Earlier editions: 2026-07
Encinitas Municipal Code Ch. 18.08 Sewer Connection Fees and Sewer Service Charges
Encinitas Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Encinitas
Cite as: Encinitas Municipal Code Chapter 18.08 · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 18.08.010. Application for Sewer Connections and/or Monthly Sewer Service—Applicant…¶
A. Applications. Applications for sewer connections and/or sewer service shall be submitted at the Public Works Department counter at the Civic Center on prescribed forms provided by the City.
B. Compliance of Applicant. Application approved for sewer service and/or sewer connections will signify the applicant's willingness and intention to comply with all ordinances and regulations relating to sewer service and/or connections and to make payment for such sewer service fees, connection/capacity fees, sewer construction permit deposits, and inspection fees, as well as other pertinent contingent fees set forth by resolution and by other applicable rules and regulations.
(Ord. 97-04; Ord. 2014-12)
§ 18.08.020. Sewer Connection/Capacity Fees.¶
A. The sewer connection/capacity fee shall be set by ordinance. (See Health and Safety Code Section 5474.)
B. Connection/capacity fees and inspection fees are due and payable at the time of application for a wastewater discharge permit. The number of equivalent dwelling units shall be used to compute the amount of the connection fee.
C. If the proposed connection cannot be made, the fee will be refunded when approved by the City Engineer.
(Ord. 97-04)
§ 18.08.025. Equivalent Dwelling Unit Determination.¶
A. Residential. The number of equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) assigned to each structure is determined as follows:
| Cardiff Sanitary Division | Encinitas Sanitary Division | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Single-family residence | 1.0 EDU per each individual dwelling unit, per lot (includes manufactured homes, and mobilehomes which are on private lots) | 1.0 EDU per each individual dwelling unit, per lot (includes manufactured homes, and mobilehomes which are on private lots) |
| 2. Multi-family (including all residential condominiums, apartments) | 0.6 EDU, regardless of number of bedrooms, per each individual living unit on the same lot | 0.7 EDU, regardless of number of bedrooms, per each individual living unit on the same lot |
| 3. Accessory dwelling units | 0.6 EDU, regardless of number of bedrooms, per each individual living unit on the same lot | 0.7 EDU, regardless of number of bedrooms, per each individual living unit on the same lot |
| 4. Mobile home and trailer parks, per each individual space (Any accessory facilities such as laundry, dining, recreational area, residence, etc., shall be considered separately in addition to trailer spaces, as per this chapter.) | ||
| a. Mobile home | 0.5 EDU | 0.5 EDU |
| b. Trailer space | 0.5 EDU | 0.5 EDU |
| c. Recreational vehicle park | 0.5 EDU (occupied or not) | 0.5 EDU (occupied or not) |
B. Commercial/Industrial/School Facilities.
- Food service establishments
| a. Take-out restaurants with disposable utensils, no dishwasher, and no public restrooms | 3.0 EDU |
|---|---|
| b. Miscellaneous food establishments: ice-cream/ |
3.0 EDU |
| c. Take-out/ |
3.0 EDU |
| d. Restaurants with re-usable utensils, seating and public minimum restrooms, includes cocktail bars | 3.0 EDU |
| One EDU is assigned for each 6-seat unit as follows: 1-18 seats = 3.0 EDU (minimum) each additional 6-seat unit will be assigned 1.0 EDU. The number of seats will be equal to 80% of the maximum occupant load for the eating area as defined by the current Uniform Building Code. | |
| 2. Hotels and motels (any accessory facilities such as laundry, dining, recreational area, residence, etc., shall be considered separately in addition to living units, as per this chapter) | |
| a. Per living unit without kitchen | 0.38 EDU |
| b. Per living unit with kitchen | 0.60 EDU |
| 3. Commercial, professional, industrial buildings, to include markets, recreational facilities, full-service laundries/ |
|
| a. Any office, store, motor-vehicle wash, or industrial condominium or establishment | |
| i. First 1,000 square feet | 1.2 EDU |
| ii. Each additional 1,000 square feet or portion thereof | 0.7 EDU |
| b. Where occupancy type or usage is unknown at the time of application for service, the following EDUs shall apply. This shall include, but not be limited to, shopping centers, industrial parks, and professional office buildings | |
| i. First 1,000 square feet of gross building floor area | 1.2 EDU |
| ii. Each additional 1,000 square feet of gross building floor area (portions less than 1,000 square feet will be prorated) | 0.7 EDU |
| 4. Self-service laundry, per washer | 1.0 EDU |
