Service charges for metered fire connection or unmetered connection for fire sprinkling systems and other fire suppression systems.

Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-64

in effect

Sec. 47-64. - Service charges for metered fire connection or unmetered connection for fire sprinkling systems and other fire suppression systems. (a) Metered fire connection. Each metered fire connection customer's monthly water charge shall be the total of the defined charge and the charge for additional quantities using the rates for industrial customers without surcharge as stated in the city fee schedule, and the TCEQ public health service fee, if applicable, as set forth below: (1) Defined charge. The customer's defined charge shall be calculated using the charts set forth for this provision in the city fee schedule, referencing the customer's monthly water usage and meter size, measured by diameter in inches. (2) Charge for additional quantities. The customer's charge for additional quantities shall be calculated using customer's monthly water usage multiplied by the applicable rates set forth for this provision in the city fee schedule for industrial water use. (3) TCEQ public health service fee for treated water connections only. (b) Unmetered fire connection. Each person with an unmetered connection serving a fire sprinkler system under the provisions of subsection (b) of section 47-4 of this Code shall pay the monthly service charge stated for this provision in the city fee schedule for the corresponding size of the diameter of each unmetered sprinkler service line connected to the city's water main. The charge for a fire line with a city approved backflow prevention device with a bypass meter will be the same as for unmetered fire lines. (c) Billing and enforcement. Billing for charges made under this section shall be made on a monthly basis. Payment shall be due and made in accordance with the provisions of this Code, and payment of such charges shall be enforced by any and all means available to the city under other provisions of this Code, including termination of service. (d) Water supply for private fire suppression. The department may supply water for private fire suppression systems if in the opinion of the utility official the connection will not cause appreciable reduction in the pressure of the city's water system. The director shall determine all conditions necessary for connecting such private fire protection to the city's water system to ensure the safety of the public water system. The cost for a city employee to participate in or witness any test of a fire suppression system as required by this Code or any other ordinance of the city is stated for this provision in the city fee schedule. (Code 1968, § 49-55; Ord. No. 83-19, § 7, 1-11-83; Ord. No. 86-1663, § 5, 9-17-86; Ord. No. 88-1194, § 3, 7-6-88; Ord. No. 89-1048, § 3, 7-5-89; Ord. No. 90-861, § 10, 7-11-90; Ord. No. 92-113, § 3, 2-5-92; Ord. No. 02-926, § 6, 10-2-02; Ord. No. 03-332, § 5, 4-2-03; Ord. No. 04-297, eff. 4-1-07; Ord. No. 04-299, § 5.2, 4-21-04; Ord. No. 07-599, § 21, 5-16-07; Ord. No. 09-206, § 3, 3-11-09, eff. 4-1-09; Ord. No. 2010-305, § 3, 4-21-2010, eff. 6-1-2010; Ord. No. 2011-1086, § 2, 12-7-2011; Ord. No. 2011-1168, § 13, 12-14-2011; Ord. No. 2021-515, § 3(Exh. B), 6-23-2021, eff. 7-1-2021)

Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH47WASE_ARTIICIWASECH_DIV1GE_S47-64SECHMEFICOUNCOFISPSYOTFISUSYFetched: 10/26/2026