Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw No. 396 (Consolidated) — full text

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 0c728ae55178 · verified 2026-06-08 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

Sewer-Connection-and-Rental-Charges---Consolidated--Version-Aug-2023" municipality_ids: - gx-000158 content_type: "application/pdf" captured_at: "2026-06-08T05:38:58+00:00" normalize_method: "pdf-pymupdf" normalize_version: "0.2" needs_ocr: false char_count: 28408 --- THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF WHITE ROCK BYLAW 396 A Bylaw to regulate connections to sewers and drains and to impose sewer connection and rental charges. CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY DISCLAIMER: THIS BYLAW IS A CONSOLIDATION OF THE BYLAWS AMENDING CITY OF WHITE ROCK ZONING BYLAW NO. 1591. EFFORTS ARE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THIS CONSOLIDATION IS CURRENT AND ACCURATE HOWEVER ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. ORIGINAL BYLAWS SHOULD BE CONSULTED FOR ALL INTERPRETATIONS AND APPLICATIONS OF THE BYLAW REGARDING THIS SUBJECT. Consolidated as of January 2026 TABLE OF CONSOLIDATION Bylaw No. Date of Adoption Amendment No. Purpose of Amendment 505 December 28, 1972 1 Amends Schedule B 579 1975 2 Amends Sections 1, 3, 17, 18 and Schedule B 645 1976 3 Amends Schedule B 787 February 9, 1981 4 Amends Schedule B 922 April 11, 1984 5 Amends Sections 1, 5, 15, 17, and 18-23 1193 November 27, 1989 6 Section 5 replaced 1307 1992 7 Amends Schedule B 1356 1993 8 Amends Schedule B 1389 1994 9 Amends Schedule B 1424 March 27, 1995 10 Section 5 replaced 1439 May 8, 1995 11 Amends Schedule B 1490 May 13, 1996 12 Amends Schedule B 1520 May 12, 1997 13 Amends Schedule B 1559 May 11, 1998 14 Amends Schedule B 1588 May 3, 1999 15 Amends Schedule B 1742 May 10, 2004 16 Amends Schedule B 1786 April 24, 2006 17 Amends Schedule B 1811 May 7, 2007 18 Amends Schedule B 1840 May 5, 2008 19 Amends Schedule B 1868 May 4, 2009 20 Amends Schedule B 1885 May 3, 2010 21 Amends Schedule B 1939 May 9, 2011 22 Amends Schedule B 1972 May 14, 2012 23 Amends Schedule B 2011 February 4, 2013 24 Amends Section 5 and Schedule B 2047 January 13, 2014 25 Section 5 and Schedule B 2085 May 11, 2015 26 Section 5 and Schedule B 2139 May 9, 2016 27 Schedule B 2245 April 23, 2018 28 Schedule B 2295 May 13, 2019 29 Schedule B Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 2 2327 March 9, 2020 30 Schedule B 2406 December 13, 2023 31 Section 5 2464 May 1, 2023 32 Schedule B 2488 January 15, 2024 33 Schedule B 2529 January 27, 2025 34 Schedule B 2563 January 12, 2026 35 Schedule B Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 3 WHEREAS it is expedient that all land or real property within the City, which is capable of being drained into a sewer or drain, should be so connected as soon as possible. AND WHEREAS it is necessary to impose a sewer connection charge to defray the cost of laying connecting pipes from sewers to land on which buildings or structures are situate, and also to charge a sewer rental where a sewer connection has been installed to the property. AND WHEREAS the Council is empowered in that regard by sections 531 and 532 of the "Municipal Act". NOW THEREFORE the Council ENACTS as follows: 1. In this Bylaw, unless the context otherwise requires: "City" means the City of White Rock. "Collector" means the Collector duly appointed by the Council under section 366A of the "Municipal Act". "Council" means the City Council of the Corporation of the City of White Rock. "Flush" shall include "urinal". "Owner" shall include an agent duly authorized in writing by the owner to act on his behalf. "Owners Drain Connection" means a pipe including manholes and other appurtenances therewith laid on private property for the purpose of collecting the discharge from all roof drains, property drains and rainwater runoff thereon and conveying the same to and discharging the same into a drain connection of the City's storm drainage system at the property line. (Amended by Bylaw No. 579) "Owners Sewer Connection" means a pipe including manholes, inspection chambers and other appurtenances therewith laid on private property and connecting the sanitary services installed in a house or building with a sewer connection of the City's sewerage system at the property line. (Amended by Bylaw No. 579) "Sanitary services" shall include bath tubs, laundry tubs, kitchen sinks, hand sinks, toilets, water closets, shower baths and foot baths. "Sewer" includes any sanitary sewer installed for the collection, conveyance and disposal of sewage or storm sewer installed where the impounding, conveying and discharging of surface and other waters upon, or under, any public street, lane, right-of-way, or easement, which sewer is owned or maintained by the City whether laid by it or any other person. (Amended by Bylaw No. 922) "Sewer connection" means the sewer connecting pipe from the property line along any street, lane, right-of-way, or easement, to the sewer, which connection is Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 4 owned or maintained by the Council whether laid by it or any other person whomsoever. "Superintendent" means the Superintendent of Public Works duly appointed by the Council. 2. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the Collector shall have charge of the rating of all buildings and premises served by the sewerage system, and the Superintendent shall have charge and control of all properties and works in connection with the aforesaid system, and of all engineering and mechanical work in connection therewith. 