| 5. Churches, theaters, and auditoriums per each 150-person seating capacity, or fraction thereof (does not include office spaces, school rooms, day care facilities, food preparations areas, etc.; additional EDUs will be assigned for these supplementary uses) | 1.5 EDU |
| 6. Schools, to include day-care centers, boarding schools, or other combined youth educational, recreational and residential facilities | |
| a. Elementary schools for 50 pupils or fewer | 1.0 EDU |
| b. Junior high schools for 40 pupils or fewer | 1.0 EDU |
| c. High schools for 24 pupils or fewer | 1.0 EDU |
| Additional EDUs shall be prorated based on above values. The number of pupils shall be based on the average daily attendance of pupils at the school during the preceding fiscal year, computed in accordance with the education code of the State of California. However, where the school has had no attendance during the preceding fiscal year, the City Engineer shall estimate the average daily attendance for the fiscal year for which the fee is to be paid and compute the fee based on such estimate. | |
| 7. Convalescent homes (any accessory facilities such as laundry, dining, recreational area, residence, etc., shall be considered separately in addition to beds/ |
|
| a. Skilled nursing care facilities, psychological hospitals, convalescent hospitals; licensed by the Department of Health | 0.7 EDU/bed |
| b. Community care facilities with 16 or more beds licensed by the State Department of Health | 0.5 EDU/bed |
| c. Small community care facilities with 7 to 15 beds licensed by the County Department of Social Services | 0.5 EDU/bed |
| d. Community care homes with six or fewer total residents, including resident staff and housekeepers (to be the same EDU as a single-family residence) | 1.0 EDU |
| 8. Automobile service station | 8. Automobile service station |
| a. Four gasoline/ |
2.0 EDU |
| b. More than four gasoline/ |
3.0 EDU |
| c. Each floor drain connected to sewer | 0.5 EDU |
| 9. Warehouse or equivalent, per four fixture unit increment | 1.0 EDU |
| 10. Other. In the case of commercial, industrial, and other establishments not included in Commercial/ |
C. Exceptions. The City Engineer shall exercise their professional judgment and discretion to determine and assign EDUs for wastewater discharge permits, or modifications thereto, to assess the sewer connection/capacity fee for structures, and/or uses, and/or combinations thereof not otherwise specified in Section 18.08.025.
(Ord. 97-11; Ord. 98-10; Ord. 2024-07, 5/22/2024; Ord. 2025-02, 2/19/2025)
§ 18.08.030. Sewer Service Charges.¶
A. The sewer service charges shall be set by ordinance. (See Health and Safety Code Section 5471.)
B. A sewer service charge is levied and charged upon each premises which discharges sewage that ultimately passes through the City's sewer system.
C. The property owner of record shall be responsible for payment of the sewer service charge. Any agreement between landlords and tenants to the contrary will not relieve the landlord or record owner of the property of the responsibility for payment of the sewer service charges to the City.
D. Sewer service charges may be collected either through the tax roll of the County of San Diego, on the property's water bill, or by issuing a manual bill for payment. The method utilized is determined by the Public Works Director or designee.
E. Payment of sewer service charges for new connections are paid for at the time the wastewater discharge permit is issued. If the permit is for an existing building the sewer service charges will be prorated for the fiscal year based upon the date the permit is issued. If the permit is for new construction or connection, then a time credit of four months shall be allowed when computing the amount of sewer service charges. This prorated amount shall be paid at the time the wastewater discharge permit is issued.
F. Provided, however, in the case of other businesses and establishments that have unusual character insofar as sewage is concerned, the rate shall be established in each case by the City Manager or designee. The rate so established shall be fixed in consideration of the estimated or actual volume of flow and suspended solids (ss) and/or biological oxygen demand (BOD) content from such.
G. The annual sewer service charges for all properties discharging sewage that passes through the City's sewer system, excluding schools, will be determined by applying the volume sewer charge per hundred cubic feet (HCF) for each customer classification to each parcel as determined by the water utility meter readings. The annual sewer service charges for schools shall be determined by applying the number of equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) assigned per the average daily attendance of pupils at the school at the current rate set by ordinance.
