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Water Engineering FAQ's

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1. What are water and sewer demand fees, and why do I have to pay them?

Demand fees, also known as connection fees, are one-time fees charged to new users (or existing users increasing capacity) connecting to Santa Rosa’s Water, Wastewater and/or Recycled Water systems.   Demand fees recover the costs associated with providing water and sewer facility capacity to new users and existing users requiring additional capacity.  Currently, Santa Rosa’s demand fees are calculated using the type of use of the project (residential or non-residential) and based upon past investments and future anticipated investments into the Water and/or sewer infrastructure. Please see the following link: https://srcity.org/2292/Demand-Fees

2. Do I have to pay demand fees for an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

NEW ADU’S, up to 750 sq. ft., have no water or sewer demand fees, or separate meter requirement.   Santa Rosa Water recommends installing a separate water meter as it has been shown that when a user pays their own bill, they tend to conserve more water. If an ADU meter is proposed, a meter and processing fee will be applied.

NEW ADU’S, over 750 sq. ft., will be required to pay water and sewer demand fees and will be required to install separate water meter. 

ADU CONVERSIONS, up to 1200 sq. ft., have no water or sewer demand fees, or separate meter requirement.  Santa Rosa Water recommends installing a separate water meter as it has been shown that when a user pays their own bill, they tend to conserve more water. If an ADU meter is proposed, a meter and processing fee will be applied. Exception: ADU conversions that propose additional sq. ft. will be considered new, and subject to demand fees and separate meter requirement if the ADU exceeds 750 sq. ft. 

3. How do I apply for a permit to install property side water and/or sewer plumbing?

Onsite plumbing is permitted through the Building Division of Planning and Economic Development. For more information: visit https://srcity.org/262/Building-Division (707) 543-3200, or email [email protected].

4. How do I get City water or sewer if my parcel is in County jurisdiction?

Allowance of City water and sewer connection to a parcel under County jurisdiction is dependent on the area of the parcel. A Utility Certificate or Annexation to the City may be required. To reach a City Planner for options, please contact [email protected] or see the following link: https://srcity.org/354/Planning-Division

5. How do I know if my project will need fire sprinklers?

Fire sprinkler requirement is assumed unless the project meets sprinkler exemption criteria. For more information please contact Santa Rosa Fire Department at [email protected] or visit their website at https://srcity.org/627/Administration

6. What is the Water Demand Offset policy and how do I comply?

Go to the city's Water Demand Offer Policy and Fees page.

7. What is an Encroachment Permit?

Encroachment Permits are required for any work in a public right of way or public utility easement. To find out more about Encroachment Permit requirements and how to apply, please see the following link: https://srcity.org/514/Encroachment-Permits. Please contact [email protected] with questions.

8. What license of Contractor is required for water and sewer encroachment work?

Water service lateral and meter plumbing work requires a Class A or Class C-34 Contractor. 

Sewer lateral plumbing work requires a Class A or Class C-42 Contractor.

Water and sewer main plumbing work requires a Class A Contractor. 

9. How do I find Contractors by Class of License for estimates or to hire for work?

Search for California State Contractors by Class of License using the following websites:

California State Contractors Board: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/ 

North Coast Builders Exchange: https://ncbeonline.com/ 

10. Why do I have to install a backflow device?

Backflow devices are required with any proposed project that has the potential to cause contamination to the City water distribution system. Device requirements are posted in the City’s Water Design Standards: https://srcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/18370/Water-Design-Standards

11. Why do I have to install a sewer cleanout near the street in the public right of way?

Per City code 15-04.035, it is the responsibility of the user (property owner) to maintain the lateral from the City sewer main to the structure being served by City sewer.  A sewer cleanout gives the City (at their discretion) the option to access the lateral to look for issues and/or provide maintenance on the section of lateral between this cleanout and the sewer main. The cleanout is installed per current City Standards (513/513A).

12. Why do I need an Encroachment Permit to install a new backflow device or a new sewer lateral cleanout?

Backflow devices and sewer lateral cleanouts, although considered private, are typically situated within a public right of way or public utility easement. 

Any work in the public right of way or within a public utility easement requires an encroachment permit.

13. Can I install a backflow device and/or sewer cleanout as an owner/builder or does installation require a licensed contractor?

Backflow devices and sewer lateral cleanouts can be installed by owner/builder, or contractor. Backflow devices must be tested by a Certified Backflow Tester upon installation. For a current list of Certified Backflow Testers, see list at the following link: https://srcity.org/993/Water-Quality

14. How do I add a meter to my duplex, or second unit, for separate billing option (commonly referred to as a meter split)?

See the following link to instructions: https://www.srcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/14035/Meter-Split-Permit-Fees?bidId=

15. How do I get a hydrant flow test for my fire sprinkler calculations?

Please see the following link: https://srcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/8916/Fire-Flow-Testing-Brochure---September-2015-PDF?bidId=

16. What is the South Park Sanitation District?

For information on South Park Sanitation District, which is managed by Sonoma Water, please see the following link: https://www.sonomawater.org/spcsd 

If your property is located within Santa Rosa City limits, but within the South Park Sanitation District (e.g., Roseland Annexation area), permits will be reviewed, and fees will be collected by City of Santa Rosa staff. 

For more information regarding SPSD permits and fees for parcels within City of Santa Rosa jurisdiction, please contact SPSD at (707) 521-6215. 

If your property is located outside of Santa Rosa City limits, your plans will be reviewed, and fees collected by Permit Sonoma.  

For more information regarding SPSD permits and fees for parcels in County jurisdiction, please contact Permit Sonoma at (707) 565-1900, or visit their website at:  http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Permit-Sonoma/

17. Why do I need to obtain a fire protection permit prior to encroachment permit issuance for commercial fire system?

As part of the fire protection permit review, lateral size, location of FDC, and public fire hydrant requirements are determined. Installing this infrastructure under an encroachment permit ahead of these determinations could result in costly changes to the applicant.

18. How do I get a temporary construction meter?

See the following link to our temporary meter brochure: https://srcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/8912/Temporary-Construction-Meter-Permit-Brochure-PDF?bidId=

19. What are the rules for paying large permit fees with cash?

Please see the following link to cash payment instructions:  https://srcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/19834/Instructions-on-making-cannabis-permit-payment?bidId=