Chapter 7.56
DOMESTIC WATER SYSTEM CONNECTION CHARGE
Sections:
7.56.040 Elements of the domestic water connection charge.
7.56.055 Distribution connection charge.
7.56.060 Base irrigation charge.
7.56.070 Charge established by council.
7.56.080 Time of payments—Lien.
7.56.090 Recalculation of charges.
7.56.100 Money to be credited to domestic water operating fund.
7.56.010 Purpose of chapter.
The purpose of this chapter is to allocate an equitable share of the cost of the existing domestic water system (“equitable share”), and a reasonable estimate of the actual cost of connection (including costs associated with expanding the domestic water system) (“actual cost”), to persons who connect lots or facilities to the domestic water system. This chapter recognizes that using the domestic water system for irrigation purposes imposes capacity-related costs on the domestic system in addition to those imposed by using the domestic water system solely for domestic purposes. (Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).
7.56.020 Definitions.
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms in this chapter shall be as follows:
1. “Domestic water” means water conveyed by the domestic water system.
2. “Domestic water system” means that system of publicly owned waterworks that is the subject of YMC Chapter 7.68.
3. “Domestic water treatment plant” means that portion of the domestic water system used for treatment of domestic water.
4. “Distribution mains” means those domestic water system pipes used to convey domestic water from transmission mains to service lines.
5. “Distribution main system” means a series of distribution mains extending from transmission mains.
6. “Division manager” means the manager of the water/irrigation division of the city, or his or her authorized agent.
7. “Irrigation system” means the waterworks and all other city-owned property used for the purposes described in YMC Section 7.24.020 (as reenacted by Section 4 of Ordinance 97-63).
8. “Irrigation system water” means water conveyed through irrigation system waterworks and used for the purpose of irrigation.
9. “Lot” shall have the same meaning as in YMC Chapter 15.02.
10. “Lot area” shall have the same meaning as in YMC Chapter 15.02.
11. “Parcel” shall have the same meaning as “lot.”
12. “Parcel area” shall have the same meaning as “lot area.”
13. “Service lines” means the pipes that extend from the distribution mains to the individual properties to be served.
14. “SFD” or “single-family dwelling” shall each have the same meaning as “dwelling, single-family” or “single-family dwelling” in YMC Chapter 15.02.
15. “Transmission mains” shall mean those domestic water system pipes twenty-four inches or greater in diameter, and related conduits, used to receive domestic water from the domestic water treatment plant and transmit it to a distribution main system.
16. “Two-family dwelling” shall have the same meaning as “two-family dwelling” or “duplex” in YMC Chapter 15.02.
17. “Water meter size” shall be determined by reference to the criteria in the American Water Works Association Standards. (Ord. 2003-01 § 1, 2003: Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).
7.56.030 Connection to the domestic water system for domestic and irrigation purposes—Connection charge imposed.
A. A connection charge is imposed on the owner of any lot or facility to be connected to the domestic water system, when the owner of the lot or facility to be so connected has not paid a domestic water connection charge for connecting such lot or facility to the domestic water system. Payment of the connection charge does not convey any ownership interest in the domestic water system. Payment of the connection charge authorizes connection only to the designated lot or facility and is not transferable to any other lot or facility.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, a connection charge is also imposed on the owner of any lot or facility to which irrigation system water service is terminated pursuant to YMC Sections 7.24.150 or 7.24.160. (Ord. 2003-48 § 5, 2003: Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).
