A. All existing or idle wells (including injector or stimulation wells, and deserted wells) may be restored to producing or injection status, subject to the regulations of this chapter; but, except for well sites located in a large undeveloped area or public or private common open space area with independent private access to major, primary or secondary highways or local collector streets with no residential lots fronting thereon, all as determined by the Master Plan of Streets and Highways, and meeting the criteria in Sections 15.22.050 and 15.22.100, any well from which the pumping equipment has been removed shall be refitted only with underground pumps or pumps with equipment that does not exceed the height of the wall required by Section 15.22.100, unless disapproved by the State Division of Oil and Gas.
B. All wells may be maintained and reworked to maintain their operational status. Any such well may be redrilled outside of their original well shaft or extended to a different zone or recompleted; and new wells may be drilled if such well meets the requirements of Sections 15.22.050 and 15.22.100. Any such new well shall also meet the pumping equipment restrictions of Subsection A of this section.
C. At least two days prior to the commencement of any of the above-referenced operations requiring the installation of a derrick, the operator shall provide mailed notice to notify all residential property owners as identified on last equalized assessment roll within 300 feet of the wellhead of the proposed operation, the contemplated nature and duration thereof, the proposed access route and times of deliveries, and the name and phone number of the operator's representative who may be contacted in the event of questions or complaints by the residents. Exceptions to the requirement of this subsection may be granted by the Director of Development Services in the case of emergency operations.
D. Deserted wells shall be abandoned within 60 days of an order to do so by the State Division of Oil and Gas in accordance with Section 3237 of the Public Resources Code. At the time of a residential proposal, and at five-year intervals thereafter, the City may request that the Division of Oil and Gas review for possible abandonment any deserted well.
E. All well sites and all permanent installation shall be maintained in a neat, clean and orderly condition. All equipment shall be painted and maintained in good condition.
(Ord. 2982, 2001)