As used in this chapter:
"Drainage well"
means a well whereby water is returned from the surface to the underground water reservoir.
"Supply well"
means a well by which water is removed to the surface from its natural position in the ground below.
"Public Agency"
means the state, a county, city and county, city, district, community college district, school district, joint powers authority, or other entity designated or created by a political subdivision, and any other political subdivision of the state.
(Prior Code § 20-48.5(A); Ord. 2003-12, eff. 6/3/03)
The construction of wells in the City, except by the City, or by Santa Maria public agencies to reconstruct or replace a previously existing well, for any other purposes than for furnishing water for commercial agricultural purposes, including other necessary uses and purpose incidental to a commercial agricultural operation, is prohibited, except the Director of Utilities may issue a permit for a well for domestic, commercial or industrial use for temporary use only, under the following conditions:
(a) 
City water mains are not in place adjacent to the property involved;
(b) 
The Director of Utilities has determined that it is not economical, feasible or desirable to extend City water mains to serve the property at the time that request for such service is made by the owner or lessee;
(c) 
The owner of the property or lessee has executed an agreement for the destruction of the well within 90 days of notice by the Director of Utilities. Such notice shall be given immediately following installation of water mains adjacent to the property on which the well has been constructed. Destruction shall comply with the water well standards of the State Department of Water Resources.
(Prior Code § 20-48.5(B)(1); Ord. 88-3 § 1, eff. 3/3/88; Ord. 2003-12, eff. 6/3/03; Ord. 2005-01, eff. 3/3/05)
Issuance of a permit for a temporary well shall not nullify or affect any provisions of this Code or resolutions of the Council which provide a method of installation of a water main or lateral and the payment therefor.
(Prior Code § 20-48.5(B)(2))
No well shall be constructed within the City by any person without first securing a permit from the Director of Utilities. Before the construction has commenced, persons constructing the well shall pay the sum provided for in the Schedule of Fees and Charges within this Code to the Director of Finance and file an application with the Director of Finance for such a permit, the application to set forth the location of the well, the purpose for which the water from such well will be used, and constructed based upon the specific City of Santa Maria standard with a detailed sketch of the proposed installation. The Director of Utilities shall thereupon investigate the proposed construction of the well to determine whether the proposed construction of the well will pollute or impair the public water supply of the City, and will conform to the requirements of law and of this Code. If the Director of Utilities finds that the construction of the well as proposed will not pollute or imperil the water supply of the City, and the location of the proposed well meets the requirements set forth in this chapter, he or she shall issue a permit, but otherwise he or she shall withhold the permit. The fee shall cover the cost of this investigation and shall not be returned to the applicant whether the permit is granted or refused.
(Prior Code § 20-48.5(C); Ord. 2003-12, eff. 6/3/03; Ord. 2005-01, eff. 3/3/05; Ord. 2017-01 § 78, eff. 3/9/17)
Every person who constructs or destructs a well shall comply with the provisions of this title and the water well standards of the State prepared by the State Department of Water Resources, and as amended from time to time, which standards are incorporated in this chapter by reference in their entirety. No person shall do any act regulated by the provisions of such standards without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Director of Utilities. The Director shall notify the County Health Officer of the proposal. A county permit shall be obtained and the well shall be constructed or destructed under the supervision of the County Health Officer and shall conform to all regulations made by the County Health Officer to prevent the pollution of or imperiling of the public water supply of the City.
(Prior Code § 20-48.5 (D); Ord. 2005-01, eff. 3/3/05)
[1]
Editor's Note: Section 8-13.05 was amended by request of the City Attorney.
No well shall be constructed in the City for the purpose of furnishing, in whole or in part, water for refrigeration or air-conditioning purposes for the purpose of furnishing water to cool on property that is less than three thousand feet (3,000′) from a public water main.
(Prior Code § 20-48.5(E); Ord. 95-13, eff. 12/07/95)
No drainage well shall be constructed in the City. Any existing drainage well which is not used for a period of one year, or which has been abandoned, shall be destroyed in compliance with the water well standards of the State Department of Water Resources.
(Prior Code § 20-48.5(F))
No well constructed in the City after the effective date of the ordinance from which this section derives shall be closer than 1,000 feet to the nearest well of the public water supply system of the City.
(Prior Code § 20-48.5(G))
All wells shall be sealed in compliance with the water well standard of the State Department of Water Resources.
(Prior Code § 20-48.5(H))