Chapter 14.25 — FIRE HYDRANTS

Public fire hydrants connected to the City water system shall be placed, maintained and repaired by the Public Works Department. Any damage thereto by persons or agencies, other than representatives of the Fire or Public Works Department, shall be a claim against the person or agency committing such damage, and the Director shall take such action as may be necessary to collect the same.

(Prior code §44.35; Ord. 2931, 1963; Ord. 3922 §2, 1977)

Public fire hydrants shall be provided for the sole purpose of extinguishing fires, and shall be used otherwise only as provided for in this chapter, and shall be opened and used only by the Public Works and Fire Departments or such persons as may be authorized to do so by the Director of the Public Works Department as provided in this chapter. (Prior code §44.36; Ord. 2931, 1963; Ord. 3922 §2, 1977)

• A. No person shall take water other than for the purpose of extinguishing fires from a fire or other hydrant owned or controlled by the City including hydrants installed pursuant to Section 14.25.070 without first obtaining a permit from the Director of the Public Works Department. No such permit holder shall take or use water contrary to this chapter or the terms of a permit issued under this chapter. No permit shall be issued to a person who has violated any of the provisions of this chapter or whose indebtedness to the City for water used, or damage to hydrants or equipment is delinquent.

• B. The Director of Public Works may issue permits authorizing use through fire or other hydrants. Each permit shall:

  1. Be valid for a period of time as set by the Director of Public Works and not exceeding 90 days;

  2. Be renewable by the Director of Public Works for additional periods not exceeding 90 days;

  3. Set forth the hydrant(s) within the City's water service area which may be used pursuant to said permit; and

  4. Designate the location for which the water shall be used. Locations outside the City's water service area, except City owned property, shall not be designated except in emergencies.

• (Ord. 3922 §2, 1977)

All water taken from a hydrant shall be metered using a meter provided, attached, secured and removed, by the Public Works Department. A valve connection device and a hydrant wrench provided by the Public Works Department shall be used in taking water from the hydrant.

Permittee shall be responsible for loss or damage of the meter or other device and shall pay to City any charges necessary to repair and/or replace the meter and attachments if damaged or lost. Violation of this section shall be punishable as an infraction with a penalty of not less than $250 nor more than $500 in addition to restitution to the City for any water removed. (Ord. 3922 §2, 1977; Ord. 4250, 1984)

Permits used in violation of this chapter shall be revoked by the Director of Public Works Department.

(Ord. 3922 §2, 1977)

Permittee shall pay permit fees, rental fees, water use fees and deposits established by resolution of the City Council. Deposits required for meters and/or other equipment provided to permittee shall be refunded in the event the equipment is returned in good order and condition and final settlement of account.

(Ord. 3922 §2, 1977; Ord. 4250, 1984)