Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 15 — PUBLIC SERVICE›Division I — Sewer System
Merced Municipal Code Ch. 15.12 Service Charges
Merced Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Merced
Cite as: Merced Municipal Code Chapter 15.12 · Text as of 2026-10-04
15.12.010 - Determination.¶
Each person owning improved property within the city, except those in recently annexed areas who are using a private sewage disposal system which is not conflict with Chapter 15.24, shall pay a monthly sewer service charge to the city in accordance with the rates set forth in this chapter.
(Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
15.12.020 - Payment.¶
Charges for sewer service shall begin on the first of the month following completion or occupancy of a building, whichever date occurs first, and shall be paid to the finance officer. The finance officer of the city shall cause the premises to be billed for sewer service either monthly, bimonthly or at such other intervals as he determines in his discretion.
(Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
15.12.025 - Formula—Base sewer service charge.¶
Unless otherwise indicated, starting July 1, 2015 all base sewer service rates and charges in this chapter shall be adjusted annually by an amount equal to the percent change in the All Urban Consumers Index, U.S. City Average (USCA), as supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unless or until such time new rates are set by the city council. The amount of such base sewer charge shall be computed as follows:
| Current Year Consumer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Sewer Rate | = | Price Index (USCA) Ending Scheduled Year CPI (USCA) | × | Base Charge |
(Ord. 2269 § 1, 2006).
(Ord. No. 2353, § 1, 4-19-2010)
15.12.030 - Residential—Single-family.¶
The base sewer service charge for a single-family residence shall be as follows:
Residential/Condominium
| Units Per Month | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units Per Month | $40.29 | $40.29 | $40.29 | $40.29 | $40.29 |
* Starting July 1, 2015, the base sewer service charge shall be calculated based on a formula set forth in Section 15.12.025 of this chapter.
The new rates set forth in this section shall be implemented on July 1, 2010, with subsequent scheduled increases implemented on January 1st of each year.
(Ord. 2269 § 2 (part), 2006: Ord. 2094 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1752 § 6, 1990: Ord. 1657 § 1 (part), 1987: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
(Ord. No. 2353, § 1, 4-19-2010)
15.12.040 - Residential—Multifamily.¶
The base sewer service charge for multifamily residential units on a per unit basis shall be as follows:
Residential/Apartments
| Units Per Month | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units Per Month | $32.23 | $32.23 | $32.23 | $32.23 | $32.23 |
* Starting July 1, 2015, the base sewer service charge shall be calculated based on a formula set forth in Section 15.12.025 of this chapter.
The new rates set forth in this section shall be implemented on July 1, 2010, with subsequent scheduled increases implemented on January 1st of each year.
(Ord. 2269 § 2 (part), 2006: Ord. 2094 § 2, 2002; Ord. 1752 § 7, 1990: Ord. 1657 § 1 (part), 1987: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
(Ord. No. 2353, § 1, 4-19-2010)
15.12.050 - Residential—Mobile home and trailer coach.¶
The base sewer service charge for mobile homes and trailer coaches shall be as follows:
Residential/Mobile Homes
| Units Per Month | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units Per Month | $20.62 | $20.62 | $20.62 | $20.62 | $20.62 |
* Starting July 1, 2015, the base sewer service charge shall be calculated based on a formula set forth in Section 15.12.025 of this chapter.
The new rates set forth in this section shall be implemented on July 1, 2010, with subsequent scheduled increases implemented on January 1st of each year.
(Ord. 2269 § 2 (part), 2006: Ord. 2094 § 3, 2002; Ord. 1752 § 8, 1990: Ord 1657 § 1 (part), 1987: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
(Ord. No. 2353, § 1, 4-19-2010)
15.12.060 - Commercial and industrial—Choice of determination.¶
Except as provided in Section 15.12.130, commercial and industrial users may request using the volume of water consumed on their premises as the basis for the establishment of their sewer service charge, or they may request to have their sewer service charge determined according to Section 15.12.080. Upon receiving such a request, or if no request is made, the city engineer shall determine the most appropriate method.
