Chapter 13.20
SANITARY SEWERS
Sections:
13.20.010 Purpose.
13.20.020 Definitions.
13.20.030 Unlawful to interfere with public sewer.
13.20.040 Connection required when.
13.20.050 City Manager – Duty to compel connection.
13.20.060 Notice to connect.
13.20.070 Connection authorized by City Manager.
13.20.080 Connection charge – Delinquency.
13.20.090 Responsibility for maintenance.
13.20.100 Service lateral sewer – Connection/ construction – License required.
13.20.110 Side sewer – Connection/construction – Owner or licensed contractor required.
13.20.120 Permit required.
13.20.130 Connection/sewer plan.
13.20.140 Posting of permit card.
13.20.150 Work subject to City Manager approval.
13.20.160 Inspection.
13.20.170 Filling or covering after inspection.
13.20.180 Construction standards.
13.20.190 City Manager – Right to enter premises.
13.20.200 Unlawful activities.
13.20.210 Violation – Penalties.
13.20.010 Purpose.
This chapter is declared to be an exercise of the police power of the state of Washington and the City of Mountlake Terrace to promote the public health, safety and welfare, and its provisions shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of that purpose. (Ord. 158 § 1, 1959).
13.20.020 Definitions.
Words and phrases used herein, unless the same shall be contrary to or inconsistent with the context shall mean as follows:
A. “City Manager” includes and means the City Engineer, Superintendent of Water or Sewer Departments, Sewer Inspector, or any other person acting under the authority of the City Manager.
B. “Sanitary sewer system” means that system of pipes, manholes and pumping stations as part of an integral municipal sewer system which has been authorized pursuant to ordinances enacted during the years 1958 and 1959.
C. “Service lateral” or “service lateral sewer” means that sewer pipe which extends from a street main to the property line, there to be connected with a side sewer pipe to serve buildings or residences on property abutting the street.
D. “Side sewer” means that sewer pipe which runs from the building whence sewerage is taken to the property line and connection with the service lateral sewer. (Ord. 158 § 2, 1959).
13.20.030 Unlawful to interfere with public sewer.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to make any connection with, or in any way obstruct or interfere with any public sewer except as hereinafter provided. (Ord. 158 § 3, 1959).
13.20.040 Connection required when.
Every dwelling house, hotel, apartment, tenement, factory, store, or other building in which plumbing arrangements have been or are to be placed, shall be connected with the municipal sanitary sewerage system within 90 days after written notice that sewer service is available to said building; and provided, that any such building or part of building shall be located within 200 feet of a sewer main or a street where a sewer main is located; and provided further, that if any such building is constructed after sewer service is available to the property upon which it is located, then the connection shall be made immediately as an integral part of the construction; and provided further, that these properties annexed into the City by the provisions of RCW 35A.14.295 through 35A.14.299, or newly provided sewer service, shall be allowed to delay connection to the Mountlake Terrace sewer system for a period of up to three years following the date of notification provided:
A. There shall be an annual filing with the City of certification by the Snohomish County Health District that there is a properly functioning septic tank
B. There is confirmation that the septic tank has been pumped at least every three years.
C. There is no further development of the property on which the dwelling exists.
Sewer fees at 50 percent of the base rate shall be billed and paid to offset capital and service costs for the sanitary sewer utility. (Ord. 1838, 1989; Ord. 158 § 4, 1959).
13.20.050 City Manager – Duty to compel connection.
The City Manager is hereby empowered, and it is hereby made his duty in all cases where sewer service is available within the distances of a building prescribed in the preceding section, to compel every owner or occupant of land, buildings or premises situated within such distance to connect or cause to be connected by a sufficient sewer in the manner hereinafter required, which shall connect such lands, buildings or premises with such nearest accessible public sewer. (Ord. 158 § 5, 1959).
13.20.060 Notice to connect.
Prior to completion of construction of the sanitary sewer system, whenever any land, buildings or premises is required to be connected with the public sewer as provided in this chapter, the City Manager shall serve upon the owner, agent or occupant of said land, buildings or premises a notice in writing specifying the time within which such connection must be made, which time shall be not more than 90 days from the date of delivery of such notice. Service of such notice shall be deemed sufficient if mailed to the occupant of the premises, or left at the premises in a visible and conspicuous place. (Ord. 158 § 6, 1959).
