For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DETENTION. The temporary storage of stormwater runoff in a basin, pond, or other structure to control the peak discharge rates by holding the stormwater for a period of time and which provides some gravity settling of particulates.
DEVELOPED PROPERTY. Any lot or parcel of land altered from its natural state by the construction, creation, or addition of impervious area, except public streets and highways.
DISCHARGE. Any direct or indirect entry of any solid, liquid, or gaseous matter.
DWELLING UNIT. A group of rooms that are used or are intended to be used by one household primarily for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating, or as classified by the city’s Building Code.
EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL UNIT (ERU). The base unit for determining stormwater charges. An ERU represents the average amount of impervious area of a single-family residential property within the city and is established as 2,250 square feet of impervious area.
IMPERVIOUS AREA. Any part of any developed property that has been modified by the action of persons to reduce the land’s natural ability to absorb and hold rainfall. This includes buildings as well as any hard surface area which either prevents or retards the entry of water into the soil. By way of example, IMPERVIOUS AREAS include, but are not limited to, roof tops, walkways, patios, driveways, parking lots, or storage areas, concrete or asphalt paving, or gravel roads or driveways.
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. A lot or parcel of land on which is situated a building containing three or more dwelling units, or on which two or more buildings containing multiple dwelling units are situated.
NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. All properties not encompassed within the definition of residential property, including, but not limited to, commercial, industrial, retail, multi-family residential, agricultural, governmental, institutional, schools, and churches.
PARCEL. The smallest separately segregated lot, unit, or plot of land having an identified owner, boundaries, and surface area which is documented for property tax purposes by the center township or the County Assessor.
PEAK DISCHARGE. The maximum rate of flow of water passing a given point during or after a rainfall event.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. Any parcel or group of parcels within the city on which a single building or mobile home is situated, containing up to but not more than two dwelling units. The parcel(s) may also contain accessory structure(s) such as a yard shed or garage, as allowed by city ordinances. Each and every RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY shall be assigned one ERU.
SITE OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY. Any area or facility used for manufacturing, processing, or raw materials storage, as defined under 40 C.F.R. § 122.26(a)(14) of regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as amended.
STORMWATER. The chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen which is produced from atmospheric clouds as rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
STORMWATER SYSTEM. All constructed facilities, including structures and natural watercourses under the ownership or control of the city, used for collecting and conducting stormwater to, through, and from drainage areas to the point of final outlet, including, but not limited to, any and all of the following: inlets, conduits and appurtenant features, creeks, channels, catch basins, ditches, streams, streets, culverts, retention or detention basins, and pumping stations; but excluding therefrom, any part of the system of drains and watercourses under the jurisdiction of the County Drainage Board or waters of the state.
STORMWATER UTILITY COORDINATOR. The person designated as the Stormwater Utility Coordinator.
STORMWATER UTILITY USER. The owner of a lot or parcel within the city.
STORMWATER UTILITY USER FEE. A charge or user fee authorized by I.C. 8-1.5-5 and imposed on all stormwater utility users.
SURFACE WATER. Water occurring on the surface of the land, from natural causes such as rainfall, whether falling on the land in question or flowing onto the land in question.
UNDEVELOPED PROPERTY. Property which has not been altered from its natural state by the addition of any improvements such as a building, structure, or impervious surface, change of grade, or landscaping. For new construction, a property shall be considered developed pursuant to this subchapter:
(1) Upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or upon completion of construction or final inspection if no such certificate is issued; or
(2) Where construction is at least 50% completed.
UTILITY BILLING PERSONNEL. Employees within the City Utilities Department charged with account establishment, creation, and distribution of regular invoices, and recording of charges and payments for each account, as well as related enforcement allowed within this chapter.
(Ord. 2005-9, passed 6-9-2005; Ord. 2019-25, passed on 5-13-2020)