The owner of single and multifamily residential property served by the city shall be charged with, and shall be personally responsible for, the water bills incurred for water service to such property. The owner of non-residential property served by the city may assign responsibility for the water bills incurred for water service to such property to the owner's tenants or lessees.
(Prior code § 27.1; Ord. 1418 § 1, 1978; Ord. 3994 § 1, 2003)
A. 
The water division shall install service connections and lay service pipes up to the coterminous of the public easement or interest in land and the property of the applicant, except in the case of improvements installed pursuant to the subdivision regulations, all of which improvements shall be the sole responsibility of the developer. Ordinarily, such service pipes shall terminate within two feet in back of a sidewalk. Where there is no sidewalk, the location of the terminal of the service pipes shall be determined by the environmental utilities director or designee based upon where a sidewalk would ordinarily be located. The responsibility of the city with respect to ownership, maintenance, and repair of any water service connections and service pipes shall not extend, in any case, beyond the terminal of the service pipes, or at the location of the coupling on the customer's water meter, if one is installed.
B. 
The size of such service connections and pipes shall be determined by the applicant by reference to the Uniform Plumbing Code. The environmental utilities director is not responsible for verifying the calculations and is not responsible for any pressure problems related to improperly sized services.
C. 
Prior to the installation of such service connections and pipes, the applicant shall pay to the city the estimated costs of installation.
D. 
The cost of installation shall be established by the environmental utilities director or designee, based upon the estimated costs of labor, materials, equipment costs and rentals, and administrative costs. Upon the completion of an installation and approving inspection of any connection, the director or designee shall refund any amounts collected with the application which exceed the actual costs.
(Prior code § 27.3; Ord. 1387 § 1, 1978; Ord. 3798 § 4, 2002; Ord. 3834 § 2, 2002; Ord. 4001 § 3, 2003; Ord. 6500 § 1, 2022)
A. 
In order that appropriate provision be made for sharing the costs of the maintenance and expansion of the raw water supply, water treatment, storage, and distribution facilities of the city by those who receive the benefits thereof, there are established connection fees to such facilities, which fees shall be imposed in addition to the service connection costs charged pursuant to Section 14.08.020. Such additional water connection fees include a "standard connection fee" and an "irrigation connection fee." The fees shall be set so that they are equal to, but not greater than, the cost of service.
B. 
The water connection fees shall be based upon the applicable "dwelling unit equivalent" ("DUE") and density assignment. The fee for one DUE shall be $9,363.00 (per LDR unit), $5,618.00 (per MDR unit), $3,636.00 (per HDR unit) and $9,363.00 (per nonresidential unit) on July 1, 2018.
C. 
The connection fee amount set forth above shall be adjusted annually on July 1st of each year by three percent or by a percentage equal to the inflation rate for the prior year for construction costs as determined by the environmental utilities director in the preceding June, whichever is greater. The director's determination of the percentage equal to the inflation rate for the prior year for construction costs shall be based upon the Engineering News Record, Construction Cost Index for the prior 12 months ending in May. The environmental utilities director shall report the amount of the adjustment in percentage terms and the dollar amount due per DUE to the city council annually at the first regular meeting of the council following the adjustment of the fee.
D. 
Except as otherwise provided, all water connection fees established by this chapter shall be payable upon issuance of a building permit. Connection fees will be determined using the amount in effect on the date of building permit issuance.
(Ord. 1387 § 2, 1978; Ord. 2090 § 1, 1988; Ord. 2953 § 2, 1996; Ord. 2981 § 2, 1996; Ord. 3309 § 2, 1998; Ord. 3952 § 7, 2003; Ord. 4608 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5485 § 1, 2015; Ord. 6100 § 2, 2019)
A. 
