Chapter 7.04
SANITARY SEWERS*

Sections:

7.04.010    Purpose.

7.04.020    Definitions.

7.04.030    Appointment of sewer utility personnel.

7.04.040    Powers and authority of the director, inspectors, and assistants.

7.04.050    Connection with public sewer.

7.04.060    Restrictions on licensed contractor.

7.04.070    Construction standards.

7.04.080    Permit to owner, agent, or occupant to construct, extend, or repair sewer on private property.

7.04.090    Permits for additional work required.

7.04.100    Permit fees.

7.04.110    Permit renewal fees.

7.04.120    Issuance of temporary permit.

7.04.130    Display of permits.

7.04.140    Permit time limit.

7.04.150    Permits to install or repair septic systems.

7.04.160    Use of public sewers required.

7.04.170    Privy wells or vaults, and cesspools, prohibited.

7.04.180    Private sewage disposal.

7.04.190    Septic tank repairs required.

7.04.200    City may connect and assess costs.

7.04.210    Repair of obstructed or broken sewers.

7.04.220    Use of public sewers.

7.04.230    Side sewer construction must comply with chapter.

7.04.240    Repealed.

7.04.250    Damages to public sewers.

7.04.260    Planting of certain trees and shrubbery prohibited.

7.04.270    Property not assessed for sewer construction under a local improvement district to pay sum in lieu of assessment.

7.04.280    Schedule of charges for service.

7.04.290    Repealed.

7.04.300    Water meters for METRO billing.

7.04.310    Exemption meters.

7.04.320    Certification of sewer meters.

7.04.330    Sewer service to customers obtaining water from sources other than the city water utility.

7.04.340    Penalty for violation.

*Cross reference(s) – Department of public works, Ch. 2.28; utility tax levied on telephone, gas, electric, garbage, water, sewer, and drainage utilities, Ch. 3.18; street occupation permit, Ch. 6.08; utilities clearing fund, § 3.40.1000; environmental policy, Ch. 11.03; requirements and standards for subdivisions, § 12.04.430; plumbing code, Ch. 14.04.

State law reference(s) – Authority to manage, regulate, and control sewage disposal, RCW 35.67.020.

7.04.010 Purpose.

This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the state and of the city and is deemed expedient to maintain the peace, good government, and welfare of the city and its trade, commerce, and manufactures, and to ensure greater protection to life and health and all of its provisions shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of such purposes.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.010), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.010)

7.04.020 Definitions.

The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

As-builts means the detailed sketch or drawing of the building sewer or disposal system as constructed.

B.O.D. (denoting biochemical oxygen demand) means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five (5) days at twenty (20) degrees Celsius, expressed in parts per million by weight.

Building sewer means that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, wastes, and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer beginning five (5) feet outside the wall.

Combined sewer means a sewer receiving both surface run-off and sewage.

Director means the director of public works as designated from time to time in accordance with personnel policies of the city or his authorized deputy, agent, or representative.

Garbage means solid wastes from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food and from the handling, storage, and sale of produce.

Industrial wastes means the liquid wastes from industrial process as distinct from sanitary sewage.

Natural outlet means any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake, or other body of surface water or groundwater.

pH means the logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.

Properly shredded garbage means the wastes from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food that has been shredded to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particles greater than one-half (1/2) inch in any direction.

Public sanitary sewer means a sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights and which is controlled by public authority.

Sanitary sewer means a sewer which carries sewage and to which stormwater, surface water, and groundwater are not intentionally admitted.

Sewage means a combination of water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with such groundwater, surface water, and stormwater as may be present.

Sewage treatment plant means any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.

Sewage works means all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating, and disposing of sewage.

Sewer means a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.

Storm sewer and storm drain means a sewer which carries stormwater and surface water and drainage, but excludes sewage and polluted water.

Suspended solids means solids that either float on the surface of or are in suspension in water, sewage, or other liquids and which are removable by laboratory filtering.

Watercourse means a channel in which a flow of water occurs either continuously or intermittently.

Unless the context clearly demonstrates the contrary, shall is mandatory and may is permissive, when used in this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.020 – 7.05.040), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, §§ 7.05.020 – 7.05.040)

Cross reference(s) – Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1.01.030.

