§ 7-12. Building permits in water scarce areas and second dwelling units in marginal water areas.
1.
No building permit for new or replacement residential dwelling units shall be issued within the water scarce area four (4) or for new or replacement second dwelling units within the marginal water availability area three (3) where the water supply is from individual wells, public water wells, or springs unless the following requirements are met:
(a)
That the well or wells yield a minimum of one (1) gallon per minute per dwelling unit by a sustained yield, metered pump test of the following duration:
(1)
Each dwelling unit is a connection to the well. Wells with one (1) to two (2) connections: test of twelve (12) hours or eight (8) hours in accordance with the Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department's well pump test guidelines,
(2)
Wells with three (3) to four (4) connections: test of twenty-four (24) hours or sixteen (16) hours in accordance with the Sonoma County permit and resource management department's well pump test guidelines,
(3)
Wells with five (5) to fourteen (14) connections: test of at least seventy-two (72) hours after the dynamic pumping level has been established. A reduction of the seventy-two (72) hour metered pumping test may be granted by the administrative authority if it is indicated that the sustained yield well production is two (2) or more times greater than required. Under no circumstances shall the test be less than forty-eight (48) hours.
(4)
Wells with fifteen or more connections and an operating permit from the California Department of Public Health shall comply with the applicable state water yield requirements.
(b)
That a minimum storage capacity shall be provided as follows:
(1)
Single-family dwelling (one (1) connection) — one thousand (1,000) gallons shall be provided in a storage tank, provided, however, that only five hundred (500) gallon storage shall be required if the yield is three (3) gallons per minute; provided further, however, that no storage is required if the well yield is five (5) gallons per minute, or greater,
(2)
Two (2) to fourteen (14) connections — one thousand (1,000) gallons shall be provided per connection, in a storage tank, or as required by the county of Sonoma water system standards, whichever is greater,
(3)
Wells with fifteen or more connections and an operating permit from the California Department of Public Health shall comply with the applicable state water storage requirements.
(4)
Note: These volumes are for domestic water storage. Additional storage volume is required for fire control.
(c)
The tests shall be conducted from July 15 to October 1. The test period may be extended by the director of the Permit and Resource Management Department. Pump tests shall be performed by or under the direction of a licensed water well drilling contractor (C57), pumping contractor (C61/D21), a registered civil engineer or a registered geologist who shall report test results to the director of permit and resource management department. The director of permit and resource management department shall be notified a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours prior to the pump testing of wells or springs;
(d)
That, if spring(s) are to be used as the primary domestic water source, yields and required storage capacity shall meet the same minimum requirements as for wells. Springs shall be perennial;
2.
Notwithstanding Section 1., a building permit for new or replacement residential dwelling units may be issued within the water scarce area four (4) or for new or replacement second dwelling units within the marginal water available area three (3) if the permittee obtains an easement for water supply on a parcel that is entirely within a Groundwater Availability Area 1, major groundwater basin (Zone 1); or Area 2, major natural recharge area (Zone 2), in format approved by the permit and resource management department.
(Ord. No. 6048, § I(c), 11-5-2013; Ord. No. 5754 § 1(k), 2007: Ord. No. 5489 § 1, 2004: Ord. No. 5167 § 1(h), 1999: Ord. No. 4906 § 3, 1995.)