The standard connection fee for various types of service and applicable DUEs are based upon water service sizes required by the Uniform Plumbing Code and DUEs as shown in Section 14.08.029 for nonresidential connections and upon large lot use density categories for residential connections as defined herein. The standard connection fee shall be calculated as follows:
For all dwellings, as defined in Roseville Municipal Code Section 19.08.080(F), the connection fee shall be based upon the large lot land use density as defined within the Land Use Element of the city's general plan, the water service size as required by the Uniform Plumbing Code, and the equivalent DUEs as shown in Section 14.08.029. The minimum connection fee shall be based on a three-quarter-inch service size and the equivalent dwelling unit shall be one DUE if zoned low density residential; 60 percent of the cost of one DUE for each dwelling unit if zoned medium density residential; and, 40 percent of the costs of one DUE for each dwelling unit if zoned high density residential. Fees shall not be based on the size of the master meter to a multifamily dwelling. Multifamily dwellings shall also pay an irrigation connection fee.
B. 
For all dwellings, as defined in Roseville Municipal Code Section 19.08.080(F), that require automatic fire protection systems pursuant to Roseville Municipal Code Section 16.16.110, the increased service size will not be assessed an additional fee associated with the fire protection system requirement. Connection fees shall be based on a three-quarter inch service size and the equivalent dwelling units required by subsection A without consideration for any fire protection system required by Roseville Municipal Code Section 16.16.110.
C. 
No additional water connection fee shall be charged for facilities located within a multifamily dwelling complex that are appurtenant to the general function of the multifamily dwelling complex. Such facilities include, but shall not be limited to, community centers, recreational centers, rental offices, maintenance offices and fire systems.
D. 
Pursuant to the fee policy identified in Roseville Municipal Code Section 19.60.100, no water connection fee shall be charged for accessory dwelling units developed within existing structures.
(Ord. 2090 § 2, 1988; Ord. 3834 § 2, 2002; Ord. 4473 § 1, 2006; Ord. 4608 § 2, 2008; Ord. 5485 § 2, 2015; Ord. 5974 § 1, 2018)
Separate connections for irrigation purposes will be charged a fee based upon service size of the connection and DUEs as shown in Section 14.08.029. Separate irrigation connections shall be required on all landscape areas other than single-family dwelling units or duplexes.
(Ord. 2090 § 2, 1988; Ord. 3834 § 2, 2002)
DUEs for water connection fees are:
Service Size
DUEs
3/4 in.
1.0
1.0 in.
1.7
1.5 in.
3.3
2.0 in.
5.3
3.0 in.
11.7
4.0 in.
20.0
6.0 in.
41.7
8.0 in.
60.0
10.0 in.
96.7
12.0 in.
143.3
(Ord. 2090 § 2, 1988; Ord. 5485 § 3, 2015)
If a lot or other parcel of property has an existing connection to the public water system which was in use, and can be documented as an active account at any time preceding application for a building permit, the connection fee, as provided in Section 14.08.025, shall not be required upon issuance of the building permit; provided, however, that the permit is for a use that does not require additional system capacity.
The intent of this section is to exempt connection fees for new construction after demolition on the same site.
(Ord. 1472 § 1, 1980; Ord. 3834 § 2, 2002)
A. 
A special area water connection fee (for example, but not limited to, water pressure zone, waterline reimbursement and water benefit fees) shall be charged for each water unit connected to the city-owned public water system for infrastructure for areas of special benefit as identified and in amounts as set forth by the city council by resolution, from time to time.
B. 
For Water Pressure Zones #2 and #4, Doctors Ranch Supplemental Water Benefit Area, Foothills Business Park Annex Benefit Area, North Industrial for North Central Waterline Reimbursement, and North Urban Reserve for North Central Waterline Reimbursement, the Construction Cost Index (CCI) inflationary fee adjustment shall become effective July 1, 2013. The fee established by this chapter shall be adjusted annually July 1st beginning on July 1, 2013 by a percentage equal to the adjustment rate for the prior year for construction costs as determined by the director in the preceding June. The director's determination shall be based upon averaging the Construction Cost Index (CCI) for 20 cities and for San Francisco, as published in the Engineering News Record publication for the preceding 12 months ending in May. The resultant fee shall be rounded to the nearest dollar figure.