7.04.030 Appointment of sewer utility personnel.

All personnel of the sewer utility shall be appointed in accordance with personnel policies of the city.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.050), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.050)

7.04.040 Powers and authority of the director, inspectors, and assistants.

The director and other duly authorized employees of the city or of the Seattle-King County department of public health bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter upon all properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurements, sampling, and testing in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.060), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.060)

7.04.050 Connection with public sewer.

It shall be unlawful for any person to make any opening in any public sewer or to connect any private sewer or drain therewith or to lay, repair, alter, or connect any private drain or sewer in any public street, alley, or easement, except persons holding a valid state contractor’s license as defined in Chapter 18.27 RCW and a valid business license issued by the city. The property owner may connect a side sewer to a side stub with the approval of and under the supervision of the director. Upon granting any approval for connection of a side sewer to the public sewer system, such person, including any future or subsequent owner, shall be responsible for all costs of maintenance, repair, removal of obstructions, cleaning, and operation of the side sewer, including that portion of the private side sewer extending into the city’s right-of-way and connecting to the public sewer including the tee or saddle connection thereto. Acceptance of a side sewer connection under the provisions of this chapter within or outside of the city’s right-of-way shall not be deemed to create a duty upon the city or director to repair, maintain, replace, or clean the same.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.070), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.070)

State law reference(s) – Permission for connection required, penalty, RCW 35.67.350.

7.04.060 Restrictions on licensed contractor.

The licensed contractor shall be responsible for all work done under any permits issued him. It shall be the duty of every licensed contractor to leave the name and telephone number of the person responsible for work in any public street, alley, or easement with the police department.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.080), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.080)

7.04.070 Construction standards.

All side sewers shall be installed in strict accordance with specifications contained in any existing city ordinance or code and any construction standards or international or uniform codes that the city has adopted or adopts in the future. All construction shall be subject to the inspection of the director or his or her designee.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.090), 2-6-90; Ord. No. 3690, § 5, 5-4-04. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.090)

7.04.080 Permit to owner, agent, or occupant to construct, extend, or repair sewer on private property.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, extend, relay, repair, or make connections to private or lateral sewer on private property without obtaining a permit therefor as provided in this section and filing a scale drawing showing the location thereof.

B. The department of public works may issue a permit to the owner of any property to construct, extend, relay, repair, or make connections to a lateral or private sewer inside of the owner’s property line and outside of the owner’s property line lying within the city’s right-of-way. Such owner shall comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter. The permit shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the director. The director shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the director when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within seventy-two (72) hours after the receipt of written notice directed to the director. Work shall be done by the owner or a licensed contractor.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.100), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.100)

State law reference(s) – Similar provisions, RCW 35.67.350.

7.04.090 Permits for additional work required.

When a permit has been issued for a private sewer, as provided in KCC 7.04.080, no additional work shall be put in without the approval of the director, and a new permit must be taken out covering all such additional work.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.110), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.110)

7.04.100 Permit fees.

A. The basic fee for each permit to connect with any public sewer or to construct, extend, relay, repair, or make connections with a lateral or private sewer inside of a property line is hereby fixed at two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225). An additional charge will be made if review and inspection time exceeds three and one-half (3.5) hours. The hourly rate for this additional staff time shall be paid at the rate of fifty dollars ($50) per hour, which is less than the average actual hourly cost for city staff employed to process these permits. The fee shall be paid to the finance department who shall issue a receipt. Such receipt must be filed with the department of public works before the permit is issued.

B. The fees for permits to construct, install, or repair septic tanks shall be those established by the Seattle-King County department of public health. These fees shall be paid directly to that department.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.120), 2-6-90; Ord. No. 3713, § 8, 9-21-04. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.120)

7.04.110 Permit renewal fees.

In case work shall not be done or completed within the time specified in any permit and no extension thereof has been granted, a renewal of the permit shall be required for which a fee of five dollars ($5) shall be charged.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.130), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.130)

7.04.120 Issuance of temporary permit.

In the discretion of the director, a temporary permit may be issued permitting connection to a public sewer, sewer outfall, or side sewer which temporary permit shall be revocable upon sixty (60) days’ notice posted on the premises directed to the owner or occupant of the premises. If the private sewers or drains are not disconnected at the expiration of such notice, the director may disconnect them and collect the cost of such disconnection from the owner or occupant of the premises by suit in any court of competent jurisdiction. Any such permittee will save the city harmless from any damage by reason of the issuance or revocation of such temporary permit.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.140), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.140)