13.20.070 Connection authorized by City Manager.
If any owner, agent, or occupant shall fail and neglect or refuse to connect said lands, buildings or premises with the public sewer within the time specified in the preceding section, the City Manager may cause such connection to be made and the cost thereof shall be charged to the owner or occupant, and a bill showing the amount thereof mailed or delivered to him, or posted upon the premises in a conspicuous and visible place. If said charge is not paid within 10 days of the mailing, delivery or posting of the bill as aforesaid, the same shall be deemed to be delinquent, and subject to a penalty charge in the amount of five percent of said bill. The entire amount, including penalties, shall draw interest at the rate of six percent per annum from the date of rendering the bill until paid. Any such delinquent charge shall constitute a lien upon the premises, which said lien shall be filed and enforced in the manner prescribed by the laws of the state of Washington. (Ord. 158 § 7, 1959).
13.20.080 Connection charge – Delinquency.
If any owner, agent, or occupant shall fail or neglect to pay the connection charges provided in this chapter when due, the same shall be deemed to be delinquent, and subject to a penalty charge in the amount of five percent thereof. The entire amount, including penalties, shall draw interest at the rate of six percent per annum from the date of delinquency until paid. Any such total charge, inclusive of penalties and interest, shall constitute a lien upon the premises, which said lien shall be enforced in the manner prescribed by the laws of the state of Washington. (Ord. 158 § 10, 1959).
13.20.090 Responsibility for maintenance.
All service lateral sewers shall be deemed to be the property of the City, and the City shall be responsible for the maintenance of the same. All side sewers shall be the property of the property owner and shall be maintained by him at his sole expense. (Ord. 158 § 11, 1959).
13.20.100 Service lateral sewer – Connection/ construction – License required.
No connection shall be made with, nor shall any opening be made into, a public sewer, nor shall any service lateral sewer be constructed by any person, firm or corporation which does not hold a valid license as a side sewer contractor under the ordinances of the City of Mountlake Terrace. (Ord. 158 § 12, 1959).
13.20.110 Side sewer – Connection/ construction – Owner or licensed contractor required.
No side sewer shall be constructed or connected to a service lateral by any person other than a licensed side sewer contractor, or the property owner upon whose property the side sewer is constructed. (Ord. 158 § 13, 1959).
13.20.120 Permit required.
No person shall connect with or open or penetrate any public sewer, or construct any service lateral or side sewer without first obtaining a permit in writing from the City Manager. The City Manager shall keep in a well bound book, to be kept for that purpose, an accurate amount of all fees charged, giving the name of the person paying said fee, the amount charged, and stating the date and number of the permit, which book shall be at all times open to the public for inspection. (Ord. 702, 1969; Ord. 158 § 14, 1959).
13.20.130 Connection/sewer plan.
Before any such permit is granted, the applicant must pay the City Manager such fees as are specified in other applicable ordinances, and furnish a plan of the proposed connection or sewer in duplicate, together with whatever other information is required on application forms furnished by the City to the applicant. Said plan shall show the course of the sewer from the connection with the street main or service lateral to its other terminus, with the location of all branches, clean outs, traps and fixtures to be connected therewith. If said plan be correct, and conform to the engineering standards of the City for similar work, the City Manager shall endorse his approval upon the copy and file the duplicate. (Ord. 702, 1969; Ord. 158 § 15, 1959).
13.20.140 Posting of permit card.
The permit card required by this chapter must be at all times during the performance of the work and until the completion thereof and approval of the City Manager posted in some conspicuous place at or near the work and must be readily and safely accessible to the City Manager. (Ord. 158 § 16, 1959).
13.20.150 Work subject to City Manager approval.
All work done in pursuance of any permit granted as heretofore prescribed shall be under the inspection and subject to the approval and acceptance of the City Manager. The grade, materials, size of pipe, and manner of construction of any sewer or drain built under permit shall be subject to the approval or rejection of said City Manager. (Ord. 158 § 17, 1959).
13.20.160 Inspection.
Any person performing work under permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall notify the City Manager when the work will be ready for inspection, and shall specify in such notification the location of the premises by address and file number of the permit. If the City Manager finds the work or material used is not in accordance with this chapter, he shall notify the person doing the work, and also the owner of the premises, by posting a written notice on the permit card and such posted notice shall be all the notice that is required to be given of the defects in the work or materials found in such inspection. (Ord. 158 § 18, 1959).
