ORD 334 Regulating Individ Sewage Treatment SystemsCity of Mendota Heights
Dakota County, Minnesota
( ORDINANCE NO. 334
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO AND REGULATING THE MAINTENANCE
OF ON -SITE INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS (ISIS)
The City Council of the City of Mendota Heights does hereby ordain as follows:
Section 1 Purpose and Scope
The purpose and scope of this Ordinance is to establish guidelines for the
maintenance and operation of Individual Sewage Treatment Systems within the
City of Mendota Heights.
Section 2 References
In addition to the guidelines set forth in this Ordinance, Dakota County Ordinance
No. 113 establishing standards for and the regulation of Individual Sewage
Treatment Systems and any subsequent amendments thereto, adopted by City
Resolution No. 97 -14 on April 15' 1997, shall apply.
Section 3 Maintenance and Operation of an ISIS
For the purpose of this Ordinance, the following rules regarding maintenance and
operation of an Individual Sewage treatment system shall apply:
3.1 The pumping /inspection of an individual sewage treatment system shall be
performed no more than three (3) years from the previous pumping /inspection
under any circumstance.
3.2 Pumping /inspection shall be performed by a person having a current MPCA
Sewage Contractor license from the State of Minnesota.
3.3 Upon completion of pumping /inspection, the licensed contractor shall file a septic
maintenance log with the Dakota County Environmental Management Department.
3.4 Once verification that the required maintenance has occured, the City shall issue a
statement of compliance in letter form which shall serve as an operational permit
for an additional 3 years from the date of maintenance.
3.5 The City shall notify the owner of the individual sewage treatment system no later
than two months before permit expiration that pumping /inspection is needed to
remain in compliance with this ordinance.
Section 4 Expired Permit and Penalties
4.1 Notice of an expired permit shall be sent to the owner within thirty (30) days of the
expiration date if verification of maintenance has not been obtained. The owner
shall have 30 days from the date of the letter to become compliant with this
ordinance or face a penalty in the amount of $150.00.
4.2 If after an additional thirty (30) days compliance is not met, the City shall issue
another letter indicating the owner is subject to a penalty of $150.00. The letter
shall also state that misdemeanor charges will be imposed as provided by
Minnesota Statutes Section 115.03 if compliance is not met within an additional
thirty (30) days.
4.3 If after an additional thirty (30) days compliance is not met, the City shall take
appropriate legal measures, and upon conviction thereof, the owner shall be
punished as provided by law.
Section 5 Imminent Health Threat
5.1 If the City obtains information which suggests a failing septic system exists within
City limits, an inspection shall be ordered by the City and performed by a State
Licensed inspector chosen by the City. If the inspection confirms a failed septic
system, the owner shall be notified that the septic system poses an imminent health
threat and operation shall be halted and the individual sewage treatment system
shall be pumped immediately. The owner of the system has the option of
replacement, modification, reconstruction or abandonment of the system according
to the guidelines set forth Dakota County Ordinance No. 113 as referenced in
Section 2 of this Ordinance. The owner is prohibited from using the individual
sewage treatment system until the system is brought into compliance with Dakota
County Ordinance No. 113 as referenced in Section 2 of this Ordinance.
5.2 If the owner of a failed individual sewage treatment system fails to comply with
Section 5.1 of this Ordinance, Section 4.3 of this Ordinance shall prevail and be
controlling.
Section 6 Effectiveness
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its publication
according to law.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this 5th day of October, 1999.
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
B a � � R
Charles E. Mertensotto, Mayor
ATT T:
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Kafhleen M. Swanson, City Clerk