For utility bills generated on and after December 1, 1998, customers shall be classified for the purposes of billing for water service as follows:
(a) 
Metered rate customers: those water customers who are receiving water through a metered water service connection.
(b) 
Retrofit customers: those customers who received a water meter on or after July 1, 1990, who were unmetered prior to July 1, 1990.
(Ord. 1946, 1998)
Rates, fees, and charges for water service furnished by the city, and any related regulations for water service, shall be established and may be amended from time to time by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 1946, 1998; Ord. 2098 § 2, 2002; Ord. 2103 § 2, 2002; Ord. 2251 § 2, 2006; Ord. 2315, 2008; Ord. 2339, 2009; Ord. 2364, 2010; Ord. 2405 § 1, 2013; Initiative Measure P, approved by Davis voters on June 3, 2014, repealed water rates back to those established by Ord. No. 2364; Ord. 2442 § 1, 2014; Ord. 2506 § 2, 2017; Ord. 2510 § 2, 2017; Ord. 2667, 10/1/2024)
Prior History: Ord. 1946, 1998; Ord. 2098 § 2, 2002; Ord. 2103 § 2, 2002; Ord. 2251 § 2, 2006; Ord. 2315, 2008; Ord. 2339, 2009; Ord. 2364, 2010; Ord. 2405 § 3, 2013; Initiative Measure P, approved by Davis voters on June 3, 2014, repealed water rates back to those established by Ord. No. 2364; Ord. 2442 § 3, 2014; repealed by Ord. 2667, 10/1/2024.
The water shortage surcharge is established to ensure the city receives sufficient revenues to recover its costs of providing water service when consumption decreases due to reductions in water use resulting from water shortages.
Effective on billings as of November 1, 2014, all metered (quantity) rates set forth in Section 39.03.045, will be subject to the water shortage surcharges provided the water shortage stages is declared by the city council, and that the city council, after a noticed public hearing and adoption of a resolution, determines to impose such charges not to exceed the surcharges under the identified drought stage in the manner set forth in the table contained herein, below. Notice required by this section shall be published notice once at least ten days prior to the date of the public hearing.
The water shortage surcharge is established in blocks of ten percent reduction targets that correlate to the demand reduction in the declared water shortage contingency stage. If the mandatory reduction in water use falls between two blocks, the rates are pro-rated accordingly.
 
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Reduction Target
20%
30%
50% or Greater
Surcharge applied to Metered Rate Charge
25%
43%
100%
For example, if a Stage 3 water shortage is declared with mandatory water use reductions imposed for that stage (up to thirty percent reduction) and that the city council, after a noticed public hearing and adoption of a resolution, determines to impose such charges then there will be an additional, up to forty-three percent, surcharge imposed on the then current rate for water meter charge.
(Ord. 2103 § 3, 2002; Ord. 2442 § 4, 2014)
(a) 
Every qualified household shall receive a discount on their monthly utility bill equal to an amount set by resolution of the city council. The program will be limited on an annual basis to two hundred fifty households who qualify under the income eligibility requirements. Staff shall report to council the progress of enrollment if and when the program is seventy-five percent subscribed.
(b) 
To qualify for the assistance program, a household must meet the following requirements:
(1) 
Single-Family Customers.
(A) 
The single-family dwelling unit must be separately metered for water usage.
(B) 
The single-family dwelling unit must be owner occupied and the owner(s) must be the customer for the utility service.
(2) 
Multifamily Households in Owner-Occupied Dwelling Units.
(A) 
Multifamily dwelling unit must be owned and occupied by the qualifying multifamily household.
(B) 
The owner-occupied multifamily dwelling unit must be within a multifamily development that is master metered. (Examples may include condominium units, or mobile or modular homes within a mobile home park.)
(C) 
The owner/landlord of the multifamily development, who is the city's utility customer, must agree in writing (i) that the total dollar value of the rate reduction shall be passed through to the qualifying household in its entirety and (ii) to administer the lifeline discount billing and payment process in accordance with the process and procedures promulgated by the city's director of finance.
(c) 
All applicants must submit to the city finance division proof of their eligibility in the CARE program to qualify. At their discretion, city staff may independently verify applicant(s) eligibility in the program.
(d) 
The total combined gross annual income (based on the number of household members) of all those residing in a dwelling unit must be at or below the amount currently in use by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program available for residential single-family occupants.
(e) 
Each household shall be required to re-qualify on an annual basis and shall submit the updated proof of PG&E CARE program eligibility to the city as part of the requalification.
