Chapter 13.18
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Sections:
13.18.040 Billing and collection.
13.18.050 Penalties for nonpayment of bills.
13.18.060 Adjustment of charges and appeals.
13.18.070 Charges for use of the storm drainage system.
13.18.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
A. “Customer” means a person in whose name service is rendered as evidenced by the signature on the application or contract for that service or, in the absence of a signed instrument, by the receipt and payment of bills regularly issued in his/her/its name regardless of the identity of the actual user of the service.
B. “Impervious surface” shall mean those hard surfaced areas which either prevent or retard the entry of water into the soil in the manner that such water entered the soil under natural conditions preexisting any development on the property and/or those hard surfaced areas which cause water to run off the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from that present under natural conditions preexisting any development on the property including, but not limited to, such surfaces as rooftops, asphalt or concrete sidewalks, paving, driveways, parking lots, walkways, patio areas, storage areas, and oiled macadam or other surfaces which similarly affect the natural infiltration or runoff patterns existing prior to the development.
C. “Parcel” shall mean the smallest separately segregated unit or plot of land having an identified owner, boundaries and surface area which is documented for tax purposes and given a tax account (lot) number by the Cowlitz County assessor.
D. “Developed parcel” shall mean a parcel of real property which has been altered by grading or filling of the ground surface or by construction of any improvement or other impervious surface area which affects the hydraulic properties of the parcel.
E. “Single/duplex parcel” shall mean a parcel which has been actually developed with a single-family residence or duplex.
F. “Multifamily parcel” shall mean a parcel which has been developed with an improvement with three or more residential units.
G. “Undeveloped parcel” shall mean any parcel of real property which has not been altered by grading or filling of the ground surface, or by construction of any improvement or other impervious surface area which affects the hydraulic properties of the parcel. [Ord. 97-24, 1997].
13.18.020 System of charges.
The following monthly service charges are hereby established for all parcels of real property within the boundaries of the city of Castle Rock, as they now exist or as they may be hereafter amended, for the purpose of carrying on the responsibilities of the stormwater management utility:
A. Undeveloped Parcels. Undeveloped parcels shall not be charged.
B. Single-Family Parcels. The monthly service charge for each single-family parcel shall be $8.79, which shall hereafter be referred to as the “base rate.”
C. Duplex Parcels. The monthly service charge for each duplex parcel shall be the amount of the specified base rate.
D. Multifamily Parcels. Multifamily parcels with multiple dwelling units (three or more) shall be charged the base rate times the number of dwelling units within a structure. Multiple dwelling units shall also include mobile home parks. The base rate shall be charged for each mobile home on the developed parcel.
E. Other Developed Parcels, Including Commercial-Designated Parcels. The monthly service charge for all other developed parcels (including commercial) shall be determined by taking the total measured square footage of impervious surface area, multiplied by the following rate schedule to determine what category any particular parcel falls into:
|
Category |
Description |
Square Footage of Impervious Surface |
Monthly Service Charge per IA* |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Very Light |
0 – 4,000 |
$8.11 |
|
2 |
Moderately Light |
4,001 – 11,000 |
$21.53 |
|
3 |
Light |
11,001 – 17,000 |
$37.71 |
|
4 |
Moderate |
17,001 – 24,000 |
$53.93 |
|
5 |
Moderately Heavy |
24,001 – 30,000 |
$70.09 |
|
6 |
Heavy |
30,001 – 37,000 |
$89.07 |
|
7 |
Very Heavy |
37,001 – 43,560 |
$113.29 |
|
8 |
Parcels over 1 acre in size will be charged by the number of acres multiplied by $113.29 (i.e., 1.3 acres x $113.29 = $147.28 monthly charge) |
||
* “IA” means impervious surface.
F. Minimum Charge and Partial Month. Notwithstanding the number of impervious units applicable to any individual property, the minimum service charge for all developed properties shall be equal to the base rate. Monthly base rates shall be prorated to a daily rate. New and vacating customers occupying premises for a partial month’s billing cycle shall be billed 1/30th per day during the partial month of service. [Ord. 2023-14, 2023; Ord. 2022-14, 2022; Ord. 2021-14, 2021; Ord. 2019-06, 2019; Ord. 2018-13, 2018; Ord. 2016-12, 2016; Ord. 2015-16, 2015; Ord. 2014-10, 2014; Ord. 2013-12, 2013; Ord. 2012-08, 2012; Ord. 2011-19, 2011; Ord. 2010-20, 2010; Ord. 2008-15, 2008; Ord. 2007-11, 2007; Ord. 98-02, 1998; Ord. 97-24, 1997].
13.18.030 Rate adjustments.
A. Generally. The rate adjustment used to compute the monthly service charge shall be determined by adding or subtracting any applicable water quantity factors and any special program adjustment, as determined under subsections (B) and (C) of this section.
B. Water Quantity Factors.
|
Quantity Factors |
Design Storm Size |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 Year |
10 Year |
25 Year |
100 Year |
|
|
On-site retention |
0 |
-25% |
-30% |
-35% |
|
On-site detention |
0 |
-15% |
-20% |
-25% |
The factors set forth in this subsection shall apply only if the on-site or other facilities for which a reduction in the rate adjustment is given met applicable city standards upon installation, received city approval of construction, and have standards applicable at the time of billing. In the event that the public works director determines that the operation and maintenance standards are not complied with, no reduction in the rate of adjustment shall be made for water quantity for a minimum of one year and until operation and maintenance do meet city standards, whereupon the person being billed may reapply for system inspection and for application of the water quantity and/or quality credit factor.
C. Special Programs. Adjustments for special programs may be determined on a case-by-case contractual basis upon approval by the city council. [Ord. 97-24, 1997].
13.18.040 Billing and collection.
Utility rates and charges for each parcel of developed real property within the city shall be computed on at least a bimonthly basis. The amount to be billed shall be included on the existing utilities bill as a separate line item. A stormwater-only billing will be sent to those property owners who are not current city utilities customers. The city shall bill the owner of the served property for the payment of utility rates and charges specified in this section; however, the owner’s tenant or agent may be billed for utility services if requested or consistent with current utilities billing information. This shall not relieve the owner from final liability for utility rates and charges. [Ord. 97-24, 1997].
13.18.050 Penalties for nonpayment of bills.
Collection of and penalties for nonpayment of stormwater utility charges shall be pursuant to CRMC 13.06.080 and 13.06.090. [Ord. 97-24, 1997].
13.18.060 Adjustment of charges and appeals.
A. Any person who considers that the charges established for their parcel are in error may apply in writing to request an “Adjustment/Monthly Fee Estimate – Form A” from the public works department. The public works department shall, after receiving such application, review and respond to the complaint in writing of its findings and decision.
B. For those accounts which believe an on-site retention or detention system exists on their parcel, a request shall also be made in writing to request a “Stormwater On-Site Mitigation Application – Form B” from the public works department. The public works department shall, after receiving such application, review and determine if the system exists and meets all applicable design standards, and shall respond to the inquiry in writing of its findings and decision. [Ord. 97-24, 1997].
13.18.070 Charges for use of the storm drainage system.
A. Any and all use of the storm drainage system shall be subject to the payment of all fees, costs and charges specified in CRMC 13.18.020.
B. Residential and nonresidential developed parcels that are vacant shall be subject to full payment of all fees, costs, and charges for use of the storm drainage system as specified in CRMC 13.18.020. [Ord. 97-24, 1997].