A. Private Systems, Generally: Where septic tanks or other individual sewage disposal systems are to be installed, they shall be subject to Southern Nevada health district and city approval and compliance with any applicable county and/or state regulations.
B. Permit Required: Any person who desires to install, add to, alter, expand or repair a private waste treatment system shall make a written application on forms provided by the director of sanitation or Southern Nevada health district. No person shall install, add to, alter, expand or repair a private waste treatment system without a valid and unrevoked permit issued by the city and/or Southern Nevada health district. (Ord. 172, 9-24-1996, eff. 10-31-1996; amd. Ord. 345, 6-27-2006, eff. 7-20-2006)
C. Failure To Comply With Stop Work Order: Failure to comply with a stop work order or other lawful order of the zoning official issued pursuant to this chapter is a violation of these regulations.
D. One Residence Per Individual On Site System: Only one structure shall be connected to an individual on site sewage treatment system.
E. Public Nuisance: Any private waste treatment system installed, added to, altered, expanded or repaired in violation of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the zoning official is a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the city and is a public nuisance.
F. Private Waste Treatment, Issuance Of Permit: The building official shall issue the appropriate permit in compliance with this chapter and any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, and payment of the appropriate fee.
G. Private Waste Treatment, Standards: All private waste disposal systems shall be installed, altered, expanded, repaired or operated according to the Mesquite sanitation district standards and the following standards:
1. Systems Designed By Professional Registered Engineer: All individual on site sewage disposal systems shall be designed by an engineer registered in the state. A minimum of two (2) copies of the design plan shall be submitted to the zoning official for review. Design plans must be approved by the director of sanitation and building official before construction of the system begins. System installations shall be inspected and approved by the city before backfilling;
2. Not Create Public Nuisance: The location and installation of private waste disposal systems shall be such that with reasonable maintenance, the private waste disposal system will function in a sanitary manner and will not create a nuisance, health hazard or endanger the safety of any domestic water supply;
3. Factors Considered: When reviewing an application for an individual waste treatment system, consideration shall be given to the size and shape of the lot, slope of natural and finished grade, soil type and classification, depth of ground water, proximity of existing or future water supplies and possible expansion of the system;
4. Minimum Lot Size: All lots platted subsequent to May 1, 1996, shall be a minimum of one-half (1/2) acre in size and contain a minimum of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of suitable land designed for on site sewage treatment;
5. Basis For Type Of System: The type of system shall be determined by a registered professional engineer on the basis of location, topography, soil permeability and ground water level;
6. Designed To Receive All Sewage: The system shall be designed to adequately receive all sewage from the dwelling. Footing or roof drainage shall not enter any part of the system; (Ord. 172, 9-24-1996, eff. 10-31-1996)
7. Percolation Test: Percolation tests shall be made as required by the Mesquite director of sanitation or Southern Nevada health district. The tests shall be conducted by or under the supervision of an engineer registered in the state; (Ord. 172, 9-24-1996, eff. 10-31-1996; amd. Ord. 345, 6-27-2006, eff. 7-20-2006)
8. Sewage Treatment, Issuance Of Rules And Regulations: The director of sanitation may promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section. (Ord. 172, 9-24-1996, eff. 10-31-1996)
a. Minimum Standards: Any rule and regulation promulgated shall meet the minimum state standards of the Southern Nevada health district, but nothing in this chapter shall prevent the director of sanitation and building official from requiring compliance with higher requirements than the state or county regulations. (Ord. 172, 9-24-1996, eff. 10-31-1996; amd. Ord. 345, 6-27-2006, eff. 7-20-2006)
b. Notice Of Hearing: Notice of public hearing on any proposed rule or regulation shall be in at least one newspaper having general circulation within the city at least ten (10) days before the hearing.
c. When Effective: Rules and regulations issued by the director of sanitation and building official shall be effective after approval by the city council.
d. Enforcement Of Rules: The director of sanitation and building official may enforce this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted under this chapter in the manner set forth below.
e. Suspend Or Revoke Permit: The director of sanitation and building official may suspend or revoke any permit for noncompliance with this chapter or any rule or regulation issued pursuant to this chapter.
f. Notice Of Violation: When the director of sanitation and building official determines a violation exists, the building official shall notify the violator in writing. Such notice of violation shall be delivered to the property owner who is deemed to be the person causing the violation or the legally authorized representative of the person or mailed to the last known address of that person.
g. Stop Work Order Issued: In addition to the notice of violation, the director of sanitation and building official may issue a written stop work order if it is believed that the violation poses a serious threat to health and safety. The stop work order shall be delivered to the owner of the property involved, to the agent of the owner or to the person doing the work.
h. Removal And Reinstallation Of System: The director of sanitation and building official may require a system installed in violation of this section and the rules and regulations issued pursuant to this section be removed and reinstalled in compliance with this section and any rules and regulations adopted.
i. Alternative Method: If the system installed in violation of this section and the rules and regulations issued under this section cannot be reinstalled and be in compliance, the director of sanitation and building official may approve an alternative method of sewage disposal. (Ord. 172, 9-24-1996, eff. 10-31-1996)