Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-15-1101 - Inspections

A. For the purpose of this rule, "inspection" means an entry by the Director at reasonable times onto private or public property for any of the following purposes:

1. To obtain factual data or access to records required to be kept under A.R.S. §§ 45-632, 45-879.01, or 45-1004.

2. To inspect a well or another facility for the withdrawal, transportation, use, measurement, or recharge of groundwater under A.R.S. § 45-633.

3. To inspect a facility that is used for the purpose of water storage, stored water recovery, or stored water use under A.R.S. § 45-880.01(A).

4. To inspect a body of water under A.R.S. § 45-135 or to ascertain compliance with A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 1, Article 3.

5. To inspect or to obtain factual data or access to records pursuant to any Section of A.R.S. Title 45 that requires the Director to adopt rules for conducting inspections, examining records, and obtaining warrants.

6. To inspect facilities used for the withdrawal, diversion, or use of water pursuant to a water exchange under A.R.S. § 45-1061.

B. Not less than seven days prior to an inspection, the Director shall mail notice of the inspection by first class letter to the owner, manager or occupant of the property. The notice shall include the statutory authorization and purpose for the inspection. The notice shall specify a date and time certain or a seven-day period within which the inspection may take place. If a request is made before the seven-day period, the Director shall schedule the inspection for a time certain within the seven-day period to allow an opportunity for a representative of the property to be present at the inspection. The notice shall include the name and telephone number of a Department employee who may be contacted to arrange such an appointment.

C. Whenever practical, Department employees shall minimize disruptions to on-going operations caused by an inspection.

D. If the property is controlled or secured against entry at the time specified in the notice of inspection but consent to the inspection was not denied, the Director shall give a second notice in the manner prescribed in subsection (B) before seeking a search warrant or its equivalent. The second notice shall request that a representative of the property be present at the inspection to accompany Department personnel.

E. If the Director gives notice of an inspection and is not permitted to conduct an inspection, the Director may apply for and obtain a search warrant or its equivalent.

F. Notice of inspection shall not be required under subsections (B) and (D) of this rule if the Director reasonably believes that notice would frustrate the enforcement of A.R.S. Title 45, or where entry is sought for the sole purpose of inspecting water measuring devices required pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-604.

G. The Director shall mail a copy of the report of the inspection either to the person to whom the notice of inspection was directed, or to the owner, manager or occupant of the property if no notice of inspection was given. The report shall include the date of the inspection and a short summary of the findings. If no notice was given, the report shall include an explanation of the reason for determining that notice would not be given, unless providing the explanation would frustrate enforcement of A.R.S. Title 45. An aggrieved person may file with the Director written comments on the report within 30 days after the report is mailed.

H. The owner, manager or occupant of the property may waive the provisions for notice contained in this rule.

I. The Director shall comply with the requirements of A.R.S. § 41-1009 when conducting inspections under this Section.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-15-1101

Adopted effective August 31, 1992 (Supp. 92-3). Amended effective July 22, 1994 (Supp. 94-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 5395, effective February 4, 2006 (Supp. 05-4).