(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter or extend a private sewage disposal system within Union County unless he holds a valid permit issued by the Health Department.
(B) A permit shall only be issued to a private disposal system contractor who holds a valid Private Sewage Installation Contractor’s Registration Certificate in addition to a Southern Seven Private Sewage Installer’s License or a
homeowner installing a private sewage disposal system to serve his own personal single-family residence.
All applications for permits granted under the provisions of these regulations shall be made to the Board of Health. Sufficient data shall be included to allow review and to determine whether the proposal application for permit meets the requirements of these regulations.
(C) Permit application forms provided by the Health Department shall be completed and signed by each applicant and shall include the following:
- Name, address and telephone number of the applicant, the signature of the private sewage disposal system contractor when applicable and the location of the proposed site of construction, alteration, or extension.
- Complete a plan of the proposed disposal facility, with substantiating data, attesting to its compliance with the minimum standards of these regulations.
- Such other information as may be required by the Health Authority to substantiate that the proposed construction, alteration, or extension complies with minimum standards of these regulations.
(D) The Board of Health may refuse to grant a permit for the construction of a private sewage disposal system where public or community sewage systems are available. A sewer shall be deemed available when a public sewer line is in place within any street, alley, right of way, or easement that adjoins or abuts the premises for which the permit is requested, or when the improvement to be served is located within a reasonable distance of a public sewer to which a connection is practical and is permitted by the controlling authority for the sewer. A reasonable distance for the purpose of the provision shall be deemed to be not greater than three hundred (300) feet for a single-family residence and not greater than one thousand (1,000) feet for a commercial establishment or multi-family dwelling.
(E) The Board of Health shall act upon all applications within fifteen (15) daysof receipt thereof.
(F) The Southern Seven Board of Health shall set fees charged for the issuance of a permit authorizing the construction, alternation or extension of any private sewage disposal system. The fee shall be collected by the Health Department at the time an application for permit is submitted, and shall be deposited into the Health Department fund. If a permit is denied, the fee shall be returned to the applicant. In addition, other fees shall apply for specific services rendered. A fee waived permit may be issued to non-profit organizations or other government entities.
(G) All permits to construct, alter, or extend a private sewage disposal system shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from date of issuance. If construction is not completed within this period, the permit is void. The Administrator may, however, after receipt of a written request, authorize an extension of time beyond the one (1) year period for reasons of unusual or extenuating circumstances.
(H) The minimum lot size for a home requiring a private sewage disposal system shall be one (1) acre (43,562 ft2), excluding easements. Lots plotted and on record before the effective date of these regulations that are smaller than required will be given special consideration when applying for a permit.
(I) The Health Department, in order to protect the health and safety of the people of Union County and of the general public, is authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations establishing minimum standards governing the design, construction, installation, and operation of private sewage disposal systems. Such regulations shall establish such minimum standards as, in the judgment of the Health Department will insure that the wastes discharged to the various private sewage disposal systems:
- Do not contaminate any drinking water supply.
- Are not accessible to insects, rodents, or other possible carriers of disease.
- Do not pollute or contaminate the waters of any bathing beach, lake, river, creek, pond, stream or other body of water.
- Do not give rise to a nuisance due to odor or unsightly appearance.
- Are not a health hazard by being readily accessible to children or animals because of a lack of adequate fencing or for other reasons.
- Will not violate any other laws or regulations governing control of water pollution or sewage disposal.
The Health Department is authorized to promulgate such additional regulations as are necessary in its judgment to carry out the provisions of these regulations.