Chapter 13.20
SEWER CONNECTIONS
Sections:
13.20.010 Connection fee.
13.20.020 Permit and inspection fee.
13.20.030 Installation fee.
13.20.040 Method of payment.
13.20.050 Additional connection fee in lieu of LID or ULID participation.
13.20.060 Residential equivalency.
13.20.070 Applicability.
13.20.080 Application for sewer for building purposes, continuation of services.
13.20.085 Use of public sewer system.
13.20.090 Conditions present for sewer connections.
Prior legislation: Ords. 787, 900 and 968.
13.20.010 Connection fee.
A. The fee set forth for sewer connections shall be as contained in the City’s most current approved Fee Code for single-family equivalency and for properties in ULID No. 5 shall be given a credit of $255.00.
B. Connections for properties from within the North Bellingham Interception Service Area for which additional connection fees have been paid to Whatcom County shall be charged a fee as contained in the City’s most current approved Fee Code for each single-family residential equivalent served. While the connection fee payable to the county is to offset the cost of the interceptor and treatment plant capacity, the City’s fee is to offset its costs with respect to trunkage or transmission infrastructure from the interception area to the treatment facility. (Ord. 1197 § 1, 1998; Ord. 1000 § 3, 1993; Ord. 758 § 1, 1985; Ord. 677 § 1, 1982)
13.20.020 Permit and inspection fee.
A permit and inspection fee for each physical connection made to the City sewer system shall be made according to such rate schedule as may be adopted by ordinance of the City Council from time to time. (Ord. 1026 § 2, 1993; Ord. 677 § 2, 1982)
13.20.030 Installation fee.
Where forces of the City make the physical connection, there shall be charged, in addition to the fees set forth in FMC 13.20.010 and 13.20.020, an installation fee according to such rate schedule as may be adopted by ordinance of the City Council from time to time. (Ord. 1026 § 3, 1993; Ord. 677 § 3, 1982)
13.20.040 Method of payment.
A. Charges, with the exception of the installation fee, shall be collected upon issuance of a building permit calling for connection(s) to the City sewer system. In those situations where a building permit is not required, payment shall be made prior to the physical connection for service.
B. Where connection fees for sewer service have been paid in the past, the fees called for by this chapter shall not be collected except those fees necessary for permit and inspection or physical installation of service by City forces. (Ord. 677 § 4, 1982)
13.20.050 Additional connection fee in lieu of LID or ULID participation.
Where local sewer utility lines or facilities have been installed through the creation of a local improvement district or utility local improvement district and it is proposed to serve property not originally benefitted and not originally assessed a pro rata share of such improvements through such district, additional fees may be required. If applicable, such fees shall be calculated based on the following:
A. The extent to which the developer must expend funds to extend sewer lines to the subject property.
B. The cost assessed to other property owners pursuant to the LID or ULID.
C. The length of time that has elapsed since the installation of said original improvements.
The Public Works Director shall recommend, and the City Council shall establish, fees chargeable pursuant to this section.
The intent of this requirement is to ensure that the owners of properties benefiting in the future by the installation of utility improvements contribute, to the extent possible, a fair and equitable share of the pro rata cost of said improvements.
All fees collected pursuant to this section shall be placed in the capital facility fund of the sewer utility to be disbursed as budgeted by the City Council. (Ord. 1065 § 2, 1994)
13.20.060 Residential equivalency.
A. For purposes of computing the number of connections, each single-family residential dwelling being served shall constitute one connection even though the number of physical connections to the interceptor required to serve same may be fewer. A dwelling unit shall include each structure or portion thereof having independent cooking and sleeping facilities which is intended for occupancy by only one individual or family and is physically separated from other dwelling units in the same structure or on the same property. In the case of hotels, motels, or similar uses having units that do not have independent cooking facilities, and commercial or other nonresidential uses, metered or other flow determinations by the City shall establish what number of dwelling units would result in the flow created by the use.
B. Such use shall always be considered to be at least one equivalent connection. The determination may result in either a round number or a fractional number of equivalent connections in excess of one connection. (Ord. 677 § 6, 1982)
13.20.070 Applicability.
The charges provided in this chapter shall be collected in lieu of the $0.03 per square foot sewer general maintenance fee as originally required in Ordinance 566. (Ord. 677 § 7, 1982)
13.20.080 Application for sewer for building purposes, continuation of services.
The owner of any building under construction will only be furnished sewer service upon application of the owner or his authorized agent. Continuation of sewer service is contingent upon compliance with applicable City building codes. Failure to comply with conditions of approval, permits, inspections or building codes will authorize the City, following 30 days’ notice, to discontinue sewer service. The owner of property for which sewer is used for building purposes shall pay at the same rates and in the same manner as other property owners receiving similar services. (Ord. 1050 § 2, 1994)
13.20.085 Use of public sewer system.
A. It is the policy of the City of Ferndale for new construction and development that all sewage be disposed of by means of the public sewer system.
B. It is the policy of the City that every property using an on-site sewage disposal system shall, at the time that the public sewer system becomes available within 200 feet of the property, be required to discontinue use of such on-site facility and connect to the public system either:
1. As soon as the on-site system fails; or
2. In the event that repairs, reconstruction, or improvements are made to a structure which increase ground floor area or if the cost of such repairs, reconstruction, or improvements exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure prior to such repair, reconstruction, or improvements.
C. For properties located within high recharge areas for aquifers, as identified in the City critical areas ordinance, the requirements of subsection (B) of this section shall apply when the public sewer system becomes available within 300 feet of the property. (Ord. 1182 § 1, 1998)
13.20.090 Conditions present for sewer connections.
Where both water and sewer main lines are available within 200 feet of a property, connection to the sewer system shall not be allowed unless the property shall also utilize City water service. (Ord. 1117 § 2, 1996)