EHD SERVICES

 

General Permit/Development Information

The Environmental Health Division (EHD) is responsible for receiving and reviewing plans and applications and performing inspections for a variety of programs related specifically to environmental and public health issues within the unincorporated area of Shasta County as well as the cities of Redding, Anderson, and Shasta Lake. For more detailed information please contact EHD via phone at 530.225.5787 or via email at scehd [at] shastacounty.gov (scehd[at]shastacounty[dot]gov). 

Land Use

Land use projects are reviewed by the EHD staff for consistency and compliance with its regulated programs. Projects in the unincorporated area of Shasta County and the cities of Anderson, Redding, and Shasta Lake are reviewed. Examples of projects most frequently reviewed are proposed subdivisions, parcel maps, or establishment of a second residence or family care unit in areas served by septic systems or individual or small public water systems, adjustments to property lines between two or more parcels, and major or minor use permits. Staff also attend Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings, as needed, to respond to questions by Commissioners or Supervisors.

Well Permits

A valid permit to drill, destroy, deepen, or recondition a water well is required in the County and the three cities. Permits are obtained from the EHD after submission of a completed application, plot plan, and fees. EHD staff must be present to verify proper placement of the sanitary seal around the well casing.

California law requires that any person digging, boring, drilling, deepening, reconditioning, or destroying a water well, cathodic protection well or monitoring well possess a C-57 Contractors License. A well permit application must identify the driller and C-57 contractor's license number.

Retail Food Establishments Permits

California law states that a food facility shall not be open for business without a valid permit. In Shasta County, these permits are obtained from the EHD. Retail food facilities include any facility that stores, prepares, serves, manufactures, packages, transports, salvages, or otherwise handles food for dispensing or sale directly to the consumer. Examples of the types of facilities regulated include, but are not limited to, restaurants, markets, bakeries, bars, catering trucks and other vehicles, food carts, vending machines, bed and breakfast inns food service, farmers markets, produce stands, and temporary food events. Most facilities are inspected multiple times per year. 

The California Retail Food Code (Cal Code) is the state law which sets minimum standards and requirements for retail food facilities. A link to the Cal Code, as well as applications for food facility permits and other pertinent documents are available on the EHD website. Any person proposing to construct or modify a food facility must also submit plans to the EHD detailing the construction or changes to the facility. Facility plan review applications are available on our website.

Certified Unified Program Agency-CUPA

The EHD is certified by the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) as the CUPA for Shasta County, including the cities of Redding, Anderson, and Shasta Lake. The CUPA program covers five separate areas related to hazardous materials storage, which include Underground Storage Tanks, Hazardous Materials Business Plans, Hazardous Waste Generator and Treatment, Aboveground Petroleum Storage, and Accidental Release Prevention of extremely hazardous materials. These programs are summarized below.

  • Underground Storage Tanks (USTs): State laws, and the County ordinance code require owners/operators of USTs containing hazardous materials to obtain a permit to operate from the CUPA. USTs require constant electronic monitoring and monthly inspections by a trained operator. EHD performs inspections annually to verify compliance and observe a monitoring system certification. Additional testing is required every three years. Prior to installing new tanks, modifying existing tanks, or removing existing tanks, plans detailing proposed work must be submitted to the EHD for review and approval.
  • Hazardous Materials Disclosure Business Plan: Any facility that handles a hazardous material or a mixture containing a hazardous material in reportable quantities* is required by state law to prepare and implement what is known as a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) which includes facility contact information, hazardous materials inventory details, facility maps, and emergency response and training plans. This information must be resubmitted or certified annually and satisfies certain Fire Code requirements, and the Federal Community Right-To-Know law. The information is made available for review by local fire jurisdictions. Facilities are inspected every three years and reported information is reviewed at least annually. *Reportable quantities of hazardous materials which require an HMBP are >500 pounds for solids, >55 gallons for liquids, and >200 cubic feet for gases. Extremely or acutely hazardous materials are often reportable at much lower thresholds. 

  • Hazardous Waste Generator: Any facility that generates any amount of hazardous waste must obtain a state or federal ID# and must report their facility contact information to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS). The EHD conducts inspections of hazardous waste generators and treatment locations to determine compliance with state hazardous waste laws and regulations.

  • Aboveground Petroleum Storage: Any location that stores petroleum-containing liquids in a quantity or 1,320 gallons or more, in containers/tanks that are 55 gallons are larger, must comply with the California Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA), and must complete and implement a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan which meets the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 112. The EHD reviews SPCC Plans and inspects facilities to determine compliance. 

  • Accidental Release Prevention: Facilities that store certain extremely hazardous materials at or above the reporting threshold must comply with the California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) requirements and prepare and implement a Risk Management Plan (RMP). The EHD reviews RMPs and performs compliance inspections of these facilities every three years.

