Willits Municipal Code Ch. 14.08 Definitions

As used in this title, and unless otherwise provided or unless the context otherwise requires as used in any ordinance, resolution or order fixing rates and charges and rules or regulations of this city, the definitions of terms set forth in this chapter shall apply.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Above primary" means that portion of the city wherein it is necessary that water be pumped through a booster pumping system in order that it be delivered to the premises of the customers.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Applicant" means an owner, or person authorized by an owner, making written application for main line extension, water service or a water subsystem within a tract of land.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2025-07, § 3, 12-10-25)

"City" means the city of Willits.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"City engineer" means the registered civil engineer appointed by the city council to act as such, either on a regular basis or from time to time.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"City manager" means the city manager of the city or his authorized representative.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Commercial/industrial property" means the premises devoted primarily to the conduct of a business or trade, exclusive of including property utilized for motel, hotel, mobile home park or similar residential purposes.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Connection fee(s)" means a fee to be paid by an applicant for new water service connections determined by the city council.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Control valve" means a valve, independent of the city's facilities, located in the customer's piping as close to the meter as practicable, the operation of which will control the entire water supply from the meter.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Cross-connection" means any physical or potential connection between the piping system from the city service and that of any other water supply whereby water from the unapproved source may be forced or drawn into the city distribution mains.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Curb stop" means a valve between the distribution main and the meter for the use of the city in controlling the water supply to a customer.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Distribution main" means water lines located in streets, alleys, and easements that are used for public and private fire suppression and for general distribution of water.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Domestic property" means premises used for residential purposes, including such residential uses as are excluded, by definition, from commercial property.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Domestic service" means the supplying of water for residential purposes.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Dwelling" means a habitable place of residence, including but not limited to: (1) home; (2) apartment; (3) hotel room; (4) motel room; and (5) duplex unit.

"Extensions" means the addition of distribution mains, exclusive of service connections, beyond existing facilities.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Multiple users" means water service and facilities rendered for separate houses, buildings, living or business quarters, such as motels, mobile home parks, commercial and shopping centers, under single control or management, and/or a single premises.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Owner" means the person(s) owning an interest in the fee, or the person(s) in whose name the legal title to the property appears, by deed duly recorded in the county recorder's office or the person(s) in possession of the property or buildings as executor, administrator, guardian or trustee of the owner(s), or person acting with the knowledge, consent and approval of owner.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2025-07, § 3, 12-10-25)

"Person" means an individual, company, association, co-partnership, public or private corporation, city, county, special district, state, the United States or agency thereof, any federally recognized Indian tribe, or any group or combination acting as a unit.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Premises" means: (1) a vacant lot or parcel of real property under one ownership; and (2) each dwelling, provided, however, that the water department may, in its sole discretion, treat any number of premises as a single premises.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Main zone" means that portion of the city wherein water need not pass through a booster pumping system in order that it be delivered to the premises of the customers.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Private fire suppression service" means water service and facilities for building sprinkler systems, hydrants, hose reels and other facilities installed on private property for fire suppression and the water available thereto.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Public fire suppression service" means the service and facilities of the entire water supply, storage and distribution system of the city, including the fire hydrants affixed thereto, and the water available for fire suppression, excepting house service connections and appurtenances thereto.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Service" or "service connection" means the pipe line and appurtenant facilities such as the curb stop, meter and meter box, all used to extend water service from a distribution main to premises. Where services are divided at the curb or property line to serve several customers, each such branch service shall be deemed a separate service and each shall be separately metered.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Unit" means one hundred cubic feet of water or seven hundred forty-eight gallons.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Water department" means the department of the city which administers the Willits water system, which department is staffed by the city manager and other persons designated by the city council to perform functions related to water service within and without the city.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Regular water service" means water service and facilities rendered for normal domestic, commercial or industrial purposes on a permanent basis, and the water available therefore.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))

"Temporary water service" means water service and facilities rendered for construction work and other uses for a period not to exceed ninety days per location.

(Ord. 10-03, § 1 (part))