3.(a) The owner of every parcel of real property on which a building or structure is situate shall connect his building or structure to the appropriate sewer in the manner prescribed in this bylaw. (Amended by bylaw No. 579) 3(b) Every person who makes application for a building permit to authorize the erection, construction or the placing of any building or structure upon any parcel of land, shall concurrently with such application make application for the installation of a sewer connection in pursuance of Section 5 of this bylaw. (Amended by bylaw 579) 3(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5 and 6 hereof, where any new building or structure, having the same service requirements as the sewer connection provided thereto, is erected or placed on any parcel of land to which a sewer connection has been provided and the connection charge set out in Section 5 hereof has been paid in full and where the owners service connection has been stopped up in pursuance of the provision of Section 17(e) of this bylaw, and if such owners service connection and service connections are of adequate capacity and grade to adequately serve such new building or structure by gravity flow, the said owners service connection may be unstopped or reconnected to the service connection upon applications by the owner and upon payment of charge of Twenty-Five ($25.00) dollars. (Amended by bylaw 579) 3.(a) In the event of any owner failing to connect his building or structure to the appropriate sewer within thirty days of being called upon in writing by the Superintendent to do so, the Superintendent may have the work done at the expense of any such owner and the City may recover the expense thereof with interest at the rate of six per centum per annum, with costs in like manner as municipal taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any owner failing to connect his building or structure to the appropriate sewer within the aforesaid period of thirty days shall be liable to the penalties provided by this bylaw. 4.(b) The notice required to be given in this section shall be sufficiently given if sent by double registered mail to the owner at the address shown as the owners on the last revised Assessment Roll of the City. 5. All applications for the installation of a sewer connection shall be made by the owner to the City in the form contained in Schedule "A" to and forming a part of this Bylaw. The owner shall tender with his or her application a connection fee for each connection, as set out by the City's current Fees and Charges Bylaw. Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 5 Following such payment, the applicant shall receive a sewer connection from the appropriate sewer to the street line or boundary of the applicant's property; except that where the distance from the nearest sewer, from which service can be given, to the boundary line of the applicant's property exceeds 50 feet, the sum payable for such connection shall be the actual cost of the work plus 10% thereof; and the difference between the actual cost of the work plus 10% thereof and the connection fee paid with the application shall be paid forthwith by the owner and before connection is made at the property line. (Amended by Bylaw 2406) "All applications for the installation of a sewer connection shall be made by the owner to the City in the form contained in Schedule "A" to and forming a part of this bylaw. The owner shall tender with his or her application a connection, cap-off and inspection fee of $4,000.00 for each connection. Following such payment, the applicant shall receive a sewer connection from the appropriate sewer to the street line or boundary of the applicant's property; except that where the distance from the nearest sewer, from which service can be given, to the boundary line of the applicant's property exceeds 50 feet, the sum payable for such connection shall be the actual cost of the work plus 10% thereof; and the difference between the actual cost of the work plus 10% thereof and the $4,000.00 fee paid with the application shall be paid forthwith by the owner and before connection is made at the property line." (Amended by Bylaw 2085) "All applications for the installation of a sewer connection shall be made by the owner to the City in the form contained in Schedule "A" to and forming a part of this Bylaw. The owner shall tender with his or her application a connection fee of $3,000.00 and an inspection fee of $150.00 for each connection. Following such payment, the applicant shall receive a sewer connection from the appropriate sewer to the street line or boundary of the applicant's property; except that where the distance from the nearest sewer, from which service can be given, to the boundary line of the applicant's property exceeds 50 feet, the sum payable for such connection shall be the actual cost of the work plus 10% thereof; and the difference between the actual cost of the work plus 10% thereof and the $3,000.00 connection fee paid with the application shall be paid forthwith by the owner and before connection is made at the property line." 1 6. The connection fee specified in section 5 aforesaid shall entitle the owner to one ordinary sewer connection, of such size as shall be approved by the Superintendent, for the service of any single house or premises. If more than one connection is required the cost of such additional connections shall be paid by the owner on the basis of the actual cost of the work plus ten per cent (10%). 