Sacramento Municipal Code Art. II General Requirements

Private water lines serving two or more buildings or structures located on the same lot or parcel or not maintained by a public utility shall be constructed to meet the standards for construction of public water mains set forth in the standard specifications. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A service connection may be relocated by the city at a customer's request provided the relocation, in the judgment of the director, is not detrimental to the city water distribution system. Such relocation shall include any modifications necessary to comply with then-current service connection standards or requirements, and the cost of the relocation shall be borne by the customer. The customer shall pay the estimated cost of the relocation, as determined by the director, prior to obtaining a water tap and constructing the water service. Where a service connection is relocated for the convenience or protection of the city, the relocation shall be at the expense of the city. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, each lot or parcel shall have a separate water service connection, except for fire service connections serving more than one lot or parcel that are authorized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. All water service lines shall be equipped with an approved corporation stop/valve at the distribution main, and with a curb stop valve unless not required under specifications adopted by the department. Water service lines shall not cross another lot or parcel without first obtaining any and all rights-of-way, easements, or other approvals necessary to do so.

B. To be eligible for water service, a parcel must abut a public easement or a city street or alley right-of-way in which a distribution main is located at a point immediately adjacent to the property, unless the director authorizes the extension of a distribution main.

1. If the parcel abuts both a public easement and a street or alley right-of-way in which distribution mains are located, the director shall specify which distribution main will be used for any new water service connection.

2. If the parcel abuts only a public easement in which a distribution main is located, and the distribution main is scheduled in the department's capital improvement program to be abandoned when a new distribution main is constructed in a street or alley right-of-way adjacent to the parcel, the director may require, as a condition of allowing a new water service connection to the existing distribution main, that the parcel's private water lines be configured to allow the parcel to be connected to the new distribution main after it is constructed.

C. The director may authorize water service for land locked parcels provided that the customer obtains recorded private easements from the affected owner(s) and all other applicable legal requirements are fulfilled. Private easements must abut a distribution main in a dedicated public easement or city right-of-way. Water service lines constructed in private easements are private water lines, and the city shall have no responsibility for the maintenance and repair of such lines.

D. The director may authorize water service for a parcel that is not adjacent to a distribution main and is not land locked, on such terms and conditions as may be specified by the director, if the director determines based on written findings that it is not feasible to extend a distribution main due to the unique physical characteristics of the parcel which are so unusual that complying with the requirements of this section would create an exceptional hardship to the parcel owner or the surrounding parcel owners.

E. Except as provided herein, the director shall determine the maximum sizes of service connections. For single-family domestic service connections, the maximum size shall be one inch, or one and one-half inches if residential fire sprinkler systems are present, unless otherwise authorized by the director.

F. All water service connections are subject to the city's tap, meter, development, abandonment, and other applicable fees established by city council resolution, and to the department's cross-connection control standards. (Ord. 2015-0011 § 1; Ord. 2013-0014 § 2; Ord. 2011-031 § 1; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A customer receiving city water service shall provide the city's employees and contractors access to and use of the premises where city water service is received as may be required for the installation, maintenance, repair, or removal of any pipelines, water meters, and other appurtenances used to provide or measure city water service to the customer's premises or to adjacent premises; or for purposes of connecting, reconnecting, or relocating the connection for city water service to any such premises. Compliance with the foregoing requirements is a condition of the customer receiving or continuing to receive city water service, and the department may shut off water service at the distribution main if the customer refuses to allow access as required in this section. If the customer refuses to allow such access, the city may seek authorization for access from any court of competent jurisdiction. (Ord. 2013-0014 § 3; Ord. 2005-090 § 3)

Except for separate irrigation service connections and fire service connections, each lot or parcel shall have only one service connection; provided that requests for multiple service connections (excluding separate irrigation service and fire service connections) may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the director.

A. Backup service connections are considered to be temporary and shall be subject to termination by city at a future date specified by the director.

B. If permanent multiple service connections require a public water main extension, the main extension shall be installed to the satisfaction of the director at the customer's expense.

