Chapter 15.32
VIOLATIONS, ENFORCEMENT, AND PENALTIES
Sections:
15.32.010 Violations, enforcement, and penalties.
15.32.030 City liability provisions.
15.32.050 Conflict of provisions.
15.32.060 Liberal construction.
15.32.010 Violations, enforcement, and penalties.
(1) Violations of this article are subject to enforcement pursuant to Chapter 1.33 LMC, Code Compliance.
(2) Any activity or action caused or permitted to exist in violation of this article is a threat to public health, safety, and welfare, and is declared and deemed a public nuisance.
(3) It is a violation of this article and will be considered damage to the wastewater system to, in any manner:
(a) Tamper with or damage any part of any wastewater system, public or private; or
(b) Interfere with or hamper the operation of any part of the wastewater system, public or private; or
(c) Perform any work that would impact the public wastewater system without first obtaining a permit or other authorization; or
(d) Violate the terms and conditions of an issued permit; or
(e) Discharge or cause to be discharged into the public wastewater system any water from yard drains, footing drains, downspouts or any other source of groundwater, rainwater, or stormwater; or any liquids, solids or materials defined as prohibited or illicit discharges without a permit; or
(f) Fail to comply with any other provision of this article.
(4) Any person causing damage to the wastewater system shall be responsible for all costs incurred by the city to repair the damage and for any damage claims tendered to the city by third parties that arise because of these acts.
(5) If the person causing damage fails to reimburse the city for all costs incurred, the city may place a lien against the property where the violation occurred as provided in Chapter 1.33 LMC.
(6) If the director determines that a condition, substance, act, or other occurrence constitutes an imminent public nuisance requiring summary abatement, the city may summarily and without prior notice to the property owner and/or responsible person, abate the condition. Notice of such abatement, including the reason for the abatement, shall be given to the property owner and/or person responsible for the property and the violation as soon as reasonably possible after the abatement. Costs, both direct and indirect, of the abatement may be assessed as provided under Chapter 1.33 LMC. (Ord. 3533 § 1, 2024).
15.32.020 Appeals.
(1) There is no administrative appeal of a permit for utility service.
(2) Appeals by customers for billing errors shall be as provided in the city’s financial policies.
(3) Appeals of violations of this article shall be as provided in Chapter 1.33 LMC. (Ord. 3533 § 1, 2024).
15.32.030 City liability provisions.
(1) The city is responsible for providing service to persons within the utility service area, subject to sufficient capacity, the requirements of this article, and other provisions of this code and applicable federal and state law. Provided, continuous wastewater service is not guaranteed as service may be interrupted or temporarily unavailable due to planned, unplanned events, unforeseen circumstances, or emergencies.
(2) The city is not responsible to any person for costs, damages, or other consequences incurred due to service interruptions.
(3) Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to nor shall be construed to create or form the basis for any liability on the part of the city, or its officers, employees or agents, for any injury or damage resulting from the failure of property owners or responsible parties to comply with the provisions of this article, engineering standards, or related manuals; or by reason or in consequence of any inspection, notice, order, certificate, permission or approval authorized or issued; or by reason of any action or inaction on the part of the city in connection with the same.
(4) Nothing in this chapter, engineering standards, or related manuals shall impose any liability on the city or any of its officers, employees, or agents for cleanup or any harm relating to sites containing hazardous materials, wastes or contaminated soil.
(5) Nothing contained in this chapter, engineering standards, or related manuals shall require city involvement or enforcement of this article for private disputes occurring between property owners. (Ord. 3533 § 1, 2024).
15.32.040 Severability.
If any section, subsection, clause, or phrase of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity or constitutionality of this chapter as a whole, or any other portion thereof, and its application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. (Ord. 3533 § 1, 2024).
15.32.050 Conflict of provisions.
Should a conflict occur within the provisions of this chapter or between this chapter and any other provision of this code or other applicable law, rule, or regulation, including engineering standards, the most restrictive requirement shall control, except when constrained by federal or state law, or where specifically provided otherwise in this code. (Ord. 3533 § 1, 2024).
15.32.060 Liberal construction.
The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to give full effect to its purposes and objectives, to protect the public health and safety, and not be deemed to benefit or protect any individual, class, or group of persons. (Ord. 3533 § 1, 2024).
Article III. Water