(a) Before a permit to demolish or move a residential or commercial building is given by the Department of Building, Housing and Planning, the permit applicant shall make a deposit with the City of Lorain Division of Water in the amount of $1,000 (one thousand dollars) or in such an amount as reasonably determined by the Safety/Service Director. A permit shall not be given before the Department of Building, Housing and Planning has confirmed that the deposit has been made at the Division of Water.
For purposes of this section, “permit applicant” shall mean the real property owner, in addition to any person or entity contracted to perform the demolition or moving of a building.
(b) Upon obtaining a permit pursuant to this chapter, premises where buildings are being demolished, remodeled or moved will be inspected and tall tap branches thereto found will be disconnected by the City of Lorain from the main water line at the expense of the real property owner.
(c) When it is contemplated that water service will again be needed on the premises whereon buildings are being razed, a reasonable delay in disconnecting the service may be granted by the Director of Utilities, but in no case longer than one year.
The reasonable delay in disconnection of water service shall neither be granted if the service is smaller than the minimum allowable service nor should the Director of Utilities determine that the premises are unserviceable. The deposit as required by subsection (a) of this section shall be made regardless of a delay in disconnection is granted herein.
(d) Abandoned water services, either on vacant or improved property, discovered to be connected to the main water line, shall be disconnected from the main water line by the Division of Water and the cost of removing such taps shall be charged to the owner of the premises.
(e) Where the water has been turned off and the contract for water service has been terminated, and the contract for service is not reopened for a period of one year, the Division of Water may consider water service to the premises as abandoned and may disconnect said connection at the expense of the premises owner for the time and materials associated with disconnection.
(f) City of Lorain or other municipal owned premises may be exempt from the deposits and/or fees required by this section at the discretion of the Safety/Service Director.
(g) No person shall fail to make the deposit as required by subsection (a) herein. A failure to make the deposit required in subsection (a) is a strict liability offense. A violation of subsection (a) is a misdemeanor of the first (1st) degree, and shall be punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000 and imprisonment of no more than six (6) months in jail.
(h) Subsections (a) and (g) of this section of the Lorain Codified Ordinances shall be prospective and not retroactive in operation and application.
(Ord. 101-17. Passed 10-2-17.)