Chapter 9.45
ADDITIONAL UNIT POLICY
Sections:
9.45.005 Introduction and purpose.
9.45.020 Water services, meters and meter fees.
9.45.060 Property sales/subdivision and/or redevelopment.
9.45.070 Recreation vehicles as primary structures.
* Code reviser’s note: Res. 2022-8-1 adds these provisions as Chapter 9.40 CVWDC. The chapter has been editorially renumbered to prevent duplication of numbering.
9.45.005 Introduction and purpose.
As land within the district continues to develop, additional units constructed or created on parcels increase the demand on the district’s water distribution and sewer collection systems. When a customer connects to the water and/or sewer systems, the district conducts evaluations to ensure that the district properly serves all customers and that all property owners bear their equitable share of the cost of the water and/or sewer system.
It is the purpose of this additional unit policy to formally address definitions, fees and charges and to provide additional technical requirements for these additional units as they pertain to water and sewer improvements; to the extent the requirements contained in this policy differ from or conflict with local agencies or the district standards and details, this document shall control.
It is not the purpose of this policy to regulate land use that is within the authority of other local jurisdictions but rather to provide rules and regulations that are limited to the authority provided to water and sewer districts pursuant to Chapter 57.08 RCW and other applicable law. This policy and the rules and regulations contained herein should be read in that context. [Res. 2022-8-1 § 1.]
9.45.010 Definitions.
The following terms have the meanings indicated below for purposes of this chapter. For certain definitions, this chapter references the Snohomish County Code (SCC), and any references to the SCC are intended to include the code as it currently exists (July 2022) and as it may be amended in the future.
(1) “Additional unit” means a new dwelling unit, including an ADU, commercial use, industrial use, or any combination of uses (including a unit or use that is discovered by the district after its original construction, installation, creation or other first occurrence), on the same parcel that already contains one or more uses, whether the new unit or use is within a primary structure or in a separate structure.
(2) “Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)” (SCC 30.91A.035) means a dwelling unit that is located on the same lot as, under the same ownership as, and subordinate to a single-family dwelling unit. An accessory dwelling unit must include facilities for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation for not more than one family.
An ADU may be located within the same structure as the primary single-family dwelling unit, or the ADU may be located in a separate structure on the same parcel of property as the primary single-family dwelling unit. The ADU may be established or created by the alteration of interior space of an existing dwelling, conversion of a previously uninhabited portion of the structure containing an existing dwelling, the alteration of a separate structure on the same property, or construction of a new structure on the same property.
(a) “Attached accessory dwelling unit (AADU)” (SCC 30.91A.040) means an accessory dwelling unit that is located in the same structure as the primary dwelling.
(b) “Detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU)” (SCC 30.91A.050) means an accessory dwelling unit that is physically separated from and located in a different structure than the primary dwelling.
Example terms that may be categorized as an ADU, attached or detached, include but are not limited to the following: mother-in-law apartment, accessory apartment, garage apartment, granny flat, granny pad, attic ADU, basement apartment, tiny/micro house with or without wheels, carriage house, backyard cottage, secondary suite, garage or carport conversion, “home within a home,” mobile home placed on the property in addition to a single-family dwelling unit, detached garage with a living space, “park model” permanent or semi-permanent installed connected to the water system.
(3) “CVWDC” means Cross Valley Water District Code.
(4) “District” means Cross Valley Water District.
(5) “Dwelling” (SCC 30.91D.490) means a structure designed or used as a residence.
(6) “Dwelling unit” (SCC 30.91D.530) means one or more rooms in a dwelling designed for occupancy by one family for living or sleeping purposes and having not more than one kitchen.
(7) “Guest house” (SCC 30.91G.130) means a structure with not more than two bedrooms having no kitchen, and which shall be used or designed for use primarily by guests or servants for sleeping quarters only.
(8) “Kitchen” (SCC 30.91K.050) means any room or area used, intended, or designed to be used for the cooking or preparation of food which contains any two of the following: a kitchen type sink, refrigerator, range, or 220 H2 outlet.
(9) Large Multifamily Residential. Refer to CVWDC 9.10.020(3).
(10) “Multiple-family dwelling unit” (SCC 30.91D.500) means a dwelling containing three or more dwelling units, but excluding townhouses and mobile homes.
(11) Multifamily Residential. Refer to CVWDC 9.10.020(2).
(12) Other. Refer to CVWDC 9.10.020(4).
(13) “Premises” (SCC 30.91P.260) means a lot with or without buildings.
