Ordinance Amendment 

    OA6: 2002-2003

Amending Private Septic System Regulations

Sponsored by Supervisors Wilcox, Vedder, Fyrst and Eggert

Synopsis:  Makes several changes to County ordinances on private septic systems:

1. Requires that septic or treatment tanks be located such that a tank can be accessed for treatment at any time of the year.  The bottom of a tank may be no more than 25 feet below the elevation of the access point for a hauling vehicle.

2. Clarifies that a sanitary permit is required to repair a septic system.

3. Requires a property owner to obtain a new sanitary permit if the system has not been connected to a structure within a year of the installation of the system.

4. Adds a requirement that the preliminary soils approval shall include a plan diagram showing the same information required to obtain a sanitary permit.

5. Makes a series of technical corrections to the ordinance.

6. Creates an $80 fee for County review of a holding tank plan, which will now be required for tanks of less than 3000 gallons.

7. Adopts a revised fee schedule for mobile home park inspections.  It appears to slightly increase the fees charged.

Pro:  Septic tanks are bad and should be regulated until they disappear.

Con:  Septic tanks are good and should be allowed without limits.