Tehachapi Municipal Code Ch. 8.44 Mandatory Connection to City Sewer and Water Systems

The purpose and intent of this chapter is to set forth the circumstances under which properties within the city boundaries shall be required to connect to the city's wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal facility ("sewer/facility") and to city's domestic water system ("water system"). The purpose is to protect the health and welfare of city residents by assuring appropriate disposal of waste, protection of water quality, and protection of residents from a contaminated water supply.

(Ord. 98-02-636 § 1(part), 1998)

A. All commercial, residential and industrial buildings within the boundaries of the City of Tehachapi and any and all outbuildings, dwellings, garages, and all such other edifices containing a plumbing fixture or fixtures shall be connected to the sewer system.

B. Notwithstanding subsection A. of this Section 8.44.020, if the distance from the nearest property line of a parcel upon which any building is located is more than two hundred feet from an existing sewer line, then such building shall be exempted from this requirement until such time as a sewer line is constructed to within two hundred feet of the property line. Provided, however, that all parcels consisting of an area of one acre or more and zoned for residential development shall be exempted from this requirement provided the parcel is improved with an on-site septic system approved by the city council and as required by the Kern County Department of Health Services.

C. As used herein, a "lateral" shall mean the piping from the exterior wall of any building which extends to its connection to a sewer main line by which the wastewater from the building is discharged into the city's sewer system. The maintenance, repair and replacement of the lateral shall be the sole responsibility of the parcel owner at the parcel owner's sole cost and expense except as otherwise described herein. If the maintenance, repair, or replacement requires removal of any sub-base material, base material, asphalt, or concrete curb, gutter, or sidewalk, the property owner or the property owner's contractor shall first obtain an encroachment permit and a building permit from the city prior to performing any work within the city's right of way. The contractor shall provide the city with an estimate of the cost to be approved by the director of public works prior to any work commencing within the city's right of way. Once the encroachment permit and the building permit have been issued and the director of public works has approved the contractor's estimate, the contractor may complete the repair or replacement of the lateral. The contractor shall also install a 'clean out' at the property owner's property line that conforms to the city's subdivision development standards. The 'clean out' and the replacement of any removed sub-based material, base material, asphalt, or concrete curb, gutter, or sidewalk shall be approved by the city's building inspector. The city shall pay the cost of the replacement of any sub-base material, base material, asphalt, or concrete curb, gutter, or sidewalk and shall be solely responsible for same. All other costs associated with the maintenance, repair, or replacement of the sewer lateral, including, without limitation, the 'clean out,' shall be the sole responsibility of the property owner. The city reserves the right to perform the removal and/or replacement of any sub-base material, base material, asphalt, or concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalk at the sole discretion of the director of public works.

D. It is unlawful and a violation of this section to discharge any industrial wastewater as more particularly described in Section 8.36.020 B. of this title or wastewater as described in Section 8.40.020 of the Tehachapi Municipal Code on the ground, to any private system not inspected and improved by the city or in any manner which endangers life, health, or sanitation.

(Ord. 05-03-678 § 1(d), 2005; Ord. 98-02-636 § 1(part), 1998)

(Ord. No. 13-03-712, § 1, 8-19-2013; Ord. No. 17-03-741, § 1, 5-15-2017)

All commercial, residential and industrial buildings within the boundaries of the city and any and all outbuildings, dwellings, garages and all such other edifices containing a plumbing fixture or fixtures shall be connected to the water system. Provided, however, that if the nearest property line of the parcel on which any such building is located is more than two hundred feet from an existing water line, then such building shall be exempt from this requirement until a water line is constructed to within two hundred feet of such property line.

(Ord. 98-02-636 § 1(part), 1998)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter, or in any way contributing to its violation, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment for not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. 98-02-636 § 1(part), 1998)