§ 21-5. Wells drilled prior to January 1, 1996, exempt.

Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions of this chapter shall not be interpreted to require a permit for any producing oil or gas well located within the corporate limits of the city, which was drilled and completed prior to January 1, 1996, or for the continued operation, re-working, sidetracking, plugging back or abandonment, or deepening through the deepest productive reservoir to which any such well was previously drilled; and provided, further, without limitation on the foregoing, none of the provisions of this chapter shall ever be construed as applying to the operation of any producing oil or gas well, located within the corporate limits of the city, which was drilled and completed prior to January 1, 1996, or to the equipment and its operation (producing or otherwise), installed in connection with such well as long as such well, equipment and operations complied with this chapter as it existed on December 31, 1995 and such well, equipment and operation continue to comply with this chapter as it existed on December 31, 1995.

(Ord. No. 716, § 1(Exh. "A"), 2-12-96)