At any time, the city engineer may review the account of any user to determine the most appropriate method to recover the city's cost of providing service and change the billing method upon thirty days written notice to the user. Any change in billing method shall not be retroactive, and shall apply from the effective date contained in the city engineer's notice to the user.
(Ord. 2002 § 1, 1998: Ord. 1657 § 1 (part), 1987: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
15.12.070 - Commercial and industrial—Rate determination based on metered water schedule.¶
For all commercial and industrial premises using metered water as a basis for rate determination, the base monthly sewer service charge shall be according to the following schedule for each one hundred (100) cubic feet of water purchased:
| Premises | Units | 2010— 11 | 2011— 12 | 2012— 13 | 2013— 14 | 2014— 15* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakery—Wholesale | Per HCF | $7.86 | $7.86 | $7.86 | $7.86 | $7.86 |
| Barber & beauty shop | Per HCF | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.42 |
| Bars w/ |
Per HCF | 3.92 | 3.92 | 3.92 | 3.92 | 3.92 |
| Car wash | Per HCF | 3.18 | 3.18 | 3.18 | 3.18 | 3.18 |
| Construction | Per HCF | 3.59 | 3.59 | 3.56 | 3.59 | 3.59 |
| Government buildings | Per HCF | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 |
| Department & retail stores | Per HCF | 3.59 | 3.59 | 3.59 | 3.59 | 3.59 |
| Dry industrial | Per HCF | 5.80 | 5.80 | 5.80 | 5.80 | 5.80 |
| Hospital & convalescent | Per HCF | 3.73 | 3.73 | 3.73 | 3.73 | 3.73 |
| Hotel with dining | Per HCF | 4.86 | 4.86 | 4.86 | 4.86 | 4.86 |
| Hotel without dining | Per HCF | 3.99 | 3.99 | 3.99 | 3.99 | 3.99 |
| Laundromat | Per HCF | 3.45 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 3.45 |
| Laundry | Per HCF | 4.86 | 4.86 | 4.86 | 4.86 | 4.86 |
| Light manufacturing | Per HCF | 3.99 | 3.99 | 3.99 | 3.99 | 3.99 |
| Markets w/ |
Per HCF | 7.93 | 7.93 | 7.93 | 7.93 | 7.93 |
| Mortuaries | Per HCF | 7.93 | 7.93 | 7.93 | 7.93 | 7.93 |
| Professional office | Per HCF | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 |
| Recreation halls | Per HCF | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 |
| Repair shop & service station | Per HCF | 4.14 | 4.14 | 4.14 | 4.14 | 4.14 |
| Restaurant | Per HCF | 7.86 | 7.86 | 7.86 | 7.86 | 7.86 |
| Mixed use commercial | Per HCF | 3.99 | 3.99 | 3.99 | 3.99 | 3.99 |
| Soft water service | Per HCF | 2.79 | 2.79 | 2.79 | 2.79 | 2.79 |
| Theaters | Per HCF | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.42 |
| Warehouses | Per HCF | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 | 3.28 |
Each user shall pay a minimum monthly charge as follows:
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1.60 | $1.60 | $1.60 | $1.60 | $1.60 |
* Starting July 1, 2015, the base sewer service charge shall be calculated based on a formula set forth in Section 15.12.025 of this chapter.
The base sewer charge includes a ten (10) percent allowance of metered water for non-sewage uses including, but not limited to, landscape irrigation.
The new rates set forth in this section shall be implemented on July 1, 2010, with subsequent scheduled increases implemented on January 1st of each year.
(Ord. 2269 § 2 (part), 2006: Ord. 2094 § 4, 2002; Ord. 2002 § 2, 1998: Ord. 1752 § 9, 1990: Ord. 1657 § 1 (part), 1987: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
(Ord. No. 2353, § 1, 4-19-2010; Ord. No. 2405, § 1, 3-18-2013)
15.12.075 - Other water meter based sewer rate estimates and temporary rate determinations.¶
A. In addition to the schedule contained in Section 15.12.070, the city engineer may create other water meter based sewer rate estimates and temporary sewer rate categories when he/she determines that an existing category does not accurately reflect the cost of providing service to the user. Other water meter based sewer rate estimates may be revised or cancelled by the city engineer with notice. Any temporary rate so established shall be effective for a maximum of sixty (60) days or until the city council amends the schedule contained in Section 15.12.070.