(Ord. 3334 § 2, 1999; Ord. 3952 § 7, 2003; Ord. 4739 § 10, 2009; Ord. 4854 § 8, 2010; Ord. 4947 § 8, 2011; Ord. 5070 § 5, 2012)
The city may refuse to install service when the environmental utilities director determines that an adequate return on capital will not be made in the immediate future, or when the environmental utilities director determines that service will not be taken in the immediate future.
(Prior code § 27.5; Ord. 1418 § 3, 1978; Ord. 3798 § 4, 2002)
The distribution system, its valves, gates, reservoirs, and all appurtenances and appurtenant properties shall be under the control of the city at all times.
(Prior code § 27.7; Ord. 1418 § 4, 1978)
It is unlawful for any person not authorized by the city to do so to tamper with any gates, valves, backflow assemblies, fire hydrants, meters, or any of the city's property accessory or appurtenant to the potable and recycled water distribution systems, to break the seal on any water meter, or to cause water to bypass any water meter.
(Prior code § 27.8; Ord. 14.18 § 5, 1978; Ord. 2668 § 1, 1993; Ord. 6500 § 2, 2022)
It is unlawful for any person, unless authorized by the city, to tap any part of the water distribution system. The environmental utilities director may authorize a person to tap a main or lateral of the distribution system by a permit issued in writing.
(Prior code § 27.9; Ord. 1418 § 6, 1978; Ord. 3798 § 4, 2002)
It is unlawful for any person to turn on or open water service for any building or premises without the prior approval of the environmental utilities director.
(Prior code § 27.10; Ord. 1418 § 7, 1978; Ord. 3798 § 4, 2002)
There shall be due and payable the following monthly charges, upon submission of the bill by the city to the owner of the property supplied with service, for all treated water measured by meters for residential, commercial, industrial and manufacturing or other purposes:
A. 
Monthly Quantity Rates. Effective July 4, 2025 and July 1, 2026, the monthly quantity rates on billings shall be as follows:
Effective
7/4/2025
Effective
7/1/2026
Potable water usage (per cubic foot)
$0.0174
$0.0181
Recycled water usage (per cubic foot)
$0.0112
$0.0117
B. 
Monthly Service Charges. Effective July 4, 2025 and July 1, 2026, the monthly service charges on billings shall be as follows:
Meter Size
(inches)
Peak Flow Rate (gallons per minute)
Effective 7/4/2025
Effective 7/1/2026
Up to 3/4
30
$31.63
$32.90
1
50
$49.47
$51.45
1-1/2
100
$94.07
$97.83
2
160
$147.59
$153.49
3
350
$317.07
329.75
4
630
$566.83
$589.50
6
1300
$1,164.47
$1,211.05
8
2800
$2,502.47
$2,602.57
10
4200
$3,751.27
$3,901.32
C. 
The total amount due and payable shall be the sum of the monthly service charge plus the quantity rate. The monthly service charge is due and payable regardless of whether water has been consumed. The service charge shall be the greater of the charge based on the meter size or flow rate, with the following exceptions:
1. 
No service charge shall be made for fire service that has backflow prevention with detector check devices approved by the environmental utilities director.
D. 
No service charge shall be made for recycled water utility back-up systems that are required for reliability only and have backflow prevention and metering approved by the environmental utilities director. This exclusion does not extend to systems that are regularly required as part of normal operation. The recycled water operation shall be responsible for water volumetric charges for these services and any costs associated with meter maintenance. For purposes of charging for treated water measured by meters:
1. 
A residential account is defined as a single metered water service which serves three or less dwelling units.
2. 
A nonresidential account is defined as a single metered water service which serves more than three dwelling units, or serves commercial, industrial, manufacturing, irrigation or other nonresidential land uses.
E. 
For single-family residential services that require automatic fire protection systems pursuant to Section 16.16.110, the increased meter size will not be assessed an additional charge associated with the fire protection system requirement. Service charges shall be based on the required service size as determined by the Uniform Plumbing Code without consideration for any fire protection system required by Section 16.16.110.