7.04.130 Display of permits.

The permits required under the terms of this chapter must at all times during the performance of the work and until the completion thereof be posted in some conspicuous place at or near the work.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.150), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.150)

7.04.140 Permit time limit.

Any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be valid for a period of six (6) months. Renewal permits shall be valid for an additional six (6) months.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.160), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.160)

7.04.150 Permits to install or repair septic systems.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, install, or repair any septic system within the city without first obtaining a permit from the Seattle-King County department of health. That department shall issue permits pursuant to the applicable King County standards and shall until the completion thereof, be posted in some conspicuous place at or near the work.

B. The Seattle-King County department of public health shall not issue a permit to construct, install, or repair a septic system if there is a public sanitary sewer available and the city council has ordered connection thereto, unless it shall be necessary for public health and safety that repairs to the septic system be made.

C. All liquids and solids removed from septic tanks shall be disposed of to the satisfaction of the director.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.170), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.170)

State law reference(s) – Septic tank systems, RCW 70.118.010 et seq.

7.04.160 Use of public sewers required.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in an unsanitary manner upon public or private property within the city or in any area under the jurisdiction of the city, any human or animal excrement, garbage, or other objectionable waste.

B. Except as provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.

C. The owners of all houses, buildings, or properties used in any manner for human occupancy situated within or without the city that abut any street, alley, or easement in which there is located a public sanitary sewer of the city shall, at their expense, install suitable toilet facilities therein and connect those facilities directly to the proper public sewer within ninety (90) days from the date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is within two hundred (200) feet of any building on the property. If the King County department of health, the city’s public works department, or any other public health agency with jurisdiction determines that a public health or safety hazard exists, the city’s public works director may require connection without regard to the notice or distance provisions provided in this subsection so long as the public sewer is reasonably available to the affected property.

D. Any property owner who fails to connect to the sewer system within ninety (90) days of receiving official notice to do so, as provided for in this section, shall be subject to a penalty that shall be a monetary charge in an amount equal to the base monthly sewer rate that would be charged against that property if it were connected to the city sewer

system. The city’s finance department shall assess the penalty against the property through its utility billing system.

E. Pursuant to RCW 35.67.200, failure to pay the penalties levied pursuant to subsection (C) herein shall constitute a lien for those delinquent and unpaid charges against the premises to which the service is available. This lien shall be superior to all other liens and encumbrances except general taxes and local and special assessments.

F. All delinquent charges imposed under the authority of this section shall bear interest at the rate of eight (8) percent per annum.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2811, § 1(7.05.190), 11-1-88; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.190), 2-6-90; Ord. No. 3076, § 1, 11-17-92. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.190)

State law reference(s) – Authority to require compulsory use of system, RCW 35.67.190.

7.04.170 Privy wells or vaults, and cesspools, prohibited.

A. Whenever, in the judgment of any public health officer, the use and maintenance of any privy well, vault or cesspool located upon any premises in the city is detrimental or dangerous to life or health, the city council may prohibit the use of such privy well or vault or cesspool and may order the same to be disinfected and filled with fresh earth. The city council shall direct the director to notify in writing the owner or occupant of such premises that the privy well, vault or cesspool must be disinfected and filled with fresh earth, and a suitable sewage disposal system constructed within a period of twenty (20) days from and after the time when such notice shall be served.

B. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of cesspools or sumps for the disposition of liquids from floor drains or laundry trays where the fixtures are too low to drain into the sanitary sewer.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.200), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.200)

7.04.180 Private sewage disposal.

A. No septic tank shall be permitted to discharge to any public sewer or outlet.

B. Any abandoned septic tanks, cesspools and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be filled with suitable material and in a manner which will insure the public safety, health and well-being.

