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Board adopts updated local OWTS standards after stakeholder process; officials say changes add flexibility and support ADUs
Summary
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 13 adopted amendments to the county's local agency management program (LAMP) for on-site wastewater treatment systems, approving changes to county code and finding a CEQA exemption.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 13 approved amendments to the county's local agency management program (LAMP) governing on-site wastewater treatment systems and related changes to Chapter 3, Division 8 of Title 6 of the San Diego County Code. The board found the action exempt from CEQA and passed the item unanimously.
County staff and regulators framed the update as an effort to balance statewide OWTS policy with local geographic conditions and housing needs. The presentation described a two‑year process that included more than 16 stakeholder outreach sessions and multiple rounds of economic analysis to test feasible set‑aside requirements and design options for different project types.
The LAMP updates reported to the board add explicit provisions for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), provide alternative density and supplemental treatment options that can allow building on smaller lots, and clarify when alternative compliance approaches can be used. Brandon Bushnell of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board commended the county's work and told supervisors, "The San Diego Water Board would strongly recommend that you adopt the... LAMP."
Supervisor Jim Desmond pressed staff about housing impacts and asked whether the draft would make requirements more restrictive than state rules. Staff responded that nothing in the updated LAMP is more restrictive than state law and said the updates include measures to increase development flexibility in some areas. Desmond said he remained cautious about potential effects on housing production and acknowledged contractor concerns about setbacks and feasibility; staff said industry comments were addressed and that many stakeholder suggestions were incorporated.
During public comment, both supporters and critics spoke. Supporters argued the LAMP would align county practice with state policy while preserving local flexibility; critics raised concerns about cost and potential impacts on housing production and septic contractors.
The board voted to adopt the proposed ordinance changes with unanimous approval. The agenda materials directed staff to implement the updated LAMP, continue stakeholder engagement as needed, and return if additional technical adjustments are required.
