(A) Where a public sanitary and combined sewer is not available under the provisions of § 8.3.2(D), the building sewer shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this section.
(B) Before commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the Public Works Supervisor. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the City, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information as is deemed necessary by the Public Works Supervisor. A permit and inspection fee as set by City Council pursuant to a fee schedule adopted by resolution shall be paid to the City Clerk at the time the application is filed.
(C) A permit for a private wastewater disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the proper authority or County Sanitarian. The proper authority or County Sanitarian shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the proper authority or County Sanitarian when the work is ready for the final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 24 hours of receipt of the notification by the proper authority or County Sanitarian or as soon thereafter as may be.
(D) The type, capacities, location and layout of a private wastewater disposal system shall comply with all recommendations or requirements of the Department of Public Health and Human Services of the State of Montana. No permit shall be issued for any private wastewater disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than 2,000 square feet. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural outlet.
(E) At such time as public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private wastewater disposal system, as provided in § 8.3.2(D), the property owner shall submit plans for connection to the public sewer and disconnection from the private system within 60 days of written notice by the Public Works Supervisor and shall have 120 days to complete unless an extension not to exceed six months is granted by the Public Works Supervisor or a greater extension is granted by the City Council in compliance with this chapter.
(1) A connection plan inspection fee shall be charged pursuant to a fee schedule adopted by resolution. Any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private wastewater disposal facilities shall be cleaned of sludge and filled with suitable material. Such actions in compliance with this section shall be at the property owner's expense.
(2) This section shall be suspended in situations where there is evidence the connection is physically or economically impractical (as defined in the Administrative Rules of the State of Montana) to the City or the property owner until such time as the property owner and the Public Works Supervisor and/or the Mayor can arrive at a solution to the issue which is financially feasible to all parties.
(F) The owner shall operate and maintain the private wastewater disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the City.
(G) No statement contained in this section shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the County Health Officer.
(Ord. 369, passed 4-1-2018, § 4.020.030; Ord. 2023-2, passed 2-21-2023)