City of Lawndale, CA PLUMBING CODE

The 2022 Los Angeles County Plumbing Code, adopted in this chapter as the plumbing code of the city, is amended as follows:

Section 304.1 is amended, to read as follows:

Section 304.1 Rev Plumbing fixtures, drains, appurtenances, and appliances, used to receive or discharge liquid wastes or sewage, shall be connected properly to the drainage system of the building or premises, in accordance with the requirements of this Code.

Exception: [HCD 1] Limited-density owner-built rural dwellings. Where conventional plumbing, in all or in part, is installed within the structure, it shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this Code. Alternative materials and methods shall be permitted provided that the design complies with the intent of the Code, and that such alternatives shall perform to protect health and safety for the intended purpose.

Dual waste piping shall be installed to permit the discharge from clothes washers, bathtubs, showers, and bathroom/restroom wash basins to be used for a graywater irrigation system.

Partial connection of plumbing fixtures to the graywater system, based on accepted engineering practices and required volume of water for irrigation, shall be accepted. Graywater systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Chapter 15 and other parts of this Code.

Exceptions:

(1)

Buildings with a graywater system, rain catchment system, or recycled water system.

(2)

Sites with landscape areas not exceeding 500 square feet.

(3)

Projects where graywater systems are not permitted due to geological conditions.

(4)

Additions and alterations that use the existing building drain.

Section 601.2.3 is added, to read as follows:

Section 601.2.3 A hot water recirculation system shall be installed, as defined in Chapter 2, and shall not allow more than 0.6 gallons of water to be delivered to any fixture before hot water arrives. Hot water recirculation systems may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1)

Timer-initiated systems.

(2)

Temperature sensor-initiated systems.

(3)

Occupancy sensor-initiated systems.

(4)

Smart hot water recirculation systems.

(5)

Demand hot water recirculation systems.

(6)

Other systems acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

Exception: Minor additions and alterations as determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction that use the existing water distribution pipe system and which does not contain a hot water recirculation system.

Section 609.7 is amended, to read as follows:

Section 609.7 A hot water recirculation system shall be installed, as defined in Chapter 2, and shall not allow more than 0.6 gallons of water to be delivered to any fixture before hot water arrives. Hot water recirculation systems may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Section 721.3 is amended, to read as follows:

Section 721.3 If the public sewer does not extend to a point from which each building on a lot or parcel of land large enough to permit future subdivision can be independently served, the property owner shall construct a public sewer as required by Title 20 – Utilities – of the Los Angeles County Code, Division 2 (Sanitary Sewer and Industrial Waste), to provide adequate sewerage for each such possible parcel.

Exception: When the Authority Having Jurisdiction finds that the character of a lot is such that no further subdivision can be reasonably anticipated, or the use is such as to preclude subdivision, or where the owner has executed a covenant stating that the lot or parcel of land, together with all improvements thereon, will be maintained as a unit and that before any subdivision is made or any portion of said lot is transferred to another owner, separate sewerage facilities as hereinbefore required in this Section will be installed, the drainage system of all buildings may be connected to a common building sewer or private sewage disposal system. The covenant shall be recorded by the owner in the office of the Registrar-Recorder as part of the conditions of ownership of said property. Such agreement shall be binding on all heirs, successors, and assigns to said property.

This exception shall apply only while the whole of such lot remains in one undivided ownership. Upon the transfer of any portion of such lot other than the whole thereof to another owner, whether such transfer is made before or after the operative date of the ordinance adding this provision, the exception shall cease and a person shall not use or maintain any building or structure except in compliance with the provisions of this Code. As used in this Section, a sale, foreclosure, or contract to sell by the terms of which the purchaser is given the right of possession shall be deemed a transfer.

Section 728.0 is amended, to read as follows:

Section 728.0 Building Sewer Connection Requirements.

Section 101.8 is amended, to read as follows:

Section Table H 101.8:

TABLE H 101.8 LOCATION OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
MINIMUM HORIZONTAL DISTANCE	BUILDING SEWER	SEPTIC TANK	DISPOSAL FIELD	SEEPAGE PIT OR CESSPOOL
Building or structures¹	2 feet	5 feet	8 feet	8 feet
Property line adjoining private property	Clear²	5 feet	5 feet	8 feet
Water supply wells⁹	50 feet³	50 feet	100 feet	150 feet
Streams and other bodies of water⁹	50 feet	50 feet	100 feet⁷	150 feet⁷
Trees¹⁰		10 feet		10 feet
Seepage pits or cesspools⁸		5 feet	5 feet	12 feet
Disposal field⁸		5 feet	4 feet⁴	5 feet
On-site domestic water service line	1 foot⁵	5 feet	5 feet	5 feet
Distribution box			5 feet	5 feet
Pressure public water main	10 feet⁶	10 feet	10 feet	10 feet