13.20.170 Filling or covering after inspection.
No trench shall be filled nor any sewer covered until the work shall have been inspected and approved by the City Manager. (Ord. 158 § 19, 1959).
13.20.180 Construction standards.
A. All service laterals and side sewers shall be constructed of concrete, vitrified clay, or asbestos-cement pipe with rubber gasket joints; or cast iron soil pipe, or P.V.C. Class 160 pipe. Class 160 P.V.C. must conform to ASTM Specifications No. D1784 and may be either solvent weld joint pipe, single gasket pipe, or twin gasket pipe. Service laterals shall be six-inch minimum diameter. Side sewers used by a single dwelling unit shall be a minimum four-inch diameter and shall be a minimum six inches in diameter if used by more than one dwelling unit. For buildings other than those of a residential nature, the specifications for pipe and appurtenances shall be determined by the City Manager.
B. Grade, Support and Protection of Side Sewers.
1. Side sewers shall be run in a straight line and at an even grade of not less than one-fourth of an inch per foot toward the point of disposal; provided, that where it is impractical due to the depth of the street sewer or the arrangements of buildings, to obtain a slope of one-fourth of an inch per foot, piping four inches or larger may have a slope of not less than one-eighth of an inch per foot when approved by the Administrative Authority of the City of Mountlake Terrace.
2. Side sewer piping shall be laid on a firm bed throughout its entire length. Any piping laid on fill shall be laid on a bed of approved material and properly tamped and covered to the satisfaction of the Administrative Authority of the City.
3. No piping shall be installed under or within 30 inches of any building or structure nor less than one foot below the surface of the ground unless constructed of materials approved for such use. Piping laid parallel to footings or foundations shall not be laid closer than 30 inches without prior approval from the Administrative Authority. Structures are defined such as porches and steps, whether covered or uncovered, breezeways, carports, covered walks, covered driveways and similar structures. Piping under concrete driveways and solid concrete patios shall be constructed of an approved material and will be subject to inspection the same as plumbing within a structure.
4. Any change of direction greater than 45 degrees shall be accomplished by the use of two fittings 45 degrees or less.
C. Clean Outs.
1. Clean outs shall be installed at every other change of direction. Clean outs shall be spaced at intervals not to exceed 100 feet. The extension of the clean outs to the surface is optional.
2. The clean out installed in the main stack of the house plumbing shall be sufficient; provided, that none of the above conditions exists except if a change of direction 45 degrees or greater is required at the connection between the house plumbing and side sewer, then a clean out shall be installed at that point.
D. The first pipe inserted into the sewer lateral at property line shall be a tee and at the discretion of the City shall be plugged and tested with no less than a 10-foot head of water.
E. A rubber joint adapter shall be used at the connection of the side sewer to the house plumbing. If this is impractical and a grouted joint is needed, then it and any other grouted joints that are necessary shall be made while the inspector is present. (Ord. 1145, 1977; Ord. 238, 1961; Ord. 158 §§ 20, 20-A, 20-B, 20-C, 20-D, 1959).
13.20.190 City Manager – Right to enter premises.
The City Manager shall have the right to enter upon the premises connected with any public sewer at all reasonable hours to ascertain whether the provisions of this or any other ordinance in regard to sanitary sewers has been complied with, and if he shall find that said sewer or its attachments do not conform with the provisions of this or any other ordinance, he shall notify the owner or occupant of said premises of the fact. It shall thereupon be the duty of said owner or occupant to cause said sewer or its attachment to be so altered, repaired or reconstructed as to make them conform to the requirements of law in regard thereto within 15 days from the time of receiving such notice. (Ord. 158 § 21, 1959).
13.20.200 Unlawful activities.
It shall be unlawful for any person to connect any roof, storm, surface or subsurface water drain, or any septic tank, cesspool, open-joint tile line or similar facilities to any portion of the sanitary sewer system. (Ord. 2381 § 14, 2005).
13.20.210 Violation – Penalties.
Any violation of any provision of this chapter shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $300.00 or by imprisonment in the City jail for a term not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 158 § 23, 1959).