Vacaville Municipal Code Art. V Sewer Laterals and Connections

No person shall uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any part of the POTW, unless such connection is made in conformance with this chapter.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

All sewer laterals shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the city's Standard Specifications and the latest revision of the Uniform Plumbing Code adopted by the city. The Director, with the consent of the City Council, may permit modifications or may require higher standards where unusual conditions are encountered.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

A. Any person who operates a FSE, or a property owner of a parcel containing one or more FSEs, will be required to install, operate, and maintain an approved type and adequately sized grease control device in accordance with the provisions of the California Plumbing Code and § 13.08.480. The grease control device shall be adequate to separate and remove FOG and solids contained in wastewater discharges from the FSE prior to discharge to the POTW. Compliance shall be established as follows:

1. New Construction or Remodel of FSEs. New construction of FSEs shall include the installation of a grease control device of a type and capacity approved by the Building Official prior to commencing discharges of wastewater to the POTW. Remodeled FSEs will be required to install a grease control device and will be determined by the Director or Building Official on a case-by-case basis based upon the nature of the remodel, the history of past performance, and the likelihood that installation of a grease control device will reduce the discharge of FOG from the FSE.

2. Existing FSEs/Commercial Properties. Existing FSE operators, or property owners with one or more FSEs on their premises, shall install a grease control device upon written notice from the city if the Director determines that the FSE is upstream of a sewer line hot spot, is contributing to sewer blockages, or is failing to comply with the requirements of this chapter following its enactment. Grease control devices shall be installed in accordance with the city's specifications and applicable plumbing codes. The Director may grant a conditional waiver or modification if the existing practices or devices are deemed adequate, but such waivers may be revoked if the FSE subsequently causes or contributes to sewer system problems.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

In no event shall a sewer service connection be made unless a sewer main of adequate capacity extends in a public street, alley, or public utility right-of-way across the entire width of the property to be served with sewer, if upstream users will be required to connect. Wherever as a prerequisite to service a sewer main must be extended, the same shall be installed in compliance with the provisions hereinafter set forth.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

Changes in size and types of service of existing service connections shall be made by and at the expense of the sewer user.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

When relocation of an existing sewer service connection has been requested for the sewer user's convenience, such relocation shall be made by and at the sewer user's expense. The relocation of existing service connections when done to protect the property of the POTW's or the city's interest, will be done by the city without charge to the sewer user.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

A. Before acceptance of a sewer lateral by the city and prior to the admission of wastewater into the POTW, the sewer lateral shall be tested and shall be complete and in full compliance with all requirements of the city's Standard Specifications and to the satisfaction of the Director. No sewer service connection shall be covered over until it has been inspected and approved by the Director or his agent.

B. The applicant for a building permit shall notify the Building Inspector when the sewer lateral is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the Director or his or her representative. Any damage to the public sewer shall be repaired at the cost of the applicant to the satisfaction of the Director.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

Sewer service connections shall be installed only in public streets, alleys or public utility easements or rights-of-way under the control of the city. Where the premises to be served fronts on more than one street, alley, or public utility right-of-way, the Director shall have the right to designate on which frontage the service connection shall be made.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

A single service connection shall not serve more than one premises. Separate premises under a single ownership, control, or management shall only be supplied with sewer service by separate service connections unless the Director, for good and sufficient reasons, shall determine otherwise.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

Each separate user shall only be served by a separate service connection unless the Director determines otherwise:

A. Where more than one user is served by a single service connection and the property is under a single ownership on a single parcel of land, the owner of the property, or other person agreed upon, shall be liable for payment for all service furnished by such single connection.

B. In a planned development, developed under the provisions of Division 14.09, a single service connection for the development, or portions thereof, may be permitted by the Director subject to the following conditions:

1. The existence of, or provisions for, a homeowners' or similar, association;

2. Sizing in accordance with § 13.08.270;

3. Submittal of plans indicating proposed location, alignment, grades, structures, materials, cleanouts, and other information necessary to determine service adequacy to all users, in lieu of a public main;

4. Maintenance of the service connection and lines shall be by the association;

5. Connection to the public main to be made at a manhole;

6. Inspection of the service lines to be performed by a building or public works construction inspector;

7. The homeowners, or similar association, or a person agreed upon, shall be liable for payment for all service furnished by such single connection;

8. All units served, except apartments, shall be considered as single-family units for the determination of service rates.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

The city will accept wastewater at the sewer user's connection to the sewer main which may be located in any street, alley or public utility easement.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)

In any subdivision where and when the person so subdividing a complete subdivision or complete unit thereof is installing sewer mains, such person hereinafter designated as "subdivider" shall install the sewer service connections to such mains under the following rules and regulations:

A. Subdivider shall install the sewer service connections to the mains in such subdivision at the sole cost and expense of subdivider with such work done either by subdivider or by contract made by subdivider; provided, however, that such installation shall at all times be made pursuant to city standards and improvement plans approved by the city engineer, and unless such installation is approved by the city engineer in writing no service will be supplied to the premises in question.

B. In the event that pursuant to any rules or regulations adopted by the city as hereinafter provided, the city has agreed to repay to any subdivider the cost of any sewer mains, the cost of any sewer service connections shall not be included in such payment.

(Ord. 2016, 3/24/2026)