A. Any owner or owners of property who fail through neglect or refusal to connect a property and structure to an available sewer main as required under LMC 12.15.040 within the time specified, shall be assessed an availability charge for continued use of an interim on-site septic system.

B. All interim on-site septic systems will be allowed to remain in use only if the system is in and remains in good working order.

C. The City Manager, or the designee thereof, may order mandatory connection to an available sewer main in the event that a property owner fails to pay availability charges or fails to provide sufficient proof that an existing on-site septic system is in good working order.

D. Any owner(s) of multifamily properties with more than 10 units or mobile home parks with more than 10 units may request a one-time 50 percent reduction of the availability charge for a 12-month period after service and recording of the notice of availability. To be eligible for the reduction, the total construction cost of the sanitary sewer connection must exceed $100,000. The property owner(s) shall submit a request to the City, in writing, that includes an estimate from a licensed civil engineer proving that the total construction costs of the sanitary sewer connection will exceed $100,000. The property owner shall also submit certification from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department that the existing septic sewer system is in good working order. Construction costs shall be limited to: engineering, plan review fees, easement document development and recording, sanitary sewer extension construction, and associated restoration costs. Connection fees associated with the sanitary sewer construction shall not be included in the total construction cost calculations. Property owners that request and receive a reduced availability charge under this exception will not be granted an additional deferral of connection per LMC 12.15.090 and shall be connected to sanitary sewer no later than 10 years after service and recording of the notice of availability. Upon the City’s approval of the request the reduction shall be effective commencing the first subsequent availability charge billing cycle. A reduction request and/or subsequent approval by the City does not relieve the property owner(s) from paying the availability charge during the period between service and recording of the notice of availability and availability charge reduction approval. [Ord. 637 § 1, 2016; Ord. 551 § 1, 2012; Ord. 530 § 1, 2011.]