(a) No owner, agent, lessee, tenant or occupant of any lot or land located within the City shall drain surface water, rain water from roofs, subsoil drainage, building foundation drainage, cistern overflow, clean water from condensers, or any other clean or unobjectionable water into a sewer other than a storm sewer if such lot or land is accessible to a public storm sewer. When a public storm sewer is available or is hereafter made available, a connection to such storm sewer shall be established and used by such owner, agent, lessee, tenant or occupant to drain such water within a reasonable time thereafter.
(b) As an alternative to the requirements set forth in division (a), one or more downspouts may be directed into an approved rain barrel or other structural storage container. The overflow from such devices must be directed away from the dwelling's foundation, must not cause excessive erosion or water damage, and must be diverted into the public storm sewer. Rain barrels or other structural storage containers must be covered at all times and shall not cause a public or private nuisance. The installation of rain barrels or other structural storage containers shall conform to the standards established by the City for such devices and shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer.
(c) As an additional alternative to the requirements set forth in division (a), a property owner may voluntarily disconnect one or more downspouts from the public storm sewer, provided the Engineering Department inspects and approves the property owner's plan. The Engineering Department must determine the property owner has a valid plan for how the water will be diverted. The water may only be diverted in a manner that does not cause a public or private nuisance. If the disconnect is approved by the Engineering Department, a permit will be issued and the disconnection may occur. Should the disconnection create a nuisance, the Director of Public Service shall order the downspouts to be reconnected to the storm sewer at the owner's cost. The Director of Public Service shall have the authority to regulate the process of issuing permits upon the inspection and approval of each disconnect plan by the Engineering Department. The inspection and permit fee will be fifty dollars ($50.00).
(Ord. 8789. Passed 11-15-48; Ord. 64-2021. Passed 5-17-21.)