7. All applications for the installation of a drain connection, other than an ordinary house sewer connection, to a storm-drain shall be made to the Collector by the owner, who shall at the time of application deposit with the Collector a sum estimated to be the cost of providing such services as determined by the Superintendent, and as soon as convenient after the receipt of such sum, the Superintendent shall provide and lay such drain connection. If the cost of providing and laying such drain connection be less than the amount so deposited, the Collector shall repay to the owner the difference between such amount and the amount so deposited, and, if such cost shall exceed the amount so deposited, the owner shall pay such excess forthwith and before the connection is made. 1 Amendment Bylaw, 2013, No. 2047 Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 6 8. No work of any kind connected with the sewerage or drainage systems, either for laying new or repairing of old services shall be done upon or under any streets or lanes in the City by any other than the employees or agents of the Council. 9.(a) No person shall make any connection or communication whatsoever to any public or private sewer main or storm drain in the City without first obtaining the consent of the Superintendent. 9. (b) No connection shall be made to any public or private sewer unless the existing plumbing intended to be connected is vented in accordance with the City's Plumbing bylaw. 10. All sewers from houses or other buildings and from private property shall be constructed by and at the expense of the owner or applicant in accordance with the Council's specification as set out in Schedule "C" to this bylaw. For an ordinary dwelling house having one bath, one toilet, and kitchen services, or any of them, the internal diameter of the sewer shall be not less than four (4) inches. Where any house or other building or private property contains a greater number of sanitary services than aforesaid, the sewer shall be of such greater internal diameter as may be specified by the Superintendent. 11. The owner shall notify the Superintendent when any sewer connection or other work carried out under the provisions of this bylaw is ready for inspection and no sewer connection or such other work shall be covered until it has been inspected and approved by the Superintendent. If any such sewer connection or other work has been covered without first having been inspected and approved by the Superintendent, the owner shall when requested by the Superintendent, have such sewer connection or other work uncovered forthwith so that it may be inspected. If such connection or other work is found to be defective or not ready for inspection at the time of the aforesaid notification to the Superintendent, a further notice for inspection must be made to the Superintendent by the owner together with payment of a fee of Five Dollars ($5.00) to cover the costs of extra inspection. 12. (a) All properties which are connected to the sewer shall be classified in accordance with Schedule "B" to this bylaw. 12. (b) The annual rental set out in Schedule "B" is hereby imposed and levied for such connections supplied by the Council and such annual rental shall be payable at the office of the Collector on the second day of January in each year and shall form a charge on the real property to or upon which the sewer connection is supplied and may be recovered in the same manner as overdue taxes. Any building or property which contains more than one of the classifications enumerated in Schedule "B" shall be charged for each such classification contained within the building or property. 13. In the case of any property which is connected to the sewer after January 1st in any year, the rental to be charged for that year in accordance with Schedule "B" to this bylaw shall be a proportionate amount of the full annual rental based on the number Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 7 of full months remaining in that year. 14. No charge or addition shall be made by any person in the number or description of sanitary services on any premises until notice thereof has been given in writing to, and permission for such change or addition has been obtained from the Superintendent; and, if such change or addition shall occasion a higher rate or rent to be payable, the same shall be paid forthwith, and, if such change shall occasion a lesser rate or rent to be payable, a refund shall be made for a proportionate part of the rate or rent, if previously paid. 15. (a) When any sewer connection has become stopped, application to have it unstopped shall be made by the owner to the Superintendent and the owner shall forthwith deposit with the Collector the sum of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) which shall be deemed to be not a contract price but merely a provisional charge. The charge for unstopping shall be the actual cost of the work, plus ten percent (10%) thereof and if such charge is less than the sum deposited the Collector shall refund the balance, but if such charge is more than the sum deposited the owner shall pay the additional amount forthwith. 15. (b) In cases where on examination it is estimated that the charge for unstopping and repairing will be in excess of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) the Superintendent may, before proceeding with the work, demand a deposit of such additional amount as he considers necessary to cover the estimated charge. 