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Signal Hill Overview
Signal Hill Municipal Code
SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL CODE
PREFACE
Title 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Title 2 ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Title 3 REVENUE AND FINANCE
Title 4 (Reserved)
Title 5 BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
Title 6 ANIMALS
Title 7 (Reserved)
Title 8 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Title 9 PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
Title 10 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Title 11 (Reserved)
Title 12 STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES
Title 13 PUBLIC UTILITIES
Chapter 13.01 PUBLIC FRANCHISES
Chapter 13.03 WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Chapter 13.04 WATER SERVICE AND RATES*
Chapter 13.05 CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
Chapter 13.06 SANITARY SEWER AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE CODE
Chapter 13.08 UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
Chapter 13.10 WATER CONSERVATION IN LANDSCAPING
Chapter 13.12 COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION SYSTEMS
Title 14 (Reserved)
Title 15 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Title 16 OIL AND GAS CODE*
Title 17 TRAILER PARKS
Title 18 SUBDIVISIONS*
Title 19 (Reserved)
Title 20 ZONING
Title 21 PUBLIC DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS AND IMPROVEMENT FEES TO BE PAID BY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES
PRIOR CODE CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
ORDINANCE LIST AND DISPOSITION TABLE
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13.04.090   Meter--Failure.
   If a meter fails to register during any period, or is known to register inaccurately, the consumer shall be charged with the estimated average daily consumption as determined by the public works director, taking into account the season, and the consumption shown by the meter when in use and registering accurately.
(Ord. 596 § 2 (part), 1966: prior code § 21.04.030)
13.04.100   Meter--Testing and fee.
   Upon the written request of a consumer, accompanied by a deposit of two dollars, the department shall cause the meter serving the customer's premises to be tested. If it is determined that the meter registers less than three percent over the correct value, the deposit shall be forfeited, no adjustment shall be made in water bills theretofore presented, and the meter need not be repaired or replaced. However, should the meter over-register by three percent or more, the deposit shall be returned and a proportional deduction made in the current bill, and another meter shall be substituted for the existing meter.
(Ord. 596 § 2 (part), 1966: prior code § 21.04.075)
13.04.110   Meter–Reinstallation fee.
   If it becomes necessary to remove any water meter of a customer for violation of any city ordinance or nonpayment of water bill or for noncompliance with the cross connection regulations, the following fees shall be paid before the water meter will be reinstalled:
   Meter Size in Inches         Fee
   5/8, 3/4, 1            $15.00
   1-1/2               25.00
   2               35.00
(Ord. 68-1-613 § 2: prior code § 21.04.062)
13.04.120   Meter–Multiple services prohibited–Exceptions.
   Service of water shall not be made through a single meter on a common service to two or more parcels of property, whether or not they are separately owned; provided, however that in the event there is no main contiguous to the property for which service may be requested, the department may grant a consumer a permit authorizing him to supply water to the parcel for which service is requested. The consumer holding the permit shall be solely responsible to the city for payment of all the department's charges and any such permit may be revoked by the public works director upon thirty days' written notice. Charges for water used through such a common service shall be based on a monthly block rate for a single meter rate equal to the monthly block rate for a single meter multiplied by the number of parcels served. For example, a meter serving two parcels would be charged two minimums, and be allowed twice the consumption allowance under the minimum charge. Contiguous lots or parcels which are owned by the same consumer shall be deemed to be one parcel if all are occupied by him for business, industrial or horticultural uses. Each lot which is separately occupied for residential purposes shall be deemed a separate parcel even though owned by the same person.
(Ord. 94-10-1189 § 1: Ord. 596 § 2 (part), 1966: prior code § 21.04.090)
13.04.130   Rates establishment.
   The city council establishes the following rates for water delivered through the city's distribution system. After July 1, 2016, water service rates may be established by resolution of the city council.
