Chapter 13.05 — SEWER COLLECTION SERVICE CHARGES

The purpose of this chapter is to impose a charge on users of the sanitary sewer collection system to reimburse the City for the reasonable costs of providing this service. The cost of providing sanitary sewer collection service includes the costs of acquisition, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, repairs, replacement and operation of the sanitary sewer system and the payment of principal and interest on bonds or other debt instruments issued for the construction or reconstruction of the sanitary sewer system. These costs are not related to expenses incurred to accommodate new development. The amount of the charge to each property owner shall be reasonably related to the services provided by the City. (Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

• (A) "Parcel of real property" means a parcel of real property as shown on the local secured tax rolls of the county of Los Angeles.

• (B) "Sewage unit" means that number listed in Table A of PMC § 13.05.130 determined by the land use of a parcel of real property.

• (C) "Sewage unit charge" means the annual charge determined by dividing the annual revenue requirement to provide sewer collection services by the total number of sewage units from all properties within the City of Palmdale corporate boundaries.

• (Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

There is hereby adopted and imposed a sewer collection service charge in the amounts as set forth herein and all persons whose real property is served by a connection to the City sewer system shall pay such charge pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The charges established and imposed herein are applicable only to parcels of real property to which a City sewer main is connected.

(Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

The amount of the sewer collection service charge for each parcel of real property is computed by determining the total cost to the City to provide sewer collection services, dividing that total by the number of sewer units within the City, which result constitutes the sewage unit charge. The sewage unit charge is then multiplied by the number of sewage units allocated to a specific parcel based on the then current land use of such parcel, as shown in Table A, set forth in PMC § 13.05.130, which result constitutes the annual sewer collection service charge for such parcel. (Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

The annual sewage unit charge is $103.63. (Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1466 § 1, 2015)

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City of Palmdale, CA

PALMDALE CODE

§ 13.05.060

§ 13.05.090

There is hereby established a sewer enterprise fund in the financial records of the City. All fees and charges imposed, levied and collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the sewer enterprise fund. Nothing herein shall prevent the City from depositing other revenues in the sewer enterprise fund. The Director of Finance may establish such subaccounts within the sewer enterprise fund as may be necessary to properly account for collections and expenditures of the sewer collection service charges. The sewer collection service charges shall be used for the purposes allowed by law.

(Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

In order to enforce the provisions of this chapter and pursuant to Section 6523.2 of the Health and Safety Code of the state, the City's Director of Public Works shall have the power and authority to enter upon private property for the purpose of inspection and maintenance of sanitary and waste disposal facilities, including, but not limited to, ascertaining the nature of such premises, the type of activities carried on therein, the number of plumbing fixtures situated therein, and any other facts or information reasonably necessary to ascertain the applicability of any charges to such premises, or the amount of such charges. (Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

• (A) Except as specifically provided herein, sewer collection service charges, together with any delinquent charges or penalties, shall be collected on the tax roll by following the procedure set forth in Section 5473 et seq. of the California Health and Safety Code. The Director of Public Works and City Clerk shall prepare and file such reports and other documents as necessary to comply with the provisions thereof. Thereafter the amount of the charges shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner and by the same persons as, together with and not separately from, the general taxes for the City and shall be delinquent at the same time and thereafter be subject to the same delinquency penalties.

• (B) The amount of the sewer collection service charges shall constitute a lien against the lot or parcel of land against which the charge has been imposed as of the date prescribed by law as the lien date for general property taxes.

• (C) All laws applicable to the levy, collection and enforcement of general taxes of the County, including but not limited to those pertaining to matters of delinquency, collection, cancellation, refund and redemption, are applicable to such charges.

• (D) The sewer service charges for any and all governmental or public premises or for any premises which are not subject to taxation on the tax roll shall be collected in accordance with other provisions of this chapter.

• (E) If any parcel of real property for which a sewer collection service charge is owed is omitted from the report to the auditor or the tax roll, either because the charge therefor shall not have yet been ascertained by the Director of Public Works as of the date of the report or for any other reason, the sewer collection service charge for each such parcel shall be collected in accordance with other provisions of this chapter.

