Chapter 4.24 — SEWER CONNECTIONS

The Board of Supervisors appoints the duly qualified Director of Public Works to be Engineer of all Special Districts or County services areas engaged in sanitary sewage collection, treatment and/or disposal, now formed or hereafter to be formed. Where the Board of Supervisors is the governing Board thereof as used in this chapter, "District" shall mean any of such agencies.

(Prior code § 4150.0; Ord. 580, 10/31/44; Ord. 896, 05/02/50; Ord. 1953, 12/17/68; Ord. 3308, 03/12/91)

It shall be the duty of the Director of Public Works to organize and employ such employees as he shall from time to time find necessary for the proper maintenance of such districts under his jurisdiction. The said employees shall receive as compensation wages set forth in the wage scale as adopted by the Board of Supervisors, such compensation to be paid out of the maintenance funds of the district in which the work is performed.

(Prior code § 4150.1; Ord. 580, 10/31/44; Ord. 896, 05/02/50; Ord. 1953, 12/17/68; Ord. 3308, 03/12/91)

As to all sewers maintained by a district it shall be unlawful to open, modify or make any connection with such sewers except as authorized by the Director of Public Works and in accordance with the specifications set forth by the said Director of Public Works. A connection shall be construed to mean all work done from the property line cleanout to and including the connection to the sewer main maintained by said district.

(Prior code § 4150.2; Ord. 580, 10/31/44; Ord. 896, 05/02/50; Ord. 1451, 04/18/61; Ord. 1953, 12/17/68; Ord. 3308, 03/12/91)

(Ord. No. 04463, § 1, 2-10-2009)

Any Person seeking to annex any property to a district shall as a condition of application for such annexation pay the non refundable fee of one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800.00). Said fee shall be deposited with the district concerned prior to commencement on the proposed annexation and shall be utilized to pay engineering, legal, drafting, publication and other costs incurred by the County in processing the annexation request including the preparation of appropriate maps as may be required by the State Board of Equalization.

(Prior code § 4150.3; Ord. 580, 10/31/44; Ord. 896, 05/02/50; Ord. 1451, 04/18/61; Ord. 1953, 12/17/68; Ord. 2246, 06/05/74; Ord. 2786, 05/11/82; Ord. 4110, 05/02/02)

(Ord. No. 04463, § 1, 2-10-2009)

Any Person within a district requesting a connection to a sewer shall, as a condition of such connection, pay a connection fee based upon the following schedule:

A.

Sewer Connection Charge.

SEWER One R.U.E.* Two R.U.E. Three R.U.E. Four R.U.E. Each Second Unit DISTRICT Additional R.U.E.

Burlingame Hills $3,509 $4,052 $4,459 $4,748 $217 $543

Crystal Springs $3,509 $4,052 $4,459 $4,748 $217 $543

Devonshire $3,509 $4,052 $4,459 $4,748 $217 $543

Fair Oaks $3,509 $4,052 $4,459 $4,748 $217 $543

Harbor Industrial $3,509 $4,052 $4,459 $4,748 $217 $543

Kensington $3,509 $4,052 $4,459 $4,748 $217 $543 Square

Scenic $3,509 $4,052 $4,459 $4,748 $217 $543

Oak Knoll $7,559** N/A*** N/A N/A N/A $543

Emerald Lake $23,325 N/A N/A N/A N/A $543 Heights (Unincorporated)

Emerald Lake $17,625 N/A N/A N/A N/A $543 Heights (Redwood City)

* R.U.E. = Residential Unit Equivalent

** If a sewer main extension is required to serve a property in the Oak Knoll District, a credit equal to the reasonable cost of the main extension construction will be made against the connection charge. The credit shall not exceed the connection charge.

*** All N/A—Not applicable due to zoning restrictions

The amounts in the above chart are the connection charges in effect January 2008. These amounts shall be adjusted annually in January by the percentage change in the Engineering News and Record Construction Cost Index (ENRCCI) from the previous year. The ENRCCI for the January 2008 base year is 9133.56

B.

