[R.O. 2011 § 705.080; R.O. 2009 § 52.20; CC 1981 § 29-52; Ord. No. 79-47, 5-16-1979; Ord. No. 10-174 § 2, 7-18-2010; Ord. No. 13-178 § 4, 9-24-2013]
No person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter or disturb any public or private sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Director of Public Works. All plans for sanitary sewer construction shall be approved by the Director of Public Works. A developer achieving Tier 1 status under the Green Point Rating System Guide established in Section 500.280(L) may make application to the Department of Public Works for the use of a Green Point Rating System Alternative to the requirements of Section 705.080 as set forth in the "Development Guide: Infrastructure Alternatives for St. Charles GPRS Projects" on file with the City Clerk.
[R.O. 2011 § 705.090; R.O. 2009 § 52.21; CC 1981 § 29-53; Ord. No. 79-47, 5-16-1979; Ord. No. 92-256, 10-21-1992]
A. 
There shall be two (2) classes of sewer building permits:
1. 
For residential and commercial service; and
2. 
For service to establishments producing industrial wastes.
B. 
In either case, the owner or his/her agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the City. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the Director of Public Works or his/her designee.
C. 
A sewer inspection fee shall be deposited with the City prior to the commencement of construction. This fee shall be charged at the rate of three hundred (300) linear feet of sewer per day. In addition to the inspection fee, the contractor shall also obtain a construction permit. This charge is not refundable. Such fees shall be in the amounts stated in Section 150.030.
[Ord. No. 22-167, 12-20-2022]
[R.O. 2011 § 705.100; R.O. 2009 § 52.22; CC 1981 § 29-54; Ord. No. 79-47, 5-16-1979]
A. 
All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any plumber, drain-layer, contractor or any other person constructing a sewer, a house or building connection or an industrial connection sewer connected to a sanitary sewer to leave such connection open, unsealed or incomplete in such manner that will permit stormwater or surface water to enter into any sanitary sewer within the service area of the Public Works Department. All such openings shall be tightly sealed at all points whenever work is not actually in progress on such sewer or connection. Failure to comply with this Section shall result in a minimum fine, per day, in the amount stated in Section 150.030.
[Ord. No. 22-167, 12-20-2022]
[R.O. 2011 § 705.110; R.O. 2009 § 52.23; CC 1981 § 29-55; Ord. No. 79-47, 5-16-1979; Ord. No. 13-178 § 4, 9-24-2013]
A. 
All connections to the sanitary sewer system must be approved in writing by the Director of Public Works.
1. 
Connection To Gravity Sanitary Sewer Main.
a. 
Connection To Sanitary Sewer Main.
(1) 
Applications for the subdivision of land into lots and the resubdivision of land, under Chapter 405, shall connect said subdivision to the public sanitary sewer system and provide a plan to the Public Works Department showing such proposed connections, including laterals.
(2) 
Laterals shall not cross a property line and must be connected to the public sanitary sewer system in City easement or public right-of-way. Where the receiving public sanitary sewer system is across the street or alley, the private lateral may extend directly across the street or alley to it. Private laterals are not to utilize public easements or public rights-of-way for distances over eighty (80) feet or to cross at diagonals beyond equivalent length. Such crossings are to be kept to a minimum. For all installations and repairs within the right-of-way, a clean-out shall be installed in the right-of-way that is located within one (1) foot of the property served, and in addition to any clean-out required by the Plumbing Code.
[Ord. No. 17-084 § 1, 4-18-2017]
(3) 
Private sewers serving two (2) or more lots are not allowed. Laterals shall not serve multiple properties beyond the property in which the lateral originates, except where otherwise allowed in this section as a common lateral. A common lateral will only be allowed for a building of same use, vertically stacked condominiums (i.e., one owned unit above a unit owned by another, all residential or commercial). For side-by-side, non-vertically stacked condominium units, each unit shall have its own lateral and each lateral shall be connected directly to the public sanitary sewer system. In all other cases, each building shall be provided with a separate lateral for each use from the building to the public sanitary sewer system as described above. Freestanding commercial leaseholds which could become outlots and any leaseholds which could become separately owned (unstacked) will each be connected separately to the public sanitary sewer system. Legally recorded consolidation of multiple properties into one (1) property is an acceptable method of eliminating non-compliant common laterals. Laterals shall be installed in accordance with the City Building Code and in a manner consistent with the City Code of Ordinances.
