Earlier editions: 2026-09
Pasadena Municipal Code Ch. 4.53 Sewer Facility Charge
Pasadena Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Pasadena
Cite as: Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 4.53 · Text as of 2026-10-04
4.53.010 - Purpose.¶
The sewer facility charge is created to ensure that new development within the city limits pays its estimated cost for capacity upgrades to the city sewer system, and to ensure financial solvency as the city implements the operational and maintenance practices set forth in the city's master sewer plan generated by additional demand on the system.
(Ord. 7134 § 2 (part), 2008)
4.53.020 - Definitions.¶
As used in this chapter:
A. "New development" means new construction on a lot within the city limits, including additions or modifications to existing structures.
(Ord. 7134 § 2 (part), 2008)
4.53.030 - Sewer facility charge.¶
A. New development within the city limits shall pay a sewer facility charge of $6.19 per gallon per day as a one time charge to cover current and future infrastructure cost. The daily sewer discharge rate shall be determined as follows:
| Occupancy | Average Daily Flow |
|---|---|
| Apartment building—Bachelor or single dwelling units | 100 gal/ |
| 1 bedroom dwelling units | 150 gal/DU |
| 2 bedroom dwelling units | 200 gal/DU |
| 3 or more bedroom dwelling units | 250 gal/DU |
| Auditoriums, churches, etc. | 5 gal/seat |
| Automobile parking | 25 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Bars, cocktail lounges, etc. | 20 gal/seat |
| Commercial shops and stores | 100 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Hospitals (surgical) | 500 gal/bed |
| Hospitals (convalescent) | 85 gal/bed |
| Hotels | 150 gal/room |
| Medical buildings | 300 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Motels | 150 gal/unit |
| Office buildings | 200 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Restaurants, cafeterias, etc. | 50 gal/seat |
| Financial institutions (banks) | 1,000 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Service shop, service stations | 100 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Laundromat | 4,600 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Animal kennel (shelter) | 100 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Nurseries/ |
25 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Warehousing, open storage (storage pace) | 25 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Indoor theatre (movies) | 500 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Bowling, skating facilities | 1,000 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Golf courses | 100 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Mortuaries/ |
100 gal/1,000 sq. ft. gross floor area |
| Schools: | |
| Elementary or Jr. high | 10 gal/student |
| High schools | 15 gal/student |
| Universities or colleges | 20 gal/student |
| College dormitories | 85 gal/student |
B. If the new development is replacing an existing structure, or increasing existing demand on the system, the charge shall only apply to the net increase in the average daily flow attributable to the new development.
C. The charge will be indexed to increase on an annual basis in accordance with the Consumer Price Index.
(Ord. 7134 § 2 (part), 2008)
4.53.040 - Fund created.¶
There is created a special fund of the city to be known as the "sewer facility charge fund" to account for charges paid pursuant to this chapter. The director of finance shall maintain records specifically sufficient to ensure that the charges are expended solely for the purpose for which they were collected, and to enable the director to comply with all requirements of Government Code Section 66013. Any interest accruing on account of the time deposit of the fund, or otherwise, shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.
(Ord. 7134 § 2 (part), 2008)
4.53.050 - Exempt projects.¶
A. Projects within the city limits that have submitted a complete set of plans for building permits and paid for all plan check fees prior to the effective date of the charge, or which are exempt pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act's vesting tentative tract map provisions, are exempt from payment of the charge.
B. Projects outside the city limits which are to be served by the city's sewer system are not subject to the charge set forth herein, but must negotiate a sewer capacity charge on a case-by-case basis, as approved by the council.
C. Hotels or motels converted to residences which are rented or sold to persons and families of low or moderate income (as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50093) pursuant to a Hotel Conversion Permit are exempt from the payment of charge.
(Ord. 7134 § 2 (part), 2008)
(Ord. No. 7333, § 8, 10-15-2018)
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