(a) Lawful methods of disposal.
It shall be unlawful for
any person to dispose of any human excreta within the city except
[in] a sanitary water flush closet or a septic tank built according
to the specifications of the department of state health services;
provided, in no instance shall a septic tank be permitted within one
hundred and fifty (150) feet of a sewer line.
(b) Installation of water closet.
Every owner of a building,
or part thereof, occupied by people for any purpose, any part of the
day or night, situated on any city block in the city where a public
sewer is laid and maintained within one hundred and fifty (150) feet
of such building, or any building on acreage tracts where buildings
are within one hundred and fifty (150) feet of a public sewer, and
having no water closet connected with such sewer, shall install within
such building or part of building used as aforesaid, or upon the premises
where the same is situated, a water closet or closets and have same
connected with the sewer. The work done in connection therewith, and
all materials used, shall comply strictly with the requirements of
this Code of Ordinances.
(c) Water supply; connection to public sewer or installation of septic
tank.
(1) It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any building or
premises within the city to use, or to permit anyone else to use,
any water closet on such premises that is connected with the sewer
system of the city unless the same shall be used in connection with
sufficient water flowing into the sewer to keep the pipes connecting
such water closets with the sewers free from obstruction.
(2) It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any building where
people reside or are regularly employed, within reach of the sewer
system as provided by this section, to fail to have at least one water
closet connected with the city sewer system, except where two adjoining
buildings are owned and operated by the same person, in which shall
be required but one connection.
(3) If, on account of the distance from the sewer system, any owner is
not required to connect with the sewer system as provided in this
section, septic tanks shall be installed, to conform with city ordinances
governing sanitation.
(d) Cesspools prohibited.
No person shall dig or install
any cesspool within the city or repair any existing cesspool.
(e) Notice of violation; penalty.
Violators of this section
shall be given written notice of the violation by the city. If, after
notice, the violator has not begun the required corrective work within
fourteen (14) days of the date of the notice, he shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $20.00 nor more
than $200.00. Each consecutive day after the fourteen (14) days allowed
in this section shall be a separate offense.
(Ordinance 138-83, secs. 1–5,
adopted 9/4/82)
The city clearly understands that there are technical criteria, legal requirements and administrative procedures and duties associated with regulating on-site sewage facilities, and will fully enforce chapter 366 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (H&SC) and chapters
7 and 37 of the Texas Water Code (TWC), and associated rules referenced in section
13.03.034 of this division.
(Ordinance 420-2007, sec. 5, adopted 3/20/07)
The rules shall apply to all the area lying within the incorporated
limits of the city.
(Ordinance 420-2007, sec. 6, adopted 3/20/07)
Any permit issued for an on-site sewage facility within the jurisdictional area of the city must comply with the rules adopted in section
13.03.034 of this division.
(Ordinance 420-2007, sec. 7, adopted 3/20/07)
The rules, title 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) sections
285.1–285.91 and TAC 30, attached to Ordinance 420-2007, promulgated
by the state commission on environmental quality for on-site sewage
facilities are hereby adopted, and all officials and employees of
the city having duties under said rules are authorized to perform
such duties as are required of them under said rules.
(Ordinance 420-2007, sec. 8, adopted 3/20/07)
The rules, 30 TAC chapters 30 and 285 and all future amendments
and revisions thereto, are incorporated by reference and are thus
made a part of these rules. A copy of the current rules is attached
to Ordinance 420-2007 as appendix I.
(Ordinance 420-2007, sec. 9, adopted 3/20/07)
The OSSF inspector of the city must be certified by the state
commission on environmental quality before assuming the duties and
responsibilities.
(Ordinance 420-2007, sec. 10, adopted 3/20/07)
All fees collected for permits and/or inspections shall be made
payable to the city.
(Ordinance 420-2007, sec. 11, adopted 3/20/07)
Persons aggrieved by an action or decision of the designated
representative may appeal such action or decision to the city council.
(Ordinance 420-2007, sec. 12, adopted 3/20/07)
This division adopts and incorporates all applicable penalty provisions related to on-site sewage facilities, which includes, but is not limited to, those found in chapters 341 and 366 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, chapters
7, 26, and 37 of the Texas Water Code and 30 TAC chapters 30 and 285.
(Ordinance 420-2007, sec. 13, adopted 3/20/07)