engineer’s license.
B. The fee for a sewage disposal system designer’s certificate of competency shall be $50.00 per year.
C. The fee for the sewage disposal system designer’s examination shall be $25.00, payable in advance and not refundable. Separate, special examinations shall be given to those licensed designers desiring to design dosing systems and/or prepare subdivision reports. The fees for these additional examinations shall be $10.00 each, payable in advance and not refundable.
D. The director of public health may suspend or revoke any sewage disposal system designer’s certificate of competency for incompetency, negligence, misrepresentation, or failure to comply with this chapter or the rules and regulations of the director of public health adopted pursuant to this chapter. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.030).]
13.10.040 Installer’s certificate.
A. It is unlawful to engage in business as a sewage disposal system installer without a currently valid sewage disposal system installer’s certificate of competency.
B. The fee for a sewage disposal system installer’s certificate of competency shall be $100.00 per year.
C. Prior to the issuance of a commercial installer’s certificate of competency, the applicant must provide a surety bond approved as to form by the City of Kenmore prosecuting attorney in the sum of $1,000 running to the City of Kenmore, Washington, executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Washington. The bond shall be conditioned that the holder of the certificate of competency and his agents in performing work governed by the ordinance shall exercise all reasonable care and skill and shall fully comply with all provisions of this chapter pertaining to sewage disposal.
D. Application for a sewage disposal system installer’s certificate of competency shall be made to the director of public health, who may examine the applicant, and may deny the application if in his judgment the applicant is not qualified to install sewage disposal systems.
E. The director of public health may suspend or revoke any sewage disposal system installer’s certificate of competency for incompetency, negligence, misrepresentation, or failure to comply with this chapter or the rules and regulations of the director of public health adopted pursuant to the ordinance codified in this chapter.
F. Sewage disposal system installer’s certificates of competency shall expire December 31st of each year. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.040).]
13.10.050 Permits.
A. It is unlawful to construct, install, repair or alter a sewage disposal system without a sewage disposal system permit. Such permit shall be posted on the building or premises where the work permitted is being done, before the work is begun, and unless revoked shall not be removed until such work has been finally approved by the director of public health.
B. The fee for a sewage disposal system permit shall be $15.00 for such system serving a single-family residence, or $25.00 for any other such system.
C. Application for a sewage disposal system permit shall be made to the director of public health, who may deny the application if in his judgment the physical features of property on which it is proposed to locate the sewage disposal system, or the design of the proposed sewage disposal system, are not adequate for safe operation of such system.
D. Application for a sewage disposal system permit shall be supported by the following:
1. A completely dimensioned plot plan, drawn to scale, showing direction of surface drainage, approximate slope, and other topographical features relevant to the design and installation of an adequate and efficient sewage disposal system.
2. Construction plans and specifications.
3. A log of soil formation and groundwater level as determined by test holes in the proposed disposal field.
4. A statement of absorption characteristics of the soil as determined by percolation tests made in the proposed disposal field.
5. Such other information as the director of public health may require.
Provided, however, that subsection (D)(1) through (D)(4) of this section are not applicable when application is made for a sewage disposal permit for repairs to an existing system.
E. Sewage disposal system permits shall expire one year from date of issue. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.050).]
13.10.060 Mobile home and recreational vehicle park inspection fee.
An annual fee shall be charged by the Seattle-King County health department for inspection of mobile home parks and recreational vehicle parks, based on the following schedule:
|
Spaces
|
Fee
|
|---|---|
|
Two to 10 mobile homes or recreational vehicle spaces, inclusively |
$50.00 per year |
|
For each additional space over 10 |
$2.50 per year |
[Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.055).]
13.10.070 Where private sewage disposal systems required.
Every plumbing fixture and every sanitary drainage system not connected to a public sewer, or not required by law to be connected to a public sewer, shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.060).]
13.10.080 Location of systems.
In the urban growth area, no new on-site sewage systems shall be allowed. New on-site sewage systems may be installed as a permanent system on lots located in rural and resource areas of the City of Kenmore. On-site sewage systems shall be located on the same lot as the buildings they are designed to serve, or may be approved by the director of public health on another property if an easement is obtained and recorded. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.070).]
13.10.090 Design of systems.
A. Sewage disposal systems shall be designed by a sewage disposal systems designer, certificated as provided in this chapter, or by a sanitary or civil engineer licensed by the State of Washington, except that a resident owner, or intended resident owner, may personally design a system for his own single-family residence, provided he designs not more than one system in any one calendar year. The fee for plan review of the design shall be $10.00.
B. Design of sewage disposal systems shall be such as to accommodate all sewage from the buildings and premises to be served, and in accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the director of public health adopted pursuant to this chapter. The type of system shall be determined by location, soil porosity, groundwater level and other relevant conditions.
C. After the plumbing stub-out has been installed and prior to the installation of the sewage disposal system, the designer shall inspect the site to determine compatibility with his original design criteria. Before an installation permit will be issued, the health department shall be notified by the designer that the preinstallation inspection is acceptable. In the event the sewage disposal system must be installed prior to construction of the building, waiver of the plumbing stub-out requirement may be made. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.080).]