Treatment Capacity Charge. For residential property, the treatment capacity charge for the first unit is included in the above connection charge. The treatment capacity charge for additional residential units shall be based upon a flow rate of 165 gallons per day per residential unit. The flow rate for calculating the treatment charge for commercial/industrial property shall be determined by the Director of Public Works based on the proposed use and review of appropriate design information.

C.

Definition of Residential Units. The following shall be deemed to be one residential unit:

Single residential dwelling designed for occupancy by one family.

Each additional attached or detached residential unit located on a lot.

Each individual housekeeping unit in a duplex, triplex, apartment, condominium or other multi-residential establishment designed for occupancy by more than one family.

Each individual living unit in a Auto Court, Trailer Court, Trailer Park, or other similar establishment.

A Lodging House, Rooming House, Dormitory, Rest Home or other establishment designed for occupancy by one or more Persons to whom rooms are rented without separate housekeeping facilities for each room or suite of rooms: each six (6) beds, or part of six (6), shall be deemed to be a separate residential unit. A double bed shall be deemed to be two beds. If separate housekeeping facilities are accorded any room or suite of rooms, each such room or suite shall be deemed a separate residential unit.

D.

Residential Unit Equivalents. A parcel of land designed, intended or used for commercial, public or industrial purposes (including motels and hotels) shall be deemed to have the following number of residential unit equivalents (RUE): each five (5) plumbing fixtures, or portion of five fixtures, installed in a parcel of land shall be deemed to be one residential unit equivalent. "Plumbing fixture" shall mean a toilet, urinal, shower, tub, sink, basin, lavatory, washing machine, or any other water or sewage receptor or facility connected to a sanitary sewer line or system and from which water or sewage can be drained into a sanitary sewer line or system.

E.

Other Provisions. Existing Building Sites. Those properties within a district as of December 7, 1968, shall not be charged the initial five hundred dollars ($500.00) of the connection charge specified above.

All charges due under this section shall be paid prior to the issuance of the building Permit or connection to a sanitary sewer within a district.

(Prior code § 4150.3a; Ord. 1451, 04/18/61; Ord. 1953, 12/17/68; Ord. 2246, 06/05/74; Ord. 2311, 05/20/75; Ord. 3031, 05/21/85; Ord. 4110, 05/02/02)

(Ord. No. 04463, § 1, 2-10-2009)

If at any time after payment of a connection charge there is a change in land use resulting in an increase in residential units, the owner shall, prior to the receipt of a building Permit for construction of the additional units, pay to the district connection charges for the additional units. Such charges shall be the difference between the amount of all previous connection charges and the amount set forth in section 4.24.050 for the entire building as increased.

(Prior code § 4150.3b; Ord. 1953, 12/17/68; Ord. 2246, 06/05/74)

A fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) shall be collected by the Director of Public Works for the issuance of a sewer inspection Permit and inspection of each facility to be installed within a district. In the event any part of the side sewer (sewer lateral) is installed and connected without the issuance of said Permit or without the inspection of said sewer line construction and connection, a fee of six hundred dollars ($600.00) shall be collected by the Director of Public Works for the issuance of said Permit and/or the inspection of said installation. The District will cease providing emergency service to property where a side sewer (sewer lateral) has been modified or connected to the District's facilities and where no Permit has been issued or where the connection has not been approved as evidenced by the approval of a sewer inspection permit.

(Prior code § 4150.3c; Ord. 1953, 12/17/68; Ord. 2246, 06/05/74; Ord. 3308, 03/12/91; Ord. 4110, 05/02/02)

(Ord. No. 04463, § 1, 2-10-2009)

All sewer construction work shall be inspected by an inspector acting for the Director of Public Works to insure compliance with all requirements of the Director of Public Works. The Permittee shall be furnished, by the Director of Public Works in written form, a copy of said requirements.

