(A) (1) Every person owning a dwelling, building or other structure which is used for human habitation or occupancy within the city situated on a lot or parcel of land which abuts or adjoins a street or other public way along which is located a sanitary sewer, shall connect such dwelling, building or structure to the wastewater system at the owner’s expense within 180 days after date of receiving notice to do so; provided, however, that a connection shall not be required to the system unless the lot or parcel of land on which the dwelling, building or other structure is situated is accessible within 200 feet.
(2) No person shall be required to cross private property of any other person to make such connection. Where connections are required, all toilets, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures shall be installed, arranged or rearranged to drain into the sanitary sewer.
(B) (1) When public sewer mains become available to property as described in subsection (A) above, the property owner shall be made aware that connection to the public sewer is required and that such connection shall be made within 180 calendar days from the date of such notification. Nonuse of the public sewer mains shall only be as approved by the City Council on a case by case basis when making sewer available to a property would be impractical or cost prohibitive to the city.
(2) With exception to subsection (A) and (B), a property owner, who is using a septic tank system in good working condition, in lieu of connection, may elect to pay a periodic availability charge in the amount of the minimum periodic service charge for properties that are connected. The aforesaid exception shall cease being available at such point in time as the Rockingham County Health Department deems that the septic tank system has failed. At such time, the property owner shall follow the procedure set forth in subsection (A) and (B) above.
(C) Privies, cesspools and septic tanks are prohibited within the corporate limits of the City except where public sewer service is not available as described in subsection (A). Privies, cesspools and septic tanks shall be installed as provided for by ordinance and as required by the Rockingham County Health Department.
(D) In those circumstances where public sewer service is not available and septic tanks are used, as permitted and described in subsection (A) above, then the city will refund to the property owner reasonable fees for pumping such tanks on an annual basis. This will only continue until such time as the public sewer is available. Refunds for pumping such tanks are not available for property owners electing to retain septic tank systems under subsection (C).
(1989 Code, § 16-102) (Ord. passed 10-15-85; Am. Ord. passed 1-21-03; Am. Ord. passed 11-20-12; Am. Ord. passed 12-20-16) Penalty, see § 1-16 et seq.