Grass Valley Municipal Code Ch. 13.12 Sewer Service System

Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meanings of terms used in this chapter shall be as follows:

"Building sewer" means that part of the sanitary sewer system which received the discharge from soil and waste pipes in a building and conveys it to the junction with the service sewer at the lot property line or sewer easement line.

"Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)" means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at twenty degrees Celsius, expressed in milligrams per liter.

"Cesspool" means a tank, box or sump used for receipt of raw sewage, containing no provision for the nitrification, clarification or disposal of the sewage or which discharges such sewage upon the open ground.

"City" means the City of Grass Valley, California.

"Chemical oxygen demand (COD)" means the oxygen consumed, or the determination of the oxidizable load of wastes, containing certain toxic substances as established by standard laboratory procedure.

"Council" means the city council of the City of Grass Valley, California.

"County" means the County of Nevada, California.

"County health officer" means the health officer of Nevada County and acting as city health officer.

"Engineer" means the city engineer or the director of public works of the city of his duly authorized representative.

"Finance director" means the director of the Grass Valley finance department.

"Garbage" means the solid wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage and sale of produce.

"Industrial wastes" means the liquid waste from industrial processes, as distinct from sanitary sewage.

"Lateral sewer" means a sewer located in a street or public easement and designed to accommodate more than one house service sewer.

"Natural outlet" means any outlet into a watercourse, ditch, pond, lake or other body of surface or groundwater.

"Person" means any individual, firm, company, association, society, partnership, corporation, organization or group.

"Privy" means a structure used as a toilet, under a part, or all of which, is a vault or pit intended or used for the reception of human waste matter.

"Public sewer" means any sewer which is controlled by the city.

"pH" means the logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen concentration in grams per liter of solution.

"Sanitary sewage" means any waste discharging into the city sewerage system and which contains human or animal excreta, offal or any feculent matter.

"Septic tank system" means a system of watertight reservoirs or tanks which receive raw sewage and by septic bacterial action affect decomposition and settlement of settleable solids, and diversion of the septic liquid into percolation ducts extending into natural or prepared porous subsoil beds where further clarification and purification takes place.

"Service applicant" means any customer that has applied for sewer service including property owners, occupants and tenants. The service applicant is also the party to be billed. In the case of properties used for commercial purposes, master-metered apartment buildings and properties not provided water service by the City of Grass Valley, the service applicant is always the property owner.

"Sewerage system" means all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of the water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions and industrial establishments.

"Street" means any public highway, road, street, avenue, way, alley, easement or right-of-way.

"Suspended solids" means solids that either float on the surface of, or are in suspension in, water, sewage or other liquids, and which are removable by laboratory filtration, expressed in milligrams per liter.

"Trunk sewer line" means a sewer located in a street or public easement and designed to accommodate more than one lateral sewer.

"User" means the legal owner or the premises served as provided in this chapter.

"Watercourse" means a natural stream or formed channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.

(Ord. 545 § 1, 1996: prior code § 20-1)

A. It is unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in an unsanitary manner any human or animal excrement, garbage, or other objectionable waste upon any public or private property within the city or in any area under the jurisdiction of the city.

B. It is unlawful to discharge any sanitary sewage, industrial waste, or other polluted waters to any natural outlet within the city, or in any area under the jurisdiction of the city, except when suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this chapter.

C. It shall be unlawful to construct, reconstruct, relocate, or alter any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facilities intended or used for the disposal of sanitary sewage within the city or in any area under the jurisdiction of the city, except as provided in this chapter.

D. The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose situated within the city, and abutting on any street or easement in which there is located a public sanitary sewer within two hundred feet of the property line, is required to install, at his expense, a connection with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within ninety days after date of official notice to do so.

(Prior code § 20-2)

A. Where a public sanitary sewer is not available within the meaning of Section 13.12.020, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system in accordance with the applicable provisions of all city regulations pertaining to such systems.

B. Before any work is done on the construction, reconstruction, relocation, or alteration of private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a permit from the county health officer.

C. At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, a direct connection shall be made to such public sewer, as provided in this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools, or other private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material as directed by the county health officer.

D. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit any additional requirements that may be imposed by the county health officer.

(Prior code § 20-3)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully break, damage, destroy, uncover, obstruct maintenance access, deface and/or tamper with any sewer, structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the sewerage system of the city. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest under a charge of disorderly conduct. Cost of repairs or replacement of any part of the sewerage system of the city will be the responsibility of the person(s) causing the damage.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to make a connection with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer, service sewer, or appurtenance thereof except as hereinafter provided.

C. Septic tanks, cesspools, or any drains therefrom shall not be connected to any building sewer, service sewer, or any other sanitary sewer.

D. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any public sanitary sewer. Stormwater and all other unpolluted waters shall be discharged to such pipe lines as are specifically designated as storm drains, or to a natural outlet approved by the engineer.

E. Any swimming or wading pool over two thousand gallons in capacity with a drain connection to the public sewer shall be provided with a recirculation system equipped with an approved filter. Where a storm drain is available, discharge to a sanitary sewer shall be prohibited. When discharge of the swimming pool water to a public sewer is authorized; the following conditions shall apply:

1. An approved sand interceptor shall be provided for filter backwash and pool drainage waters.

2. The maximum size of discharge pipe from the pool or sump shall be one and one-half inches, with a control valve provided for possible future regulation in the event the sanitary sewer capacity is exceeded.

3. Disconnection from the sanitary sewer by the owner shall be mandatory if the sanitary sewer capacity becomes inadequate for both sanitary flows and swimming pool discharges.

4. The draining of swimming pools into a public sewer shall be limited to the hours between nine p.m. and seven a.m.

F. Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters to any public sewer, sewerage system, or city wastewater treatment plant:

1. Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than sixty degrees Celsius (or equivalent one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit).

2. Any water or waste which contains more than two hundred milligrams per liter of fat, oil, or grease.

3. Any water or waste having a pH lower than six or higher than ten, or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment, or personnel of the public sewer, sewerage system, or city wastewater treatment plant.

4. Any water or waste containing a toxic or poisonous substance in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or create a hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant.

5. Any water or waste containing radioactive material in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or create a hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant.

6. Any water or waste containing synthetic detergents in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process or create problems in the receiving water of the sewage treatment plant.

7. Any water or waste containing suspended solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment plant.

8. Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid, or gas.

9. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded. For the purpose of this chapter, this shall mean that it has been shredded to such degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half inch in any dimension.

10. Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, paunch manure, or any other solid or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with the proper operation of the sewerage system.

11. Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance.

12. Any water or waste emanating from a mine shaft or a mining operation.

G. Grease, oil or sand interceptors shall be provided when in the opinion of the engineer they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any sand, flammable material, or other harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units.

All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the engineer, and shall be located in such a manner as to be readily and easily accessible for inspection and cleaning. They shall be of substantial construction, made of impervious materials, capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperature, and equipped with easily removable covers which when bolted in place shall be gaslight and watertight.

All grease, oil, and sand interceptors shall be maintained in continuously efficient operation at all times by the owner, at his expense and the owner/operator shall be required to forward to the city and the Nevada County Department of Environmental Health regular and complete documentation of fats, oils and grease disposal by an approved licensed hauler.

H. The admission into the public sewers by any industrial or commercial user of any waters or wastes having:

1. An average flow greater than two percent of the average daily flow of the system or greater than twenty-five thousand gallons per day as recorded at the treatment plant;

2. A five-day B.O.D. concentration greater than two hundred milligrams per liter;

3. A C.O.D. concentration high enough to constitute a hazard or create problems in the sewage treatment process or damage to the receiving waters;

4. Containing more than three hundred milligrams per liter of suspended solids; or

5. Containing any quantity of substances having the characteristics described in subsection F. of this section, shall be subject to review and approval by the engineer. Costs of serving such users shall be allocated individually to the user.

I. When required by the engineer, the owner of any property served by a building sewer carrying industrial or commercial wastes with a volume greater than two percent of the system flow or greater than twenty-five thousand gallons per day, shall install and maintain at his expense, an approved flow recording device for continuous measurement of the volume of waste discharged to the public sewer. The flow-measuring station and the records therefrom shall be accessible at all times to the engineer or designee, and copies of the flow measurements shall be regularly furnished to the engineer.

