Chapter 13.08 — CONNECTION PERMITS, CHARGES AND FEES

No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenances or perform any work on any lateral or building sewer without first obtaining a written permit from the City. (Ord. 82-12 § 53, 1982)

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 or she 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 or she may deem necessary.

If the Superintendent determines that the plans, specifications, drawings, descriptions or information furnished by the applicant are in compliance with the ordinances, rules and regulations of the City, he or she shall issue the permit applied for upon payment of the required fees as hereinafter fixed.

(Ord. 82-12 § 54, 1982)

After approval of the application, evidenced by the issuance of a permit, no change shall be made in the location of the sewer, 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. (Ord. 82-12 § 55, 1982)

The applicant's signature on an application for any permit shall constitute an agreement to comply with all of the provisions, terms and requirements of this and other ordinance, rules and regulations of the City, and with the plans and specifications he or she has filed with his or her 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 the written request for the alteration from the applicant. (Ord. 82-12 § 56, 1982)

The owner or occupant of any premises requiring repair or maintenance work on a lateral sewer shall notify the City or be notified by the City of the need for such work. Such owner or occupant shall either:

• A. Deposit with the City, prior to commencement of work by the City, an amount equal to the cost of such work as estimated by the City. The cost of the work shall be deducted from the deposit and the difference, if any, shall be refunded to the depositor. If the cost of the work exceeds the amount deposited, the owner or occupant shall forthwith pay the amount of said excess upon receipt of a statement therefor; or

• B. Contract with a licensed contractor to perform the work to City specifications and pay inspection fees as established for a new sewer hookup.

• (Ord. 82-12 § 57, 1982; Ord. 2009-01 § 2)

The owner or owners of lands within areas proposed to be annexed to the City and proposed to be connected to the sewage works shall deposit with the City Clerk a sum to be fixed by the City Council, prior to commencement of proceedings by LAFCO on the proposed annexation. The amount to be fixed by the Council shall be in a sum estimated to equal engineering, legal and publication costs and all other charges which may be incurred by the City in preparing and examining maps, legal descriptions, and other documents in relation thereto, and other expenses regularly incurred in connection therewith. Should the amount of the deposit exceed the costs incurred by the City, the excess shall be refunded to the owner or owners following the conclusion of the final hearing on the proposed annexation. Should the amount of the deposit be insufficient to pay such costs incurred by the City, the owner or owners shall advance such additional sums as shall be necessary to pay said costs prior to the final hearing on the proposed annexation.

(Ord. 82-12 § 58, 1982)

• A. Upon hook up to the City sewer system, the City incurs certain administrative costs relative to including the property into the system as well as the cost of Public Works staff time, materials and equipment usage costs for the inspection of the physical connection made by private contractors by the Public Works Department. The hook up inspection fee established by this section is intended to recover that cost as a regulatory fee, and is not intended to generate any funds for operation or maintenance of the sewer system (which is paid by the monthly sewer charge), for expansion or capital improvements to the system (which is paid by the connection fee) nor to generate funds for any other activities of the City.

• B. In addition to any other fee or charge required by this Code or law, any person connecting to the City sewer system shall pay a "sewer hook up and inspection fee" in the amount of $125 plus the actual cost of time and expense for City Public Works staff to inspect and approve the private installation of sewer connections.

• C. The physical hook up shall be performed by private contractors retained by the property owner at the property owner's expense.

• (Ord. 82-12 § 59, 1982; Ord. 97-11 § 8, 1997; Ord. 2003-04 § 1)

CHAPTER 13.10 OUTSIDE USERS