(Prior code § 4150.3d; Ord. 1953, 12/17/68; Ord. 3308, 03/12/91)

No Permit shall be issued until all connection charges or service charges properly chargeable to the property sought to be connected (which have not heretofore been paid or for which bonds have not been issued), shall first be paid to the County of San Mateo for the benefit of the sewer maintenance fund of the district in which said property is situated. This section shall be deemed to apply to, and shall include, property bordering upon a sewer, in cases where, through special arrangement, the inclusion of a service or connection charge shall have been deferred until actual connection of the sewer with the property.

(Prior code § 4150.4; Ord. 580, 10/31/44; Ord. 896, 05/02/50)

Any Person or firm requesting a Permit to construct or install a sewer connection or lateral shall deposit with the Director of Public Works at the time of securing said Permit such amount as the Director of Public Works estimates will be required to cover the cost of repairing and/or repaving that portion of the road or street damaged by the construction of installation of such sewer connection or lateral. Said deposit shall be deposited with the Treasurer of the County of San Mateo and any balance of the deposit remaining after the work has been completed in accordance with the Director of Public Works' specifications shall be repaid to the Person or firm making such deposit. If the cost of said work exceeds the Director of Public Works' original estimate the additional amount shall be paid to the Director of Public Works.

(Prior code § 4150.5; Ord. 580, 10/31/44; Ord. 896, 05/02/50; Ord. 3308, 03/12/91)

Cleanouts shall be installed and the location of such cleanouts shall be as follows:

When main sewer is located in street, alley or easement there must be provided a cleanout brought up flush with sidewalk level next to curb, and if no curb or sidewalk exists then cleanout must be located on the private lot within five feet (5') of property line or as approved by the District Engineer on a case by case basis. Cleanout shall be of cast iron same size as the drain it serves brought up to level of ground by a "wye" and branch fittings and top of same be provided with a District standard cleanout. Where location of cleanout has not been definitely settled, the location of said cleanout shall be determined by the Director of Public Works.

(Prior code § 4150.6; Ord. 580, 10/31/44; Ord. 896, 05/02/50; Ord. 3308, 03/12/91)

(Ord. No. 04463, § 1, 2-10-2009)

Building laterals or pipes or piping which serve fixtures which are located below the level of the top of the nearest upgrade manhole of the main sewer shall be protected from the back flow of sewage by the installation of an appropriate number of district approved overflow devices. As additional protection, a gate valve of the type approved by the district, may also be installed on the building lateral.

(Prior code § 4150.7(a); Ord. 3029, 04/16/85; Ord. 4169, 04/08/03)

laterals in the districts.

It shall be the obligation and responsibility of the property owner receiving service from a district to install and maintain the devices set forth in Sections 4.24.110 and 4.24.120. Additionally, it shall be the obligation and responsibility of the property owner to install and maintain the "building sewer lateral" which is defined as the portion of the sanitary sewer line, including cleanouts, overflow valves, backflow valves, "wye" branch and appurtenances that are located on private property and which connect the house or building wastewater plumbing to the sewer lateral which is located in a public easement or right-of-way. It shall be also the obligation and responsibility of the property owner to install and maintain the "sewer lateral" which is defined as the portion of the sanitary sewer line, including cleanouts, overflow valves, backflow valves, "wye" branch and appurtenances that are located in public road or easement and which connects the building sewer lateral to the sewer main of the district. The district shall not be responsible for damages to the interior of a house or structure or for the costs of cleanup which results from a sewer stoppage where an overflow or backflow valve as required by Section 4.24.120 has not been installed and properly maintained.

(Prior code § 4150.7(b); Ord. 3029, 04/16/85; catchline editorially created, 6/94; Ord. 4169, 04/08/03)

Districts will provide emergency maintenance to determine if a sewer stoppage is within the districts' sewer facilities or within that the property owners' sewer lateral if a standard cleanout as defined by Section

Districts shall not be responsible for the

repair or replacement of any portion of the sanitary sewer lateral that may or may not have been damaged as a result of or alleged to be the result of said emergency maintenance.