2. 
Exemptions.
a. 
An exemption from the requirements of Subsection (A) by the owner of land where there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship, other than financial hardship or economic cost, in the physical ability to carry out the requirements of this section by reason of the natural contour of publicly owned land at the lot or surrounding area, location of a lot or a planned sanitary sewer main extension, shall be requested in writing to the Director of Public Works.
b. 
The Director of Public Works shall investigate the exemption request and shall approve, deny or modify the request. An exemption shall not be for a period of time longer than the condition at the property that justified the exemption exists. Changes in conditions at the property may result in the Director of Public Works reviewing the exemption and revoking or modifying the exemption. An owner of land may appeal the denial of a request to the City Council. Said appeal shall be filed with the City Clerk within thirty (30) days of the date the denial is made. The City Council may affirm, reverse or modify the Director of Public Works' denial. Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted to convey or provide any property right, contract right or cause of action to a property owner regarding an exemption.
B. 
Sanitary Sewer Force Main.
1. 
Connection To Sanitary Sewer Force Main. A connection to a sanitary sewer force main shall only be permitted if an extension of a gravity sanitary sewer main is determined not to be practical by the Director of Public Works. A plan shall be provided identifying the proposed access to the public sanitary sewer system for all proposed subdivision and resubdivision of land. The connection of a lateral to a sanitary sewer force main shall be made in accordance with this Chapter and require a backflow prevention device to protect private property from sewage backup. The backflow prevention device shall be the sole responsibility of the property owner, and the City shall not be responsible for any damages that may occur as a result of the failure of the backflow prevention device. All mathematical calculations related to the design of a backflow prevention device or a private grinder pump shall be sealed by a professional engineer licensed in the State of Missouri.
C. 
Vacuum Sanitary Sewer Main.
1. 
Connection To Vacuum Sanitary Sewer Main. An application to connect to a vacuum sanitary sewer system main shall provide a plan showing proposed access to the existing public vacuum sanitary sewer system for all proposed subdivision and resubdivision of land under Chapter 405. All additional connections to existing public vacuum sanitary sewer systems shall be made in accordance with this Chapter. Extensions of the vacuum sanitary sewer main shall be reviewed and approved in writing by the Board of Public Works and Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
2. 
Vacuum Canisters. Vacuum canisters shall have a visual inspection pipe that provides for the inspection and maintenance of the sump area. The mechanical components of the vacuum canister shall be at an elevation to allow service from the surface without requiring confined space entry.
[R.O. 2011 § 705.120; R.O. 2009 § 52.24; CC 1981 § 29-56; Ord. No. 79-47, 5-16-1979; Ord. No. 94-18, 1-30-1994; Ord. No. 04-194, 8-13-2004; Ord. No. 05-52, 2-4-2005; Ord. No. 07-158, 6-8-2007]
A. 
All connections of property outside the City limits directly into the sanitary sewer shall be made in accordance with the following provisions:
1. 
Persons owning property outside City limits and desiring to connect to the sanitary sewer system of the City shall file an application with the Public Works Department. The application form shall clearly state that the user recognizes that he/she is subject to the City's sewer user ordinance and system of user charges.
2. 
Persons connecting to the sanitary sewer system shall pay such connection fees as may be established by the Board of Public Works and approved by the City Council at the time the application is filed (see Section 705.220).
3. 
The Board of Public Works shall establish regulations and guidelines for the connection to the sanitary sewer system. If the applicant meets the requirements of this Chapter and the regulations and guidelines established by the Board of Public Works, then the Public Works Department may grant the permit for connection to the sanitary sewer system.
4. 
All connections to the sanitary sewer system shall be made in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Chapter and the Plumbing Code of the City and shall be made subject to the same permits, inspections, permit fees, inspection fees and all other requirements required for connections within the City.