C. Where multiple service connections already exist, and a lot split, lot merger, or a change of business or operations occurs, the excess service connection shall be removed at the customer's expense, if required by the director. (Ord. 2015-0011 § 2; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

The director may authorize lots or parcels utilized for a community garden, as defined in Section 17.108.040 of this code, to use the existing water service connection of an adjoining lot or parcel to provide irrigation for the community garden if the owner of the adjoining lot or parcel consents to such use, provided that:

A. A backflow prevention device is installed and periodically tested in accordance with such requirements as may be specified by the director to protect the potable water supply of the city and of the adjoining lot or parcel served by the existing water service connection; and

B. A water meter is installed on the existing water service connection. The owner of the adjoining lot or parcel served by the existing water service connection shall notify the director prior to the initiation of any such use, and shall be liable for all rates, charges, and fees for the water service furnished to the existing water service connection used to provide irrigation for the community garden. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 38; Ord. 2011-031 § 2)

The city's responsibility to operate, maintain and repair public water mains shall extend only to the point of service. The operation, maintenance and repair of any private water line connected to the point of service shall be the customer's sole responsibility. The customer shall indemnify and hold harmless city, its officers and employees from any claims, actions, costs (including attorney fees), damages or other liability resulting or arising from the condition, operation, maintenance or repair of said private water line. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

The supply of city water may be discontinued at any time without notice to customers and the city shall in no way be liable for any damage or costs resulting from such discontinuance. The city does not guarantee, and shall not be liable for any failure in, continuity of water service or water pressure. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

No person shall use any city water unless installation of the tap and initiation of the water service has been approved by the city in accordance with all applicable provisions of this code. Any use without such approval shall be unlawful. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

No person shall interfere with the inspection by city employees of any water fixture or water-using or water-distributing device connected directly or indirectly to the city water distribution system, for the purpose of determining whether there is a violation of any provision of this chapter. City employees shall obtain the consent of an adult occupant before entering occupied premises or dwellings. If consent is not obtained, the city may seek authorization for access from any court of competent jurisdiction. (Ord. 2013-0014 § 4; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

It is unlawful for any person to maintain or allow on his or her premises leaky or faulty water fixtures or water using or distributing devices to which city water is connected, so that city water is wasted thereby. The failure to repair or disconnect the faulty device within five days after being notified in writing to do so by the department shall be sufficient cause for the disconnection of city water from the premises until the repairs have been made. After disconnection, water shall be reconnected only in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.04.170. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A. No person other than authorized employees of the department or fire department, or other persons duly authorized by the city manager, shall open or operate any public fire hydrant or attach any hose, tubing, or pipe to a public fire hydrant for any purpose, without first obtaining a fire hydrant use permit from the director, in accordance with the temporary water use policy approved by the director pursuant to Section 13.04.210. Permit applications shall be filed on forms provided by the department. The permittee shall at all times comply with the temporary water use policy and any other conditions included in the permit.

B. Permit applicants shall pay the fees, charges, and deposits required by the temporary water use policy, in the amounts established by city council resolution.

C. No person, whether authorized to open a public fire hydrant or not, shall leave a public fire hydrant open or leave the cap off the nozzle of a public fire hydrant after having ceased to use it.

D. Any person who opens or operates a public fire hydrant, whether or not authorized as provided herein, shall indemnify and hold harmless the city, its officers, and employees from any claims, actions, costs (including attorney fees), damages, or other liability resulting or arising therefrom. (Ord. 2013-0014 § 5; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A. Any person violating any provision of Section 13.04.130 is subject to administrative penalties pursuant to Section 1.28.010. The administrative penalty for violations of Section 13.04.130 is one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first violation, five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the second violation, and one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the third and all subsequent violations in a one-year period.

B. If a person commits more than three violations of Section 13.04.130 in a three-year period, the director may refuse to issue any further fire hydrant use permits to that person for a period of one year.

C. The penalties set forth above also apply to persons using a water transportation vehicle if the vehicle is found operating without a valid fire hydrant use permit as required under the temporary water use policy.

D. Violation of any provision of Section 13.04.130 is grounds for forfeiture of a deposit as provided in the temporary water use policy.