• (Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

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City of Palmdale, CA

SANITARY SEWERS AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE

§ 13.05.090

§ 13.05.120

Sewer collection service charges imposed under the provisions of this chapter against owners of property not subject to taxation on the tax roll and against owners whose property is omitted from the report filed with the auditor or from the tax roll shall be billed on an annual or semiannual basis as determined by the Director of Public Works/designee, and shall be payable upon the billing of such charges to the owner. Bills for such sewer collection service charges are due and shall become delinquent 30 days after the date the bill is mailed and a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of such charge shall be added thereto and in addition shall bear interest at the rate of one and one-half percent per month for each month or portion thereof that said charge remains unpaid after becoming delinquent. Delinquent charges, interest and penalty shall constitute a lien upon the real property served (except publicly owned property), and such lien shall continue until the charge and all penalties and interest thereon are fully paid. (Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

If any owner disputes the amount of the annual sewer collection service charge, the number of sewage units allocated to his or her parcel of real property, or the computation of the sewer collection service charge based on that number of units, such owner may submit, at or before the public hearing on the annual report, a protest or objection with the Director of Public Works accompanied by detailed supporting factual data in support of the claim. It shall be the duty of each such owner to provide evidence to the Director of Public Works showing that such charge, number of sewage units and/or computation by the City is in error and the correct amount thereof. If the Director of Public Works, after consulting with the City Engineer and Director, determines that the number of units allocated or the computation was in error, the Director of Public Works shall make the necessary corrections to the report. Failure to protest or object within the time specified herein shall be deemed acceptance of the correctness of the charge, the number of units allocated and the computation of the charge and the adoption of the report by the City Council shall be final.

(Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1614 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023)

• (A) It is the intent of the provisions of this chapter, in establishing different sewer service charges for different categories of properties, to reflect the benefit from such service to each parcel of real property. If, in respect to any customer, the Council should find that the charge is inequitable, or unfair because of unusual circumstances, it may establish a special service charge for such customer, differing from those otherwise established, which will bear a closer relationship to the benefit received from the City system. Such special charge may be revoked at any time by the Council whenever it finds that continuation thereof would be inequitable or unfair under the circumstances then prevailing.

• (B) The owner of any premises who by reason of special circumstances finds that the applicable rates are unjust or inequitable as applied to his or her premises may make written application to the Director of Public Works, stating the circumstances and requesting a different basis of charges for such premises. If such application is approved, the Council may fix and establish fair and equitable rates for such premises to be effective as of the date of such application and continuing during the period of such special circumstances.

• (Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

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City of Palmdale, CA § 13.05.120

PALMDALE CODE

§ 13.05.130

When any refund becomes due and owing by virtue of action of the City Council or by virtue of any error made in ascertaining the charge applicable to any customer, the Director of Public Works is authorized to make payable such moneys from the specific fund established for the deposit of sewer service charges.

(Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008)

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Table A – Number of Sewage Units for Current Land Use
Number of
Land Use Sewage Units
RESIDENTIAL
Single Residential Unit – Condominium 1.00
Planned Unit Development (PUD) 1.00
Single Residential Unit 1.00
Single Residential Unit with Pool 1.00
Single Residential Unit Pool and Miscellaneous 1.00
Single Residential Unit with Spa 1.00
Single Residential Unit with Guesthouse 1.00
Other Improvements Only 1.00
Double, Duplex or Two Units 2.00
Double, Duplex or Two Units with Pool 2.00
Three Units (Any Combo) 3.00
Three Units (Any Combo) with Pool 3.00
Four Units (Any Combo) 4.00
Four Units with Pool 4.00
Five or More Apartments per Individual Residential Unit 1.00
Five or More Apartments per Individual Residential Unit with Pool 1.00
Rooming/Boarding House
Rooming/Boarding House 3.00
Manufactured/Mobile Homes
Manufactured/Mobile Homes 1.00
Manufactured/Mobile Home Parks 1.00
Manufactured/Mobile Home Parks with Pool 1.00
Manufactured/Mobile Home Parks 1.00
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City of Palmdale, CA

SANITARY SEWERS AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE

§ 13.05.130

§ 13.05.130

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Table A – Number of Sewage Units for Current Land Use
Number of
Land Use Sewage Units
Commercial
Commercial – General 1.00
Vacant Parcel That Has Improvement Value Due to Existing 2.00
Nonstructural Other Improvements
Stores
Stores 1.00
Stores Combination
Store and Office Combo 2.00
Store and Residential Combo with Lift 2.00
Store and Residential Combo 2.00
Department Store
Department Store 5.00
Discount Department Store 5.00
Building Supplies 5.00
Retail-Warehouse Combo 5.00
Department Store/Warehouse 5.00
Supermarket
Supermarket 5.00
Supermarket (1,199 Square Feet through 6,000 Square Feet) 5.00
Shopping Center (Neighborhood)
Shopping Center 10.00
Shopping Center with Lift 10.00
Shopping Center (Regional)
Shopping Center 30.00
Office and Government Building
Office and Government Building 5.00
Office and Residential (2-story) 5.00
Office Building (Loft Type Building) 3.00
Office and Residential 2.00
Hotel and Motel
Hotel and Motel (Under 50 Rooms) 25.00
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City of Palmdale, CA § 13.05.130