C. All private sewage disposal facilities shall be operated and maintained in a sanitary manner at the entire expense of the owner.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.210), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.210)

7.04.190 Septic tank repairs required.

Whenever, in the judgment of the director, or any public health officer, any private septic tank shall fail to function properly or the continued use of such private septic tank will be detrimental to life or health, it shall be the duty of the director or health officer to report that fact in writing to the city council. If the city council determines that the continued use of such private septic tank will be detrimental to life or health, it may order such work to be done upon the premises where the private septic tank is situated as it deems necessary to restore and insure sanitary conditions upon such premises. The work shall be done according to the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.220), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.220)

State law reference(s) – Domestic waste treatment, RCW 70.95B.010 et seq.

7.04.200 City may connect and assess costs.

If any owner or occupant shall fail, neglect or refuse to connect his lands, buildings or premises with the public sewer within the time specified in the notice referred to within this chapter, or shall fail, neglect or refuse to do the other work specified and ordered to be done as this chapter provides within the time specified in the notice served upon such owner or occupant, the director shall make such connection to do such work and the cost of the connection or of such work done by the director shall be assessed against the property so connected or upon which such work is done and the amount of such cost shall become a lien upon the premises so connected or upon which such work is done. The city attorney is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to collect the amount of the cost of such connection or the doing of such work, either by foreclosure of the lien or by a suit against the owner or occupant of the premises. The suit shall be maintained in the name of the city, as plaintiff, in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.230), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.230)

State law reference(s) – Compulsory connection authorized, RCW 35.67.190.

7.04.210 Repair of obstructed or broken sewers.

Whenever any private sewer pipe connected with any public sewer becomes obstructed, broken or out of order and the owner, agent or occupant of such premises fails to repair the same within five (5) days after notification by the director, the director is hereby authorized to remove, reconstruct, replace, alter or clear the same as required at the expense of the owner, agent or occupant of such premises. When two (2) or more houses or buildings are connected with the same private sewer, the owners, agent or occupants of such premises shall be jointly and equally liable for any work done at the direction of the director under this section. No permit shall be required for the removal of obstructions from private sewers, providing the pipe is not damaged.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.240), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.240)

7.04.220 Use of public sewers.

A. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof run-off, subsurface drainage, cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.

B. Stormwater and other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such drains as are specifically designated as storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the director. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, upon approval of the director and other authorizing government agencies to a storm sewer or natural outlet.

C. Except as provided in this section, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters to any public sewer:

1. Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than one hundred fifty (150) degrees Fahrenheit;

2. Any water or waste which may contain more than one hundred (100) parts per million, by weight of fat, oil or grease;

3. Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas;

4. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded;

5. Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, paunch manure or any other solid or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works;

6. Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5 or higher than 9.0 or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the sewage works;

7. Any waters or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant;

8. Any waters or wastes containing suspended solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment plant; or

9. Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance.

D. Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when in the opinion of the director, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand and other harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of the type and capacity approved by the director, and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection at the expense of the owner or user.

E. Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious materials capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperature. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight and equipped with easily removable covers which, when bolted in place, shall be gastight and watertight.

F. Where installed, all grease, oil, and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner at his expense in efficient operation at all times.

G. The admission into the public sewers of any waters or wastes having:

1. A five (5) day biochemical oxygen demand greater than three hundred (300) parts per million by weight;

2. Containing more than three hundred fifty (350) parts per million by weight of suspended solids;

3. Containing any quantity or substances having the characteristics described above in this section; or

4. Having an average daily flow greater than two (2) percent of the average daily sewage flow of the city, shall be subject to the review and approval of the director.

Where necessary in the opinion of the director, the owner shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to:

a. Reduce the biochemical oxygen demand to three hundred (300) parts per million and the suspended solids to three hundred fifty (350) parts per million by weight;

b. Reduce objectionable characteristics or constituents to within the maximum limits provided for above; or

c. Control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes.

Plans, specifications, and other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted for the approval of the director and of the municipality of metropolitan Seattle and the Department of Ecology of the state. No construction of such facilities shall be commenced until such approvals are obtained in writing.

H. Where preliminary treatment facilities are provided for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his expense.