(Prior code § 27.14; Ord. 1239 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1418 § 8, 1978; Ord. 1918 § 1, 1985; Ord. 1953 § 1, 1986; Ord. 2708 § 1, 1993; Ord. 3101 § 1, 1997; Ord. 3687 § 1, 2001; Ord. 3756 § 1, 2001; Ord. 3964 § 1, 2003; Ord. 4001 § 3, 2003; Ord. 4263 § 2, 2005; Ord. 4473 § 1, 2006; Ord. 4508 § 1, 2007; Ord. 4639 § 1, 2008; Ord. 4680 § 1, 2008; Ord. 4724 § 2, 2009; Ord. 4957 § 1, 2011; Ord. 5174 § 2, 2013; Ord. 5610 § 2, 2016; Ord. 5837 § 2, 2017; Ord. 6100 § 3, 2019; Ord. 6367 § 2. 2021; Ord. 6660 § 1, 2023; Ord. 6953, 6/4/2025)
Effective on billings as of May 1, 2009, all quantity rates identified in Section 14.08.090, but not recycled water, will be subject to the water shortage surcharges and excess water use charges identified as follows when the drought stages identified and set forth in Sections 14.09.070 through 14.09.110 are declared, provided that the city manager determines that imposition of such charges is required under the identified drought stage.
Summary of Water Shortage Rate Charges
Stage
Water Use Restriction
Water Shortage Surcharge (*1)
Excess Water Use Charge (*2)
First Year of a Water Shortage
Stage 1
10%
None
None
Stage 2
20%
15%
None
Stage 3
30%
33%
25%
Stage 4
40%
45%
50%
Stage 5
50%
60%
100%
Subsequent Year(s) of a Water Shortage
Stage 1
10%
15%
None
Stage 2
20%
20%
25%
Stage 3
30%
40%
50%
Stage 4
40%
50%
100%
Stage 5
50%
75%
200%
Notes:
(*1)
The water shortage surcharge (identified hereafter) shall be added to all quantity rates identified in Section 14.08.090 as applicable, according to drought stage.
(*2)
In addition to the applicable water shortage surcharge, an excess water use charge shall be added to water rates identified in Section 14.08.090, according to drought stage.
(Ord. 2414 § 1, 1991; Ord. 3101 § 1, 1997; Ord. 4724 § 2, 2009; Ord. 5311 § 1, 2014; Ord. 5837 § 3, 2017)
The following service charges shall apply to flat rate consumers that the environmental utilities director determines are not cost effective to assign metered rates. The environmental utilities director shall conduct a water use study for consumers whom he or she determines may not be reasonably metered, and the director shall assign such consumers to an appropriate service rate level as set forth in this section. Water service rates for flat rate residential consumers shall be due and payable on a monthly basis according to the appropriate grouping set out in this section.
Effective July 4, 2025, and July 1, 2026, the flat rates on billings shall be as follows:
Nonmetered or Flat Service Charges
Effective
7/4/2025
Effective
7/1/2026
Single-family lots under 4,900 square feet; each mobile home unit not within a park maintaining its own distribution system and service; each dwelling unit of duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, unmetered apartments and other multiple living units; other detached living units; and offices and stores with less than peak use of 250 gallons per day
$52.95
$55.07
Single-family lots 4,901 to 8,900 square feet
$56.79
$59.06
Single-family lots 8,901 to 12,000 square feet
$66.39
$69.05
Single-family lots 12,001 to 15,000 square feet
$73.59
$76.53
(Prior code § 27.15; Ord. 1239 § 2, 1974; Ord. 1418 § 9, 1978; Ord. 1918 § 1, 1985; Ord. 2708 § 1, 1993; Ord. 3101 § 1, 1997; Ord. 3687 § 1, 2001; Ord. 3756, § 2, 2001; Ord. 3964 § 1, 2003; Ord. 4263 § 2, 2005; Ord. 4508 § 1, 2007; Ord. 4724 § 2, 2009; Ord. 4957 § 1, 2011; Ord. 5174 § 2, 2013; Ord. 5610 § 3, 2016; Ord. 5837 § 4, 2017; Ord. 6100 § 5, 2019; Ord. 6367 § 3, 2021; Ord. 6660 § 2, 2023; Ord. 6953, 6/4/2025)
A. 