PALMDALE CODE

§ 13.05.130

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Table A – Number of Sewage Units for Current Land Use
Number of
Land Use Sewage Units
Hotel (50 Rooms and Over) 40.00
Motel (50 Rooms and Over) 40.00
Motel (50 Rooms and Over with Pool) 40.00
Professional Buildings
Professional Building 5.00
Medical Dental Building 5.00
Medical Dental Building (2-story) 5.00
Veterinary Clinic 5.00
COMMERCIAL
Restaurant, Cocktail Lounge
Restaurant, Cocktail Lounge 5.00
Fast Food – Walk Up 2.00
Wholesale and Manufacturing Outlet
Wholesale and Manufacturing Outlet 2.00
Bank, Savings and Loan
Bank, Savings and Loan 1.00
Service Shop
Service Shop 2.00
Service Station
No Additional Services 1.00
Service Station with Lift 1.00
Convenience Store 2.00
Self-Service with Lift 1.00
Self-Service Station 1.00
Self-Service with No Additional Services 1.00
With Carwash, with Lift 5.00
With Carwash, with No Additional Services 5.00
Auto, Recreational Equipment, Construction Equipment Sales and Service
Auto, Recreational Equipment, Construction Equipment Sales and 1.00
Service
Auto Body Repair Shop 1.00
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City of Palmdale, CA

SANITARY SEWERS AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE

§ 13.05.130

§ 13.05.130

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Table A – Number of Sewage Units for Current Land Use
Number of
Land Use Sewage Units
Used Car Sales 1.00
New Car Sales and Service 3.00
Car Wash Only 5.00
Car Wash Only, Self-Service Type 5.00
Auto Service Centers (No Gasoline) 1.00
Parking Lot (Commercial Use Property)
Parking Lot with Lift 0.50
Parking Lot 0.50
Lots – Commercial Parking 0.50
Parking Lot Commercial 0.50
Nursery or Greenhouse
Nursery or Greenhouse 1.00
Vacant Land
Vacant Parcel That Has Improvement Value Due to Existing 2.00
Nonstructural Other Improvements
INDUSTRIAL
Miscellaneous Industrial 2.00
Light Manufacturing
Light Manufacturing with Lift 5.00
Light Manufacturing 5.00
Industrial Heavy Manufacturing 100.00
Warehousing Distribution Storage
Warehousing Distribution Storage Under 10,000 Square Feet 2.00
Warehousing Distribution Storage – 10,000 to 24,999 Square Feet 2.00
Warehousing Distribution Storage – 25,000 to 50,000 Square Feet 2.00
Warehousing Distribution Storage Over 50,000 Square Feet 2.00
Public Storage – Mini Warehouse 2.00
Food Processing Plant
With Wireless Communication Tower 200.00
Motion Picture, Radio, TV
General Motion Picture, Radio, TV 1.00
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City of Palmdale, CA § 13.05.130

PALMDALE CODE

§ 13.05.130

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Table A – Number of Sewage Units for Current Land Use
Number of
Land Use Sewage Units
Lumber Yard
Lumber Yard 1.00
Mineral Processing
Mineral Processing General 2.00
Mineral Processing Cement/Gravel 2.00
Parking Lots – Industrial Use Open Storage 0.50
Vacant Parcel That Has Improvement Value Due to Existing 1.00
Nonstructural Other Improvements
Open Storage 1.00
Irrigated Farms
Private Rural Pumping Plant 0.50
Irrigated Farm – Field Crops 0.50
Irrigated Farm – Fruit and Nuts 0.50
Irrigated Farm – Feed Lots 0.50
Dry Farm
Dry Farm – Fruit and Nuts 0.50
Dry Farm – Pasture 0.50
Dry Farm – Field Crops 0.50
Recreational
Theatre 2.00
Bowling Alleys
Bowling Alley 5.00
Clubs, Lodge Halls, Fraternal Organizations
Clubs, Lodge Halls, Fraternal Organizations 2.00
Athletic and Amusement Facilities
Athletic and Amusement Facilities 10.00
Commercial Swimming Pools, School 5.00
Athletic and Amusement Facilities – Gyms 2.00
Athletic and Amusement Facilities – Tennis 2.00
Golf Courses 3.00
Church
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City of Palmdale, CA

SANITARY SEWERS AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE

§ 13.05.130

§ 13.05.130

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Table A – Number of Sewage Units for Current Land Use
Number of
Land Use Sewage Units
Church 2.00
Church Parking Lot 0.50
School
School 5.00
Hospital
Hospital 100.00
Convalescent Hospital, Nursing Home 50.00
Homes for Aged and Others
Homes for Aged and Others 10.00
Cemetery, Mausoleum, Mortuary
Cemetery, Mausoleum, Mortuary 1.00
Cemetery, Mausoleum 1.00
Miscellaneous
State Assessed Property Utility, Commercial and Mutual: Pumping Plant 5.00
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(Ord. 1353 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1361 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1614 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023)

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City of Palmdale, CA § 13.08.010

SANITARY SEWERS AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE

§ 13.08.030