J. Where necessary in the opinion of the engineer, the owner shall provide, at his own expense, such treatment as may be necessary to eliminate or reduce the objectionable characteristics or constituents to within the maximum limits provided for in subsections F. and H. of this section, or control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes.

Plans, specifications, and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted for the approval of the engineer and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until such approval is obtained in writing.

Preliminary treatment facilities shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his expense, to the satisfaction of the engineer.

K. When required by the engineer, the owner of any property served by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole in the building sewer for observation, sampling, and measurement of the wastes. Such manhole shall be fully accessible and safely located, and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the engineer. It shall be installed and maintained in its approved condition by the owner at his expense.

L. All measurements, tests, and analysis of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in this chapter shall be determined in accordance with "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 21st Edition (2005), as revised or amended," published by the American Public Health Association and shall be determined at the control manhole provided for in this section or upon suitable samples taken at such control manhole. In the event no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the service sewer is connected.

M. No statement contained in this chapter shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the city and an industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to payment therefore by the industrial concern.

N. If it becomes necessary or desirable to change the conditions prescribed at the time permission to discharge into the public sewer was granted, by reason of increased flow, change of character of the discharge, or for any cause whatsoever, the engineer may impose further conditions with respect thereto.

O. When authorized by the engineer, any representative of the city may enter upon the premises, or any part thereof, of any person discharging sanitary sewage or industrial wastes into the sewer system of the city for the purpose of observation, inspection, measurement, sampling, and testing, or protecting any rights of the city.

P. A sewer service charge as hereinafter established shall be applicable to all wastes permitted to be discharged to the city sewerage system.

Q. Outside users may be permitted to connect to the city sewer only when the engineer determines that such connection will not be adverse to the city's interests and that sufficient capacity is available in the sewerage system. Rules and regulations of the city shall be applicable to all users.

In the event that it shall subsequently develop by reason of increased flows, change in character of discharge, or changes of any cause whatsoever, that the flow becomes adverse to the city's interest or that capacity is no longer available for outside users, such users may be disconnected ninety days after notice is given in writing that such service is to be terminated.

(Ord. 474 § 2, 1992: prior code § 20-4; Ord. No. 735, § 1, 4-24-2012; Ord. No. 746-UB, § 2, 11-26-2013; Ord. No. 748, § 3, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 772, § 1, 4-12-2016; Ord. No. 816, § 2, 6-28-2022)

The city council, by resolution, may from time to time establish a policy applicable to the service of sewer to users located outside the limits of the city in accordance of the requirements specified in the California Government Code. The city's preference is to annex property prior to or in conjunction with providing sewer service, but under certain criteria, the city may extend services. Such criteria shall be evaluated as part of the engineer's report as discussed in this chapter and shall include, but not be limited to: consistency of present uses and future potential land uses with the city's general plan; public health and/or safety interest to extending sewer service to this area; the property owner's willingness to enter into an annexation agreement not necessarily date-specific (if required by the city council); and social and economic benefit and/or impact to the city, either from the investment provided through the extension of public infrastructure, the development of other improvements of community benefit such as parks, trails or affordable housing, or the creation of local jobs. Any land outside the corporate limits receiving sewer service from the city on the effective date of this chapter may continue to be served, subject to all of the provisions of this chapter and all other rules of the city, at the rates, charges and penalties established by action of the city council.

(Ord. No. 703, § 1, 5-12-2009; Ord. No. 735, § 1, 4-24-2012)

A. No work shall be undertaken on any building sewer, service sewer, or connection until a sewer connection permit has been first obtained from the building department on a form approved by the public works director/city engineer or his designated representative. The permit application shall be supplemented by plans, specifications, and other information indicating the type and location of the proposed sewer connection or work for public works approval. A fee for such permit shall be established by resolution of the city council. All new sewer services or connections shall be inspected and approved by the director of public works/city engineer or his designated representative, before new sewer services or connections are completed. The public works director/city engineer or his designated representative shall notify the finance director of the date a property is provided with sewer service.

