Earlier editions: 2026-07
Title 14 — Potable and Recycled Water
Santa Rosa Municipal Code Ch. 14-20 Water System Violations
Santa Rosa Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Santa Rosa
Cite as: Santa Rosa Municipal Code Chapter 14-20 · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 14-20.010. Purpose.¶
The purpose of this chapter is to promote public health and safety by fixing a civil penalty for: taking water from the City potable or recycled water system without the City's permission; tampering with or damaging the City potable or recycled water system; operating the City potable or recycled water system without the City's permission. These sections are intended to assure the safe functioning of the potable or recycled water system by discouraging potential contamination as well as other potential damage resulting from tampering, unauthorized operation, or unauthorized use of the City potable or recycled water system.
(Ord. 2792 § 1, 1989; Ord. 3845 § 6, 2007)
§ 14-20.020. Unauthorized taking of City potable or recycled water.¶
Every person who willfully takes water from the City potable or recycled water system without the City's permission is liable to the City in the sum of $500.00, as a civil penalty, for the first such act and $1,000.00, as a civil penalty, for each subsequent act during any three-year period. This sum shall be recoverable by civil suit in a court of competent jurisdiction. This section does not limit the City's right to recover the cost of any City potable or recycled water taken without the City's permission.
(Ord. 2792 § 1(part), 1989; Ord. 3845 § 6, 2007)
§ 14-20.030. Tampering or damage to City potable or recycled water system.¶
Every person who willfully tampers with or causes damage to any City potable or recycled water system appurtenance is liable to the City in the sum of $500.00, as a civil penalty, for the first such act and $1,000.00, as a civil penalty, for each subsequent act during any three-year period. This sum shall be recoverable by civil suit in a court of competent jurisdiction. This section does not limit the City's right to recover the cost or damage to its potable or recycled water system.
(Ord. 2792 § 1(part), 1989; Ord. 3845 § 6, 2007)
§ 14-20.040. Operation of City valve or hydrant without permission of City.¶
Every person who willfully operates or uses any City potable or recycled water valve or hydrant on the City potable or recycled water system without the City's permission is liable to the City in the sum of $500.00, as a civil penalty, for the first such act and $1,000.00, as a civil penalty, for each subsequent act during any three-year period. This sum shall be recoverable by civil suit in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(Ord. 2792 § 1(part), 1989; Ord. 3845 § 6, 2007)
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code