All wells drilled, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, for the exploration and development, production, storage, transmission and treatment, and any accessory or ancillary equipment, structure or facilities thereto, of oil, gas and other hydrocarbon substances, shall comply with the following standards, unless otherwise provided in this chapter:
(A) Distance Restrictions: No oil or gas well shall be drilled within one hundred feet (100') of the right of way of any public highway, proposed public highway, official plan line or specific plan line, within one hundred feet (100') of any building not necessary to the operation of the well, within one hundred fifty feet (150') of any dwelling, assembly, institution or school, or within fifty feet (50') of any building utilized for commercial purposes constructed prior to the commencement of such drilling without the written consent of the owner of such structure.
(B) Code Compliance: All drilling and production activities shall conform to all applicable fire and safety regulations. Firefighting apparatus, materials and equipment required by the city shall be maintained on the site at all times during drilling and production operations.
(C) Signage: No signs, other than directional and warning signs and those required for identification of a well, shall be constructed, erected, maintained or placed on the premises, or any part thereof, except those required by law or by ordinance to be displayed in connection with the drilling or maintenance of a well.
(D) Sanitation: Sanitary toilet and/or washing facilities, if required by the Kern County health department or other governmental agencies, shall be installed and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition during drilling operations, and at such other times as specified by these agencies.
(E) Technical Improvements: Proven technological improvements generally accepted and used in drilling and production methods shall be employed as they become available if they are capable of reducing nuisances or annoyances.
(F) Removal Of Equipment: All derricks, boilers and other drilling equipment employed, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, to drill any well hole or to repair, clean out, deepen or redrill any completed well, shall be removed within ninety (90) days after completion of production tests, following completion of such drilling or after abandonment of any well, unless such derricks, boilers and drilling equipment are to be used within a reasonable time, as determined by the planning director, for the drilling of another approved well on the premises.
(G) Earthen Sumps: Within ninety (90) days after any well has been placed in production, or after its abandonment, earthen sumps used in drilling and/or production (unless such sumps are to be used within a reasonable time as determined by the planning director for the drilling of another well) shall be filled and the drilling site restored as nearly as practicable to a uniform grade. Temporary earthen sumps may be used for cleanout or remedial work on an existing well or other production facility. However, these sumps shall be filled and the site restored as nearly as practicable to a uniform grade within ninety (90) days after the cleanout or other remedial work is completed. Such restoration work shall comply with all applicable regulations of the California division of oil, gas and geothermal resources.
(H) Derrick Type: Any derrick used for servicing operations shall be of the portable type, unless proof is provided that the well is of such depth or has some other characteristics such that a portable type derrick will not properly service such well. In that instance, the planning director may approve the use of a standard type of derrick.
(I) Screening Of Tanks: Whenever oil or gas is produced into and shipped from tanks located on the premises, such tanks, whenever located within five hundred feet (500') of any dwelling or commercial building, shall be surrounded by shrubs or trees, planted and maintained to provide attractive landscaping or be fenced in such a manner as to, insofar as practicable, screen such tanks from public view. Such fencing shall comply with the requirements of the California division of oil, gas and geothermal resources.
(J) Hours: Whenever a well is located within five hundred feet (500') from an existing dwelling unit, except in case of emergency, no materials, equipment, tools or pipe used for either drilling or production operations shall be delivered to or removed from the drilling site, except between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and eight o'clock (8:00) P.M., unless otherwise required by the California division of oil, gas and geothermal resources.
(K) Noise Control: Pumping wells shall be operated by electric motors or muffled internal combustion engines.
(L) Height Of Pumping Units: The height of all pumping units shall not exceed thirty five feet (35') and shall be properly maintained and kept in a neat condition.
(M) Dust Control: All vehicle parking and maneuvering areas shall be treated and maintained with oiled sand or a similar dust binding material.
(N) Fencing: After production begins and a pump is installed on the wellhead, a fence at least six feet (6') in height shall be installed around the pump site or drilling island for public safety. This fence shall be constructed of chainlink with wood or metal slats or other screening materials as may be required by the planning director. This fencing and screening requirement shall apply only to those pump sites located within five hundred feet (500') of any residentially zoned district. Such fencing shall comply with the requirements of the California division of oil, gas and geothermal resources.
(O) Compliance: All required federal, state, county and city rules and regulations shall be complied with at all times, including, but not limited to, the rules and regulations of the following agencies:
1. California department of oil, gas and geothermal resources;
2. Kern County fire department;
3. Kern County health department;
4. Regional water quality control board;
5. San Joaquin Valley unified air pollution control district. (Ord. 768-08, 8-19-2008)