Housing - Hotel, Motel, Organized Camps

Permits are required to operate organized camps, hotels, motels, boarding homes in both the County and the cities. Annual inspections check for compliance with provisions of the State Housing Laws pertaining to the maintenance, sanitation, and ventilation.

Medical Waste Management

The EHD is the local enforcement agency for the California Medical Waste Management Act which regulates the storage, treatment and disposal of medical waste (i.e., sharps, biohazardous waste). Large quantity generators and facilities that treat medical waste on-site must obtain a permit to operate from the EHD. Inspections are completed annually.

Public Water Systems

A permit from the EHD is required to operate a small public community water system, transient or non-transient non-community public water system, and state small public water system. The types of public water systems are:

  • Community Water System: A public water system which serves at least 15 but fewer than 200 service connections used by yearlong residents or regularly serves at least 25 yearlong residents.
  • Transient non-community: A public water system which serves at least 25 nonresident individuals daily at least 60 days of the year, but not more than 24 yearlong residents, or serves 15 or more service connections and any number of nonresident individuals at least 60 days of the year, but no yearlong residents.
  • Non-transient non-community: A public water system that is not a community water system and that regularly serves at least the same 25 persons over six months per year.
  • State Small Water System: A water system which serves at least 5, but not more than 14, services connections and does not regularly serve more than an average of 25 individuals daily for more than 60 days/year.

Water is sampled and analyzed for bacteria, chemical, and physical contaminants/constituents at various frequencies determined by the type of permit.

Recreation Permits - Public Pools/Spas

A permit is required to operate a public swimming pool and/or spa. Annual fees are based on year-round or seasonal operation and the number of pools/spas. Plan checks are required on all public pools or spas. 

A public pool is defined by State regulation to include, but not be limited to, commercial pools, real estate pools, community pools, hotel/motel pools, resort pools, auto and trailer park pools, auto court pools, apartment house pools, club pools, public or private school pools, gymnasium pools, health establishment pools, townhouse pools, condominium pools, mobile home park pools, campground pools, and homeowner association pools.

Inspections are completed to check for proper maintenance of these facilities, including, but not limited to: filtration, pumping, safety and disinfection equipment, piping, water quality, and testing records.

Residential Pool Certification

Prior to any construction of a residential pool where the house utilizes an onsite sewage disposal system, an application must be submitted for approval by the EHD. EHD then checks required setbacks to the existing sewage disposal system and replacement area.

Septic Pumper Trucks

State law requires a permit for anyone in the business of pumping septic tanks, cesspools, chemical toilets, holding tanks, etc., and disposing of the waste in the county. All registered septic pumpers register with the Public Works Department to obtain authorization to use County's Septage Treatment/Disposal Facilities.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Permits

A permit is required prior to the installation of a new or replacement septic tank and leach field. A permit application must be submitted along with a complete site plan, fees, and soil test data. OWTS permits are issued after EHD staff determine a site is suitable and meets county standards. EHD staff inspect the system prior to backfilling to verify compliance with terms of the permit and OWTS standards. A copy of the standards may be obtained from the EHD and is posted on the EHD and Public Works websites.

Permit Waivers for Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems and Water Wells

A Permit Waiver may be required prior to issuing a building permit for a building, structure, mobile home utilities or mobile home installation that utilizes an existing Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) and/or water well. This also applies to properties in the Cities of Redding, Anderson, and Shasta Lake that utilize an OWTS or water well.

Home Loan Water/Septic Waiver

Some lenders or buyers request local health official clearance on existing water supply and/or septic system. EHD checks potability of the water supply and reviews permitting records of wells and septic systems. Onsite inspections may also be performed to check for evidence of failure or damage, and adequate replacement area availability. Septic waivers also require submission of a septic tank pumper’s report. 

Other Water Samples

EHD staff, at times, takes water samples other than samples of public water systems or home loans. These include California Retail Food Code requirements and complaints.

Solid Waste

The EHD is certified by CalRecycle as the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) for the solid waste program. The EHD permits and inspects all active, inactive, and closed transfer stations and disposal sites in Shasta County.

Body Art

Body Art facilities must be permitted, and Body Art practitioners must be registered with EHD. Body Art facilities and practitioners are inspected by EHD to ensure compliance with statewide minimum standards for individuals and businesses engaging in the performance of tattooing, body piercing, branding and the application of permanent cosmetics. 

Community Education

Community Education (CE) plays a key role in ensuring that residents, businesses, and schools are informed about the resources available to properly dispose of solid and hazardous waste materials while aiming to increase recycling rates and reduce waste generation. By doing so, CE helps Shasta County meet state and federal laws and contributes to the protection of our natural environment. CE oversees a multitude of CalRecycle grants, including beverage container, used oil, waste tires, household hazardous waste, and solid waste, which provide funds to enable free waste tire and household hazardous waste collection events, water bottle refill stations for schools, support for used oil recycling facilities, quarterly educational newsletters for Waste Management, and more.

 

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