Part 1 — General Provisions[Added by Ord. 75-13]

The purpose of this Chapter is to promote and obtain a reasonable minimum level of fire protection performance for water supply facilities constructed, replaced, extended or rehabilitated to serve new subdivisions and residential, commercial and industrial improvements in the incorporated area of the City of Lakewood.

The provisions of this Part are intended to augment any applicable provisions of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California, or any other applicable provision of law.

The provisions of this Chapter are not intended to cause unnecessary hardships or practical difficulties inconsistent with economic feasibility and normal development nor shall they be construed to require the replacement or abandonment of existing water facilities prior to the expiration of their economic utilization.

This Chapter shall not impose upon water utilities, and they shall not be subject to any civil liability either for damages or otherwise, which liability would not exist if this Chapter had not been adopted.

This Chapter shall be known as, and may be cited as "Water Ordinance."

The Director of Public Works, or his authorized representative, shall enforce all applicable provisions of this Chapter and for such purpose shall have the powers of a peace officer. Such enforcement and powers shall not limit or otherwise affect the powers and applicable duties of the Health Officer, Fire Chief or Superintendent of Streets in also enforcing portions or provisions of this Chapter.

Any time limit provided for in this Chapter may be extended by mutual consent of the officer or department concerned, and the permittee or applicant, or other person affected.

The Director of Public Works may perform educational work for development of standards as they exist in this Chapter and may cooperate with civic organizations, industries, water utilities, and public agencies whenever in the opinion of the Engineer or the Director of Public Works, such work and cooperation is essential to the development of water utility standards or procedures.

The Director of Public Works may confer and negotiate with officials of any public agency and may recommend to the City Council a contract by which the City and one or more public agencies may jointly exercise any powers pertinent to the enforcement of this Chapter and any similar statute, ordinance, rule or regulation of such public agencies, common to all. The Director of Public Works may also recommend to the City Council a contract between the City and any other City within the County.

If any provision of this Chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance should be held invalid, the application of other provisions, or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Inspectors will be provided with suitable means of identification and shall identify themselves upon request when entering upon the work of any contractor of property owner for any inspector of work required by this Chapter.

A person shall not, in the incorporated area of the City, during reasonable hours, refuse, resist or attempt to resist the entrance of the Director of Public Works, or other City officer into any place in the performance of any duties conferred him by this Chapter, or by law.