For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADJUSTMENT. A modification in a non-residential customer’s storm water rate for certain activities that impact storm water runoff or impact the city’s costs of providing storm water management.
CITY. The City of Marshalltown.
DETACHED DWELLING UNIT. Developed land containing one structure which is not attached to another dwelling and which contains one or more bedrooms, with a bathroom and kitchen facilities, designed for occupancy by one family. DETACHED DWELLING UNITS may include houses, manufactured homes and mobile homes located on one or more individual lots or parcels of land.
DEVELOPED AGRICULTURAL PROPERTIES. A lot or parcel of real estate used as a “farm”, which may contain one or greater dwelling units and/or other building structures, but does not include undeveloped properties.
DEVELOPED PROPERTY. Property altered from its natural state by the construction or installation of a structure equaling more than 150 square feet of impervious surface, thus increasing the amount of rain water or surface water runoff.
DIRECTOR. The Director of the Storm Water Utility.
EXEMPT PROPERTY. Includes public streets, alleys and sidewalks; all undeveloped properties.
GROUND WATER. Sub-surface water or water stored in pores, cracks and crevices in the ground below the water table.
IMPERVIOUS AREA. The number of square feet of hard-surfaced areas that either prevent or resist the entry of water into soil surface, as it entered under natural conditions as undeveloped property, and/or that cause water to run off the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from that present under natural conditions as undeveloped property. This includes, but is not limited to, roofs, roof extensions, patios, porches, driveways, sidewalks, pavement, athletic courts and semi-impervious surfaces such as gravel which are used as driveways or parking lots.
NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. All properties not encompassed by the definition of residential shall be defined as non-residential. NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES shall include: single-family and duplex properties with gross area greater than two acres; apartment building properties; condominium properties; mobile home parks; developed agricultural properties; commercial property; industrial property; institutional property; governmental property; churches; hospitals; schools; transient rentals; parking lots; federal, state, county and local properties; and any other property not mentioned in the lists of properties.
OCCUPANT. The person residing or doing business on the property. In a family or household situation, the person responsible for the obligation imposed shall be the adult head of the household. In a shared dwelling or office situation, the adult legally responsible for the management or condition of the property shall be responsible.
OWNER. The legal owner(s) of record as shown on the tax rolls of the city, except where there is a recorded land sale contract, the purchaser thereunder shall be deemed the OWNER.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. All single-family and duplex properties located within the corporate limits of the city with gross area less than or equal to two acres.
STORM SEWER. A sewer, which carries storm water, surface runoff, street wash waters and drainage, but which excludes sanitary sewage and industrial wastes, other than permitted discharges.
STORM WATER. Storm water runoff, snowmelt runoff and surface runoff and drainage.
STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM. All human-made facilities, structures and natural watercourses owned by the city, used for collection and conveying storm water to, through and from drainage areas to the points of final outlet including, but not limited to, any and all of the following: conduits and appurtenant features; canals; creeks; catch basins; ditches; streams; gullies; ravines; flumes; culverts; siphons; streets; curbs; gutters; dams; flood walls; levees; and pumping stations.
STORM WATER FACILITIES. Various storm water and drainage works that may include inlets, pipes, pumping stations, conduits, manholes, energy dissipation structures, stream channels, outlets, retention/detention basins, infiltration practices and other structural components.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT. The tasks required to control storm water runoff using storm water management systems, to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, and comply with relevant state and federal regulations.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. Address the issues of drainage management (flooding) and environmental quality (pollution, erosion and sedimentation) of receiving rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, ponds and reservoirs through improvements, maintenance, regulation and funding of plants, works, instrumentalities and properties used or useful in the collection, retention, detention and treatment of storm water or surface water drainage.
STORM WATER RATE. The periodic rate applicable to a parcel of developed land, which charge shall be reflective of the service provided by the city’s Storm Water Utility. STORM WATER RATES are based on measurable parameters which influence the Storm Water Utility’s cost of providing services and facilities, with the most important factor being the amount of impervious area on each parcel of developed land.
STORM WATER UTILITY. The utility established under this subchapter for the purpose of managing storm water and imposing charges for the recovery of costs connected with such storm water management.
SURFACE WATER. Water bodies and any water temporarily residing on the surface of the ground including lakes, reservoirs, rivers, ponds, streams, puddles, channelized flow and runoff.
UNDEVELOPED PROPERTY. Land in its unaltered natural state or which has been modified to such minimal degree as to have a hydrologic response comparable to land in an unaltered natural state shall be deemed undeveloped. UNDEVELOPED LAND shall have minimal concrete pavement, asphalt or compacted gravel surfaces or structures which create an impervious surface.
USER. The owner and/or occupant of any developed property within the corporate limits of the city, and shall mean any person who uses property which maintains connection to, discharges to or otherwise receives services from the city for storm water management. The occupant of any habitable property is deemed the USER. If the property is not occupied, then the owner shall be deemed the USER.
WATERCOURSE. A natural overland route through which water passes, including drainage courses, streams, creeks and rivers.
(2013 Code, § 28-122) (Ord. 14918, passed 4-22-2013)