7.56.040 Elements of the domestic water connection charge.
A. Classifications. The following chart lists the elements of the domestic water connection charge applicable to the various classes of connections subject to such a charge:
|
Class |
Connection Charge(s) |
|
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
New domestic water system connection where the lot or facility is also connected to an irrigation system, and for which water from the domestic water system will therefor be drawn for domestic purposes only. |
Domestic charge |
|
2. |
New domestic water system connection where the lot or facility is not connected to an irrigation system or for which irrigation system water service is unavailable, and for which water from the domestic water system will therefor be drawn for both domestic and irrigation purposes. |
Domestic charge plus base irrigation charge |
|
3. |
New domestic water system connection made pursuant to YMC 7.78.020. |
Charge established by council, not to exceed base irrigation charge |
|
4. |
Existing domestic water system connection where irrigation system water service to the lot or facility owner is terminated pursuant to YMC 7.24.150 or 7.24.160. |
Base irrigation charge |
|
5. |
New domestic water system connection to a lot, tract or facility for which there has been no payment of distribution system costs through a local improvement district, developer contributions or other direct contributions. |
Distribution connection charge |
where:
“Domestic charge” is a charge calculated pursuant to YMC 7.56.050;
“Distribution connection charge” is a charge calculated pursuant to YMC 7.56.055;
“Base irrigation charge” is a charge calculated pursuant to YMC 7.56.060; and
“Charge established by council, not to exceed base irrigation charge” is any charge established by the city council upon conversion pursuant to YMC 7.56.070.
All such connections and charges are subject to the following additional elements:
1. City services charge in the amount of six percent assessed on the applicable charge or the sum of the applicable charges;
2. Engineering charge per lot as included in the city of Yakima master fee schedule adopted by city council via resolution, in addition to any required inspection, permit, or plan review fees; and
3. Water tax, pursuant to YMC Chapter 7.64, and any other applicable tax, assessed on the sum of all charges except the city services charge and the engineering charge.
B. Charges to Be Published. The city engineer shall maintain a schedule of current base charges, shall post such schedule conspicuously, and shall make copies available to interested persons.
C. Initial Charges. Commencing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and until amended pursuant to subsection D of this section, domestic water connection charges shall be calculated as set forth by this chapter.
D. Amendment of Charges. The base charges set forth in this chapter may be amended by ordinance of the city council. Such amendments shall become effective no earlier than thirty days after publication. (Ord. 2022-040 § 33, 2022; Ord. 2003-47 § 6, 2003: Ord. 2001-26 § 1, 2001: Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).
7.56.050 Domestic charge.
The domestic charge shall include both an equitable share of the cost of the existing facilities related to the supply, treatment, transmission, storage and pumping of domestic water and a reasonable estimate of the actual cost of connection of domestic water demand to the domestic water system (including costs associated with expanding the system). The amount of this charge is a function of the amount of water flowing to the facility to be connected, and shall be determined pursuant either to subsection A or B of this section.
A. The domestic charge shall be determined by the size of the water meter to be installed. The domestic charge for a particular facility shall be imposed based on the city of Yakima master fee schedule adopted by city council via resolution that is in effect at the time of application.
The domestic charge for water meter sizes not listed in the city of Yakima master fee schedule shall be established by the division manager based upon the same methodology and data as the charges listed above.
B. For any facility to be served by a water meter that is larger than four inches in diameter, the division manager shall calculate a recommended domestic charge pursuant to this subsection. The recommended domestic charge shall be calculated according to the methodology employed to calculate the rates listed in subsection A of this section. The division manager shall forward the recommended domestic charge to the city council. The council shall establish the domestic charge for the facility. (Ord. 2022-040 § 34, 2022; Ord. 2016-035 § 1, 2016: Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).
7.56.055 Distribution connection charge.
The distribution charge shall include an equitable share of the cost of the existing facilities related to the distribution of domestic water. The amount of this charge is the proportionate share of distribution facilities based on an amount equal to the average equity per customer in the existing distribution system established by the existing customer base, and shall be determined pursuant either to subsection A or B of this section. This charge would be imposed on the owner of any lot, tract or facility to be connected to the domestic water distribution system and that has not previously contributed a share of the cost of the distribution system through a local improvement district (LID) assessment, developer contribution or other direct contributions. This charge does not apply to new development where the developer pays for the cost of the distribution system water main extensions and the cost of connecting these extensions to the existing domestic distribution system.