E. The foregoing provisions are cumulative and in addition to any other penalty or remedy provided or authorized under any applicable law, regulation, or this code, including Section 1.28.020 and Chapters 2.24, 15.36, and 15.100. (Ord. 2013-0014 § 6; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

Unmetered on-site fire protection facilities providing water supply to private fire hydrants shall be used for fire suppression purposes only, except as provided otherwise in this section. No person shall use or allow others to use private fire hydrants for any purpose other than fire suppression without obtaining permission from the director. The director may require the property owner to purchase, install, and maintain a detector check on each fire service provided to the property. The size, location, and type of detector check shall be as specified by the director. (Ord. 2013-0014 § 7; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

No person shall block or obstruct any public or private fire hydrant in such a manner that interferes with its operation, maintenance or repair, or the attachment of a fire hose thereto. No person shall place upon or about any public or private fire hydrant, water gate, water meter, curb/cock or stop/cock connected with the city water distribution system any building material or other obstruction so as to prevent free access to the same at all times. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

In no case shall water service be restored to any premises when shut off as provided in this title, unless the pipe leading thereto is directly connected with the distribution main and unconnected with any other service pipe leading to any other premises, and except on approval of the director and payment of all past due accounts and the additional amount covering costs for shutting off and restoring the water service. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A. No person whose water service pipe is attached directly or indirectly to a public water main shall allow any person to attach any pipe or hose connection to the plumbing on his or her lot or parcel for the purpose of providing water service to any other lot or parcel, except to provide irrigation for a community garden in accordance with Section 13.04.075.

B. No person shall receive water service on a lot or parcel by means of a pipe or hose connection to the plumbing on a different lot or parcel that is attached directly or indirectly to a public water main, except to provide irrigation for a community garden in accordance with Section 13.04.075.

C. The department may order the disconnection of any pipe or hose connection in violation of this section, or the department may disconnect the pipe or hose connection. (Ord. 2013-0014 § 8; Ord. 2011-031 § 3; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A. If the department orders the disconnection of a pipe or hose connection in violation of Section 13.04.180, and the pipe or hose connection is not disconnected with the time specified by the department, the department may shut off the water service connection providing water to the pipe or hose connection at the distribution main.

B. If any person refuses to allow department employees to enter any premises for the purpose of disconnecting a service pipe or hose connection that supplies city water to another lot or parcel in violation of this chapter, the department may shut off water service to the premises at the distribution main. (Ord. 2013-0014 § 9; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

Whenever the department shuts off any pipe or any public or private fire hydrant carrying or discharging water from the city water distribution system, no person shall open the pipe or hydrant or turn on or use any water from the pipe or hydrant without obtaining prior approval from the director. Any person who violates this section shall indemnify and hold harmless the city, its officers, and employees from any claims, actions, costs (including attorney fees), damages, or other liability resulting or arising therefrom. (Ord. 2013-0014 § 10; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A. The director shall adopt a written temporary water use policy that establishes policies, procedures, and requirements applicable to temporary water service, including procedures governing application for-and issuance, denial, renewal, and revocation offire hydrant use permits, and procedures for payment and forfeiture of deposits.

B. Any person requesting temporary water use shall comply with all requirements of the temporary water use policy, including the payment of all applicable fees, charges, and deposits in the amounts established by city council resolution.

C. Temporary water service shall be provided through a meter, at current city charges. The department may authorize temporary water service for new residential construction prior to meter installation, upon payment, prior to issuance of a building permit, of a temporary water service fee, for each residential lot, equal to three times the city's then-current monthly flat rate for water service to a single-family residence with six to nine rooms. (Ord. 2013-0014 § 11; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this code, if authorized by the director, and subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified by the director:

1. Water service, and other city utility services as applicable, rendered to a condominium project's condominium units or common area(s) may be provided at a single point of service or multiple points of service and billed to the association managing the condominium project.

2. In a common interest development, if a meter is installed on an existing unmetered water service connection, or if an existing metered service connection is changed from flat rate to metered rate billing, the metered rate for the service connection shall be billed to the association managing the common interest development, or to the owners of the separate interests served by the service connection in accordance with a rate allocation established by ordinance or resolution of the city council; this does not include water service provided at a water service connection serving only one separate interest, which shall be billed to the owner of the separate interest.

3. Irrigation service rendered to the common area(s) of a common interest development may be provided at a single point of service or multiple points of service and billed to the association or other entity managing the common interest development.

4. Irrigation service for a common irrigation system that crosses parcel lines in a commercial development that is not a common interest development, may be provided at a single point of service or multiple points of service and billed to a single owner or the owner's authorized representative, provided that:

a. The owner owns all parcels served by the common irrigation system; or

b. If the owner owns at least one, but not all, of the parcels served by the common irrigation system, the owner furnishes satisfactory evidence of an easement or other interest of record for the parcels not owned by the owner, that authorizes the owner or the owner's authorized representative to obtain and pay for irrigation service for the common irrigation system on those parcels.