B. The service sewers from the public sewer to the property line shall be installed at the time the sewer is constructed whenever practicable. The connection of service lines to trunk lines shall be prohibited except when specifically approved by the public works director/city engineer or his designated representative.

C. If the city has a sewer impact fee, this also shall be paid at the time of obtaining the permit.

D. A cleanout shall be placed in every building sewer at its junction with the soil pipe of the building, at the property line and at such other locations as may be determined by the public works director/city engineer or his designated representative. It shall be made with an approved type of cleanout fitting. The cleanout shall be extended to above finish grade, except that in paved areas it shall be extended to finish grade or boxed and covered with a cover plate. A relief device shall be installed in the cap of the cleanout located in an area least likely to cause damage to property or contamination if activated.

E. An approved type backwater valve shall be required:

1. In all new construction and service sewer replacements.

2. Where existing buildings have plumbing drain outlets at an elevation that is twelve inches or less above the ground surface of the next upstream manhole.

3. At change of property title.

4. At the time of issuing any building permit for construction work involving remodels where plumbing fixtures are added to the property and/or more than twenty-five percent of the structure area is being remodeled.

5. When any replacement or repair is being made to the sanitary sewer lateral.

6. When property has been damaged by the blockage of the city sanitary sewer main or the private lateral.

7. On all structures where a pump is used to lift sewage to the sanitary sewer system main line. The backflow relief device shall be located to protect the structure from damage in the event that the pump is pumping against a closed backflow device.

8. In buildings where the elevation of any floor is at or below the invert of the city sanitary sewer main, or is less than twelve inches above the ground surface of the next upstream manhole, or where a condition exists where a plug in the city sanitary sewer main will cause the hydraulic gradient to rise above the lowest floor level.

F. For the installation of backflow relief devices, a plumbing permit shall be required for all work proposed within private property, usually between the sidewalk or public right-of-way and building, and an encroachment permit shall be required for all work proposed within the public right-of-way, usually between the back of sidewalk and street where the private lateral would connect to the city's sewer line.

G. The cost of installation and the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the building service sewer and its fittings/devices shall be the property owner's.

H. Failure of the property owner to install a backwater valve for or as a result of any of the above conditions shall relieve the city of any and all responsibilities for any subsequent damage caused by backflow of the sanitary sewer.

I. Property owners are responsible for the proper installation and maintenance of building and service lateral sewers and cleanouts, and for obtaining the necessary construction and encroachment permits.

J. Property owners are responsible for keeping the three-foot radius of the cleanout area clear of vegetation or any obstruction to visibility or ease of access.

K. The materials and methods of construction of building sewers shall be as required by the city plumbing code, except of specified in subsections D and E of this section.

L. The initial connection of a sewer service from the public sewer to the property shall be charged to the applicant at the published fully burdened rates for labor and supervision, overhead and equipment rent. The charge for same shall be due and payable as soon as the work is completed and shall be deemed delinquent at the same time and in the same manner as the next regular sewer bill.

(Prior code § 20-5; Ord. No. 695, § 1, 4-8-2008; Ord. No. 698, § 1, 9-9-2008)

The preparation of plans and specifications and construction of all public sewers shall comply in every respect with the latest version approved by city council of the City of Grass Valley Improvement Standards, except with the prior written approval of the engineer.

(Prior code § 20-6; Ord. No. 735, § 1, 4-24-2012)

Applicants for service beyond the limits of the existing sewer system may secure service provided they comply with the provisions of this section.

A. A request shall be filed with the city engineer indicating the property proposed to be served and the use to be made thereof. The engineer shall analyze the request in respect to the master sewer plan, and other engineering factors, and submit a report of his findings and recommendations to the city council for its consideration and action.

1. The general policy concerning the assignment of construction cost shall be as follows:

a. All lines shall be constructed at the cost of the applicant unless the city council determines that it is in the best interest of the city to share such costs.

b. All in-tract construction in new subdivisions shall extend to the limits of the property and shall include all looping and other supplementary lines that are necessary in order that future contiguous subdivisions can connect directly onto such subdivision, thus providing for the orderly development of the system.

c. If any additional construction is necessary to extend lines from existing mains to the applicant's property or subdivision, as occurs in "leapfrog" development, it shall be constructed from funds other than those of the city.

