Chapter 19.32
PUBLIC FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

Sections:

19.32.010    Compliance with standards.

19.32.020    Street improvements.

19.32.030    Water distribution system.

19.32.040    Sanitary sewer system and stormwater drainage systems.

19.32.050    Fire protection.

19.32.060    Underground utilities.

19.32.070    Contractor-provided warranty and security for infrastructure provided to city.

19.32.010 Compliance with standards.

A. All improvements required under this code shall be constructed in accordance with Chapter 19.34, Public Facilities Standard Plans.

B. All required improvements shall be made by the developer at his expense. (Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).

19.32.020 Street improvements.

A. Streets. All public streets shall be constructed with paving, curbs and gutters, storm drainage system, sidewalks, street lighting and street trees. Private street (lane) improvement requirements are provided in Section 19.30.060.

B. Alleys. Alleys shall be improved to private lane standards described in Section 19.30.060.

C. Sidewalks and Driveways. Sidewalks shall be included in the street improvement plans and shall be installed on both sides of the street after completion of the curb and gutter improvements. Except as provided in Section 19.18.010(D), sidewalks and driveways shall be constructed when homes are constructed on the lots and shall be completed prior to final inspection and occupancy.

D. Street Lighting System. Street lights shall be installed at all intersections (street corners), all cul-de-sac turnarounds and all substantial curves of streets (ten degrees or more), and at mid-block locations in order to provide street light spacing two hundred fifty to three hundred feet. Street lighting systems shall be approved by the city engineer and shall be in accordance with the city standard plans. The developer shall make the necessary arrangements with the serving electric utility for installation of underground service for the street lighting system. Alternative streetlight assemblies (street lighting that does not comply with the city standard plans) that were previously installed in developments with approval of the city shall remain owned and maintained by the developer or their successors. The city will be responsible for the cost of electric power for these alternative streetlight assemblies in an amount equivalent to a city standard lighting system.

E. Street Trees. Street trees shall be installed in accordance with the arboricultural standards and specifications adopted by the urban forestry advisory commission and administered by the municipal arborist. Street trees shall be installed according to an approved street tree planting plan. Street tree planting plans shall adhere to the principles of urban forest biodiversity following the ten-twenty-thirty rule. This means that no tree species should represent more than ten percent, no tree genus should represent more than twenty percent, and no tree family should represent more than thirty percent of the total tree population of the proposed subdivision street improvements. Except as provided in Section 19.18.010(D), street trees shall be planted at the time new homes are constructed and prior to final inspection and occupancy. The developer shall be responsible for the continued health and vigor of street trees abutting undeveloped lots until such lots are sold.

F. Safety Improvements. Where a need to improve safety is demonstrated by a traffic impact analysis or identified as a need in an adopted transportation plan, the city may require the installation of safety features such as pedestrian crossings with or without median refuge islands, flashing beacons or other signage or signals, traffic circles, curb extensions, reduced street width, speed tables, speed humps, or special paving to slow traffic and improve transportation safety for all modes. (Ord. 2021-46 § 2, 2021; Ord. 2018-53 § 4 (part), 2018: Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).

19.32.030 Water distribution system.

A. Water supply facilities shall be installed to provide potable water to each lot within a development under this code in accordance with the policies of the Walla Walla comprehensive plan.

B. Distribution mains and fire hydrants shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 19.34, Public Facilities Standard Plans, and shall be inspected and approved by the city engineer or designee prior to construction of street improvements. (Ord. 2018-53 § 4 (part), 2018: Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).

19.32.040 Sanitary sewer system and stormwater drainage systems.

A. Sanitary sewers shall be provided to each lot or unit within the development in accordance with the policies of the Walla Walla comprehensive plan. The sewer system shall be inspected and approved by the city engineer or designee prior to construction of street improvements.

B. Stormwater facilities shall be provided as required by Chapter 13.16.

C. All required sanitary sewer lines and stormwater facilities located within the street improvement section shall be completed in accordance with Chapter 19.34, Public Facilities Standard Plans, and inspected and approved by the city engineer or designee prior to construction of street surface improvements. (Ord. 2018-53 § 4 (part), 2018: Ord. 2017-45 § 57, 2017: Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).

19.32.050 Fire protection.

A. Water sources and facilities adequate for fire protection purposes shall be provided in every subdivision by the developer.

B. Fire protection facilities, including fire hydrants and appurtenances, shall be provided in accordance with the International Fire Code, as adopted by the city, under the direction and approval of the fire marshal. Such facilities shall be included in the improvement plans as approved by the city engineer. (Ord. 2018-53 § 4 (part), 2018: Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).

19.32.060 Underground utilities.

A. Underground Installation Required. Except as provided in subsection (B) of this section, all utility facilities shall be placed underground.

B. Facilities Excepted From Underground Installation. Underground installation of utility facilities shall not include the following:

1. Overhead facilities installed in order to provide emergency service;

2. Temporary poles and overhead lines used or to be used in connection with construction projects;

3. Service meters located at structures;

4. Equipment appurtenant to underground facilities, such as surface mounted connection boxes, surface mounted transformers, meter cabinets and pedestal mounted terminal boxes;

5. “Through feeders” or transmission lines which pass through a development but provide no service to property therein. (Ord. 98-42 § 1(part), 1998: Ord. 94-11 § 1(part), 1994).

19.32.070 Contractor-provided warranty and security for infrastructure provided to city.

When a contractor, developer, or other person constructs improvements including streets, sidewalks, street lights, stormwater facilities, water mains and facilities, sewer mains and facilities, or other public infrastructure to service an area and turns this infrastructure over to the city of Walla Walla, such contractor, developer, or other person shall provide a written warranty for all materials, labor and equipment for two years from the date of final acceptance of the infrastructure by the city.

In addition, such contractor, developer, or other person shall provide security or other financial guaranty in a form and amount acceptable to the city to cover the cost of repairs or replacement for a period of two years. The security or financial guaranty shall be in an amount at least as great as fifteen percent of the total cost of the improvements based upon an approved estimate; provided, however, that the guarantor’s liability shall not be limited by the amount of security or financial guaranty provided to the city. The estimate shall be prepared by a licensed engineer at the sole cost of the contractor, developer, or other person based upon the approved plans. The estimate shall be itemized by description, quantities and costs. The submitted data shall be subject to review and approval by the city engineer. The security or other financial guarantee shall be provided to the city by no later than the date of final acceptance of the improvement by the city.

The date of final acceptance of the infrastructure by the city shall be determined by the city public works director or designee and established by certified letter from the city public works director or designee. The date for acceptance by the city shall be contingent upon receipt of the warranty and acceptable security or other financial guaranty.

The city may inspect any improvements at any time. If a problem, failure, installation defect, or noncompliance with city standards is discovered, the guarantor shall be responsible for all necessary correction costs. The guarantor shall also be responsible for reimbursing the city of Walla Walla for all costs associated with discovery of the problem, failure, defect, or noncompliance. The public works director or designee may establish the response time for the guarantor to make the necessary repairs or replacement and if the work is not completed by that time, the city has the right to commence and complete the work and charge such costs against the security or other financial guaranty. The city shall have the right to recover any costs in excess of the security or other financial guaranty from the guarantor. (Ord. 2017-45 § 58, 2017: Ord. 2006-22 § 1, 2006).