The minimum lot size for a home requiring a private sewage disposal
system shall be two acres (87,120 square feet) unless soil conditions
(severe or very severe) warrant a larger lot. The health officer may
waive the minimum requirement by granting written variance for extenuating
circumstances. Lots platted and on record before the effective date
of this chapter that are smaller than the required minimum may have
a private sewage disposal system installed as long as said systems
are acceptable to the Health Department by meeting minimum standards
set forth in this code.
[Amended 9-10-2003 by Ord. No. 03-29-277; 9-12-2013 by Ord. No. 13-09-2011]
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, reconstruct
or modify a private sewage system or to operate a private aerobic
treatment plant within Stephenson County unless he/she holds a valid
permit issued by the Health Department stating the name of such person
for which the specific construction, reconstruction, modification,
or service is proposed. A person who owns and occupies a single-family
dwelling and who constructs, installs, maintains, services or cleans
the private sewage disposal system which serves his single-family
residence shall not be required to be licensed under this Act; however,
such person shall comply with all other provisions of this chapter
and the private sewage disposal code promulgated hereunder by the
Department. This person shall hold a valid permit issued by the Health
Department.
All applications for permits granted under the provisions of
this chapter shall be made to the Health Department. Sufficient data
shall be included to allow review and to determine whether the proposed
application for permit meets the requirements of this chapter.
A.
A private sewage system installation permit to construct, reconstruct,
or modify a private sewage system shall only be issued to a Stephenson
County licensed private sewage system installation contractor or homeowner
who installs a private sewage disposal system on his or her own single-family
residence.
[Amended 9-12-2013 by Ord. No. 13-09-2011]
B.
In the case of a private aerobic treatment plant, the property owner,
as provided by state law, receives a minimum service policy from the
aerobic treatment plant manufacturer and/or its agent or representative.
With the expiration of the initial service policy and where the effluent
stream is surface discharged, the property owner shall obtain an aerobic
treatment plant operation permit which requires continuing service
policy from any Stephenson County licensed private sewage system installation
contractor to ensure proper operation of the aerobic treatment plant
system.
A.
Private sewage system installation. Permit application forms provided
by the Health Department shall be completed and signed by each applicant,
and shall include the following:
(1)
Name, complete address, and telephone number of the applicant and
location of the proposed site of construction, reconstruction, or
modification.
(2)
When indicated, a complete plan of the proposed private sewage system
facility, with substantiating data.
(3)
Such other information as may be required by the health officer to
substantiate that the proposed construction, reconstruction or modification
complies with the minimum standards of this chapter.
B.
The aerobic treatment plant operation permit forms provided by the
Health Department shall be completed and signed by the property owner.
A photocopy of the continuing service policy and contract shall also
be provided to the Health Department. The application shall include
the following:
The private sewage system installation permit shall be conspicuously
posted on the site of the construction, reconstruction or modification,
at the time the work is in progress. The inspecting representative
of the Health Department will signify approval of the completed work
by signing the permit.
The health officer shall not grant a permit for the construction,
reconstruction, or modification of a private sewage disposal system
where public or community sewerage 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 purposes of
this provision shall be deemed to be not greater than 200 feet for
single-family residences and not greater than 1,000 feet, or whatever
is consistent with current state code, for a commercial establishment,
subdivision or multifamily dwelling.
No outside vault, privy, chemical closet, cesspool, seepage
pit or private sewage disposal system of any kind shall be constructed,
reconstructed, modified, or maintained on any premises abutting on
a street, alley or easement in which there is a public sewer. Any
premises served by a public sewer shall have an individual connection
with such sewer.
An authorized representative shall act upon all applications
within 15 days of receipt thereof.
[Amended 8-10-2011 by Res. No. 11-08-1821]
A permit to construct, reconstruct, or modify a private sewage
system is valid for a period of one year from date of issuance. If
work has not started within this period, the permit is void. If reapplication
is made before the end of the initial year, no additional fee will
be assessed. A permit to operate a private aerobic treatment plant
is valid for the period coinciding with the length of the continuing
service contract. Fees shall be paid at the time of application and
shall be set from time to time by the County Board.