(Ord. 4169, 04/08/03)

District shall notify property owner in writing:

(a)

If a cleanout meeting the standards of Section 4.24.110 is not in place;

(b)

That the district will not provide additional emergency maintenance until such time as a cleanout meeting the standards of Section 4.24.110 is installed by the property owner;

(c)

If the district determines that any portion of a sewer building lateral is damaged;

(d)

If the district determines either by repeated calls for emergency maintenance on a sewer lateral, or other means such as televising the lateral, that any portion of a property owner's sewer lateral is damaged or in a condition which will result in additional stoppages in the lateral, district will specify a date when said lateral needs to be repaired or replaced. Failure by the property owner to do the necessary repair or replacement

by the date as determined by the district will be cause for the district to refer the issue to the Director of Environmental Health with the request that the Director determine that said lateral is a nuisance as defined by Section 1.12.010 and request that the nuisance be abated as provided by Section 1.12.020. The property owner shall also be responsible for the costs of any cleanup as mandated by the Director of Environmental Health or other County, State or Federal agency that is a result of stoppages in the building or sewer lateral.

(Ord. 4169, 04/08/03)

It shall be unlawful for any Person, firm or corporation to use or Permit to be used for human habitation any building situated upon lands which abut upon a street, road, avenue, place or easement in which there is a sewer maintained by any such maintenance district or by any County sanitation district as to areas thereof which lie outside of any incorporated City, and which said building is erected after the acceptance of said sewer by the said Board of Supervisors unless said building is connected with said sewer as herein provided; provided that whenever the Board of Supervisors finds that public health and sanitation require it, said Board may require any such situated building erected before the acceptance of said sewer by said Board be connected with said sewer as herein provided; and it shall be unlawful for the owner of said building to fail or refuse to do so.

(Prior code § 4150.8; Ord. 580, 10/31/44; Ord. 1250, 11/05/57)

On or after ninety (90) days after the acceptance of any such sewer by the Board of Supervisors, it shall be unlawful for any Person, firm or corporation to have upon any lands which abut upon a street, road, avenue, place or easement in which there is a sewer maintained by any such maintenance district, any outside toilets, excepting a temporary one used during construction of buildings.

(Prior code § 4150.9; Ord. 580, 10/31/44)

Any Person or firm requesting a Permit to construct or install a sewer main extension shall pay to the appropriate District a non-refundable Permit fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) plus deposit an amount as determined by the Director of Public Works to cover the District's cost for plan review, construction inspection and processing the dedication of the main extension to the appropriate district. Additional costs incurred by the District for required work not covered by deposit shall be paid by the Person or firm requesting to construct or install sewer main extension. The balance remaining from the deposit at the completion of the project shall be returned to the applicant.

(Ord. 4110, 05/02/02)

(Ord. No. 04463, § 1, 2-10-2009)

Any Person or Persons requesting establishment of Buy-back agreement shall pay to the District a fee of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the development and administration of the agreement. The buy-back agreement shall have a term not to exceed 10 years. Additional costs incurred by the District for the development and administration of the buy-back agreement shall be paid by the Person or Persons requesting the buyback agreement. Approval of the buy-back agreement shall be at the sole discretion of the Board of Supervisors. Any Person or Persons connecting to a District sewer main, which is subject to a valid buy-back agreement shall pay an administrative fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) to the District for administration of the buy-back agreement.

(Ord. 4110, 05/02/02)

(Ord. No. 04463, § 1, 2-10-2009)

Any Person or Persons requesting miscellaneous services from the District such as investigations prior to an annexation, investigation of alternate connection locations shall pay to the appropriate District a non- refundable fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) plus deposit an amount as determined by the Director of Public Works to cover the District's cost for providing said miscellaneous services. Additional costs incurred by the District for service shall be paid by the Person or Persons requesting the miscellaneous service.

(Ord. 4110, 05/02/02)

(Ord. No. 04463, § 1, 2-10-2009)

Any Person or Persons requiring review of building plans by the District shall pay to the District a non- refundable fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) for residential parcels and five hundred dollars ($500.00) for non-residential parcels.

(Ord. No. 04463, § 2, 2-10-2009)