A. The distribution charge shall be determined by the size of the water meter to be installed. The distribution charge for a particular facility shall be imposed based on the city of Yakima master fee schedule that is in effect at the time of application. The distribution charge for water meter sizes not listed in the city of Yakima master fee schedule shall be established by the manager of the water/irrigation division based upon the same methodology and data as the charges listed above.
B. For any facility to be served by a water meter that is larger than four inches in diameter, the manager of the water/irrigation division shall calculate a recommended distribution charge pursuant to this subsection. The recommended distribution charge shall be calculated according to the methodology employed to calculate the rates listed in subsection A of this section. The division manager shall forward the recommended distribution charge to the city council. The city council shall establish the distribution charge for the facility. (Ord. 2022-040 § 35, 2022; Ord. 2016-035 § 2, 2016: Ord. 2001-26 § 2, 2001).
7.56.060 Base irrigation charge.
The base irrigation charge includes both an equitable share of the cost of the existing domestic water system and a reasonable estimate of the actual cost of connection of irrigation demand to the domestic water system (including costs associated with expanding the system). This charge is a function of the size of the irrigable portion of the lot to be connected. For single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings, the base irrigation charge shall be determined by multiplying the lot area (measured in square feet (sf)) by the rate listed in the current city of Yakima master fee schedule. For other parcels, the base irrigation charge shall be, at the property owner’s option, determined either by multiplying the total lot area by the rate listed in the city of Yakima master fee schedule or by multiplying the permeable portion of the lot area by a rate listed in the city of Yakima master fee schedule. In no event shall the charge be applied to less than five percent of the total lot area for purposes of this section. (Ord. 2022-040 § 36, 2022; Ord. 2016-035 § 3, 2016: Ord. 2003-01 § 2, 2003: Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).
7.56.070 Charge established by council.
If the city council approves a transfer from a private domestic water supply to the domestic water system pursuant to YMC Section 7.78.020, whether pursuant to an individual application or to a contract with a private domestic water supply company, the council may modify the charge for the resulting connection. In no event shall this modification result in a charge greater than the amount that would otherwise apply to the lot or facility by direct application of YMC Section 7.56.040. (Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).
7.56.080 Time of payments—Lien.
A. The applicable water connection charges shall be paid in full at or before the time a building permit is obtained, provided, however, that in the case of termination of irrigation system service to an existing domestic water system customer, any charge for connection of that customer’s irrigation demand to the domestic system shall be paid at or before the time of such termination.
B. Unpaid charges shall constitute a lien against the connected property. Such lien shall be prior to all liens and encumbrances filed subsequent to its filing with the county auditor, except the lien of general taxes and local improvement assessments whether levied prior or subsequent thereto. (Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).
7.56.090 Recalculation of charges.
A. Improvement, Change in Use. In the event any facility, lot, tract, or parcel is improved, or the use thereof is changed or intensified so as to increase the number or size of water meter(s), then the amount of the connection charge is subject to recalculation and increase according to YMC Section 7.56.040. Credit shall be allowed for the size of any existing meter(s) removed by virtue of this change or intensification; provided, that in no case shall the credit exceed the cost of the charge. Any such increase shall be paid in the time and manner specified by YMC Section 7.56.080.
B. Additional Subdivision of Lots. At such time that any existing lot connected to the domestic water system is subdivided, a domestic water connection charge shall be assessed against each new lot formed. No additional charge shall be imposed upon the lot where the facilities that were originally connected are located, unless an increase in water meter size is involved. Any additional charges due as a result of subdivision shall be determined as set forth in subsection A of this section. (Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).
7.56.100 Money to be credited to domestic water operating fund.
All moneys collected pursuant to this chapter shall be paid into and credited to the water operating fund as provided in YMC Chapter 3.100. (Ord. 97-63 § 7 (part), 1997).