New Construction. Except as otherwise provided in Chapter 19.60 of the Roseville Municipal Code, a water meter shall be required for all residential dwelling units for which a building permit was issued after January 1, 1992.
B. 
Installation and Location.
1. 
All water meters and metering equipment will be supplied and installed by the city upon the service premises at a location approved by the environmental utilities director.
2. 
The following charges for water meter installation shall be made:
a. 
A $75.00 labor charge for installation shall be paid by the applicant for service prior to installation. The labor charge shall be increased by the finance director as labor costs increase, as reflected in the adoption of the city's salary ordinances.
b. 
A meter supply charge shall be paid by the applicant for service prior to installation. The meter supply charge shall be equal to the per meter amount of the most recent water meter bid awarded by the city.
c. 
In addition to the direct meter supply charge, additional charges may apply for meter appurtenances as required by the environmental utilities director. This includes, but is not limited to, features required to make meter ready for remote reading.
d. 
A $75.00 water quantity charge per unit for water use during construction of residential units shall be paid by the applicant prior to meter installation. The water quantity charge shall be increased by the environmental utilities director to reflect increases in water supply rates.
3. 
All water meters shall be safely accessible to authorized employees of the city at all times for inspection, testing and reading.
4. 
The city may require a customer to relocate a metering installation, at customer's expense, if any existing water meter location becomes inaccessible or for other operational needs.
5. 
Property owners of condominium and apartment complexes are liable for costs to install meters on their property upon receipt of bill for such services.
C. 
Rights of Access.
1. 
The city shall have the right of access to the customer's premises, at all reasonable hours for any purpose related to the furnishing of water service including, but not limited to, meter reading, testing, inspection, construction, maintenance and repair of meter.
2. 
Service may be refused or disconnected if permanent safe accessibility is not provided by the customer.
3. 
Upon termination of service, the city shall have the right of access to the service premises to remove the water meter.
D. 
Customer Responsibilities. It shall be the duty of each customer upon whose premises the city has installed a water meter to ensure that such meters are not damaged, destroyed or interfered with and, in the case of any defect in any such meter, to notify the city. The customer is also responsible for keeping the meter box clear and accessible for reading and maintenance by keeping landscape and other improvements from covering or encroaching over the meter box.
E. 
Metered Water Rate. New services installed after January 1, 2002 will be placed on a metered water rate.
(Ord. 1418 § 10, 1978; Ord. 2645 § 1, 1992; Ord. 2668 § 1, 1993; Ord. 3834 § 2, 2002; Ord. 4001 § 3, 2003; Ord. 5800 § 33, 2017; Ord. 5974 § 2, 2018)
It is unlawful for any person to use the water service of another for construction purposes without first obtaining a permit from the environmental utilities director and the consent of the other person. All water service for construction purposes shall be metered as provided by Section 14.08.090, unless the environmental utilities director approves alternate measuring methods. All persons doing work on the public streets, public easements or rights-of-way, existing or proposed, shall apply for and be issued a permit prior to drawing water or obtaining service for construction purposes such as for the settling of earth, rock, gravel or dust. Service for such purposes shall be charged per rates identified in Section 14.08.090, per 100 cubic feet of water, and charged a connection charge as established by resolution adopted by the city council, as amended from time to time, per connection to a fire hydrant. Each temporary connection shall be protected against potential cross connection and resulting contamination of the water distribution system. Water meters and backflow preventors are available from the water/sewer division. Charges for use and rental of water meters and backflow preventors shall be as established by resolution adopted by the city council, as amended from time to time. The environmental utilities director, in the director's discretion, may establish related requirements for the use of all construction water and service.
