§ 94-6. Private sewage disposal regulations

(a) Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of section 94-5, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the superintendent. 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 superintendent. A permit and inspection fee of $50.00 shall be paid to the city at the time the application is filed.

(c) A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the superintendent. He shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 24 hours of the receipt of notice by the superintendent.

(d) The type, capacities, location and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all recommendations of the state department of health and the state department of natural resources. No permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than 15,000 square feet (1303.5 square meters). No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural outlet.

(e) At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in section 94-5, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this chapter, and any privy, privy vault, cesspool, or other similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable materials.

(f) The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the city.

(g) No statement contained in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the city council or the city, the state department of health, or the state department of natural resources.

(Code 1975, § 23-6)