Arcata Municipal Code Art. 9 Discontinuance of Service

A. Residential Services.

1. The City Council shall adopt a residential water discontinuation policy to comply with and implement the Water Shutoff Protection Act (Health and Safety Code §§ 116902 et seq., SB 998). Residential water service may be discontinued for non-payment of bills in a manner as set forth in the City’s residential water discontinuation policy.

2. Fees for reconnection of residential water service after disconnection for non-payment of bills may be charged as set forth in the City’s residential water discontinuation policy.

3. Unpaid residential water service bills shall be deemed delinquent, and penalties shall be assessed as set forth in the City’s residential water discontinuation policy.

B. Non-residential Services.

1. Non-residential water service may be discontinued for non-payment of bills on or after the 60th day after the bill was sent. At least fifteen (15) days prior to such discontinuance the customer will be sent a final notice informing him that discontinuance will be enforced if payment is not made within the time specified in said notice. The failure of the Finance Department to send, or any such person to receive, said notice shall not affect the City’s power hereunder. A non-residential customer’s water service may be discontinued if water service furnished at a previous location is not paid for within the time herein fixed for payment of bills.

2. Water service charges for non-residential services not paid sixty (60) days after the billing date shall be delinquent and a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the delinquent amount shall be assessed. A penalty as set forth in the Schedule of Fees adopted by resolution of the City Council shall be collected. In addition to the above penalty, the Finance Department may demand that the full amount of both delinquent and current bills be paid prior to restoration of service.

C. All Services. If a customer receives water service at more than one (1) location and the bill for service at any one (1) location is not paid within the time provided for payment, water service at all locations may be turned off. Domestic service, however, will not be turned off for non-payment of bills for other classes of service. (Ord. 1526, eff. 2/5/2020; Ord. 1588, eff. 8/14/2026)

A. A service charge as set forth in the Schedule of Fees adopted by resolution of the City Council shall be assessed whenever a non-sufficient funds or otherwise deficient check is presented in payment of a water bill.

B. A change of service charge as set forth in the Schedule of Fees adopted by resolution of the City Council shall be assessed whenever a new customer begins water service with the City following discontinuance of such service at the same location by a previous customer. (Ord. 1193, eff. 7/31/1992; Ord. 1526, eff. 2/5/2020)

Water service may be refused or discontinued to any premises where apparatus or appliances are in use which might endanger or disturb the service to other customers. (Ord. 1526, eff. 2/5/2020)

Water service may be refused or discontinued to any premises where there exists a cross-connection in violation of State or Federal laws. (Ord. 1526, eff. 2/5/2020)

Service may be discontinued if necessary to protect the City against fraud or abuse. (Ord. 1526, eff. 2/5/2020)

Service may be discontinued for non-compliance with this or any other ordinance or regulations related to the water service. (Ord. 1526, eff. 2/5/2020)

Customers desiring to discontinue service should so notify the Finance Department one (1) day prior to vacating the premises. Unless discontinuance of service is ordered the customer shall be liable for charges whether or not any water is used. (Ord. 1194, eff. 9/4/1992; Ord. 1526, eff. 2/5/2020)

Upon notification to the Finance Department, short term disconnections will be made where the time involved comprises multiples of the minimum billing period. (Ord. 1194, eff. 9/4/1992; Ord. 1526, eff. 2/5/2020)