15. (c) The Superintendent may direct the return of the deposit to the owner and charge the cost of the work to the Corporation if it is found that the stoppage is due solely to roots originating from trees on City property, or in cases of municipally installed house sewer extensions, or for any other cause for which, in the opinion of the Superintendent, the Corporation may be responsible. 15. When any sewer connection or house sewer extension has become stopped and the Medical Health Officer states that a menace to public health exists by reason thereof, and the owner of the premises served is unable to furnish the deposit required under Section 15(a) of this bylaw, or to meet the consequent charges for unstopping and repairing, the owner may sign a statement to that effect and agree to have the said cost of unstopping and repairing charged against the property and collected as ordinary taxes; and thereupon the Superintendent may carry out such unstopping and repairing, the cost thereof, together with the description of the lot, shall be certified by the Superintendent who shall file such certificate with the Collector, and the amount of such cost shall be added to the taxes of such premises on the Collector's Roll, and shall be collected in the same manner as overdue taxes. 16. (a) No person shall connect any roof, drain, property, drain, rainwater runoff or owners drain connection or other part of the City's Sewerage System, or drain or permit to be drained into the said sewerage system any storm water or surface drainage water. (Amended by bylaw 579). No person shall connect any roof, drains, property drains or rainwater run-off in any way to the sewerage system, or drain or permit to be drained into the sewerage Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 8 system, any storm water or surface water. 17. (b) No person shall connect any owners sewer connection or any sanitary service installed in a house or building with a drain connection or other part of the City's Storm Drainage System or drain or permit to be drained into the said storm drainage system any sewage or contaminated water. (Amended by bylaw 579). No person shall permit sludge or deposit contained in existing septic tanks to enter the sewer system of the Corporation. Whenever sewer connection is made to premises where a septic tank exists the owner must forthwith discontinue using the septic tank and either (a) remove and dispose of all sludge or deposit and dismantle and remove the said tank; or (b) fill the tank with fresh earth, gravel or sand or coal ashes. 17. (c) No person shall permit sludge or deposit contained in any existing septic tank to enter into or be discharged into either the City's sewage system or the City's storm drainage system. Where any connection to the City's sewerage system is made to premises on which a septic tank installation exists, the owner thereof shall forthwith discontinue use of the septic tank and either: i. Remove and dispose of all sludge and deposit in said septic tank and dismantle and remove the said tank; or ii. Remove and dispose of all sludge and deposit in said septic tank and fill the same with fresh earth, sand, gravel or coal ashes. (Amended by bylaw 579) 17.(d) Every owner of every parcel of real property on which any building or structure is situated and which is connected to a sewer connection of the City's Sewerage System shall maintain and keep in repair the owner's sewer connection and all sanitary services discharging therein so that no storm water or surface drainage or other extraneous drainage may enter therein and shall at all times insure that only the domestic sewerage generated on the said premises shall be discharged into the City's sewerage System. (Amended by bylaw 579) 17.(e) In all cases where an owner's sewer connection is interrupted for any reason, other than for the purpose of carrying out repairs thereto, and in all cases where the building or structure served by any owners sewer connection is destroyed, torn down, or removed from the site, the owners sewer connection serving the same shall be stopped-up and sealed at the property line in order to prevent the entrance of drainage water into the sewer connection and every such owner shall forthwith notify the Superintendent and shall call for an inspection thereof in conformity with the provision of Section 11 of this bylaw. (Amended by bylaw 579). 18.(a) The Superintendent or any employee in the Public Works Department may enter at all reasonable times, upon any property for the purpose of inspecting the premises and the sewer and drainpipes, connections, sanitary services and any other apparatus used in connection with such sewerage or drainage systems. (Amended by bylaw 579) 18.(b) The Superintendent may, for the purposes of determining the state of repair and the condition of any owners sewer connection and ascertaining whether or not the provisions of Section 17 hereof have been complied with may perform tests on the said Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 9 connection and without restricting the generality of the foregoing, ay perform smoke tests, dye tests, closed circuit television camera tests and examination of other generally accepted engineering method for determining the condition of sewer mains and for determining the degree of infiltration of drainage water thereinto. (Amended by bylaw 579) 18.