B. 
All connections of property outside the City limits indirectly into the sanitary sewer system, such as through another public or private party, shall be made in accordance with the following provisions:
1. 
The person desiring the connection shall first obtain the written consent of the public or private party owning the sewer facility between the City sewer system and the party desiring to connect.
2. 
The party desiring to connect shall then make application to the Public Works Department in the manner as is provided in Section 705.090 for permits to connect with the sewage system of the City.
C. 
All fees and charges shall be paid before final approval is given for connection to the sanitary sewer system.
D. 
Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed as prohibiting the City from entering into a contract, agreement or license for connections to the sanitary sewer system.
E. 
The City reserves the right to cut off or disconnect any connection made under the provisions of this Section in the event the charges or fees required by this Article become delinquent or in the event of a violation of the provisions of this Article or in the event that the Director of Public Works determines that connections made under the provisions of this Section are an unreasonable burden on the capacity and operation of the sanitary sewer system.
F. 
It is the intent of this Section that property lying within the City shall be given first consideration for connections and use of the sanitary sewer system in all cases and at all times that the Director of Public Works can determine the adequacy of the connection.
G. 
All connections into the sanitary sewer system, whether made directly or indirectly, of property located outside the City limits shall be made in accordance with the following provisions:
1. 
The owners of the land shall submit a petition for annexation of the land into the City;
2. 
The parcel of property shall be developed and used in accordance with the plans for its land use adopted by the City Council and approved by the Mayor. If no plans for its land use have been adopted and approved at the time of the application for service, then the service shall not be permitted until plans have been adopted and approved; and
H. 
Except as otherwise provided by the Mayor and City Council, the parcel of property shall be developed in accordance with City specifications and standards as though the property were within the City's limits.
[R.O. 2011 § 705.130; R.O. 2009 § 52.25; CC 1981 § 29-57; Ord. No. 79-47, 5-16-1979]
All excavations for building sewer installations shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the City.
[R.O. 2011 § 705.140; R.O. 2009 § 52.26; CC 1981 § 29-69; Ord. No. 79-47, 5-16-1979]
Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct, install or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, lagoon or other facilities intended or used for the disposal of sewage. Acceptable portable privies used on construction work may be used upon approval of the Director of Public Works or his/her designee.
[R.O. 2011 § 705.150; R.O. 2009 § 52.27; CC 1981 § 29-70; Ord. No. 79-47, 5-16-1979; Ord. No. 22-023, 2-22-2022]
Whenever any person shall desire to connect with and use any private sewer located in any public street or alley within the City, he/she shall first obtain the written consent of the party owning or controlling the premises drained by such sewer or his/her authorized agent. He/she shall then make application to the Department of Engineering in the same manner as is provided for licenses or permits to connect with the public sewers, at the same time presenting the written consent of the owners of the private sewer, which shall be left on file in the office of the Department of Engineering.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 705.160, Public Works Advisory Board Recommending Authority, consisting of R.O. 2011 § 705.160, R.O. 2009 § 52.28, Ord. No. 07-158, and Ord. No. 22-023, was repealed by Ord. No. 25-041, 5-6-2025.
[R.O. 2011 § 705.170; R.O. 2009 § 52.29; CC 1981 §§ 29.72 — 29.73; Ord. No. 79-47, 5-16-1979]
A. 
Application — Fee. Before commencement of construction of a private or individual sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the Director of Public Works or his/her designee. The application for such permit shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications and other information as are deemed necessary by the Director of Public Works or his/her designee. A permit and inspection fee shall be paid to the City at the time the application is filed according to the rate schedule referenced in Section 705.090 and set forth in Section 150.030.
[Ord. No. 22-167, 12-20-2022]
B. 
Effective Upon Completion Of Approved Installation Final Inspection. A permit for a private or individual sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works or his/her designee. He/she shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the Director of Public Works or his/her designee when the work is ready for final inspection and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within twenty-four (24) hours of the receipt of notice by the Director of Public Works or his/her designee.