Chapter 919: Private Sewage Disposal Systems

Sections

Cross references

  • Power to license sewer tappers and vault cleaners - see Ohio R.C. 715.27

919.01   Permit required; installation; standards

  1. (a) Compliance Required. Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of Section 911.02(d), the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this chapter.

  2. (b) Permit; Application; Fee. Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by such Board of Health. A permit and inspection fee shall be paid to such Board at the time the application is filed.

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

  4. (d) Standards. The type, capacities, location and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all recommendations of the State Department of Public Health. 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 10,000 square feet with public water or 20,000 square feet without public water. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge into any natural outlet.

  5. (e) Connection to Sewer Required When Available. At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in subsection (d) hereof, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material.

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

  7. (g) Requirements of Health Officer. No statement contained in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the County Health Officer.

  8. (h) Abandonment of Systems. When a public sewer becomes available, the building sewer shall be connected to such sewer within sixty days and the private sewage disposal system shall be cleaned of sludge and filled with clean bank-run gravel or dirt.
    (Ord. 1968-738. Passed 9-17-68.)

919.02   Pumping and cleaning septic tanks

  1. (a) All septic tanks located within the Municipality shall be pumped and cleaned at intervals of not to exceed three years. Any such tank which discharges settleable solids shall be cleaned immediately upon such condition arising. Upon notice in writing from the Chief Administrative Officer relative to such condition, the owner or occupant of the premises shall cause the tank to be cleaned within thirty days thereafter.

  2. (b) The owner or occupier of property on which a septic tank has been constructed prior to the effective date of this section (Ordinance 1967-681, passed March 21, 1967) shall forthwith cause such septic tank to be inspected to determine its efficiency and the need, if any, for its cleaning, maintenance, repair or replacement. Such inspection shall be performed by any qualified and competent firm, person or corporation registered with and approved by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to perform such inspections. A report on such inspection is to be filed with the Clerk of Council, on a form prescribed by the Chief Administrative Officer within five days after completion of the inspection.

  3. (c) The owner or occupier of property on which a septic tank has been constructed prior to the effective date of this section (Ordinance 1967-681, passed March 21, 1967) may, in lieu of the requirement under subsection (b) hereof, provide documentary evidence to the Clerk of Council that such tank has either been in operation less than three years or has been pumped and cleaned within the three years prior to the effective date of this section. Such septic tanks shall be cleaned not later than three years from the date of installation or the date of the last cleaning within the three years prior to the effective date of this section.
    (Ord. 1967-681. Passed 3-21-67.)

919.03   Household aerobic sewage treatment systems

  1. (a) All household aerobic sewage treatment systems located within the Municipality shall be inspected for proper operation at intervals not to exceed one year and a written report of such inspection shall be filed with the Clerk of Council in the form and manner prescribed herein. Such report shall be made on a form prescribed by the Chief Administrative Officer and signed by the person making the inspection.

  2. (b) The inspections required by subsection (a) hereof shall be made by any qualified and competent firm, person or corporation registered with and approved by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to perform such inspections on household aerobic sewage treatment systems.

  3. (c) The Chief Administrative Officer, after examining the findings and recommendations provided for in subsection (a) hereof and after conducting any additional investigations he deems necessary, may order the owner or occupier of the property on which the household aerobic sewage treatment system is located to cause the same to be cleaned, maintained, repaired or replaced, if such is necessary, to cause the system to function at the proper efficiency. The owner or occupier shall cause the required cleaning, maintenance, repairing or replacement to be completed within thirty days after the Chief Administrative Officer notifies such owner or occupier of such required work in writing.

  4. (d) Examination of the household aerobic sewage treatment system shall at no time show development of objectionable odors or noise, development of excessive foam and/or scum, clogging of diffusers, vents or air intakes or malfunctioning of any mechanical or electrical equipment. If at any time after installation such system is found to be nonfunctioning or improperly functioning, the owner or occupier of the lot utilizing such system shall be notified in writing by the Chief Administrative Officer and shall be required to have any necessary cleaning, repairs, adjustments or replacements made to place such system in proper operating condition. Such cleaning, repairs, adjustments or replacements must be made within thirty days after written notification by the Chief Administrative Officer of the deficiencies.
    (Ord. 1967-681. Passed 3-21-67.)

919.04   Privy vault cleaners; permit required; report

(Editor’s note: Section 919.04 was repealed by Ordinance 2005-28, passed June 13, 2005.)

919.99   Penalty

  1. (a) Whoever violates any provision of this chapter shall be served by the Municipality with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations. Whoever continues any violation beyond the time limit provided for in such notice shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

  2. (b) Whoever violates any provision of this chapter shall become liable to the Municipality for any expense, loss or damage occasioned the Municipality by reason of such violation.