The following words, for purposes of this chapter, shall have the meaning set forth in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commercial/industrial parcel"
means any parcel which has been developed for any purpose other than as a single-family dwelling unit, duplex, multiple-family residential parcel, or condominium.
"Condominium"
shall have the same meaning as in YMC § 18.02.040.
"Impervious surface"
as defined by the current adopted city of Yelm stormwater manual along with structures.
"Multiple-family residential parcel,"
except as otherwise provided herein, means any parcel including but not limited to an apartment house, developed and constructed for occupancy by three or more families, all living independent of each other and having separate kitchen facilities for each family.
"Parcel"
means any area of land which is listed as a parcel by the Thurston County assessor, whether such parcel is publicly or privately owned.
"Single-family residential parcel"
means a parcel which has been developed and constructed for the purpose of providing a single dwelling unit for one family and which parcel continues to be used for that purpose except a qualified home occupation.
"Undeveloped parcel,"
usually referred to as a "vacant lot," means a parcel which contains no structures or substantial impervious surfaces and is not used for any residential, commercial, industrial, public, or other purpose.
(Ord. 682 § 1, 1999; Ord. 718 § 1, 2000; Ord. 801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 996 § 5, 2015)
Those certain guidelines and standards for the city entitled "Engineering Specifications and Standard Details" as published January 1995 and amended thereafter, are adopted as the official development standards for use on all development projects within the city and within city service areas, annexation areas, or planning areas to the extent that the city has the authority to require such guidelines and standards. In case of conflict between the development guidelines and other duly adopted ordinances, resolutions, or policies of the city, the provisions of the development guidelines adopted by this chapter shall prevail.
(Ord. 682 § 1, 1999; Ord. 718 § 1, 2000; Ord. 996 § 5, 2015)
A. 
Created. There is created within the funds of the city a fund known and designated as the stormwater utility fund.
B. 
Source of Deposits. All fees, service charges, and assessments collected for the furnishing of services in the management and control of stormwater or for the construction or furnishing of stormwater facilities shall be deposited in the stormwater utility fund of the city.
C. 
Expenditures. All expenditures from the stormwater utility fund shall be for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost and expense of managing and controlling stormwater, including all maintenance and operating expenses, all or any part of the cost and expense of planning, establishing, acquiring, development, constructing and improving any stormwater facilities or to pay or secure the payment of all or any portion of any issue of general obligation or revenue bonds issued for such purpose unless a separate fund is required by state law or city ordinance for such bond redemption purposes.
(Ord. 682 § 1, 1999; Ord. 718 § 1, 2000)
Subject to the rate adjustments provided in YMC § 13.10.060, the storm and surface water utility charges shall be levied upon the basis of a flat monthly "base" rate for all developed single-family residential parcels, duplexes, multiple-family parcels and condominiums; and for all other parcels a sliding rate shall be determined by measuring the amount of impervious surface area on each parcel and dividing that figure by the total area of parcel to determine the percent of impervious surface and therefore the rate category. The monthly charge shall be that amount resulting from multiplying the service charge for the rate category applicable to the parcel by the total area of the impervious surface of the parcel. The rate categories, the parameters of impervious surface for said rate categories and the monthly service charge applicable to each category shall be as follows:
Rate Category
% Impervious
Monthly Service Charges (Per Unit/Gross Acre)
2018 Rate (Effective 01/01/18 to 12/31/18)
2019 Rate (Effective 01/01/19 to 12/31/19)
2020 Rate (Effective 01/01/20 to 12/31/20)
1. Single-family or duplex
N/A
$6.75 per unit
$8.50 per unit
$10.25 per unit
2. Multiple-family
N/A
$3.38 per unit
$4.25 per unit
$5.13 per unit
3. Condominium
N/A
$6.75 per unit
$8.50 per unit
$10.25 per unit
4. Commercial/ Industrial-light
0 – 32% of site imperv.
$9.75 base rate and $3.75 per acre
$11.50 base rate and $5.50 per acre
$13.25 base rate and $7.25 per acre
5. Commercial/ Industrial-moderate
33 – 66% of site imperv.
$9.75 base rate and $4.20 per acre
$11.50 base rate and $5.95 per acre
$13.25 base rate and $7.70 per acre
6. Commercial/ Industrial-heavy
67 – 100% of site imperv.
$9.75 base rate and $6.55 per acre
$11.50 base rate and $8.30 per acre
$13.25 base rate and $10.05 per acre
The rates set forth in this section shall be effective for all stormwater utility billings rendered on or after the effective date of this chapter.
(Ord. 682 § 1, 1999; Ord. 718 § 1, 2000; Ord. 801 § 3, 2004; Ord. 1027 § 1, 2017)
The following adjustments shall be made to the rate and resulting storm and surface water utility charges:
The charges billed directly to qualifying senior citizens or permanently disabled heads of household as defined in YMC § 13.04.020, for single-family residences, duplexes and condominiums, shall, upon application of such citizen, as set forth in YMC § 13.04.320, be reduced by an amount equal to 50 percent of the charge.
(Ord. 682 § 1, 1999; Ord. 718 § 1, 2000; Ord. 868 § 4, 2007)
The city shall have a lien for all storm and surface water utility charges and penalties not paid in accordance with the provisions of YMC § 13.10.050 and may, in addition to enforcing its lien by the procedure set forth in RCW 35.67.210 through 35.67.280, enforce its lien by shutting off the city's water service to the parcel for which such storm and surface water utility charges are owing, until such charges together with applicable penalties are paid.
(Ord. 682 § 1, 1999; Ord. 718 § 1, 2000)