Chapter 14.16
SEWER CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

Sections:

14.16.010    Purpose.

14.16.020    Sewer utility holes must be accessible by city maintenance vehicles.

14.16.030    Installation of sewer lateral connections from main to the property lines are required for unconnected properties when a sewer main is constructed.

14.16.040    Cost of sewer lateral connection.

14.16.050    Separate sewer laterals.

14.16.060    Privately owned sewer pumps.

14.16.070    No surface water connection allowed to the sewer system.

14.16.080    Excavations to be properly barricaded and noticed.

14.16.090    Sewer utility easements.

14.16.100    Inspection.

14.16.110    Responsibility for damages to sewers or streets by person doing work.

14.16.120    Sewer construction permits.

14.16.130    Requirements and standards – City engineer authorization.

14.16.140    Sewer lateral cleanout covers required.

14.16.150    Pipe installation – Trenching, bedding, backfilling, paving and compaction.

14.16.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to specify some of the city’s requirements relating to sewer construction. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.020 Sewer utility holes must be accessible by city maintenance vehicles.

The developer shall be required to grade an access road to maintain any public sewers con-structed within easements and may be required to dedicate additional access easements to maintain the public sewers. All of the sewer utility holes must be accessible by vehicle. In order to be accepted into the city’s publicly maintained sewer system, all new sewer mains shall be constructed only within maintained roadways that have all-weather surfacing. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.030 Installation of sewer lateral connections from main to the property lines are required for unconnected properties when a sewer main is constructed.

When a sewer main is constructed as part of a public right-of-way improvement plan, the developer is required to install sewer lateral connections to the property line for each developed, unconnected lot that could be served by that sewer main. This is to limit the construction on newly improved public roadways. In addition, the developer is required to show all lateral locations on the improvement plan installed by the developer. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.040 Cost of sewer lateral connection.

The expense of construction, installation, replacement, and maintenance of the sewer laterals are solely the responsibility of the applicant. Sewer lateral work in the public right-of-way requires a city permit. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.050 Separate sewer laterals.

Separate sewer laterals are required for each single-family dwelling and condominium. However, a separate sewer lateral is not required for an approved accessory unit to a single-family dwelling on the same lot. Every separate residential building or other building on one lot connected to the sewer main shall be separately and independently connected with the city sewer system. The exception to this rule is the situation where there is a building in the rear of a lot without access to any other available sewer main. In this case, it may be connected with the sewer of the building in the front of the same lot. All condominiums shall have separate connections, unless a homeowner’s association is formed to manage and maintain the private sewer lateral. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.060 Privately owned sewer pumps.

Private sewage discharge pumps may be permitted only if it can be determined that no other alternatives exist or that an unnecessary hardship is thereby created. Sewer pump proposals will require the applicants to have a civil engineer review the alternatives and submit their findings to the city engineer for review. If the sewer pump is permitted, the property owner will assume all liability and responsibility associated with the maintenance and operation of the sewage pump. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.070 No surface water connection allowed to the sewer system.

No person shall make connection of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sewer. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.080 Excavations to be properly barricaded and noticed.

All excavations for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades, lights, and signage so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, sewer easements and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a timely manner, to the satisfaction of the city. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.090 Sewer utility easements.

Sewer utility easements shall be obtained for all sewer main extensions, except for sewer mains to be located within a public street. Under no circumstances shall any structure be placed over or around any sewer main or extension, or within a city utility easement, unless an encroachment permit has been granted by the city engineer. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.100 Inspection.

Inspection of all sewer connections shall be made by personnel of the city or its authorized representative as deemed necessary by the city engineer. Sewer construction shall include, but not be limited to, sewers, pump stations, treatment plants, pretreatment facilities, food establishment facilities, or other facilities which discharge grease and oils that may cause blockages. Inspections may be made to determine that such facilities are being adequately maintained and operated and meet the provisions of this code. Sewer facilities under construction shall be inspected periodically or as deemed necessary by the city engineer to assure that construction conforms to the intent of the approved plans and specifications, city design standards and other applicable codes. No person shall bury or backfill new sewers or laterals until inspected by personnel of the city or its authorized representative. No person shall interfere with or delay entrance by an authorized city inspector attempting to inspect any sewer construction. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.110 Responsibility for damages to sewers or streets by person doing work.

Any person who shall do or cause to be done work provided for in this chapter shall be liable for any damage to any sewer or to any public street or to any other public property. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.120 Sewer construction permits.

A sewer construction permit must be issued before the material sewer connection can be made to the public sewer system. Prior to a sewer connection permit being issued, the property must be within the jurisdiction of the city’s sewer system, and the wastewater discharge permit fees paid, as well as all other required sewer fees. In cases of sewer lateral installation in a new subdivision or on a public sewer main extension under construction, the issuance of wastewater discharge permits may be deferred until prior to issuance of any building permits. Right-of-way construction permits are required when sewer construction permits are issued for work in the public right-of-way. The cost of all soils and material testing, as well as the cost of any necessary special inspection, shall be directly borne by the applicant/developer. The applicant shall provide security guaranteeing proper completion of the work conforming to SBMC Title 11, Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places. A sewer construction permit shall be valid for a length of time not to exceed one year from the date of issuance. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.130 Requirements and standards – City engineer authorization.

The city engineer may authorize exceptions to requirements and standards contained in this chapter subsequent to issuing a finding of practicality and substantial consistency with the intent of this code to the city manager. The city engineer may impose conditions on any said exception necessary to preserve the intent of this code. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.140 Sewer lateral cleanout covers required.

Cleanout caps or plugs are required on all cleanouts installed on sewer laterals and on all access points to the lateral. The cleanout aboveground access points shall be closed and watertight. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)

14.16.150 Pipe installation – Trenching, bedding, backfilling, paving and compaction.

All construction shall comply with appropriate provisions of City of Solana Beach Standard Drawing, Trench Backfilling and Resurfacing No. M-3 or latest revised drawing: 90 percent relative compaction under unpaved surfaces and 95 percent relative compaction under paved surfaces. (Ord. 338 § 1, 2005)