A. The purposes of the provisions of this article are to prohibit the drilling either on the surface or in the subsurface of the city for oil and gas, to prohibit the production of oil and gas, and to prohibit the storing and transportation of oil and gas in the city, except as permitted by the provisions of this article.
B. The council hereby declares that it is also the object and purpose of this article to establish reasonable and uniform limitations, safeguards, and controls for the drilling for and production of oil, gas, and other hydrocarbon substances within and under the city. Such limitations, safeguards, and controls are found to be necessary in order to protect the citizens, their property rights, and the general public of the city and to put into effect practices which will provide a plan for the orderly drilling for and production of oil and gas, which substances are important to the national economy. Such orderly development is necessary and will protect the surface uses and the value and character of residential, commercial, and other real property in the city as such uses are set forth in and regulated by chapter 3 of this title. The council recognizes that many of its citizens and property owners have made substantial investments in real property. Therefore, in order to protect such citizens and their property rights, to protect the owners of mineral rights, and to provide for the orderly exploration, development, and production of oil and gas, it is necessary to regulate the drilling for and production of oil and gas in the manner set forth in this article.
C. The council hereby finds and determines that the uncontrolled drilling in the subsurface for oil, gas and other hydrocarbon substances, and the uncontrolled production thereof, would be detrimental to the general welfare of the citizens and residents of the city and detrimental to the general public peace, health, safety, comfort, convenience, and prosperity. The council finds and determines that subsurface areas within the city may be explored for oil and gas, and, if such substances are found, they may be produced by directional or slant drilling methods from surface locations outside the city. Such operations must comply with the regulations of the city or county having local control of the drill site area, as well as the limitations and regulations set forth in this article to protect the citizens and residents of the city from odors, noise, dust, and the spreading of oil, dirt, and debris upon the public streets of the city, and to protect buildings and structures from vibrations, sinking, or other damages caused by the drilling for and production of oil and gas in an unrestricted location and manner.
D. Except as otherwise provided in this article, no person shall drill, produce, or extract oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances from any surface location in the city. (Ord. 79-O-1720, eff. 2-15-1979; amd. Ord. 11-O-2603, eff. 1-25-2011; Ord. 11-O-2614, eff. 11-18-2011)