13.10.100 Installation and alteration.
A. Sewage disposal systems shall be constructed, installed or repaired only by a sewage disposal system installer, certificated as provided in this chapter, except that a resident owner, or intended resident owner, may personally construct, install or repair a system for his own single-family residence, provided he constructs not more than one system in any one calendar year.
B. Construction, installation or repair of sewage disposal systems shall be such as to accommodate all sewage from the buildings and premises to be served, and in accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the director of public health adopted pursuant to the ordinance codified herein. No down-spout or footing drain shall be directly or indirectly connected to a sewage disposal system except when on-site systems are no longer used for sewage disposal upon connection to public sewers. Down-spouts must be connected directly to the drainfield unless the septic tank is cleaned out prior to connection. Sewage disposal systems shall be so constructed and installed that surface water or groundwater will not interfere with the operation of such system. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.090).]
13.10.110 Inspection.
A. Any work done on a sewage disposal system, and any material used, may be inspected by the director of public health at any reasonable time, and if he shall find that any work done, or material used, is not in accordance with this chapter or with the rules and regulations of the director of public health adopted pursuant to the ordinance codified herein he may revoke the permit for the work or he may notify the owner or installer to make such changes in the work as he shall specify, and if such changes are not made within a reasonable time, the director of public health shall then revoke the permit and it shall be unlawful to use such sewage disposal system.
B. When the work of constructing or installing a sewage disposal system has been otherwise completed, it shall be left open and uncovered. The owner shall be notified, and he shall cause an inspection of such work and such system to be made by a designer. When the work of repairing a sewage disposal system has been completed under a waiver of design as provided for in KMC 13.10.050(D), it shall be left open and uncovered. The owner shall be notified, and he shall call for an inspection of such work and such system to be made by the director of public health.
C. If upon inspection by him following work on a sewage disposal system, a designer finds that such work or system is not in accordance with this chapter, he shall so notify the owner who shall cause such changes in the work as are specified by the designer, and shall then again notify a designer that such work is ready for inspection.
D. When upon inspection by him following work on a sewage disposal system, a designer finds that such work and system are in accordance with this chapter, he shall so certify to the director of public health, and shall submit to the director of public health with such certification, a detailed “as-built” drawing of such system. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.100).]
13.10.120 Approval or disapproval of system – Notice.
A. Within a reasonable time after receipt of certification by a designer that work done on a private sewage disposal system and such system are in accordance with this chapter, the director of public health shall approve or disapprove thereof.
B. If the director of public health disapproves such work or system, he shall so notify the owner, stating his reasons for such disapproval, and it is then unlawful to use such system.
C. If the director of public health finally approves such work and such system, he shall so notify the owner, and then such work shall be covered, and such system may be used. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.110).]
13.10.130 Maintenance of system.
All on-site sewage systems shall be maintained in accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the director of public health adopted pursuant to the ordinance codified herein. No on-site sewage system shall be used which directly or indirectly discharges upon the surface of the ground or into any waters within the City. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.120).]
13.10.140 Sewage disposal technical advisory committee.
A. There is established a sewage disposal technical advisory committee, the members of which shall be the director of public health, ex officio, and 12 appointive members, one representative of each of the following:
1. Sanitary or civil engineer licensed by the State of Washington;
2. Sewage disposal system designer holding currently valid certificate of competency in the City of Kenmore;
3. Sewage disposal system installer holding currently valid certificate of competency in the City of Kenmore;
4. Civil or sanitary engineer, department of housing and urban development;
5. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Health, Water and Waste Section;
6. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service;
7. Washington State Department of Ecology;
8. Seattle-King County board of realtors;
9. King County policy development commission;
10. Land surveyor with a designer’s certificate of competency and a subdivision report permit;
11. Consumer.
B. Members of the sewage disposal technical advisory committee, other than ex officio, shall be appointed by the city manager, subject to confirmation by the city council. Appointments shall be for a term of three years ending December 31st of the third year of such term, subject to reappointment; provided, that any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments; and provided, further, that the term of office for the first members shall be staggered so that four serve for a term ending December 31, 1973, and four serve for a term ending December 31, 1974. Members shall serve without compensation.
C. The sewage disposal technical advisory committee shall organize and elect a chairman and secretary who shall serve at the pleasure of the members. Such committee may adopt rules of procedure for its own government and shall meet at the call of the chairman subject to three days’ written notice to each member of the time and place of such meeting.
D. The sewage disposal technical advisory committee may examine sewage disposal ordinances, rules and regulations adopted by the director of public health pursuant thereto, make recommendations thereon and may review and recommend new methods and techniques of sewage disposal, but shall act in an advisory capacity only. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.130).]
13.10.150 Enforcement.
The director of the Seattle-King County department of public health is authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter, the ordinances and resolutions codified in it, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder pursuant to the enforcement and penalty provisions of Chapter 1.20 KMC. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.140).]
13.10.160 Severability.
Should any part of this chapter be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remainder. [Ord. 98-0023 §§ 1, 2 (KCC 13.08.150).]