B. If water service is billed to an association or other entity pursuant to subsections (A)(1), (2), or (3) of this section, the association or other entity shall be fully responsible for payment of the rates, fees, and charges for the water service as a condition of continuing to receive water service.

C. If irrigation service is billed to an owner or the owner's authorized representative pursuant to subsection (A)(4) of this section, the owner or the owner's authorized representative shall be fully responsible for payment of the rates, fees, and charges for the irrigation service as a condition of continuing to receive irrigation service.

D. As used in subsection A of this section, the terms "common area," "condominium project," "common interest development," "separate interest," and "association" have the meanings specified in Section 13.12.010. (Ord. 2015-0011 § 3; Ord. 2013-0014 § 12; Ord. 2011-051 § 4; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this code, the director may authorize water service to be:

1. Rendered to a project consisting of vertical parcels at a single metered point of service or multiple metered points of service, with sub-meters for each parcel, as specified by the director; and

2. Billed to a single person authorized to receive and pay for the water service for and on behalf of all the parcel owners, referred to in this section as the "authorized party."

B. If the director authorizes water service pursuant to subsection A, before receiving any water service connection the authorized party and all parcel owners must enter into a water service agreement with the department, in a form approved by the city attorney, that includes the terms and conditions specified by the director, including, at a minimum, the following:

1. The owners and authorized party shall be solely responsible for all water distribution facilities within the project, including the sub-meters for all parcels;

2. The authorized party shall pay when due the rates, fees, and charges for water service rendered to the city's metered points of service; shall be solely responsible for the allocation, billing, and collection of these costs among the parcels within the project based on sub-metering; and, if required by the director, shall furnish a security deposit to assure payment;

3. If the authorized party fails to pay all or any portion of the rates, fees, and charges for water service rendered to the city's metered points of service when and as required:

a. The city may discontinue water service provided through the city's metered points of service until all rates, fees, and charges are paid in full, and

b. All of the parcel owners will be liable for payment as specified in Section 13.12.020, and will be subject to the delinquent service charge procedures specified in Sections 13.12.070 through 13.12.100;

4. The owners and authorized party shall release any and all claims arising from the city's discontinuance of water service for nonpayment, including unknown claims arising under California Civil Code Section 1542;

5. The owners and authorized party shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the city, its officers, employees, and agents against any and all liabilities and costs (including attorney fees) arising from:

a. Any action or failure to act by the owners or authorized party, or their respective members, officers, employees, contractors, or agents,

b. Any discontinuance of water service for nonpayment, or

c. Any claim related to the authorized party's authority to act on behalf of the parcel owners;

6. The agreement shall be recorded so that the agreement's obligations are covenants that run with all parcels within the project, in accordance with Section 1468 of the Civil Code, and bind all members, successors, and assigns of the owners and authorized party;

7. If the services of any attorney are required by a party to secure performance of the agreement, or due to a breach or default of a party, or if any judicial remedy or arbitration is necessary to enforce or interpret any provision of the agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees, costs, and other expenses, in addition to any other relief to which the party may be entitled; and

8. Except as provided otherwise in the agreement, the provision of city water service shall be subject to all applicable provisions of the city charter, this code, and any other statute, regulation, ordinance, resolution, or city policy or procedure. (Ord. 2015-0011 § 4)

No permanent structure (including without limitation garages, patios, concrete slabs, tool shed and similar structures) shall be constructed on top of water, sewer or drainage pipelines or anywhere within the associated utility easements, unless approved by the director upon execution of a hold harmless agreement approved by the city attorney. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

The city council shall from time to time by resolution adopt cross-connection control standards that establish the city's requirements for design, construction, installation, and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies. These standards protect the potable water supply of the city from the possibility of contaminants, pollutants, or water from unapproved sources entering the city's water distribution system through cross-connections. Any customer shall comply with all provisions of the city's cross-connection control standards. The violation of any provision of those standards constitutes an infraction. If the director or a Sacramento County environmental health officer finds that a customer is violating the cross-connection control standards, the customer's water service may be discontinued pursuant to section 13.04.245. The foregoing provisions are cumulative and in addition to any other remedy provided under applicable law or regulation, including without limitation the administrative penalty provisions of section 1.28.010. (Ord. 2024-0021 § 2; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

A. The following water uses and conditions violate the city's cross- connection control standards and constitute a clear and immediate hazard to the city's potable water supply, and the city will discontinue water service after making a reasonable effort to notify the customer of the discontinuance of the service:

1. Direct or indirect connection between the city water distribution system and a sewer line;

2. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the city water distribution system and a system or equipment containing contaminants; and

3. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the city water distribution system and an auxiliary water system.

