Sample Ordinance Templates

NOTICE: The ordinance templates and examples contained in this tool kit do not constitute a legal document or the provision of legal advice. They are provided here for review, reference, and example purposes. Any use of these models must be modified, reviewed, and approved by the appropriate local government board or council and the local government attorney or other legal counsel.

NOTE DOCUMENT VERSIONS: For your convenience, the ordinance templates below are found in PDF and MS Word versions. To save and edit the MS Word versions, right click on the link and select Save Target As.. to save the document to your computer hard drive. You can also view either version by clicking on the link, but the documents must be saved on your computer for editing.

Baseline Inspection Ordinance for Sale of Property, Renovations, and Change in Occupancy

Baseline Inspection Ordinance Highlights (pdf) - This gives a brief outline of an ordinance that requires a baseline septic system inspection for properties that are being sold, renovated, or changing occupancy (e.g., residential to rental).
Baseline Inspection Ordinance Template (pdf)
Baseline Inspection Ordinance Template (doc) - This ordinance template is based on (but not identical to) the ordinance that was approved by the City of Folly Beach in June 2005. As stated in the Highlights above, a required inspection is triggered by a sale of ownership interest, a major renovation that will likely increase water use, and a change in occupancy (such as going from residential to short-term rental, or from commercial to residential). Added to the Folly Beach version are additional standards such as critical line setbacks, two-compartment septic tanks with access manholes, and financial considerations. For coastal beach communities that experience a fairly high rate of property sales, renovations, and rental conversions, this ordinance should affect a significant number of properties. It could also be looked at as a starting point toward a future, more comprehensive management program.
Baseline Inspection Ordinance Review Sheet (pdf)
Baseline Inspection Ordinance Review Sheet (doc) - This ordinance review sheet is primarily for planning commission and/or council members to facilitate their review process.

Note: A baseline inspection is more thorough than a routine maintenance inspection in that a pump out of the septic tank is mandatory and necessary for inspecting the integrity of the tank. With a routine maintenance inspection, solid and liquid levels in the septic tank are measured to determine if pumping is necessary. Both terms are defined in the Baseline and Routine Maintenance ordinance.

Baseline and Routine Maintenance Inspection Ordinance for All Properties

Baseline/Routine Maintenance Inspection Ordinance Highlights (pdf) - This gives a brief outline of an ordinance that requires a baseline septic system inspection for properties that are being sold, renovated, or changing occupancy (e.g., residential to rental) and a routine maintenance inspection for all other properties.
Baseline/Routine Maintenance Inspection Ordinance Template (pdf)
Baseline/Routine Maintenance Inspection Ordinance Template (doc) This ordinance is more comprehensive in that eventually all properties will be required to undergo an inspection. This ordinance may be more suited to a community with less property turnover so that eventually all properties will be inspected.
Baseline/Routine Maintenance Inspection Ordinance Review Sheet (pdf)
Baseline/Routine Maintenance Inspection Ordinance Review Sheet (doc) - This ordinance review sheet is primarily for planning commission and/or council members to facilitate their review process.

Sample Inspection and Survey Forms

Baseline Inspection Form (pdf)
Baseline Inspection Form (doc) This inspection form is based on the Folly Beach pilot inspection project. It could be required by local governments for use by private and/or public sector inspectors. It can be used for both baseline and routine maintenance inspections.
Sanitary Situation Survey Form (pdf)
Sanitary Situation Survey Form (doc) - This survey form is from the Sewee to Santee pilot inspection project. This type of survey could be used as an precursor assessment tool to an inspection program.
Hold Harmless Agreement (pdf)
Hold Harmless Agreement (doc) - This agreement form is also from the Sewee to Santee pilot inspection project. It tells the homeowner that their yard will be disturbed during the inspection, that there is some risk of damage to their system, especially an older system, that may or may result from the inspection, and expressly states that the inspection does not guarantee future system performance.