(a) No person shall open or use any fire hydrant connected with the City water distribution system unless written approval is provided by the Director of the Department of Public Service.
(b) A hydrant use permit may be issued for commercial use purposes at a cost determined by resolution of the Southgate Water Board and the Southgate City Council, which would include a non-refundable user fee and a deposit of the cost of the hydrant meter. The balance available in the deposit is refundable following its use, upon inspection of the hydrant meter and water usage, which fee shall be applied against the deposits. The hydrant use permit is renewable every 30 days at no additional cost. The applicant must display a copy of the permit on-site at all times. Permits may be issued only upon demonstration by the applicant:
(1) That an adequate back-flow prevention system has been installed;
(2) The use of proper fittings and hoses;
(3) A contact name and 24-hour telephone number of the entity requesting the hydrant permit; and
(4) The allocation of appropriate space for an approved Department employee to inspect hydrant sign and permit.
(c) A violation of this section shall constitute a civil infraction subjecting the violator to a fixed fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) plus a water usage charge measured by the maximum tank capacity, as well as other related expenses associated with rectifying the tampering, including labor and material expenses incurred by the City.
(1974 Code §2.31; Ord. 760. Passed 9-11-02; Ord. 19-1003. Passed 6-19-19.)