B. The user shall pay the cost of processing any request for a determination pursuant to Section 15.12.070, or for a temporary rate pursuant to subsection A, subject to a minimum charge of fifty dollars ($50.00).
C. Water meter based sewer estimate determinations of the city engineer shall be effective for not more than one (1) year. When the volume of wastewater produced by any premises is determined by other water meter based sewage estimates, the owner or occupant of such premises shall pay to the city the cost of making the original and each subsequent annual estimate, subject to a minimum charge of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each estimate made.
(Ord. 2002 § 3, 1998).
(Ord. No. 2405, § 2, 3-18-2013)
15.12.080 - Commercial and industrial.¶
For all commercial and industrial premises using metered water or a combination of metered and unmetered water, the base monthly sewer service charge shall be based upon the total quantity of wastewater discharged to the sewer system for both usage and capacity according to the following rates:
| A. | Industrial Usage Charges | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Flow ($ per MG) | $984.02 | $984.02 | $984.02 | $984.02 | $984.02 |
| 2. | BOD ($ per 1,000 lbs.) | 529.00 | 529.00 | 529.00 | 529.00 | 529.00 |
| 3. | SS ($ per 1,000 lbs.) | 657.00 | 657.00 | 657.00 | 657.00 | 657.00 |
| 4. | Account charges (per year) | 23.72 | 23.72 | 23.72 | 23.72 | 23.72 |
Capacity charge based upon the average daily flow during the maximum month of the last full year of operation or the capacity reserved by the industry through a written agreement with the city, whichever is greater:
| B. | Industrial Capacity Charges | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Flow ($ per MG) | $10,870.39 | $10,870.39 | $10,870.39 | $10,870.39 | $10,870.39 |
| 2. | BOD ($ per lbs.) | 3.18 | 3.18 | 3.18 | 3.18 | 3.18 |
| 3. | SS ($ per lbs.) | 5.20 | 5.20 | 5.20 | 5.20 | 5.20 |
* Starting July 1, 2015, the base sewer service charge shall be calculated based on a formula set forth in Section 15.12.025 of this chapter.
The new rates set forth in this section shall be implemented on July 1, 2010, with subsequent scheduled increases implemented on January 1st of each year.
(Ord. 2269 § 2 (part), 2006: Ord. 2094 § 5, 2002; Ord. 1752 § 10, 1990: Ord. 1657 § 1 (part), 1987: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
(Ord. No. 2353, § 1, 4-19-2010)
15.12.090 - Commercial and industrial—Wastewater quantity determination.¶
A. The quantities of wastewater produced as described in Section 15.12.080 shall be determined in one of the following ways:
By use of measuring facilities installed at the expense of the owner or occupant of the premises and approved by the city engineer.
If no meter is used then as determined by estimates of the city engineer which shall be conclusive.
B. Such determinations of the city engineer shall be effective for not more than one year. When the volume of wastewater produced by any premises is determined by the city engineer instead of by installation of a meter, the owner or occupant of such premises shall pay to the city the cost of making the original and each subsequent annual estimate, subject to a minimum charge of fifty dollars for each estimate made.
(Ord. 2002 § 3, 1998: Ord. 1657 § 1 (part), 1987: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
15.12.100 - Public and parochial schools.¶
A. Public and parochial schools will be charged a base rate for sewer service on the basis of average daily attendance as follows, provided the premises so charged for sewer service are used exclusively for school purposes with no residential uses thereon:
| Type of School | Annual Base Charge Per Student | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary and secondary schools | ADA/yr | $8.15 | $8.15 | $8.15 | $8.15 | $8.15 |
| Junior college, college, and university | ADA/yr | 8.89 | 8.89 | 8.89 | 8.89 | 8.89 |
* Starting July 1, 2010, the base sewer service charge shall be calculated based on a formula set forth in Section 15.12.025 of this chapter.
B. The charges shall be calculated on an annual basis based on the previous year's average daily attendance.
The new rates set forth in this section shall be implemented on July 1, 2010, with subsequent scheduled increases implemented on January 1st of each year.