2. In the event that an individual constructs lines and such lines are later included within the boundaries of an assessment district formed to finance such construction, the cost of such construction will be returned to such individual by the district; provided, that the cost returned shall not exceed the actual cost to the individual for the district cost for a similar quantity of work, whichever is smaller. In the absence of such district financing, the city may enter into an agreement with such individual, under the terms of which the city will reimburse him for that portion of the cost of the line over and above the cost applicable to his premises; provided, that the source of funds for reimbursement shall be from a front-foot and/or acreage construction charge collected from other users of the lines; and provided further, that such agreement is terminated within ten years from date thereof.

3. If a service connection is made directly into a main which has been constructed after the date of the ordinance codified in this section and which has not been constructed and financed through an assessment district or through any other means in which the applicant has a vested interest there shall be paid by the applicant a front-foot construction charge at the rate as specified by the city council resolution per foot of street frontage of his lot, or a logical divisible portion of large lots or acreage; provided, that corner lots shall be computed on the basis of the sum of the front footages less one hundred feet, subject to a minimum charge as specified by city council resolution for any one building site. The front-foot construction charge shall be in addition to any other charge prescribed in this section.

4. When it is necessary for the city to make an expenditure, the following interests of the city shall be considered:

a. Will it improve health and sanitation conditions; or

b. Will the investment prove to be a financial benefit to the sewer department operation; or

c. Is the investment a justifiable social or indirect economic benefit to the city; or

d. Does the investment benefit the city in contrast to the individual?

B. The above provisions shall not require or prohibit the city council from approving or disapproving applications or making expenditures for other sewer line construction. Neither do these provisions apply to the replacement of old or undersized lines within the existing system.

(Prior code § 20-7)

A. All users of the city sewerage facilities shall pay to the city, as rental for the use of such facilities, a sewer service charge in accordance with such schedule as may be established by resolution of the city council from time to time.

B. Sewer service charges to all outside users when authorized to discharge into the city sewers shall equal the rate paid by users within the city plus an additional amount to the city to recover capital costs in an amount that is not commensurate with the use of the system.

C. All users of the city sewerage facilities shall pay to the city a sewer connection fee in accordance with such schedule as may be established by resolution of the city council from time to time.

D. In fixing and establishing sewer connection fees and sewer service charges the city council shall be guided by and must conform to and abide by the following standard and rule: sewer connection fees and sewer service charges shall be sufficient to discharge and pay all the costs of operation and maintenance of the city sewerage system and sewage treatment plant, and to discharge and pay all costs in connection with the additions and betterment of the sewerage system and sewage treatment plant, and to discharge and pay all costs of depreciation and obsolescence of the sewerage system and sewage treatment plant, and to discharge and pay the bonded indebtedness including the principal and interest amounts thereof, incurred by the city to construct the sewerage system, the sewage treatment plant, and to establish and maintain reserve funds for foreseeable replacement costs.

E. The sewer connection fees and sewer services charges shall not be charged in excess of the amount necessary to raise the costs and expenses and reserve mentioned in this section; provided, however, that nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the utilization of moneys from the general fund or other sources available to the city for any of the above enumerated purposes. If general funds are used for maintenance and operation of the sewer system, such funds shall be repaid to the general fund from sewer user charges.

(Ord. 459 § 37, 1991: prior code § 20-8)

A. Sewer service charges to a property shall begin for a preexisting structure when the service applicant of the property notifies the finance director to activate such sewer service, and shall begin for a new sewer service at the completion of all the work required in the sewer connection permit for such property.

B. All charges for such sewer service shall be paid at the same time as water charges are paid to the city, and shall be billed upon the same bill sent to city water users. If the premises are not charged by the city for water service, the director of finance shall cause the premises to be billed for sewer service on a bimonthly basis.