I. Vegetable and fruit canneries (unless other arrangements are made with the director with the approval of the municipality of metropolitan Seattle and the State Department of Ecology) shall provide an efficient screen for the removal of skins, seeds, pomace, culls, discarded produce, and other suspended material from the wastes from the washing, sorting or other canning processes. This screen must be 20-mesh, U.S. standard gauge, and may be of the vibrating, rotary, or any other effective type. It shall be located on the main outlet sewer line or lines from the cannery in such a way that all wastewaters, except cooling or other clean waters, will pass through the screen. Cooling or other clean waters may be bypassed around the screen or discharged through a separate outlet. Prior to the installation of the screen, a plan drawing of the facility, together with data as to capacity, shall be submitted to the director, municipality of metropolitan Seattle and to the State Department of Ecology for approval. Screenings and other solid material removed from the product during the cannery operations shall be disposed of in a manner satisfactory to the director, and, in any event, in such a manner that it will not enter a water of the state.

J. When required by the director, the owner of any property served by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling, and measurement of the wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessibly and safely located and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the director. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his expense, and shall be maintained by him so as to be safe and accessible at all times.

K. All measurements, tests, and analysis of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in this section shall be determined in accordance with Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Sewage, and shall be determined at the control manhole provided for in subsection (J) of this section upon suitable samples taken at the control manhole. If no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the building sewer is connected.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.250), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.250)

7.04.230 Side sewer construction must comply with chapter.

When any side sewer, whether upon private property or upon the city’s right-of-way, is constructed, laid, connected, or repaired and does not comply with the provisions of this chapter or any construction standards, or codes which may hereafter be adopted, or where it is determined by the director that a side sewer is obstructed, broken, or inadequate and is a menace to health, or is liable to cause damage to public or private property, the director shall give notice to the owner, agent, or occupant of the property in which such condition exists of such condition. If he shall refuse to construct, relay, reconstruct, or remove the obstruction of the side sewer within the time specified in such notice, the director may perform such work as may be necessary to comply with this chapter. The cost of such work shall be assessed against such property or collected from the person responsible for such condition and the amount thereof shall become a lien upon the property. The city attorney is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to collect such cost, either by the foreclosure of the lien or by a suit against the owner or occupant of such property, or other person responsible for such condition. The suit shall be maintained in the name of the city, as plaintiff, in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.260), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.260)

7.04.240 Fees for inspection.

Repealed by Ord. No. 3713.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.270), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.270)

7.04.250 Damages to public sewers.

No person shall cause to break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance, or equipment which is a part of the sewage works.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.280), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.280)

7.04.260 Planting of certain trees and shrubbery prohibited.

It shall be unlawful to plant poplar, cottonwood, soft maples, willow, or any other tree or shrub whose roots are likely to obstruct public or private sewers. The director is hereby authorized to remove any trees or shrubs from any public street or the roots of any trees or shrubs which extend into any public street or right-of-way when such trees or the roots thereof are obstructing, or when the director shall determine that they are liable to obstruct, public or private sewers. The director shall give ten (10) days’ notice in writing to the owner or occupant of the abutting property to remove the same. If such owner or occupant fails or refuses to do so, the reasonable cost of such removal from either private property, rights-of-way, alleys, or streets, when done at the direction of the director shall be a charge against and a lien upon the abutting property from which such trees or shrubs are removed. The city attorney is hereby authorized and directed to collect such charge by suit maintained in the name of the city as plaintiff, against the owner in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.290), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.290)

Cross reference(s) – Street tree regulations, § 6.10.010 et seq.

7.04.270 Property not assessed for sewer construction under a local improvement district to pay sum in lieu of assessment.

A. No permits shall be issued for a connection to any public sewer for any property that has not been assessed for the construction of such sewer by a local improvement district, except as follows:

1. Property which was not assessed for a local improvement district, but which has a sanitary sewer in the street, alley, or sewer easement abutting such property shall be charged an assessment on the same basis as property which was in the local improvement district. Such property should pay an assessment equal to two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) for every one hundred (100) square feet of area of the lot, tract, or parcel of property to be provided sewer service.

2. Satisfactory arrangement shall be made with the finance director for payment prior to the issuing of any permits provided for in subsection (A)(1) above.

B. Side sewers constructed without the payment of the above charges shall be disconnected within fifteen (15) days after the owner is notified by the director that the above charge has not been paid in the event the payment is not made.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.300), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.300)

State law reference(s) – Assessments on omitted property, RCW 35.44.360.

7.04.280 Schedule of charges for service.

The following sanitary sewer service charges for service inside the city limits are in effect on the dates and in the amounts listed below. Sewer service charges for customers residing outside the city shall be the charges as on file in the city clerk’s office.