(Ord. 2269 § 2 (part), 2006: Ord. 2094 § 6, 2002; Ord. 1752 § 11, 1990: Ord. 1657 § 1 (part), 1987: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
(Ord. No. 2353, § 1, 4-19-2010)
15.12.110 - Churches and parsonages.¶
Churches and parsonages shall be charged for base sewer service as follows:
| Churches and Parsonages | Units Per Month | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Churches and Parsonages | Units Per Month | $49.97 | $49.97 | $49.97 | $49.97 | $49.97 |
* Starting July 1, 2015, the base sewer service charge shall be calculated based on a formula set forth in Section 15.12.025 of this chapter.
The new rates set forth in this section shall be implemented on July 1, 2010, with subsequent scheduled increases implemented on January 1st of each year.
(Ord. 2269 § 2 (part), 2006: Ord. 2094 § 7, 2002; Ord. 1752 § 12, 1990: Ord. 1657 § 1 (part), 1987: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
(Ord. No. 2353, § 1, 4-19-2010)
15.12.120 - Governmental agencies.¶
Nonoffice uses by governmental agencies such as the Merced irrigation district, the city, the county, the state and the federal government, shall be charged for sewer service at the same rate as those established for nongovernmental entity users.
(Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
15.12.130 - Capacity agreement.¶
Those dischargers with at least fifty thousand gallons flow per day or five percent of treatment plant capacity will execute a capacity agreement with the city and will be charged per Section 15.12.080.
(Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
15.12.140 - Vacant premises—Disconnection determination.¶
While any premises connected to the sewer system is vacant, the regular applicable minimum sewer charge shall be payable for such premises by the owner thereof, whether or not sewer service is used, unless such premises is physically disconnected from the sewer system or an affidavit is filed with and approved by the director of a predetermined nonuse period of not less than ninety days. Applications for determination by the director that the property has been physically disconnected from the sewer system shall be made to the director accompanied by a disconnection inspection fee in the sum of twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents. Premises so disconnected shall not be reconnected to the city sewer system by any person except with the permission of the director. If approval for reconnection to the sewer system is desired, an application for reconnection shall be filed with the director and accompanied by a reconnection inspection fee of twenty dollars.
(Ord. 1752 § 13, 1990: Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
15.12.150 - Premises outside city.¶
Sewer service charges for all users whose premises are located outside the city limits shall be calculated in the same manner as those for similar uses inside the city.
(Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
15.12.160 - Industrial users—Costs of monitoring.¶
In addition to the charges shown in this chapter, each user subject to the requirements of Chapter 15.29, Industrial Users, will pay the actual costs related to that specific user incurred by the city in the monitoring, implementation and related items required by Chapter 15.29.
(Ord. 1549 § 4 (part), 1984).
15.12.170 - Septic hauler discharge rates.¶
For the privilege of using the city's waste water treatment plant, haulers of septic discharges resulting from the cleaning and emptying of septic sewer tanks and chemical toilets, shall be charged the rates and charges which shall be based on the volume in terms of gallons discharged into the waste water treatment plant as set forth below:
| Volume in Gallons | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Less than 1,000 | $36.66 |
| B | 1,000 to 1,499 | $49.68 |
| C | 1,500 to 1,999 | $62.71 |
| D | 2,000 to 2,499 | $75.75 |
| E | 2,500 to 2,999 | $88.78 |
| F | 3,000 to 3,499 | $101.86 |
| G | 3,500 to 3,999 | $114.83 |
| H | 4,000 to 4,499 | $127.85 |
| I | 4,500 to 4,999 | $140.88 |
| J | 5,000 to 5,499 | $153.90 |
| K | 5,500 to 5,999 | $167.87 |
| L | 6,000 to 6,499 | $180.96 |
The director of public works operations, subject to the approval of the city manager, is hereby authorized to establish and implement such administrative rules and regulations necessary to carry out the septic hauler discharge program within the waste water treatment plant facilities in the best interest of the city.
(Ord. 2139 § 2, 2003: Ord. 2090 § 1, 2002).
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