(Ord. 2406 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2423 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2667, 10/1/2024)
The city water department shall install, or cause to be installed, meters on all services of users where the water use is required to be metered. The cost of such installation shall be borne by the user, except in such cases where the water service was used for commercial or industrial purposes prior to August 17, 1955. In the event that a water user shall desire to have his or her water measured and billed upon the meter rates, he or she shall make written application to the director of public works therefor. If the application is approved by the director of public works, the water department shall install or cause to be installed, a water meter, and the cost of such installation shall be borne by the user. All water meters shall become the property of the city, which shall be responsible for their proper operation and maintenance.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.205)
Where pipes are provided and installed by the water department for private fire protection, a charge will be made for time and material. Such charge shall, wherever it shall be deemed necessary to install a proportional meter, include the cost of such meter. Such services shall be used only in case of fire. If any person shall use such fire service for other than fire purposes, the water department is hereby authorized, and it shall be the duty of the finance director to collect funds to compensate for volumes of water consumed for service other than fire, and to enforce this provision by cutting off all water from the property whereon such use occurs. When water is cut off by virtue of this provision, no further water shall be served to such property until the reconnection charge is made in accordance with Section 39.02.130 of this chapter. However, the city council may, upon application of any person aggrieved by the action of the officer of the water department hereunder remit the charge or such part thereof as may appear just.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.206; Ord. 701 § 1; Ord. 713 § 1; Ord. 959 § 1; Ord. 970 § 1; Ord. 1518 § 4)
(a) 
On and after September 1, 2016, the schedule of charges for water connections shall be as follows:
Meter Size
Charge
3/4″
$ 10,362.00
1″
17,271.00
1-1/2″
34,541.00
2″
55,254.00
3″
103,612.00
4″
172,682.00
6″
345,376.00
8″
552,311.00
For any meter size not reflected on the above chart, the rate would be developed using the similar methodology at the discretion of the public works director.
(b) 
The fees provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall be paid prior to recordation of a final subdivision map, or issuance of a building permit when a subdivision map is not required unless State law requires a different time of payment.
(c) 
Commencing July 1, 2017, and on each July 1st thereafter, the charge listed in subsection (a) of this section shall be increased or decreased by the construction cost percentage increase or decrease computed from the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index for the San Francisco Area, or similar cost index for the twelve-month period ending on or about the preceding December 31st. The city finance director shall maintain a current schedule of rates and charges upon the yearly increase or decrease specified herein and shall make the same available to any interested party upon request.
(d) 
The total connection charge will be based on the proposed water meter size at the time of approval of the subdivision map, or issuance of a building permit. The rate in effect at the time of city approval of the subdivision map, or issuance of a building permit will be used for final calculation with appropriate credit given for previous payments.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.208; Ord. 674 § 1; Ord. 833 § 1; Ord. 959 § 1; Ord. 970 § 1; Ord. 1527 § 1; Ord. 1601 § 1; Ord. 1641 § 1; Ord. 1705 § 1; Ord. 1744 § 1; Ord. 1795 § 1; Ord. 1841 § 1; Ord. 1925, 1998; Ord. 2313 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2337 § 2, 2009; Ord. 2361 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2390 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2485 § 1, 2016)
(a) 
The rates to be charged for city water furnished to individual premises outside the city shall be the same as those established for premises within the city.
(b) 
In those cases where, by special agreement with the county, service is provided to areas outside the city through systems within a county service area, the rates to be charged shall be the same as city customers or as otherwise agreed to with the customer or county.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.210; Ord. 713 § 1; Ord. 833 § 1; Ord. 944 § 1; Ord. 2667, 10/1/2024)
For premises where water other than city water is normally used, and where connection to the city water system is maintained for emergency purposes only, the minimum rate shall be the monthly minimum charge as set forth in the meter rate, except in such cases whereby the city and the user have entered into an agreement to mutually supply each other water in emergencies. In such cases, no charge for stand-by service shall be made, unless called for under the agreement.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.213)
Water consumed on or after April 1, 2021, on any building or construction project requiring a building permit shall be metered and be paid for based on the current commercial water consumption rate for that calendar year:
User Classification
User Class
Unit Charge March 1, 2021
Unit Charge Subsequent Years
Construction Water
Commercial
$ 4.88/CCF
Equal to the commercial water consumption rate for that calendar year
(Code 1964 § 8-2.214; Ord. 701 § 1; Ord. 713 § 1; Ord. 959 § 1; Ord. 970 § l; Ord. 1644 § 7; Ord. 1703 § 7; Ord. 1764 § 7; Ord. 1798 § 7; Ord. 2098 § 4, 2002; Ord. 2251 § 2, 2006; Ord. 2598 § 2, 2021)
Whenever any city water is furnished premises, but the water is not connected to the dwelling, store or shop on the premises, the same rates shall be charged as if the water were connected directly to the dwelling, store, or shop on the premises.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.216)
The city council is hereby empowered to direct the director of finance to make charges for water other than or different from the rates established in this chapter, in the event that special circumstances make special charges reasonable and fair.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.503; Ord. 1133 § 1)
The director of finance may require any water user to give under oath such information as is necessary to determine the proper water rates to be made to such water user. Should such water user refuse to give such information under oath, the director of finance shall fix the rates to be charged such water user, subject to modification by the city council on application of such water user.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.217; Ord. 1133 § 1)
The director of finance shall keep a record of all rates fixed by him or her for the purpose and use of city water under the provisions of this chapter.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.218; Ord. 1133 § 1)
(a) 
For all single-family dwellings, duplexes, multiple-family units, mobile homes and other residential units, the billing shall be to the owner of the parcel as on the recorded deed, except as provided in Sections 39.02.110 and 39.02.115.
