Los Altos Municipal Code Art. 5 Permits and Fees

Unauthorized persons shall not uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance or perform any work on any lateral or building sewer without first obtaining a written permit from the city.

(Prior code § 5-5.701)

A.

Any person legally entitled to apply for and receive a permit shall make such application on forms provided by the city for that purpose. He shall give a description of the character of the work proposed to be done and the location, ownership, occupancy, and use of the premises in connection therewith. The superintendent may require plans, specifications, or drawings and such other information as he may deem necessary.

B.

If the superintendent determines that the plans, specifications, drawings, descriptions, or information furnished by the applicant is in compliance with the laws, rules, and regulations of the city, he shall issue the permit applied for upon the payment of the required fees.

(Prior code § 5-5.702)

After approval of the application, evidenced by the issuance of a permit, no change shall be made in the location of the sewer or the grade, materials, or other details from those described in the permit or as shown on the plans and specifications for which the permit was issued, except with written permission from the city, the superintendent, or other authorized representatives.

(Prior code § 5-5.703)

The applicant's signature on an application for any permit shall constitute an agreement to comply with all the provisions, terms, and requirements of this code, and any other laws, rules, and regulations of the city, and with the plans and specifications he has filed with his application, if any, together with such corrections or modifications as may be made or permitted by the city, if any. Such agreement shall be binding upon the applicant and may be altered only by the city upon a written request for the alteration from the applicant.

(Prior code § 5-5.704)

All fees collected on behalf of the city shall be deposited with the proper authority provided by the city to receive such funds.

(Prior code § 5-5.707)

All sewer construction work, building sewers, plumbing and drainage systems shall be inspected by the superintendent acting for the city to insure compliance with all requirements of the city. No sewer shall be covered at any point until it has been inspected and passed for acceptance. No sewer shall be connected to the city's public sewer until the work covered by the permit has been completed, inspected and approved by the superintendent. If the test proves satisfactory and the sewer has been cleaned of all debris accumulated from construction operations, the Superintendent shall issue a certificate of satisfactory completion.

(Prior code § 5-5.708)

It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by permit to notify the office of the city in writing that said work is ready for inspection. Such notification shall be given not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the work is to be inspected. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work to make sure that the work will stand the tests required by the city before giving the above notification.

(Prior code § 5-5.709)

When any work has been inspected and the work condemned and no certification of satisfactory completion given, a written notice to that effect shall be given instructing the owner of the premises, or the agent of such owner, to repair the sewer or other work authorized by the permit in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations of the city.

(Prior code § 5-5.710)

All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of any sewer or other work for which a permit has been issued shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the work.

(Prior code § 5-5.711)

Permission shall not be granted to connect any lot or parcel of land outside the city to any public sewer in or under the jurisdiction of the city unless a permit therefor is obtained. The applicant shall first enter into a contract in writing whereby he shall bind himself, his heirs, successors and assigns to abide by all laws, rules and regulations in regard to the manner in which such sewer shall be used, the manner of connecting therewith, and the plumbing and drainage in connection therewith and also shall agree to pay all fees required for securing the permit and a monthly fee in the amount set by the city for the privilege of using such sewer.

(Prior code § 5-5.712)

The granting of permission for an outside sewer in any event shall be optional with the council.

(Prior code § 5-5.713)

Where special conditions exist relating to an outside sewer, they shall be the subject of a special contract between the applicant and the city.

(Prior code § 5-5.714)

A separate permit must be secured from the city, the county or any other person having jurisdiction thereover by the owners or contractors intending to excavate in a public street for the purpose of installing sewers or making sewer connections in accordance with Chapter 9.04 of this code.

(Prior code § 5-5.715)

The city and its officers, agents and employees shall not be answerable for any liability or injury or death to any person or damage to any property arising during or growing out of the performance of any work by any such applicant. The applicant shall be answerable for, and shall save the city and its officers, agents and employees harmless from any liability imposed by law upon the city or its officers, agents or employees, including all costs, expenses, fees and interest incurred in defending same or in seeking to enforce this provision. Applicant shall be solely liable for any defects in the performance of his work or any failure which may develop therein.

(Prior code § 5-5.716)

If work under a permit is not commenced within six months from the date of issuance, or, if after partial completion, the work is discontinued for a period of one year, the permit shall thereupon become void, and no further work shall be done until a new permit shall have been secured. A new fee shall be paid upon the issuance of a new permit.

(Prior code § 5-5.717)