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Morgan County adopts cistern rules for rural residences; board discusses 35‑acre threshold
Summary
The Board adopted zoning regulation amendments establishing standards for bulk-water cisterns (minimum 1,500 gallons; 50 gallons per person per day), limiting their use to single-family residences on lots 35 acres or larger (or pre‑May 5, 1972 parcels) unless Quality Water District proof of no tap is provided; commissioners discussed hardship proof and the acreage limit.
Planning Director Nicole Hay presented redlines and staff analysis for amendments to the county zoning regulations to establish standards for bulk-water cisterns. Key provisions adopted include allowing bulk-water cisterns only for single-family residences on lots of 35 acres or larger (or legally created prior to May 5, 1972), a minimum cistern capacity of 1,500 gallons and a design standard of 50 gallons per person per day; cisterns must be potable, watertight and meet setback and recording requirements.
Staff also removed a proposed fixed 600‑foot drilling-depth threshold in favor of a locally variable standard: cistern use may be approved when a well-drilling effort is documented to be within 5% of the depth of the nearest producing well. Commissioner Malone questioned the 35‑acre limit and sought further study of hardship criteria, but the Board approved the amendments 3-0.
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