B. Water uses and conditions that constitute a basis for water service discontinuance include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The customer refuses to install or to test a backflow prevention assembly; or

2. The customer refuses to repair or replace a faulty backflow prevention assembly.

C. The City shall comply with the following procedure before discontinuing water service due to water uses and conditions described in subsection B.

1. The director shall cause a written notice of violation and impending discontinuance to be mailed to the customer, at the customer's address. If the customer's address is not the address of the property to which the water service is provided, the notice also shall be sent to the address of the property to which water service is provided, addressed to "Occupant."

2. The notice shall be mailed not less than 30 days prior to the proposed discontinuance.

3. The notice must include all of the following in a clear and legible format:

a. The customer's name and address;

b. The nature of the violation;

c. The date by which compliance with the cross-connection control standard is required to avoid discontinuance of water service;

d. A description of the opportunity to file a complaint or to request an extension of time to achieve compliance; and

e. The telephone number of a department representative authorized to provide additional information.

4. A customer desiring to file a complaint concerning the violation or to request an extension of time to achieve compliance must file a written complaint or request with the director not later than 15 days after the date of the mailed notice of violation.

5. A department employee designated by the director shall schedule a meeting to review and investigate a timely complaint or request for an extension of time to achieve compliance.

6. After the meeting required by subsection C.5, the designated employee shall render a written decision, which may include additional time to achieve compliance. A copy of the decision shall be mailed to the customer at the customer's address.

7. The decision of the designated employee may be appealed pursuant to chapter 1.24, by filing a notice of appeal with the city clerk no later than ten days after the date the decision is mailed to the customer.

8. If a complaint is not filed or a request for an extension of time to correct the violation is not made, as specified in subsection C.4, or if a complaint is filed or a request is made as specified in subsection C.4, but the customer filing the complaint or making the request fails to appear at the meeting scheduled pursuant to subsection C.5, the city shall have the right to discontinue water service.

9. If a complaint has been filed or a request has been made as specified in subsection C.4, and the customer filing the complaint or making the request has appeared at the meeting scheduled pursuant to subsection C.5, and any action determined to be required by the designated employee holding the meeting is not completed within the deadline imposed by the designated employee or 30 days after the date that the designated employee's decision is mailed, whichever is later, the city shall have the right to discontinue water service.

10. Not less than 48 hours prior to a scheduled discontinuance of water service, a final notice shall be posted in a conspicuous location on the premises where service is to be discontinued and shall also be mailed to the customer, at the customer's address. The final notice must include all the following in a clear and legible format:

a. The customer's name and address;

b. The nature of the violation;

c. The date by which compliance was required to avoid discontinuance of water services; and

d. The telephone number of a department representative authorized to provide additional information.

D. Water service to any premises where service has been discontinued pursuant to this section shall not be restored until the customer has corrected or eliminated such conditions or defects in conformance with this section and to the satisfaction of the director.

E. The city shall not be held liable to any customer for any injury, damages, or lost revenues that may result from discontinuance of the customer's water service in accordance with the terms of this section.

F. The customer is responsible for back-siphoned pollutants or contaminants through backflow, if contamination of the city water distribution system occurs through an illegal cross-connection or an improperly installed, maintained, or repaired backflow assembly device or bypassing a backflow assembly device. The customer shall be liable for the cost of clean-up of the city water distribution system and shall be liable for damage or injury that occurs as a result of the contamination. (Ord. 2024-0021 § 3)

Easements granted for public water mains shall be exclusive easements, and shall be in a form approved by the department and the city attorney. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

Any person or entity damaging or removing any portion of the city water distribution system shall pay the city's costs of investigating and repairing such damage and/or replacing any removed item(s), and shall indemnify and hold harmless city, its officers and employees from any claims, actions, costs (including attorney fees), damages or other liability resulting or arising from such damage or removal. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)

Unless specified as a misdemeanor, the violation of any provision of this chapter is an infraction, in addition to any other remedy provided under any applicable law or regulation, including without limitation the administrative penalty provisions of Section 1.28.010. (Ord. 2001-033 § 1)