La Habra Municipal Code Ch. 13.04 Sewer Use and Construction

The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, have the following meaning:

"Building"

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

"Connecting sewer"

means that portion of the sewer system which extends from the main sewer to the curb.

"Fixture"

means any plumbing or sewer outlet requiring a trap or vent.

"House sewer"

means that portion of the horizontal piping extending from a point two feet from the foundation wall of the building to its connection with the connecting sewer.

"Lot"

means any piece or parcel of land as bounded, defined or shown upon the latest map, plan or deed in the office of the county recorder of Orange County, or upon the assessor's map as prepared by the county assessor.

"Main sewer"

means a main pipeline sewer of the city laid in the streets, alleys and along rights-of-way, provided for the collection of sewage from connecting sewers and conveying it to the outfall sewer.

(Ord. 38 § 6, 1926)

For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the city council shall appoint a superintendent of sewers, who shall be authorized to enforce such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the city council.

(Ord. 38 § 3, 1926)

A. The superintendent of sewers may appoint, with the approval of the city council, a sewer inspector, as such inspector may be required for the proper performance of sewer inspection.

B. It shall be the duty of the superintendent of sewers or the sewer inspector to inspect, supervise, approve and make a complete record of all construction, repairs, connections and disconnections of connection sewers and house sewers built in the city.

(Ord. 38 § 11, 1926)

The superintendent of sewers or sewer inspector shall have the right to enter into or upon any property, structure or premises served by any public or private sewer for the purpose of examining and inspecting the construction or condition of any such sewer, and every person owning, controlling or occupying such property, structure or premises shall permit such entrance and give such aid as may be necessary or required for such examination or inspection.

(Ord. 38 § 12, 1926)

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make, or cause to be made, any connections with any cesspool or place for depositing sewage, except with and into sewage disposal lines within the city, and subject to inspection and such regulation by the city as provided in this chapter, or as may be prescribed from time to time by the city council, if and when the property or place so to be connected fronts upon or is located within one hundred fifty 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 and subject to the time limit prescribed in Section 13.04.060.

(Ord. 38 § 1, 1926)

A. It is unlawful for any person to construct any sewer works or make or attempt to make, or cause to be made, any connection with the main sewer lines of the city, without first having secured a permit therefor and having paid an application fee as prescribed by the city. Permit to make such connection shall be granted upon application made upon blank forms furnished by the city and in the manner as prescribed in such form. The application shall be filed with the city clerk, together with the application fee, and shall thereupon by the city clerk be referred to the superintendent of sewers, who shall be authorized to issue a permit for making such connection. The fee so paid shall be deposited in the city treasury.

B. All sewer connections and pipelines laid in connection therewith shall be under the supervision of the superintendent of sewers, and in conformity with the requirements and provisions relating to such connections prescribed by the city council.

(Ord. 38 § 3, 1926; Ord. 1093, 1979)

A. Permits will be issued only to persons, firms or corporations who have obtained a license to engage in the business of constructing sewers in the city.

B. A permit shall not be assignable or transferable, or used to aid or abet any unlicensed person, firm or corporation in the performance of any such work or operation for which such permit was issued.

(Ord. 38 § 3, 1926)

Any person, firm or corporation, as principal, agent or otherwise, desiring to engage in the business of constructing sewers within the city, shall, before a license so to do will be granted, file with the city clerk an indemnity bond with good and sufficient sureties and in an amount to be determined from time to time, such bond being payable to the city. The bond shall bind such person, firm or corporation to renew with materials of the same kind and quality and in the same manner as before, all streets, alleys, sidewalks, curbs or public parkways in any way disturbed; to protect the city from all liabilities for damage to persons or property resulting in or from any opening or excavation made by such person, firm or corporation; to guarantee the payment when due of all the bills for material and labor incurred by the person, firm or corporation in the construction of sewers; to indemnify all persons, firms or corporations for whom the person, firm or corporation thereafter constructs sewers for damages sustained on account of the failure of the person, firm or corporation to construct the sewer in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. 38 § 5, 1926)

Every building or other structure situated in 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 be joined in the use of one house and connecting sewer; provided, that all such buildings and structures are owned by the same person or provided that all such buildings and structures are a part of a condominium or townhouse development.

(Ord. 38 § 7, 1926; Ord. 1210, 1983)

No building or other structure shall be connected to an old sewer nor shall any old sewer line be used unless it will satisfactorily stand the test provided for in this chapter for new sewer, and a permit has been granted for so connecting and a certificate of inspection obtained from the superintendent of sewers or sewer inspector.

(Ord. 38 § 7, 1926)

On any lot where there is an existing house sewer serving the building and upon which another building is to be placed, such building may be served from the existing house sewer, provided this sewer has first been inspected and approved by the superintendent of sewers or sewer inspector, and provided further, that wherever the existing sewer would be within the area to be occupied by the proposed building, it shall be reconstructed of cast iron soil pipe.

(Ord. 38 § 7, 1926)

Connecting sewers or house sewers may be constructed of either vitrified clay, Portland cement concrete or cast iron soil pipe.

(Ord. 38 § 7, 1926)

The grade of all main-line sewers shall be not less than 0.0035 feet per foot and all connecting and house sewers covered by this chapter shall not be less than one-fourth inch to the foot toward the outlet and all sections shall be laid in perfect line on the bottom and sides.

(Ord. 38 § 8, 1926; Ord. 1210, 1983)

All pipe laid on public property, excepting connecting and house sewers, shall be eight inches in diameter or larger. House or connecting sewers may be constructed of four-inch pipe, provided the number of fixtures served is not over thirty-six. If the number of fixtures exceeds thirty-six the size of pipe of each house or connecting sewer shall be six inches or larger.

(Ord. 38 § 8, 1926; Ord. 1210, 1983)

A. All changes in direction shall be made by the use of wyes and one-eighth bends, and any change from one size of pipe to another size shall be made by the use of a reducer. Where four-inch clay pipe is to be connected to a section of four-inch cast iron pipe, connection shall be made so that the flow line of each pipe shall be on the same line.

B. All wye and tee openings in sewers which are not used for connections shall be closed by the use of caps securely cemented.

(Ord. 38 § 8, 1926)

A. No person, firm or corporation, as principal, agent or otherwise, shall backfill any trench or excavation made for the purpose of laying a sewer or any kind until the pipe laid therein has been inspected by the superintendent of sewers, or sewer inspector, and a certificate of inspection given. The entire length of the sewer and all connections, including the wye or tee at the main sewer, to the point at which the cast iron soil pipe begins, shall be fully exposed for inspection.

B. At least four hours' notice shall be given when work is ready for inspection.

C. If any section of the pipe or any portion of the work is not in accordance with specifications which are a part of this chapter, or does not conform to all the requirements of this chapter, the sewer contractor shall make such changes or additions as are necessary to conform to the provisions contained in this chapter and shall, after such changes or additions are made, leave the pipe and work exposed, and do no backfilling until inspection has been made and acceptance given, as provided in this section.

(Ord. 38 § 13, 1926)