For SI units: 1 foot = 304.8 mm

Notes:
1	Including porches and steps, whether covered or uncovered, breezeways, roofed porte cocheres, roofed patios, carports, covered walks, covered driveways, and similar structures or appurtenances.
2	See Section 312.3.
3	Drainage piping shall clear domestic water supply wells by not less than 50 feet (15,240 mm). This distance shall be permitted to be reduced to not less than 25 feet (7,620 mm) where the drainage piping is constructed of materials approved for use within a building.
4	Plus 2 feet (610 mm) for each additional 1 foot (305 mm) of depth in excess of 1 foot (305 mm) below the bottom of the drain line. (See Section H 601.0)
5	See Section 720.0.
6	For parallel construction—For crossings, approval by the Health Department shall be required.
7	These minimum clear horizontal distances shall also apply between disposal fields, seepage pits, and the mean high-tide line.
8	Where disposal fields, seepage pits, or both are installed in sloping ground, the minimum horizontal distance between any part of the leaching system and ground surface shall be 15 feet (4572 mm).
9	Where special hazards are involved, the distance required shall be increased as may be directed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
10	The septic tank and seepage pit shall not be within the protected zone of an oak tree as defined by Section 22.14.150 of Title 22 – Planning and Zoning – of the Los Angeles County Code.

Section 201.1 is amended, to read as follows:

Section Table H 201.1:

TABLE H 201.1(1) CAPACITY OF SEPTIC TANKS^1, ^2, ^3, ^4, ⁵
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS - NUMBER OF BEDROOMS	MULTIPLE DWELLING UNITS OR APARTMENTS - ONE BEDROOM EACH	OTHER USES: MAXIMUM FIXTURE UNITS SERVED PER TABLE 702.1	MINIMUM SEPTIC TANK CAPACITY (gallons)
1 or 2	—	15	750
3	—	20	1000
4	2 units	25	1200
5 or 6	3	33	1500
—	4	45	2000
—	5	55	2250
—	6	60	2500
—	7	70	2750
—	8	80	3000
—	9	90	3250
—	10	100	3500

For SI units: 1 gallon = 3.785 L

Notes:
1	Extra bedroom, 150 gallons (568 L) each.
2	Extra dwelling units over 10: 250 gallons (946 L) each.
3	Extra fixture units over 100: 25 gallons (94.6 L) per fixture unit.
4	Septic tank sizes in this table include sludge storage capacity and the connection of domestic food waste disposers without further volume increase.
5	Applies to mobile homes not installed in a mobile home park.

Section 201.1 (2) is amended, to read as follows:

Section 201.1 (2) Table H:

TABLE H 201.1(2) DESIGN CRITERIA OF SIX TYPICAL SOILS
TYPE OF SOIL	REQUIRED SQUARE FEET OF LEACHING AREA PER 100 GALLONS	MAXIMUM ABSORPTION CAPACITY IN GALLONS PER SQUARE FEET OF LEACHING AREA FOR A 24-HOUR PERIOD
Coarse sand or gravel	20	5.0
Fine sand	25	4.0
Sandy loam	40	2.5
Sandy clay	60	1.66
Clay with considerable sand or gravel	90	1.1
Clay with small amount of sand or gravel	120	0.8

For SI units: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per square foot = 40.7 L/m2

Section 201.1 (4) is amended, to read as follows:

Section 201.1 (4) Table H:

TABLE H 201.1(4) ESTIMATED WASTE SEWAGE FLOW RATES^1, ²
TYPE OF OCCUPANCY	GALLONS PER DAY
Airports (per employee)	15
Airports (per passenger)	5
Auto washers – check with equipment manufacturer	-
Bowling alleys – with snack bar only (per lane)	75
Campground – with central comfort station (per person)	35
Campground – with flush toilets - no showers (per person)	25
Camps (day) – no meals served (per person)	15
Camps (summer and seasonal camps) – (per person)	50
Churches – sanctuary (per seat)	5
Churches – with kitchen waste (per seat)	7
Dance halls – (per person)	5
Factories – no showers (per employee)	25
Factories – with showers (per employee)	35
Factories – with cafeteria (per employee)	5
Hospitals – (per bed)	250
Hospitals – kitchen waste only (per bed)	25
Hospitals – laundry waste only (per bed)	40
Hotels – no kitchen waste (per bed)	60
Institutions – resident (per person)	75
Nursing home – (per person)	125
Rest home – (per person)	125
Laundries – self-service with minimum 10 hours per day (per machine)	300
Laundries – commercial—check with manufacturer's specification	-
Motel (per bed space)	50
Motel – with kitchen (per bed space)	60
Offices – (per employee)	20
Parks (picnic) – with toilets only (per parking space)	20
Parks (recreational vehicles) – without water hook-up (per space)	75
Parks (recreational vehicles) – with water and sewer hook-up (per space)	100
Restaurants – cafeteria (per seat)	50
Schools staff and office (per person)	20
Schools – elementary (per student)	15
Schools – intermediate and high (per student)	20
Schools – with gym and showers (per student)	5
Schools – with cafeteria (per student)	3
Schools (boarding) – total waste (per person)	100
Service station – with toilets for 1st bay	1000
Service station – with toilets for each additional bay	500
Stores – (per employee)	20
Stores – with public restrooms (per 10 square feet of floor space)	1
Swimming pools – (per person)	10
Theaters – auditoriums (per seat)	5
Theaters – with drive-in (per space)	10

For SI units: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon per day 3.785 L/day

Notes:
1	See Section H 201.1.
2	Because of the many variables encountered, it is not possible to set absolute values for waste/sewage flow rates for all situations. The designer should evaluate each situation and, where figures in this table need modification, they should be made with the concurrence of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

10.

