Richmond |
Code of Ordinances |
Part II. CODE OF ORDINANCES |
Chapter 46. ENVIRONMENT |
Article V. OIL AND GAS |
§ 46-101. Business of oil and gas acquisition, production and storage deemed hazardous.
(a)
The business and occupation of drilling and exploring for, producing, obtaining, transporting, gathering and storing of oil, gas, petroleum and hydrocarbons within the corporate limits of the city is hereby deemed a hazardous and dangerous business and occupation. It is deemed necessary that such business and occupation be regulated, controlled and limited for the purpose of providing protection for the lives, health, welfare and safety of the citizens of the city and of the public generally and for the protection of property from the danger of fire, explosion, gas, leaks, nuisances and other hazards injurious to the public peace, health, welfare and safety.
(b)
The provisions of this article shall be deemed to be the minimum requirements for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare, and compliance with all terms thereof shall not be deemed to relieve any person from any duty imposed by law to use all necessary care and take all necessary precautions for the safeguarding of the public peace, health and safety and the rights of any individual or group of individuals. It shall be the duty of any person drilling, operating or maintaining any well to use all necessary care and take all precautions of whatsoever nature which shall be reasonably necessary under the circumstances to protect the public or the rights of any part thereof.
(c)
Words used in this article, unless otherwise defined, shall have the common meaning of such words as generally understood in the oil and gas industry, unless the content in this article clearly implies otherwise.
(Ord. No. 69, §§ I, VIII, 5-8-61)