Paying the water system development fee and reserving water service

A. Applicant ready for water service. The director must approve applications only upon payment of the water system development fee or application of credit for water service or additional water service, if water source capacity is available at that time. Total payment for water service must be the water system development fee in effect at the time the meter is installed. B. Applicant not ready for water service. Upon payment of a deposit equal to the water system development fee in the annual budget ordinance by an applicant who, to the director's satisfaction, is unable to accept water service immediately, the department may reserve an allocation of water service source capacity available at that time. Total payment for water service will be the water system development fee in effect at the time the meter is installed. For reservations issued before January 1, 2025, the duration of the reservation may not exceed five years, if water service source capacity is available, subject to subsection C. For reservations issued on or after January 1, 2025, the duration of the reservation may not exceed three years, if water service source capacity is available, subject to subsection C. The department and the applicant must agree in writing on the amount of any reserved allocation. C. Extension. 1. If an applicant with a reservation is unable to accept installation of water service within the duration of the reservation, the reservation may be extended for two years by the director, if requested by the applicant at least sixty days prior to the reservation's expiration, and the director finds at least three of the following: a. Application of the reservation limitation would cause an absurd, unfair, or unreasonably harsh result to the applicant. b. The applicant's circumstance or condition is exceptional, and the director would grant the same request if made by every similarly situated applicant. c. Extension of the reservation expiration will be without detriment to existing users. d. The applicant's construction plans for required water system improvements have been approved by the department, and the applicant has completed significant construction on the water system improvements. 2. Findings justifying the extension must be reduced to writing in a memorandum, which will be maintained in the applicant's file. 3. If the director denies the request for an extension, the applicant may appeal the decision to the board in accordance with chapter 14.11 . The board may reverse the decision of the director in accordance with section 14.11.040 upon finding at least three of the four criteria in paragraph 14.07.090 (C)(1). D. If the reservation expires, the deposit paid by the applicant must be credited to the property for use in a future application on the same property. ( Ord. No. 5722 , § 2, 2024; Ord. No. 4971 , § 1, 2019; Ord. No. 4125, § 3, 2014; Ord. No. 3851, § 1, 2011)