   A.   Service Charge For Residential Single Family, Residential Multi-Family, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Irrigation, and Fire Meters. A monthly service charge according to the size of the subscriber’s meter, as follows:
Residential Single Family, Residential Multi-Family, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Irrigation, and Fire Service Monthly Service Charge
Current
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Proposed Revenue Adjustments
15%
15%
12%
7.5%
7.5%
Effective Date
1/1/2019
3/1/2020
1/1/2021
1/1/2022
1/1/2023
1/1/2024
Current
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Proposed Revenue Adjustments
15%
15%
12%
7.5%
7.5%
Effective Date
1/1/2019
3/1/2020
1/1/2021
1/1/2022
1/1/2023
1/1/2024
Fixed Meter Monthly Service Charge by Meter Size and Customer Type
Residential Single Family, Residential Multi-Family, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, and Irrigation
5/8
$15.05
$17.30
$19.90
$22.29
$23.96
$25.76
3/4
$15.05
$17.30
$19.90
$22.29
$23.96
$25.76
1
$38.73
$44.54
$51.23
$57.37
$61.68
$66.30
1-1/2
$85.38
$98.19
$112.92
$126.47
$135.96
$146.15
2
$147.95
$170.15
$195.67
$219.15
$235.58
$253.25
3"-9"
$331.48
$381.20
$438.39
$490.99
$527.82
$567.40
10"
$1,057.45
$1,216.07
$1,398.48
$1,566.30
$1,683.77
$1,810.06
Residential Fire Service Meters
2"
$71.15
$81.83
$94.10
$105.39
$113.30
$121.79
4"
$140.66
$161.76
$186.02
$208.35
$223.97
$240.77
6"
$211.49
$243.21
$279.69
$313.26
$336.75
$362.01
8"
$267.00
$307.04
$353.10
$395.47
$425.13
$457.02
10"
$267.00
$307.04
$353.10
$395.47
$425.13
$457.02
Business Fire Service Meters
2"
$120.32
$138.37
$159.12
$178.22
$191.59
$205.95
4"
$267.00
$307.04
$353.10
$395.47
$425.13
$457.02
6"
$267.00
$307.04
$353.10
$395.47
$425.13
$457.02
8"
$267.00
$307.04
$353.10
$395.47
$425.13
$457.02
10"
$267.00
$307.04
$353.10
$395.47
$425.13
$457.02
 
   B.   Not used.
   C.   Usage Charges. Water charges are grouped by amount used during each monthly billing period. Usage rates are based on the amount of water used as measured in "Billing Units". Each Billing Unit is 100 cubic feet. The lowest usage level is 0 - 15 Billing Units, which correlates to 0 to 1,500 cubic feet of water.
   Residential, Multi-family and Irrigation accounts are charged at two usage levels: 0 - 15 Billing Units and 16+ Billing Units. Commercial, Industrial and Institutional accounts are charged at three usage levels: 0 - 15 Billing Units and 16 - 150 Billing Units and 151+ Billing Units.
   Temporary meters attached to hydrants shall pay for water consumed at commercial rate levels.
Current
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Proposed Revenue Adjustments
15%
15%
12%
7.5%
7.5%
Effective Date
1/1/2019
3/1/2020
1/1/2021
1/1/2022
1/1/2023
1/1/2024
Current
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Proposed Revenue Adjustments
15%
15%
12%
7.5%
7.5%
Effective Date
1/1/2019
3/1/2020
1/1/2021
1/1/2022
1/1/2023
1/1/2024
Water Usage Consumption Charge per Billing Unit by Tier and Customer Type
Residential - Single Family and Multi-Family
Tier 1
0-15 Units
$2.56
$2.94
$3.38
$3.79
$4.07
$4.38
Tier 2
>16 Units
$4.08
$4.69
$5.40
$6.05
$6.50
$6.99
Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional
Tier 1
0-15 Units
$2.56
$2.94
$3.38
$3.79
$4.07
$4.38
Tier 2
16-150 Units
$4.08
$4.69
$5.40
$6.05
$6.50
$6.99
Tier 3
>151 Units
$6.01
$6.92
$7.95
$8.91
$9.58
$10.29
Irrigation
Tier 1
0-15 Units
$2.56
$2.94
$3.38
$3.79
$4.07
$4.38
Tier 2
>16 Units
$3.89
$4.47
$5.15
$5.76
$6.20
$6.66
 
   D.   Customer Deposits and Charges.
   1.   Customer Deposits. Payment of a cash deposit or some other means of securing credit established by the finance director will be required under the following conditions:
   a.   At the time of meter installation.
   b.   When a meter is turned on under the name of a new water user, regardless of property ownership.
   If a water user has had service discontinued for failure to pay, the water user shall be required to make a cash deposit in accordance with the following schedule:
Meter Size
Owner Deposit
Renter or Lessee Deposit
Meter Size
Owner Deposit
Renter or Lessee Deposit
Separately metered apartment or condominium
$40
$80
Single-family detached residence or other building:
5/8" and 3/4"
$40
$80
1"
$50
$100
1 1/2" and 2"
$60
$120
3" and larger
$80
$160
Temporary meters
$600
 
   The deposit will be refunded when a customer closes the account. Interest earned will be utilized in the water fund's operations to reduce rates.
   2.   Delinquent Service Charges. All water bills shall become due and payable on the twentieth day of the month, provided the water bills are mailed the last working day of the prior month. Upon failure of a water user to pay the water bill in full on the twentieth day of the month, the bill shall be deemed delinquent and a delinquent service charge shall be added to the bill. Delinquent service charges are applied to cover a portion of the city's costs caused by such delinquencies. It is found and determined that the charges are as follows:
      a.   Ten percent of the outstanding balance over: ten dollars.
      b.   Minimum delinquent service charge: one dollar.
      c.   Maximum delinquent service charge: one hundred dollars.