Section H 301.1 is amended, to read as follows:

Section H 301.1.

(3)

No excavation for a leach line or leach bed shall be located within 5 feet (1524 mm) of the groundwater table nor to a depth where sewage is capable of contaminating may contaminate the underground water stratum that is useable for domestic purposes.

Exception: In areas where the records or data indicate that the groundwaters are grossly degraded, the 5 foot (1524 mm) separation requirement shall be permitted to be reduced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. When approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, this distance may be reduced to 5 feet (1524 mm) from ocean water. The applicant shall supply evidence of groundwater depth to the satisfaction of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

(4)

The minimum effective absorption area in any seepage pit shall be calculated as the excavated sidewall area below the inlet exclusive of any hardpan, rock, clay, or other impervious formations. The minimum required area of porous formation shall be provided in one or more seepage pits. No excavation shall extend within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the groundwater table nor to a depth where sewage is capable of contaminating may contaminate the underground water stratum that is useable for domestic purposes.

Exception: In areas where the records or data indicate that the groundwaters are grossly degraded, the 10 foot (3048 mm) separation requirement shall be permitted to be reduced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. When approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, this distance may be reduced to 5 feet (1524 mm) from ocean water.

11.

Section H 401.3 is amended, to read as follows:

Section H 401.3 Absorption Rates. Where a percolation test is required, the proposed system shall have the capability to absorb a quantity of clear water in a 24-hour period equal to at least five times the liquid capacity of the proposed septic tank. No private disposal system shall be permitted to serve a building if that test shows the absorption capacity of the soil is less than 0.83 gallons per square foot (gal/ft²) (33.8 L/m²) or more than 5.12 gal/ft² (208.6 L/m²) of leaching area per 24 hours. Where the percolation test shows an absorption rate greater than 5.12 gal/ft² (208.6 L/m²) per 24 hours, a private disposal system shall be permitted where the site does not overlie groundwaters protected for drinking water supplies, a minimum thickness of 2 feet (610 mm) of the native soil below the entire proposed system is replaced by loamy sand, and the system design is based on percolation tests made in the loamy sand.

12.

Section H 601.5 is amended, to read as follows:

Section H 601.5 Distribution Boxes. Where two or more drain lines are installed, an approved distribution box of sufficient size to receive lateral lines shall be installed at the head of each disposal field. The inverts of outlets shall be level, and the invert of the inlet shall be not less than 1 inch (25.4 mm) above the outlets. Distribution boxes shall be designed to ensure equal flow and shall be installed on a level concrete slab in natural or compacted soil. Distribution boxes shall be coated on the inside with a bituminous coating or other approved method acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

13.

Section H 601.8 is amended, to read as follows:

Section H 601.8 Dosing Tanks. Where the quantity of sewage exceeds the amount that is permitted to be disposed in 500 lineal feet (152.4 m) of leach line, a dosing tank shall be used. Dosing tanks shall be equipped with an automatic siphon or pump that discharges the tank once every 3 or 4 hours. The tank shall have a capacity equal to 60 to 75 percent of the interior capacity of the pipe to be dosed at one time. Where the total length of pipe exceeds 1000 lineal feet (305 m), the dosing tank shall be provided with two siphons or pumps dosing alternately and each serving one-half of the leach field. Automatic syphon or dosing tanks shall be installed when required or as permitted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

14.

Section H 1001.1 is amended, to read as follows:

Section H 1001.1 Inspection. Inspection requirements shall comply with the following:

(1)

Applicable provisions of Section 105.0104.0 of this Code and this Appendix shall be required. Plans shall be required in accordance with Section 103.3102.1 of this Code.

. . .

(5)

Disposal fields and seepage pits shall not be installed in uncompacted fill.

15.

Section H 1101.6 is amended, to read as follows:

Section H 1101.6 Excavation. No excavation for an abandoned sewer or sewage facility shall be left unattended at any time, unless the permittee shall have first provided a suitable and adequate barricade to assure public safety.

16.

Section 27 Appendix S is added, to read as follows:[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Section 27 Appendix S is included as an attachment to this title.

(Prior code § 5-58; Ord. 798-95 § 15; Ord. 862-99 § 13; Ord. 1050-10 § 27; Ord. 1095-13 § 11; Ord. 1096-13 § 11; Ord. 1130-17 § 10; Ord. 1167-20 § 10; Ord. 1193-22 § )