(14) “Primary structure” (SCC 30.91P.292) means any permanent building, road, bridge or utility requiring a permit or approval which is necessary to support the primary use of a site. “Primary use” means the predominate use of any lot or development as determined by county zoning regulations.
(15) “Recreational vehicle (RV)” (SCC 30.91R.050) means a travel trailer, motor home, truck camper, or camping trailer that is permanently designed and used as temporary living quarters, is either self-propelled or mounted on or drawn by another vehicle, is transient, and is not immobilized or permanently affixed to a mobile home lot.
(16) “Single-family dwelling unit” (SCC 30.91D.510) means a dwelling containing one dwelling unit, or the dwelling unit and an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit. This term shall also include factory built housing constructed pursuant to the standards delineated in RCW 43.22.455, as amended, and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(17) Single-Family Residential. Refer to CVWDC 9.10.020(1). [Res. 2022-8-1 § 1.]
9.45.020 Water services, meters and meter fees.
All permitted structures on one tax parcel may be served by a single meter; provided, that the district reserves the right to require, in its sole discretion, that an additional structure(s), including an ADU, be served by a separate meter(s). All water services and meter installation shall be in accordance with the district’s standard details.
A. Services. Water services to additional units shall be installed in accordance with the district’s standard details.
B. Meters. Additional units including ADUs may be served by the existing water meter and service line that is serving the primary structure or dwelling as allowed by the current Uniform Plumbing Code or local land use authorities to be determined by the property owner meter; provided, that the district reserves the right to require, in its sole discretion, that an additional unit(s), including an ADU, be served by a separate meter(s).
In the event the water meter is required to increase in size or additional water meter(s) are required by other agencies, meter installation charges shall apply.
1. Residential Dwelling and ADU. A property owner of one tax parcel may choose to use a shared meter for the primary structure and ADU or purchase a separate meter for the ADU as allowed by using the current Uniform Plumbing Code and/or local land use authorities.
2. Meter Installation Fees. Meter fees will be assessed per the district’s current meter rates on CVWDC 9.05.490, Rate Table II. [Res. 2022-8-1 § 1.]
9.45.030 Side sewer services.
Private side sewers and side sewer services shall be installed and inspected in accordance with the district’s standard details. Additional permit and inspection charges may apply.
Additional units including ADUs may be served by the primary plumbing and side sewer service; however, documentation must be submitted and approved by the district that the plumbing and existing side sewer service have adequate capacity in accordance with district standards and the Uniform Plumbing Code. [Res. 2022-8-1 § 1.]
9.45.040 Connection charges.
The connection charges apply to water and sewer services separately, as applicable. Connection charges are due at time of meter purchase and/or meter upsize. Refer to Chapter 9.10 CVWDC, Water Connection Fee, and Chapter 9.20 CVWDC, Sewer Connection Fee, for current charges on additional units. [Res. 2022-8-1 § 1.]
9.45.050 Billing.
Additional units, including ADUs using the same water meter, shall be billed an additional base rate, per unit, per Chapter 9.05 CVWDC.
Additional units, including ADUs using separate water meters, shall be billed per Chapter 9.05 CVWDC. [Res. 2022-8-1 § 1.]
9.45.060 Property sales/subdivision and/or redevelopment.
A. Verification. Upon notification of the sale or potential sale of a property, the district shall contact Snohomish County or the other appropriate local land use authority, to verify classifications. This includes verification of all additional units, ADUs or other multiple dwelling units on the property, and that permits were obtained for any additions to the structures on the property. District staff will also review the seller’s real estate listings to verify if an ADU was listed or advertised.
If an ADU or other additional unit is discovered on the property, additional connection charges and other fees may be applied and due, as determined by the district. Notification shall be sent to the requesting escrow company and legal property owner.
B. Subdivision. All subdivision of premises and/or tax parcels according to Snohomish County or other local land use authority records shall be charged the applicable connection charges and other fees as determined by the district.
ADUs may not be subdivided or otherwise segregated in ownership from the primary residential structure without contacting the local land use authority.
C. Redevelopment/Improvements/Additions. Upon notification of a property redevelopment, improvements, or additions including but not limited to a water/sewer service inquiry form, sale of a property, Snohomish County notification or developer extension, the district shall review and verify the parcel requirements. [Res. 2022-8-1 § 1.]
9.45.070 Recreation vehicles as primary structures.
The district at its sole discretion may determine that a recreational vehicle, as defined in CVWDC 9.45.010, is the primary structure on a parcel when connected to the water service or that the recreational vehicle is an ADU if an existing primary dwelling is present. [Res. 2022-8-1 § 1.]