   3.   Returned Check Charge. A service charge will be made whenever a check is returned by the bank, whether it is for insufficient funds or any other reason. Returned check charges are applied to cover a portion of the city's administrative costs caused by returned checks. It is found and determined that the charge does not exceed the administrative costs incurred.
   Returned check charge: twenty dollars.
   4.   Meter Re-reads and Efficiency Checks. A service charge will be made whenever a customer requests that their meter be re-read or checked for efficiency resulting in a bench test of the meter. If the city is in error due to the meter read being incorrect, the water billing will be adjusted and the meter re-read. The service charge will be refunded. Meter re-read and efficiency check service charges are applied to cover a portion of the city's administrative costs associated with such meter re-reads and efficiency checks. It is found and determined that the charge does not exceed the administrative costs incurred.
   Meter re-read/efficiency check charge: twenty-five dollars.
   5.   Discontinued Service and Turn-On Charges. Upon failure of a water user to pay the bill in full no later than twenty days following date of delinquency, the city may, after complying with the state law on discontinuance of utility service for nonpayment, discontinue the water service and shall not again furnish water service to such a user until all previous water charges, delinquent service charges, a customer deposit, and a disconnection/reconnection service charge are paid in full. The disconnection/reconnection service charge shall apply whenever water service is discontinued for nonpayment. This disconnection/reconnection service charge is applied to cover a portion of the city's administrative costs caused by discontinuing service for nonpayment of water billings. It is found and determined that the charge does not exceed the administrative costs incurred.
   Disconnection/reconnection charge: twenty- five dollars.
   Water service will not be withheld from a new residential user because of outstanding charges on the account of the preceding residential lessee or renter.
   6.   Hang Tag Charges for Last Notification Before Shut-Off. A service charge will be made whenever a customer has been determined to be so delinquent that a water shut-off notice must be hand delivered to the customer. Hang tag charges are applied to cover the city's administrative costs associated with the shut-off notices. It is hereby found and determined that the charge does not exceed the administrative costs incurred.
   Hang tag charge: ten dollars.
   7.   Applications for Service. Applications for water connections or water service of any and all types shall be on a form provided by the city and shall be signed by the applicant, and shall include the following provision:
   Applicant understands and agrees that water supplies and pressures are subject to interruption and variation. Applicant releases city and its officers, agents and employees from, and agrees that they shall not be liable with respect to any injury or damage, whether to person or property, sustained by applicant by reason of any interruption in or variation of water supplies or pressures, whether occurring at the location for which connection or service is being applied for, or at any other location, and whether occurring with or without the fault or negligence of city officers, agents or employees.
(Ord. 2021-07-1525 § 3 (part), 2021: Ord. 2020-01-1512 § 2: Ord. 2016-05-1486 § 2: Ord. 2008-10-1390 § 1: Ord. 2006-11-1366 § 1: Ord. 2001-07-1290 § 1: Ord. 98-07-1236 § 1: Ord. 97-11-1222 § 1: Ord. 96-08-1207 § 1: Ord. 95-10-1199 § 1: Ord. 596 § 2 (part), 1966: prior code § 21.04.020)
13.04.131      Low income water discount.
   Commencing October 1, 2021, a discount of seven dollars and seventy-five cents monthly shall be applied to the residents whose monthly income meets the current standards, using the State Department of Housing and Community Development – State Income Limits posted on the city’s website and effective beginning of each fiscal year. The discount will be increased annually by the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers – Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (“CPI”) provided by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, measured from June to June. Should such index be discontinued, the city may rely on a similar index as determined by the city’s finance director. If there is a negative change in the CPI, the discount will remain unchanged from the prior year. The low income discount shall be funded exclusively from unrestricted, non-rate revenue, and the city may discontinue the low income discount if unrestricted, non-rate revenue is not available. Under no circumstances shall the city use rate revenue from water service fees or charges to fund the low income discount. An approved application must be on file with the finance department prior to the billing. Individuals shall be required to make annual application and provide proof of income and residence.
(Ord. 2021-07-1525 § 3 (part), 2021)
13.04.135   Exemptions.
   Residential Fire Sprinkler and Submeter Exemptions. Where the installation of a fire sprinkler system or a water submeter in a residential use causes an increase in the monthly water service charge, the following exemptions shall apply to Section 13.04.130(A), solely for the purposes of calculating applicable fees:
   A.   Where fire sprinklers are required by the California Building Code for new single family dwellings and duplexes, the water monthly service charge shall be based on the meter size determined by the fixture count instead of the meter size required due to the additional fire sprinkler flow.
   B.   Where the installation of submeters alone causes head losses that increases the water meter size, the monthly water service charge listed in Section 13.04.130(A) shall be based on sizing without the submeter losses. This exemption shall not reduce the fee where other factors, other than the submeter losses, cause a larger meter size to be required.
(Ord. 2012-08-1450, § 2, 2012)
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