Grand Terrace Municipal Code Ch. 13.04 Sewer Connections

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this Section:

A. "Building" means a structure entirely separate from any other structure by a space or by walls in which there are no communicating doors or windows or similar openings.

B. "Chief Building Official" means the Chief Building Official of the City or his duly authorized representative.

C. "Drainage fixture unit" (d.f.u.) means as set out in this excerpt from the International Conference of Building Officials' Uniform Plumbing Code, 1979 Edition:

FIXTURE UNIT DRAINAGE (d.f.u) is a measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various types of plumbing fixtures. The drainage fixture unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the average time between successive operations.

D. "Lot" means any piece or parcel of land as bounded, defined or shown upon the latest map, plan or deed recorded in the office of the County Recorder or upon the assessor's map as prepared by the County Treasurer.

E. "Main sewer" means a main pipeline sewer of the City laid in the streets, alleys and along the rights-of-way for the collection of sewage from connecting sewers and conveying the same to the outfall sewer.

F. "Sewer lateral" means that portion of the sewer system which extends from the main sewer to the building or structure served.

1. Property Owner Sewer Service Lateral (Upper Portion). The wastewater collection piping extending from the Structure where the Wastewater is generated down to the property line where it connects to the City sewer service lateral (lower portion).

2. City Sewer Service Lateral (Lower Portion). The wastewater collection piping extending down from the property line, where the property owner sewer service lateral (upper portion) begins, including the connection to the City's sewer collection system.

(Ord. No. 277, § 2, 10-28-2014; Ord. 33 § 1, 1980; Ord. 24 § 1, 1979)

All buildings or other structures which contain any plumbing fixtures and which are located within the City limits must be connected to a public sewer except as otherwise provided in Section 13.04.040.

(Ord. 24 § 2, 1979)

All property of every kind within the City limits shall, upon being furnished sewer services or subdivided, be charged and pay, in addition to other charges as established, a sewer acquisition charge. This charge shall be determined by multiplying the basic service unit charge times the number of service units established for the applicable classification of type of property and use, pursuant to Section 13.04.060.

(Ord. 24 § 3, 1979)

The acquisition charge shall be due and payable prior to the issuance by the City of building permits and shall be a condition for the issuance of the permit. In connection with property subject to such charge, which is subdivided and has a tract map placed of record after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter, and which does not require the issuance of building permits, the payment of such connection charge shall be a condition of the filing and approval of a tract map. The charge shall be a part of the improvements to be made by the subdivider in accordance with the subdivision contract and a part for which the subdivision bondsman shall be liable.

(Ord. 24 § 4, 1979)

No sewer facilities shall be furnished or connection made for the furnishing of sewer facilities to the property of any person for which the charge in Section 13.04.030 is applicable unless such charge is paid.

(Ord. 24 § 5, 1979)

The following units of service are fixed and established for the following classifications of types of property and use:

1. The minimum unit of service for commercial usage is based upon 18 drainage fixture units (d.f.u.). The total additional units in excess of 18 shall be determined by the Building Official and those fixture units in excess of 18 shall be charged a sewer acquisition fee for each individual fixture unit, according to the resolution adopted establishing fees.

2. Table Number 14 A of the International Conference of Building Officials Uniform Plumbing Code, 1979 Edition, "Drainage Fixture Unit Values for Various Plumbing Fixtures," shall be utilized in determining the required fixture values.

3. Buildings which are to be constructed with the total number of fixture units unknown until the building is to be occupied shall be charged the minimum unit of service. Further sewer acquisition charges shall be charged in accordance with Section 13.04.030.

C. Additional units of service:

1. Apartment houses and courts: one additional service unit for each apartment over two;

2. Motels: one additional service unit for up to each three motel units after the first three;

3. Trailer parks: three additional service units for up to each four stalls after the first four;

4. Roominghouse and convent: one additional unit for up to each three persons after the first five.

(Ord. 33 §§ 2, 3, 1980; Ord. 24 § 6, 1979)

A. During building alteration or rehabilitation, the Building Official shall evaluate the existing plumbing system. If alteration will increase the sewage discharge beyond the basic units of service (commercial or residential) then those increased units shall be charged accordingly.

B. Any additional fees shall be paid prior to release of the building permit for alteration.

(Ord. 33 § 3, 1980)

The connection of any sewer facilities without the payment of the charges provided for in this Chapter gives the City the right to go upon private or public property and disconnect the sewer facilities.

(Ord. 24 § 7, 1979)

No person shall make any connection with any cesspool or other facility for depositing sewage, except with and into the City sewage disposal lines, when the property or place so to be connected fronts upon or is located within 200 feet of a constructed, completed and accepted City main line sewer; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section shall be construed and applied in conformity with Section 13.04.100.

(Ord. 24 § 8, 1979)

On any lot where there is an existing cesspool or other place where sewage is being deposited, such building may continue to be served from such cesspool or other facility; provided, however, no person shall continue to use any cesspool or place where sewage has been or is being deposited, which the County Health Officer finds unsuitable, after the expiration of 30 days from service of notice upon the property owner and/or occupant to this effect. Before the expiration of such 30-day period, such building or structure containing any plumbing fixtures shall be connected to the City sewage disposal system.

(Ord. 24 § 9, 1979)

No person shall make or attempt to make any connection with the main sewer lines of the City without first having secured a permit therefor and having paid the established connection fee.

(Ord. 24 § 10, 1979)

A permit to make a sewer connection shall be granted upon application made upon blank forms furnished by the City, and in the manner as in such form prescribed, which application will be filed with the Chief Building Official who is authorized to issue such a permit.

(Ord. 24 § 11, 1979)

An appeal from the decision of the chief building official, as to the granting or denial of any sewer connection permit, may be made to the City Council. All sewer connections and pipelines laid in connection with such permit shall be under the supervision of the Chief Building Official and in conformity with City standards.

(Ord. 24 § 12, 1979)

Every building or other structure situated within the City shall be separately and independently connected with a connecting sewer, except where more than one building or other structure is situated upon the same lot, in which case all such buildings and structures may, by special permit authorized by the Chief Building Official, be joined in the use of one house and connecting sewer; provided, however, that all such buildings and structures are owned by the same person. The same connecting sewer may, in special cases by special permission of the City Council, be used to serve two or more lots.

(Ord. 24 § 13, 1979)

No building or other structure shall be connected to an old sewer, nor shall any old sewer line be used until a permit has been granted for so connecting and a certificate of inspection obtained from the Chief Building Official.

(Ord. 24 § 14, 1979)

A. The costs for installation, maintenance, and replacement, of the property owner sewer service lateral (upper portion) as defined in Section 13.04.010, shall be the responsibility of the property owner.

B. The costs for installation, maintenance, and replacement of the City sewer service lateral (lower portion) as defined in Section 13.04.010, shall be the responsibility of the City.

(Ord. No. 277, § 3, 10-28-2014; Ord. 24 § 15, 1979)

The City is not responsible for maintaining the property owner sewer service lateral (upper portion) as defined in Section 13.04.010. To help mitigate a sanitary sewer overflow or blockage caused by a property owner sewer service lateral (upper portion), the property owner may request help from the City and shall pay to the City all costs associated with the remediation of such obstruction including cleanup.

(Ord. No. 277, § 4, 10-28-2014)