§ 90-160. Same—Separate connections; definitions; service charge formula for multiple use.

(a)

Each house, store, building, place of business, or residential premises which desires to have water service shall have a separate meter and be separately connected to said meter, except as hereinafter provided.

(b)

The term "residential premises" means:

(1)

A single-family apartment unit;

(2)

A single-family dwelling house;

(3)

A single-family mobile home dwelling unit.

(c)

Where a multiple residential premises is served through a master meter, the owner of the multiple residential premises shall be required to pay a base water charge for each single-family residential premises, and, in addition thereto, the owner shall also pay all charges for actual water used at the premises to be calculated based upon the current city water rate schedule as approved by the city council.

(d)

Where a multiple residential premises is served through a master meter, the bill for such water charge, shall be to the owner of the property served by such master meter.

(e)

The term "business premises" means a premises upon which a business is being conducted.

(f)

The term "multiple-business premises" means a premises upon which two or more businesses are located.

(g)

Where a multiple-business premises is served through a master meter, the owner of the multiple-business premises shall be required to pay a base water charge for each separate business location constituting said multiple business premises, whether occupied or not, located upon the multiple business premises, and, in addition thereto, said owner shall also pay all charges for actual water used at the premises to be calculated based upon the current city water rate schedule as approved by the city council.

(h)

Where a multiple-business premises is served through a master meter, the bill for such water charge shall be to the owner of the property served by such master meter.

(i)

A master meter will not be allowed to serve a multiple residential or business premises except in those instances where all of the premises of such multiple premises are under a single ownership.

(j)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a newly constructed or renovated multiple residential premises is served through a master meter, for each unit actually rented during the first two months after completion of such construction or renovation, the owner shall only be required to pay a base water charge, plus payment for any water used. Such two-month period is to begin on the date the owner makes application for a sanitation receptacle for such premises. The electric utility providing service to the premises shall be contacted each month during such two-month period by the finance director's office to verify the actual number of units having electric power on the meter reading date. Such number of units having electric power on the meter reading date shall be deemed to be units actually rented for the purposes of this section. At the conclusion of said two-month period, the owner shall be required to pay a base water charge, plus any water used above or in excess of such base charge, for all units located at the premises, whether or not such units are rented. For purposes of this section, the term "renovated multiple residential premises" means a multiple residential premises renovated to such an extent that all tenants thereof were required to vacate the premises being renovated during the renovation process.

(Code 1962, § 26-6; Code 1986, § 13-21; Ord. No. O-91-03-08, 3-25-1991; Ord. No. O-92-08-24, 8-24-1992)