(Ord. 98-10; Ord. 2002-05; Ord. 2024-01, 3/13/2024)
§ 18.08.040. Sewer Service Outside City Limits.¶
When it appears to be in the best interest of the City and the people thereof, the City Engineer may prepare an agreement for property situated outside the City to be permitted to connect to the sewer system. The agreement may state the terms of connection, special conditions and limitations, cost for service, annexation fees, connection/capacity fees, and other conditions of sewer service.
(Ord. 98-10)
§ 18.08.050. Refunds, Back Charges, and Changes in Use Resulting in Different Rates,…¶
A. Increased Rates. Whenever the use of any premises previously connected to the City system is changed so that there is a fee applicable to such premises increased from that which existed at time original application was made, there shall immediately become due, owing and payable to the City the increase in fees applicable. The charges imposed by this regulation shall become delinquent 60 days following the date it becomes due.
B. Back Charges for Unpaid Sewer Service. The City Engineer is authorized to require back charges in the event that a property has been discharging into the sewer system without payment of sewer service charges. The back charges may be imposed up to four years in arrears.
C. Refund/Reduction of Sewer Service Charges and/or Connection/Capacity Fees. The Public Works Director is authorized to allow refunds of annual sewer service charges and/or connection/capacity fees to non-discharging parcel owners and to property owners which have been over-charged for sewer service and/or connection/capacity fees. The Public Works Director is authorized to discontinue charging non-discharging parcels for sewer and to reduce the sewer service charge of over-charged parcels. Only those amounts which were over-charged will be refunded, and without accrued interest. Refunds shall be issued for up to four years in arrears during which the property owner was over-charged for sewer service.
(Ord. 97-04; Ord. 98-10)
§ 18.08.060. Exceptions.¶
The Public Works Director or his/her designee shall have the power to grant exceptions and to establish policies for the granting of such exceptions from the established sewer service charges. Such exceptions shall only be granted when one or more of the following situations exist:
A. Where the premises are not connected to the sewer system of the City.
B. When water is supplied to premises through a separate water meter and such water is used entirely for irrigation purposes.
C. Where the City has entered into a separate service agreement.
(Ord. 98-10)
§ 18.08.070. Adjustment of Sewer Service Charges Authority.¶
The Public Works Director or his/her designee shall have the power to adjust the annual sewer service charge when one or more of the following situations exist:
A. When excessive water consumption is caused by unknown water pipe leaks and it is positively demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City that above-mentioned water consumption is not discharged into the sewer system.
B. Where it can be positively demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City that the percentage of return to sewer is less than the amount calculated for that customer classification due to a substantial portion of the water used for industrial, recreational, horticultural or agricultural purposes.
C. When water is supplied to premises by more than one water meter and one or more of such additional water meters does not provide water which is discharged into the sewer system.
D. When ownership of the parcel changes after the period during which the water meter readings are recorded and the amount of water used during that period is above the median annual water use for that customer classification. It must be positively demonstrated by the customer that the recorded amount is not representative of their actual consumption for the type of use.
(Ord. 98-10)
§ 18.08.080. Calculation of Annual Sewer Service Charge.¶
Single-Family Residential. The annual sewer service charge for single-family residential customers shall be determined by applying the sewer charge per hundred cubic feet (HCF) to the adjusted annual water usage. For customers of the San Dieguito Water District, the service charge will be based on the two lowest bi-monthly water meter readings from December through May, multiplied by three to arrive at the annual water usage in HCF. For customers of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District, the service charge will be determined by combining monthly water meter readings from December through May to produce three bimonthly readings. The service charge will be based on the lowest two readings multiplied by three to arrive at the annual water usage. Each of these water readings will then be averaged over five years. The averaged annual water usage is then adjusted by applying a percentage return to sewer to determine the adjusted annual water usage. The minimum and maximum charges established by ordinance will apply to all single-family residential customers whose water utility meter readings fall under or over the established limits.
Multifamily Residential. The annual sewer service charge for multifamily residential customers shall be determined in the same manner as for single-family residential customers. For multi-family residential customers with separate parcels sharing a single water utility meter, the annual total water usage shall be divided among the number of parcels served and applied to each parcel equally. The annual sewer service charge will be based on the adjusted annual water usage for the parcel. The minimum and maximum charges established by ordinance will apply on a per unit basis to all multifamily residential customers whose water utility meter readings fall under or over the established limits.