C. All sewer service charges shall be billed to the service applicant.

D. Deposits equal to three months of the city residential sewer bill may be collected from the service applicant, when the service applicant is not the property owner, based on creditworthiness of the service applicant as defined in Section 10009.6 (a) and (c) of the State of California Public Utilities Code. Such deposits will be returned after service applicant has established a payment history with the city over a twelve-month period with all payments made prior to the ten-day notice date as provided in Section 13.12.100 of this chapter.

(Ord. 545 § 2, 1996: prior code § 20-9)

A. All sewer service charges and all other charges provided for in this chapter are due and payable upon presentation. If the charges remain unpaid for forty-five days after the billing date thereof, sewer service may be disconnected.

B. The finance department shall, at least ten days prior to the proposed disconnection of service, notify the service applicant by means of a notice mailed, postage prepaid; the ten-day period shall not commence until five days after the date of mailing the notice. At least two days prior to the disconnection of service a notice that the service is to be disconnected will be hand delivered to the service address.

C. When an account becomes delinquent the full amount of the delinquent and current bills will be paid to avoid the disconnecting of the service.

D. In addition to any other remedy provided in this chapter for the enforcement and collection of any sewer impact fee, connection charge or service charge, all rates or other charges provided for in this chapter shall be charged against the property on which furnished and against the owner of record thereof and shall be deemed delinquent at the same time and in the same manner as the next regular sewer bill and shall be a lien against the property where furnished, and any steps authorized by law may be taken by the city to enforce payment of such lien. No change of ownership or occupation shall in any way affect the application of this section. An exception to this is that the city will attempt to collect billings to properties with a service applicant other than the property owner first from the service applicant. If all such attempts fail, the city council may authorize the placement of such delinquent bills on the Nevada County tax roll.

(Ord. 545, § 3, 1996; prior code § 20-10; Ord. No. 735, § 1, 4-24-2012)

Whenever a sewer service has been disconnected for a violation of any section of this chapter, regulation or requirement of the city governing users of the sewer system, such service shall not be reconnected until all delinquent charges have been paid, together will all expenses incurred by the city in causing such disconnection and reconnection, and a penalty equal to twenty-five percent of the delinquent amount. An exception to this is that when the service applicant is not the property owner and there is a change in tenancy at a property, all charges due and penalties will continue to be billed to the service applicant that incurred the costs or the property owner if service applicant remains delinquent for more than forty-five calendar days in accordance with the process outlined in Section 13.12.100, due date—delinquencies—collection, paragraph D, and service to the new service applicant may be provided.

(Ord. No. 735, § 1, 4-24-2012)

Whenever a service applicant voluntarily or involuntarily has his or her sewer service terminated by the city, the city shall charge an administrative service fee to reestablish sewer billing services to the property. The amount of the administrative service fee for restarting billing services shall be established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 735, § 1, 4-24-2012)

The engineer is hereby charged with enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and with the coordination of all city, county and district officials and departments in order to achieve this purpose.

(Prior code § 20-12)

The funds received from the collection of all the fees and charges authorized by this chapter shall be deposited by the director of finance into the sewer utilities fund.

(Prior code § 20-13)

A. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of an infraction punishable under Chapter 1.12 of this Code. Each separate day or any portion thereof during which any violation occurs or continues is a separate offense.

B. Any person found to be violating any of the foregoing provisions of this chapter, except Section 13.12.040A, or any amendments to it, shall be served with a written notice by the city stating the nature of the violation and requiring a time limit for the satisfactory correction of it. Any person who shall continue any such violation beyond the time specified in such notice shall be guilty of an infraction as provided in subsection A., of this section; provided, however, that if the city engineer determines that the violation results in a public hazard or menace to the public health or safety, he may enter upon the premises without notice and do everything necessary to abate such hazard or menace to the public health or safety. The actual cost incurred by the engineer in taking such abatement action shall be a legal charge against the violator.

C. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall become liable to the city for any expense, loss or damage occasioned by the city by reason of such violation.

D. The city engineer and the director of finance are charged with enforcement of the provisions of this chapter relating to their separate office and with the coordination of all city, county and district officials and departments in order to achieve its purpose.

(Ord. 459 § 52, 1991: prior code § 20-14; Ord. No. 789, § 1, 9-12-2017)