(c) Where any test carried out by the Superintendent shall indicate, to his satisfaction, that the owner's sewer connection is in a state of disrepair, or that there is infiltration of drainage water thereinto in excess of the quantity permitted under generally accepted good engineering practice or that any roof drain, property drain, rainwater runoff or owners drain connection is discharged thereinto, the Superintendent may by notice in writing addressed to the owner or occupier of the property, order the said owner or occupier to repair or otherwise remedy the owner's sewer connection so that it shall conform in all respects to the requirements of this bylaw to the satisfaction of the Superintendent within thirty (30) days from the date of the said notice and the said notice carry out and complete the works necessary to make the said owner's sewer connection conform to the requirements of this bylaw. (Amended by bylaw 579) ) 18.(d) Every such owner or occupant shall notify the Superintendent when the owner's sewer connection subject to an order pursuant to subsection (3) hereof has been repaired or otherwise made to conform to the requirements of this bylaw and the Superintendent shall inspect the same and satisfy himself that the said connection is in conformity with all requirements of this bylaw and the notice given. The Superintendent may carry out such further tests and examinations as he may deem necessary in order to determine the condition of the said connection. If such tests and examination shall indicate that the works carried out have not resulted in the said connection meeting all requirements of the order and this bylaw the Superintendent shall issue a further order for the repair or renovation of the said connection and the owner of occupier shall pay costs in the sum of Twenty-five ($25.00) Dollars for every additional inspection examination and test carried out by the Superintendent thereafter. (Amended by bylaw 579) 18.(e) Where any owner or occupier fails or neglects to carry out the works required to make the owner's sewer connection conform to the requirements of this bylaw and the order given by the Superintendent within the time specified in such order or such further order given by the Superintendent he shall be guilty of an infraction of the provisions of this bylaw and liable on summary conviction thereof to the penalty hereinafter provided. (Amended by bylaw 579) 18.(f) Where any owner or occupier fails or neglects to carry out the works required to make the owner's sewer connection conform to the requirements of this bylaw and the order given by the Superintendent within the time specified in such order it shall be lawful for the Superintendent together with such workmen or agents employed by the City to enter upon the said property and to carry out and complete the works required to make the said owner's sewer connection conform in all respects to the requirements of this bylaw and the said work shall be done at the expense of the owner of the said property and the costs thereof shall be recovered by the Corporation in the manner provided by Section 236 of the "Municipal Act" Chapter 255, R.S.B.C. 1960 as amended." (Amended by bylaw 579) Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 10 19. No rebate, refund or credit whatsoever of any moneys paid or payable for service shall be made save as hereinbefore provided. 20. No owner of any property shall connect or drain, or attempt to connect or drain, or allow to be connected or drained such property with or into the sewer connection, sewer systems or drainage system otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this bylaw. 21. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this bylaw shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and costs for each offence. 22. The "Sewer Connection and Rental Charge Bylaw, 1959, No. 60"; the "Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Amendment Bylaw, 1959, No. 71"; and the "Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1959, No. 60, Amendment Bylaw, 1961, No. 111" are hereby repealed. 23. This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the "Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396". RECEIVED FIRST READING on the 13th day of June, 1970 RECEIVED SECOND READING on the 13th day of June, 1970 RECEIVED THIRD READING on the 13th day of June, 1970 RECONSIDERED AND FINALLY ADOPTED on the 27th day of June, 1970 ___________________________________ MAYOR ___________________________________ CITY CLERK THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF WHITE ROCK BYLAW 396 SCHEDULE "A" Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 12 THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF WHITE ROCK BYLAW 396 SCHEDULE "B" Replaced by2Bylaw 2563 ANNUAL RENTAL (1) Each Single-Family Home $ 415 (2) Each Self-contained Suite 415 (3) Motel (for each unit) 437 (4) Hotels, Rest Homes and Lodging Houses (for each two sleeping rooms or fraction thereof) 437 (5) Liquor outlets (for each flush) 437 (6) Public Recreational Centres and Public Halls (for each flush) 437 (7) Commercial and business establishments (for each flush) 437 (8) Peace Arch District Hospital (per available bed) 415 (9) Schools (for each flush) 437 (10) Coin-Operated Laundries (for each machine) 267 2 Schedule B replaced by bylaws: 505, 579, 645, 787,1307, 1356, 1389, 1439, 1490, 1520, 1559, 1588, 1742, 1786, 1811, 1840, 1868, 1885, 1939, 1972, 2011, 2047, 2085, 2139, 2245, 2295, 2327, 2464, 2488, 2529, 2563 Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 13 BYLAW 396 SCHEDULE "C" Consolidated Bylaw - Sewer Connection and Rental Charges Bylaw, 1970, No. 396 Page 14 BYLAW 396 SCHEDULE "C"