(A) Permit required. It is unlawful for any person to construct, install, modify, replace, or operate a subsurface sewage treatment system without the appropriate permit from the city.
(B) Permit. A permit shall be obtained by the property owner or an agent of the property owner from the city prior to the installation, construction, replacement, modification, alteration, repair, or capacity expansion of a SSTS. The purpose of this permit is to ensure that the proposed construction activity is sited, designed, and constructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter by appropriately certified and/or licensed practitioner(s).
(C) Activities requiring a permit. A permit is required for installation of a new SSTS, for replacement of an existing SSTS, or for any repair or replacement of components that will alter the original function of the system, change the treatment capacity of the system, change the location of the system, or otherwise change the original system's design, layout, or function.
(D) Activities not requiring a permit. A permit is not required for minor repairs or replacement of system components that do not alter the original function of the system, change the treatment capacity of the system, change the location of the system, or otherwise change the original system's design, layout, or function.
(E) Permit application requirements. Permit applications shall be made on forms provided by the Department and signed by the applicant or applicant's agent. The applications shall include the documents listed in division (E)(1) through (5) below.
(1) Name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
(2) Property identification number and address or other description of property location.
(3) Site Evaluation Report as described in Minnesota Rules 7080.1730
(4) Design Report as described in Minnesota Rules 7080.2430.
(5) Management Plan as described in Minnesota Rules 7082.0600. B. Monitoring and Disposal Contract.
(F) Application review and response. The Department shall review a permit application and supporting documents within fifteen (15) working days from the date of receipt of a satisfactorily completed application. Upon satisfaction that the proposed work will conform to the provisions of this chapter, the Department shall issue a written permit authorizing construction of the SSTS as designed. In the event that for any reason the applicant makes a significant change to the approved application, the applicant must file an amended application detailing the changed conditions for approval prior to initiating or continuing construction, modification, or operation for approval or denial. The Department shall complete the review of the amended application within fifteen (15) working days of receipt of the amended application. If the permit applications is incomplete or does not meet the requirements of this chapter the Department shall deny the application. A notice of denial shall be provided to the applicant, which must state the reason for the denial.
(G) Permit expiration. The permit is valid for a period of no more than one (1) year from its date of issue, unless it is extended in accordance with this section or construction has been completed satisfactorily, whichever is shorter. Satisfactory completion of construction shall be determined by receipt a signed certification that the construction or installation of the system was completed in substantial conformance to the approved design documents by a qualified employee of the Department or a licensed inspection business which is authorized by the Department and independent of the owner and the SSTS installer.
(H) Extensions and renewals. The Department may grant an extension of the permit if the construction has commenced prior to the original expiration date of the permit The permit may be extended for a period of no more than six (6) months.
(I) Suspension or revocation. The Department may suspend or revoke a construction permit issued under this section for any false statements, misrepresentations of facts on which the permit was issued, or unauthorized changes to the system design that alter the original function of the system, change the treatment capacity of the system, change the iocation of the system, or otherwise change the original system's design, layout, or function. A notice of suspension or revocation and the reasons for the suspension or revocation shall be conveyed in writing to the permit holder. If suspended or revoked, installation or modification of a treatment system may not commence or continue until a valid permit is obtained.
(J) Operating permit. An operating permit shall be required for all systems installed under Minnesota Rules 7080.2290, 7080.2350 and 7080.2400 and Chapter 7081.
(K) Abandonment certification. The purpose of the system abandonment certification is to ensure that a treatment system no longer in service is abandoned within a reasonable time following decommissioning and in a manner that protects public health, safety, and water quality. It also terminates all permits associated with the system.
(L) Abandonment requirements.
(1) Whenever the use of a SSTS or any system component is discontinued as the result of a system repair, modification, replacement or decommissioning following connection to a municipal or private sanitary sewer, or condemnation or demolition of a building served by the system, further use of the system or any system component for any purpose under this chapter shall be prohibited.
(2) Continued use of a treatment tank where the tank is to become an integral part of a replacement system or a sanitary sewer system requires the prior written approval of the Department.
(3) Abandonment shall be completed in accordance with Minnesota Rules 7080.2500. No prior notification to the Department of an owner's intent to abandon a system is necessary.
(4) A report of abandonment certified by the licensed installation business shall be submitted to the Department. The report shall include:
(a) Owner's name and contact information;
(b) Property address;
(c) The reason(s) for abandonment;
(d) A brief description of the abandonment methods used, description of the system components removed or abandoned in place, and disposition of any materials or residuals.
(M) Abandonment certificate. Upon receipt of an abandonment report and verification that the SSTS has been abandoned according to the requirements of this chapter, the Department shall issue an abandonment certificate. If the abandonment is not completed according the requirements of this chapter the city shall notify the owner of the SSTS of the deficiencies, which shall be corrected within thirty (30) calendar days.
(Ord. 426, passed 11-18-2014)