(b) 
For commercial or industrial properties, the billing may be mailed to the person specified by the owner of the parcel, and if not specified, then to the owner of the parcel.
(c) 
In the event more than one commercial or industrial occupant is served through a single meter, the billing shall be to the owner of the parcel.
(d) 
In all cased not specifically provided for above, or where the billing procedure specified above proves impractical or inconvenient, as determined by the finance director, the billing shall be to the person or persons responsible for the payment of the bill, as elsewhere specified in this article.
(e) 
The provisions of this article notwithstanding, the preexisting rates specified in advanced billings of the city finance department, mailed to customers prior to the adoption of new billing rates, shall be the effective rates for any accounts for which such advanced billings have been made.
(f) 
The city will waive interest charges on delinquent bills once every twelve months for customers who declares to the city their household income is below two hundred percent of the federal poverty line or any member of the household is a current recipient of CalWORKS, CalFresh, general assistance, MediCal, Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment Program, or California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.219; Ord. 663 § 1; Ord. 833 § 3; Ord. 1053 § 2; Ord. 1518 § 6; Ord. 2574 §§ 5, 6, 2020)
(a) 
Single-family residence. Liability for charges under this article shall commence with respect to new single-family residences upon occupancy or issuance of a temporary occupancy permit by the city building official, whichever first occurs, and prior to actual occupancy, billing shall be bimonthly in advance.
(b) 
Multiple buildings include duplexes. Liabilities for charges under this article shall commence with respect to new multiple buildings upon occupancy of any unit or the issuance of a permit for temporary occupancy of any unit by the city building official, whichever first occurs.
(c) 
Commercial and industrial buildings. Liabilities for charges under this article shall commence with respect to new commercial and industrial buildings upon occupancy or the issuance of a permit for temporary occupancy of any unit by the city building official, whichever first occurs. At such time, the meter shall be read and billing started on a metered basis in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(Code 1964 § 8-2.303; Ord. 663 § 2; Ord. 1053 § 3; Ord. 1518 § 7)
Each consumer shall be liable to the city in the amounts determined by application of the rates and charges as set forth in this chapter with respect to each building, structure, premises or parcel of land owned by each consumer during any and all times that a connection into the water system owned and operated by the city is available thereto. Once liability has attached to any consumer, such consumer shall continue to be so liable until an affidavit has been delivered to the director of finance declaring that such consumer is no longer the owner of the building, structure, premises or parcel of land giving rise to such consumer's liability.
(Code 1974 § 8-2.411; Ord. 1133 § 1)
In addition to any other liability specified, any person who violates any section or provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of no more than fifty dollars for a first violation; fifty dollars for a second violation of the same section within one year; and one hundred dollars for each additional violation of the same section within one year.
(Ord. 835 § 1; Ord. 1133 § 1)
(a) 
The remedies provided herein shall be in addition to all other remedies authorized by law, and the enumeration of certain remedies shall not preclude the application of any other remedies not herein enumerated.
(b) 
All bills shall become due and payable on the 28th day of each calendar month and shall become delinquent thereafter, if not paid.
(c) 
The charge imposed by this article shall be a civil debt owing to the city from the person responsible for its payment, and the city may institute action in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect such debt, together with applicable penalties, interest, costs and other expenses.
(d) 
The basic penalty for nonpayment of the charges within the time and in the manner prescribed herein shall be ten percent.
(e) 
The city shall include a statement on its bill to each property owner in substantially the following form:
"Charges for water services and facilities shall constitute a lien against the lot or parcel of land against which the charge is imposed if said charges remain delinquent for 60 days."
Pursuant to such notice, such charges shall become a lien against the lot or parcel of land against which the charges were imposed if such charges remain delinquent for a period of sixty days. The city shall cause to be recorded with the county recorder all such delinquent charges at least every six months, and when so recorded, such charges shall have the force, effect and priority of a judgment lien and continue for three years from the time of recording unless sooner released or otherwise discharged.
(Ord. 1053 § 4; Ord. 1133 § 1; Ord. 1518 § 8; Ord. 2560 § 4, 2019; Ord. 2574 § 7, 2020)
When any refund becomes due and owing by virtue of action of the city council or by virtue of any error made in ascertaining the charge applicable to any customer, the city's finance director is authorized to make such refund and to expend such public money from the specific fund established for the deposit of water service and use charges.
(Ord. 1053 § 4)