(Prior code § 27.20; Ord. 1418 § 12, 1978; Ord. 2770 § 1, 1994; Ord. 3687 § 1, 2001; Ord. 3834 § 2, 2002; Ord. 5610 § 4, 2016; Ord. 5800 § 34, 2017)
All consumers, whether owners or not, shall maintain and keep in good repair the water pipes on the interior and exterior of the property served. Such persons shall not allow faucets or water closets to leak.
(Prior code § 27.22; Ord. 1418 § 14, 1978)
Any authorized agent or employee of the city, with the consent of the owner, occupant, or consumer, or pursuant to court order, shall be allowed free access at any reasonable hour to any premises where water is served for the purpose of inspecting the conditions of the water pipes or service or for the purpose of establishing the rate to be charged under the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code § 27.23; Ord. 1418 § 15, 1978)
A. 
Any person requesting the provision of water service from the mains of the city for subdivisions or any other improvement, whether residential, commercial, or industrial, in which mains, laterals or distribution systems have not heretofore been placed shall apply to the environmental utilities director. Applications shall contain plans and specifications for the proposed distribution system which shall conform to the standards and requirements of the environmental utilities director as to size, type and quality of materials and location of mains, including fire hydrants, service lines and valve boxes. If such plans and specifications are approved in writing by the environmental utilities director, the applicant may cause the water distribution system to be installed. The city may install such facilities after the applicant has deposited the estimated cost of construction with the city. The estimated cost of construction shall include the estimated costs of labor, materials, equipment costs and rentals, and administrative costs. Should the cost of construction be less than the estimate, such difference between estimated and actual cost shall be refunded to the applicant.
B. 
The environmental utilities director shall have the right to inspect all work performed and all work must be approved by the director before said mains, laterals or distribution system shall be connected to the water system of the city.
C. 
Upon acceptance of the mains, laterals or distribution system, it shall become the property of the city. The city may require, pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act and the subdivision regulations of the city, oversized capacity, in which case the city shall reimburse the applicant pursuant to the provisions of law then in effect for such oversized capacity, based on the prevailing costs of materials and labors for such work.
(Prior code § 27.30; Ord. 1418 § 21, 1978; Ord. 3798 § 4, 2002)
It is unlawful for any heating or cooling device to use water that is not recirculated. The only water added to such systems shall be limited to the purpose of making up losses in the process. Under no circumstances shall water be returned to the distribution system of the city. This prohibition shall apply to all devices for heating or cooling whether used for residential, commercial, industrial, or manufacturing purposes.
(Ord. 1418 § 24, 1978)
It is unlawful for any person to resell any water received from the system, except that a landlord may charge a tenant the amount which the landlord must pay for water.
(Ord. 2668 § 2, 1993)
A. 
Effective December 1, 2025, any qualifying household with a total income no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may apply for an up to 20% reduction on their monthly water base service charge. Applications for this reduced service charge shall be on forms supplied by the city. All information required to be given on such forms shall be supplied by the applicant on behalf of the household under penalty of perjury. This shall be known as the "Water Rate Assistance Program," as may be amended from time to time. Effective December 1, 2025, all qualifying persons who have been approved to receive the low-income service charge reduction under the Water Rate Assistance Program shall receive up to a 20% reduction on their monthly water base service charge, subject to fund availability.
B. 
Effective December 1, 2025, any qualifying household currently enrolled in the "Electric Rate Assistance Program," as authorized by Section 14.24.079 of this code, will be automatically enrolled in the "Water Rate Assistance Program."
C. 
The Water Rate Assistance Program shall be available to qualifying household which file complete and accepted applications with the environmental utilities director. A change of address terminates eligibility for the Water Rate Assistance Program provided in this section, but a new application at a new address may be made and may be allowed, if the requirements set out in this section are satisfied.
D. 
For the purposes of this section, a "qualifying household" is defined as any household with a verifiable gross household income no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and that is otherwise in compliance with all applicable requirements of this Chapter 14.08 and Chapter 14.04.
E. 
Persons will be required to periodically re-apply and certify eligibility to continue to participate in the Water Rate Assistance Program. Recertification will occur no more frequent than on an annual basis.
(Ord. 7004, 10/15/2025)