§ 9-40.060. Site Development and Operating Standards

The following minimum standards and requirements shall apply to all petroleum operations, provided that more restrictive requirements may be imposed on a project through the conditions of permit approval.

A.

Setback requirements. No well shall be drilled and no equipment or facilities shall be permanently located within:

1.

100 feet of any dedicated public street, highway or nearest rail of an active railway, unless the new well is located on an existing drill site and the new well would not present a safety or right-of-way problem. If the review authority determines that aesthetics is a problem, the permit shall be conditioned to mitigate the problem.

2.

800 feet of any building or dwelling not necessary to the operation of the well. In no case shall the well be located less than 100 feet from each structure.

3.

800 feet of any institution, school or other building used as a place of public assembly. In no case shall any well be located less than 300 feet from each structure.

4.

300 feet from the edge of the existing banks of any channel as established by the Ventura County Watershed Protection District (VCWPD) and 100 feet from the existing banks of all other channels appearing on the most current United States Geologic Survey (USGS) 2,000′ scale topographic map as a blue line. These setbacks shall prevail unless the permittee can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Public Works Department that the subject use can be safely located nearer the stream or channel in question without posing an undue risk of water pollution, damage to wildlife and habitat, and impairment of flood control interests. In no case shall setbacks from streams or channels be less than 50 feet. All drill sites located within the 100-year flood plain shall be protected from flooding in compliance with Ventura County Watershed Protection District requirements.

5.

The applicable setbacks for accessory structures for the zone in which the use is located.

6.

100 feet from any spring appearing on the most current USGS 2,000' scale topographic map.

B.

Obstruction of drainage courses. Drill sites and access roads shall not obstruct natural drainage courses. Diverting or channeling such drainage courses may be permitted only with the authorization of the Public Works Department or the Ventura County Watershed Protection District.

C.

Containment of contaminants. Oil, produced water, drilling fluids, cuttings, and other contaminants associated with the drilling, production, storage and transport of oil shall be contained on the site unless properly transported off-site or injected into a well. The permittee shall furnish the Director with a plan for controlling oil spillage and preventing saline or other polluting or contaminating substances from reaching surface or subsurface waters. The plan shall be consistent with the requirements of the City, County, State and Federal Governments.

D.

Dust prevention. The drill site and all roads or hauling routes located between the public right-of-way and the subject site shall be improved or otherwise treated as required by the City and maintained as necessary to prevent the emanation of dust.

E.

Light emanation. Light emanation shall be controlled so as not to produce excessive levels of glare or abnormal light levels directed at any neighboring uses.

F.

Painting. Each permanent facility, structure, and aboveground pipeline on the site shall be colored to mask it from the surrounding environment and uses in the area. The selected colors shall also take into account factors including heat buildup and the designation of dangerous areas. The colors shall be approved by the Director prior to the painting of facilities.

G.

Site maintenance. The permit area shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner so as not to create any hazardous or unsightly conditions such as debris; pools of oil, water, or other liquids; weeds; brush; and trash. Equipment and materials that are appurtenant to the operation and maintenance of the oil well on the site may be stored on the site. If the well has been suspended, idled or shut-in for 30 days, as determined by the City, all such equipment and materials shall be removed within 90 days.

H.

Removal of equipment. All equipment used for drilling, redrilling, and maintenance work on approved wells shall be removed from the site within 30 calendar days of the completion of such work unless a time extension is approved by the Director.

(§ 5, Ord. 1085, eff. January 6, 2006)