Nonresidential. The annual sewer service charge for nonresidential customers shall be determined by applying the sewer charge per hundred cubic feet (HCF) to the adjusted annual water usage. The annual water usage is based on the prior 12 months metered water usage from May through April for the customer and is adjusted by applying a percentage return to sewer to determine the adjusted annual water usage. A minimum charge has been established for nonresidential customers.
When less than two full bi-monthly billing periods (four full monthly periods for customers of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District) of metered water use is available from December through May for residential customers, the median annual water use for that customer classification, as set by ordinance, shall apply.
When less than three full bi-monthly billing periods (six full monthly periods for customers of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District) of metered water use is available for nonresidential customers for the prior year, the median annual water use for that customer subclassification, as set by ordinance, shall apply. When more than three full billing periods, but less than six full bi-monthly periods (12 full monthly periods for customers of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District) of metered water use is available for nonresidential customers for the prior year, the use shall be normalized to one year.
When a single water meter serves more than one customer classification on a parcel, the highest strength classification will be used in determining the rate per 100 cubic feet of water usage.
When no median annual water use exists for a nonresidential subclassification, the number of equivalent dwelling units assigned to the parcel for the purpose of determining the sewer connection/capacity fees shall be used, multiplied by the median annual sewer service charge for the single-family residential customer subclassification.
When the nonresidential subclassification for a customer changes prior to the determination of the annual sewer service charge for the customer, the rate for the new subclassification shall apply and the annual water usage for each customer subclassification shall be used to determine the annual sewer service charge.
Customers that have submeters to track outdoor water use will have the total annual flow to the meter that is for indoor usage billed with no winter month adjustment or any percentage return to sewer adjustment and no five-year averaging.
(Ord. 98-10; Ord. 2002-05; Ord. 2024-01, 3/13/2024; Ord. 2025-14, 11/12/2025)
§ 18.08.090. Challenge of Sewer Service Charge Determination.¶
A. Administrative Review. The property owner of record or his/her designee subject to the sewer service charge may apply in writing to the Public Works Director or his/her designee for an exception or adjustment as hereinabove provided in Sections 18.08.060 and 18.08.070; however, no rebate of fees upon such exception shall be allowed for any fees paid one year or more preceding the filing of such application. The applicant shall complete an official application for review of annual sewer service charge, supplied by the Public Works Department. The applicant shall furnish necessary factual data to support such application. The Public Works Director or his/her designee shall review the application and approve or deny the application based on the information provided by the applicant.
B. Appeal to City Manager. Upon denial or conditional approval by the Public Works Director or his/her designee, any applicant dissatisfied with such decision may appeal same to the City Manager.
C. Appeal to City Council. Upon denial or conditional approval by the City Manager, any applicant dissatisfied with such decision may appeal same to the City Council. Such appeal must be filed in writing with the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 1.12.
(Ord. 98-10; Ord. 2022-06)
§ 18.08.100. Submeters.¶
If the property owner determines that it is in their best interest, a submeter may be used to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the City that the percentage of return to sewer is less than the amount calculated for that customer classification.
A. Readings obtained from submeters installed for the purpose of measuring exclusively indoor or outdoor water use in HCF may be used by the City for the purpose of calculating the annual water usage if the following conditions are met:
An application requesting that the water readings from a submeter be considered in determining the annual sewer service charge be completed by the customer prior to the installation of a new submeter.
The use of the submeter be pre-approved by the Utilities Director or designee prior to installation.
The submeter be connected to a water line exclusively used for indoor or outdoor water use.
An annual service charge may be imposed by the respective water agency for the meter reading during which the usage is recorded. The above-mentioned charge shall be set by ordinance.
An annual service charge may be imposed by the respective water agency for the meter reading during which the usage is recorded. The above-mentioned charge shall be set by ordinance.
B. A penalty will be imposed by the City for any submeter found to be tampered with, adjusted, or improperly installed to produce false readings.
C. Properties utilizing submeters will have their bills calculated based upon the actual annual water use delivered by the meter that tracks indoor use excluding the flows to the irrigation meter, see Section 18.08.080 for other clarifications on billing for these properties.
(Ord. 2002-05; Ord. 2024-01, 3/13/2024)
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