County Code

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  • Title 01
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  • Title 10
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    • Chapter 003
    • Chapter 005
    • Chapter 006
    • Chapter 007
    • Chapter 008
      Section 010
      Purpose
      The board of supervisors finds that the protection of groundwater within the county is of major concern to the residents of the county for the protection of their health, welfare and safety. The board further finds that the adoption of the following standards are necessary for the protection of the groundwater within the county. (Ord. 818 § 1 (part), 1984.)
      Section 020
      Permit requirements
      It is unlawful to drill any type of well for the extraction of groundwater of any nature or description, or for a property owner to allow such drilling on his land, or to abandon any such well, without first obtaining a permit therefor. (Ord. 818 § 1 (part), 1984.)
      Section 030
      Permit application, issuance and term
      A. The health officer shall review all completed applications for permits. If the application, site evaluation or plans do not conform to the requirements of all pertinent laws, the application shall be denied in writing, including the reasons for denial. If the health officer is satisfied that the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this chapter and all pertinent laws and ordinances, a water well permit shall be issued.

      B. The health officer shall stamp or endorse in writing all permits and all sets of approved plans. One set of such approved plans and the permit shall be retained by the health officer and another set shall be kept at the well construction site, open to inspection of the health officer at all reasonable times. All work shall conform to the approved plans for which the permit has been issued and any approved amendments.

      C. Every permit expires one year after issuance. If the permittee cannot complete the work within one year, and applies for an extension before the permit expires, the health officer may extend the permit for one additional year.
      (Ord. 1060 § 77, 1995.)
      Section 040
      Inspections
      In addition to the inspections required by Section 15.110.080 of this code, an inspection shall be made before grouting occurs. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006; Ord. 818 § 1 (part), 1984.)
      Section 050
      Drilling log
      Upon completion of the drilling, the permittee shall submit a drilling log to the county building inspector. (Ord. 818 § 1 (part), 1984.)
      Section 060
      Standards
      A. In order to provide minimum standards for the proper regulation of well drilling and abandonment, the water well standards: State of California (Department of Water Resources Bulletin 74-81 and 74-90), as may be amended from time to time, is adopted, incorporated and made a part of this chapter by reference without further publication, as though set forth at length in this chapter and is declared to be the well drilling and abandonment code of the county, and shall apply to and govern all wells drilled or abandoned in the unincorporated areas of the county.

      B. All annular well seals shall extend at least five feet into the first low permeability stratum encountered, or to fifty feet, whichever is the lesser depth.

      1. No well seal shall be less than twenty feet deep except as provided in Bulletin 74-90.

      2. Where the low permeability stratum is less than five feet thick, the annular seal shall extend through its entire thickness.

      3. Steel well casing shall be no less than ten gauge in thickness.
      (Ord. 982 § 6, 1991; Ord. 818 § 1 (part), 1984.)
      Section 070
      Permit revocation and recision
      A. A permit issued pursuant to this chapter may be revoked by the health officer if the health officer determines that a violation of this chapter exists, that written notice has been directed to the permittee specifying the violation, and that the permittee has failed or neglected to take corrective action within 30 days of the date of the notice.

      B. A permit may also be rescinded by the health officer upon determination that the permit was obtained by false statement or misrepresentation. The permittee shall be notified in writing of the action. The recision shall be effective upon the date of issuance of the permit.
      (Ord. 1060 § 79, 1995.)
      Section 080
      Appeals
      A. An owner whose application for a water well permit has been denied, or whose permit has been revoked, may file an appeal with the board of supervisors within 30 days of the action of the health officer under section 20.08.070. The appeal shall be accompanied by any required filing fee.

      B. The appeal shall be made in writing and shall demonstrate that all of the following circumstances apply:

      1. The water well site clearly meets all required setbacks and all other standards of this chapter;

      2. The use of a water well on the property does not pose any danger to the public health or safety.

      (Ord. 1060 § 80, 1995.)
  • Title 21
  • Title 22