Type of Service	Charge per Month
	Effective through December 31, 2004	Effective on January 1, 2005	Effective on January 1, 2006	Effective on January 1, 2007	Effective on January 1, 2008	Effective through January 1, 2009	Effective on January 1, 2010
1.    Single-family residential dwelling, as defined in Ch. 15.02 KCC.	$31.27	$33.62	$36.14	$38.85	$41.76	$44.89	$48.26
2.    Two-family or multiple-family residential dwelling, as defined in Ch. 15.02 KCC, each unit separately charged.	$31.27	$33.62	$36.14	$38.85	$41.76	$44.89	$48.26
3.    Single-family residential/lifeline: eligibility criteria for the lifeline utility rate set forth in KCC 7.01.080.	$28.65	$30.93	$33.24	$35.74	$38.42	$41.30	$44.40
4.    All other than single-family residential shall be billed in accordance with the consumption of water and at the following rate, except that no monthly bill shall be less than the single-family residential rate set forth in service type No. 1.	$4.17 per 100 cubic feet per month	$4.49 per 100 cubic feet per month	$4.82 per 100 cubic feet per month	$5.18 per 100 cubic feet per month	$5.57 per 100 cubic feet per month	$5.99 per 100 cubic feet per month	$6.44 per 100 cubic feet per month

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2446, § 1; Ord. No. 2510, § 1; Ord. No. 2596, § 1; Ord. No. 2679, § 1; Ord. No. 2827, § 1(7.05.310), 12-20-88; Ord. No. 2873, § 1(7.05.310), 10-3-89; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.310), 2-6-90; Ord. No. 2951, § 1, 11-21-90; Ord. No. 2962, § 1, 2-6-91; Ord. No. 3077, § 1, 11-17-92; Ord. No. 3140, § 1, 10-19-93; Ord. No. 3198, § 1, 11-2-94; Ord. No. 3250, § 1, 11-21-95; Ord. No. 3449, § 1, 4-6-99; Ord. No. 3487, § 1, 11-16-99; Ord. No. 3534, § 1, 12-5-00; Ord. No. 3538, § 1, 12-12-00; Ord. No. 3578, § 1, 12-11-01; Ord. No. 3724, § 1, 11-16-04; Ord. No. 3779, § 5, 12-13-05. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.310)

State law reference(s) – Classification of sewer rates, RCW 35.67.020.

7.04.290 Schedule of charges for service outside city.

Repealed by Ord. No. 3724.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.320), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.320)

7.04.300 Water meters for METRO billing.

All sewer accounts for other than single-family residential uses must have water meters or sewer meters for billing purposes.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.330), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.330)

7.04.310 Exemption meters.

The amount of flow for the purpose of sewer service billing may be measured by a sewer meter installed and maintained at the customer’s expense or by reading a water meter with allowance made for water measured by any exemption meter which has been approved by both METRO and the city.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.340), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.340)

7.04.320 Certification of sewer meters.

All sewer meters shall be certified for accuracy at least once each year by an independent testing agency. If the city demands an inspection other than a regular annual inspection and the inspection reveals that the meter is operating properly, the city shall bear the cost of the inspection, otherwise, the cost shall be borne by the customer.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.350), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.350)

7.04.330 Sewer service to customers obtaining water from sources other than the city water utility.

For sewer service to customers obtaining water from sources other than the city water utility, the following regulations shall apply:

1. Single-family residential customers shall pay the flat rate which is on file in the city clerk’s office.

2. All customers other than single-family residential shall install a meter on their source of water within thirty (30) days of date of application or service will be discontinued. Upon request of the customer, the city will install a meter in accordance with its standard practice for such installations.

3. City personnel will read the privately owned meters on normal water meter reading dates.

4. If the meter is the property of a water district or other municipal corporation, the customer must submit written permission from the water district or municipal corporation for the city meter reader to read such meter on the normal reading date.

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.360), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.360)

7.04.340 Penalty for violation.

Any person found guilty of violating this chapter or any part thereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300).

(Ord. No. 2374, § 1; Ord. No. 2897, § 1(7.05.370), 2-6-90. Formerly Code 1986, § 7.05.370)