Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Ch. 13.12 Sewer Service Charge

Contents:

13.12.010 Charges levied.

13.12.020 Collection of charges.

13.12.030 ESUs for various land uses.

13.12.040 Use of funds.

13.12.050 Rebates.

An annual sewer service charge is levied upon each parcel of real property in the city of Hermosa Beach for the overall operation, maintenance and servicing of the city-owned sewer system as well as the funds deemed appropriate and necessary to pay for capital improvements and reserves. The charge was adopted in accordance with Article XIIID of the California Constitution (Proposition 218). Beginning July 1, 2015, the amount of the charge for each parcel shall be computed by multiplying one hundred fifteen dollars ($115.00) by the number of equivalent sewage units ("ESUs") for the current land use of the parcel as shown in Section 13.12.030. Beginning July 1, 2016, and each July 1st through July 1, 2020, the sewer service charge shall be increased for inflation by the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA Area (CPI), including all items as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of March 1st of each year, not to exceed two (2) percent per year. (Ord. 15-1355 §1 (part), 2015) Beginning July 1, 2022, the amount of the charge for each parcel shall be computed by multiplying one hundred thirty two dollars and ninety three cents ($132.93 ) by the number of equivalent sewage units ("ESUs") for the current land use of the parcel as shown in Section 13.12.030. Beginning July 1, 2023, and each July 1st through July 1, 2026, the sewer service charge shall be increased for inflation by the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA Area (CPI), including all items as published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as of January 1 of each year, not to exceed five percent (5%) per year.

(Ord. # 22-1448 §2, adopted 07/26/2022, effective 08/25/2022)

Effective on: 8/25/2022

The sewer service charge shall be collected for each fiscal year on the tax roll in the same manner, by the same persons, and at the same time as, together with and not separately from, the general taxes of the city. For any fiscal year that the sewer service charge is not collected on the tax roll, the city may collect all or a portion of the sewer service charge for such year on the tax roll in the following fiscal year or years. (Ord. 15-1355 §1 (part), 2015)

For residential parcels, the ESU and charge is calculated as follows:

For nonresidential parcels, the ESU is calculated by the following equation:

(Ord. 15-1355 §1 (part), 2015)

The sewer service charge funds collected shall be used to cover the expenses for the overall operation, maintenance and servicing of the city-owned sewer system as well as to pay for capital improvements and reserves. The Hermosa Beach administrative services director, or designee, shall deposit all moneys representing charges collected by the county to the credit of the city’s sewer fund. (Ord. 15-1355 §1 (part), 2015)

(Ord. # 24-1482 §3, adopted 10/22/2024, effective 11/21/2024)

Effective on: 11/21/2024

1. Property owners shall be eligible for an annual rebate of one hundred (100) percent of the sewer service charge paid per year for the dwelling unit in which the owner resides; provided, that the individual:

2. Is a senior citizen aged sixty-five (65) and older or is permanently disabled;

3. Has an annual household gross income of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) and under;

4. Has paid the charge in full on or prior to the date the charge would have been deemed delinquent if not paid; and

5. Has resided in the dwelling unit for which the rebate is sought as of the date the charge was levied against the dwelling unit.

For purposes of this section, a "permanently disabled" person is any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more of the major life activities, and who identifies himself or herself as permanently disabled.

2. Applications for a rebate shall be made on a form provided by the city, and shall be accompanied by (1) a signed affidavit declaring (a) household income and (b) age, or that the person identifies himself or herself as permanently disabled as the result of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more of the major life activities, and (2) proof of payment of the charge in a form satisfactory to the city. Applications for a rebate shall be made within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date the sewer service charge would have been deemed delinquent if not paid in full. The city manager, or his/her designee, may promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purpose of this section.
3. The rebates authorized under this section shall be provided from any of the city’s nonrestricted funds. (Ord. 17-1374 § 1, 2017)