The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Benefitted property
means an improved parcel, lot or tract to which drainage service is made available.
Drainage
means bridges, catch basins, channels, conduits, creeks, culverts, detention ponds, ditches, draws, flumes, pipes, pumps, sloughs, treatment works, and appurtenances to those items, whether natural or artificial, or using force or gravity, that are used to draw off surface water from land, carry the water away, collect, store, or treat the water, or divert the water into natural or artificial watercourses.
Drainage system
means the drainage owned or controlled in whole or in part by the city and dedicated to the service of benefitted property, including provisions for additions to the system.
Impervious area (or impervious surface)
means a surface that has been compacted or covered with a layer of material so that it is resistant to infiltration by water and does not have a natural state of vegetative cover. Impervious areas include, but are not limited to, compacted soils with a surface treatment, gravel or crushed stone surfaces, asphalt or concrete pavement, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and private roadways, and buildings, and other man-made structures, surfaces, or uses that change the natural surface of the land and have the effect of increasing, concentrating, or otherwise altering runoff.
Improved parcel
means a lot or parcel that has been changed from its natural state by construction of a structure or other improvement on it that causes an impervious surface or coverage of the soil on the property.
Owner
means the person(s) or entity(ies) recorded as the owner of a parcel as recorded in the records of the Tarrant County Appraisal District.
Parcel
means one or more lots or tracts, or portions of lots or tracts.
Residential property
means an improved parcel upon which not more than four dwelling units are constructed.
(Ordinance 3594, § 4, adopted 8/26/2019)
The City of North Richland Hills, Texas Municipal Drainage Utility System was established within the boundaries of the city, by Ordinance No. 1741 after notice and hearing as required by state law, and declared to be a public utility.
(Ordinance 3594, § 4, adopted 8/26/2019)
A schedule of drainage charges is hereby levied against all real property lying within the city of North Richland Hills, Texas, subject to drainage charges under Subchapter C of Chapter 552 of the Texas Local Government Code. The schedule of drainage charges is set forth in Appendix A - Fee Schedule of the City of North Richland Hills Code of Ordinances.
(a) 
Basic drainage charge. The rates set forth herein are calculated on a basis of a drainage charge per Equivalent Residential Unit ("ERU") per month. Runoff coefficients and corresponding rates per acre for various land uses may be modified by the city council from time to time by a modification of said Basic Drainage Charge. The Basic Drainage Charge and associated cost per acre of impervious land per month is located in Appendix A - Fee Schedule.
(b) 
Single-family residential (R1, R2, R3, R-4-D, R-6-T, and R-8). The city council finds that the single-family residential lots within the City of North Richland Hills, Texas will be charged at a monthly rate per platted lot based on their zoning when a building exists on the platted lot. The charge per lot is based on the basic drainage charge. A table of the associated charges is located in Appendix A - Fee Schedule.
(c) 
Other lots. Except as provided by subsection (e) below, all other lots, tracts, and parcels of land within the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, shall be charged monthly on the basis of the acreage contained in said lot, tract or parcel of land, and the use made of such property, in accordance with the associated schedule of drainage charges, located in Appendix A - Fee Schedule, which are hereby levied against all such remaining lots, tracts and parcels of land within the City of North Richland Hills, Texas.
(d) 
Unplatted tracts. All unplatted tracts, platted lots with other than residential zoning, or parcels of land which have solely a residential use are to be charged a drainage fee the same as a platted lot zoned R1 with a house on it. The rate per R1 use shall apply for each residential house which exists on the tract or parcel of land. If in the option of the city the tract or parcel contains an above average amount of impervious cover, an analysis of the tract can be conducted to determine the accurate runoff coefficient for the property. The rate for each such case will be adjusted in accordance with the analysis.
(e) 
Properties exempted from paying a drainage charge as described in this ordinance are the following:
(1) 
Property with proper construction and maintenance of a wholly sufficient and privately owned drainage system.
(2) 
Property held and maintained in its natural state, until such time that the property is developed and all of the public infrastructure constructed has been accepted by the city.
(3) 
Subdivided lots, until a structure has been built on the lot and a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the city.
(4) 
Property owned by the City of North Richland Hills, Texas.
(f) 
Billing for the charges described in this Article IX shall be monthly and included on the utility billing for water and sewer services.
(Ordinance 3594, § 4, adopted 8/26/2019)
The city council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, may change, adjust, and readjust the rates and charges established herein for drainage services from time to time by ordinance, in accordance with Chapter 552 of the Texas Local Government Code.
(Ordinance 3594, § 4, adopted 8/26/2019)
By adoption of Ordinance No. 1741, and this Ordinance, the city makes no representation that all of the city's drainage problems will be remedied; and the city council is given full discretion in establishing the time and quantitative priorities in expending funds on a reasonable basis as the same becomes available to meet the drainage needs of the city. The adoption of this article shall not be construed to relieve private land owners, developers or other individuals or entities from providing drainage improvements pursuant to the ordinances of the city and the laws of this state which relate to drainage or drainage improvements. Further, the city does not waive any immunity granted under any law.
(Ordinance 3594, § 4, adopted 8/26/2019)
The city council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, may by subsequent ordinance, adopt rules for the operation and conduct of the North Richland Hills Municipal Drainage Utility System, including exemptions, if any, from the drainage charges levied therein, consistent with its authority and state law.
(Ordinance 3594, § 4, adopted 8/26/2019)