SEWER SERVICE CHARGE REGULATIONS

Reno Administrative Code tit. 12, ch. 12.16, art. II

in effect

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.020 Purpose and policy.

Sec. 12.16.020. - Purpose and policy. The purpose of this article is to provide a system of user charges, waste surcharges, and connection fees for the proportional distribution of costs to existing and future users of the wastewater facilities based on the user's wastewater volume, strength, and flow rate characteristics. Revenues derived from the application hereof shall be used to defray the city's costs of operating and maintaining an adequate wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system, for costs connected to implementation and compliance with the Reno-Sparks Joint Water Pollution Control Plant's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, any other NPDES permits issued to the city and to provide sufficient funds for capital outlay, debt service costs, capital improvements, and depreciation. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.021), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2993, § 1, 6-28-82; Ord. No. 4638, § 1, 6-25-96; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.030 Sewer service commission; rules and regulations.

Sec. 12.16.030. - Sewer service commission; rules and regulations. (a) The city manager, public works director, finance director and community development director shall constitute the sewer service commission. Any commission member may appoint an appropriate designee in his absence. (b) The sewer service commission is authorized to: (1) Make recommendations pursuant to sections 12.16.080 and 12.16.350; and (2) Order the severance of sewer connections and the assessment of the cost of such severance pursuant to section 12.16.440. (c) The commission may promulgate and publish rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of facilitating the imposition and collection of the fees and charges provided for in this chapter. The commission may, among other things, prescribe rules and regulations for the classification of commercial and industrial users, public and private facilities, and for the determination of the user to be billed, for the purpose of imposing the charges as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1(7.20.022), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 3815, § 1, 6-12-89; Ord. No. 4308, § 1, 4-27-93; Ord. No. 4543, § 1, 8-8-95; Ord. No. 4915, § 2, 9-22-98; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.040 Scope.

Sec. 12.16.040. - Scope. This article shall apply to all direct or indirect discharges to the publicly-owned treatment works (POTW) of the city. The provisions regulate sewer service user charges, waste surcharges, connection fees, and wastewater facilities construction. Sewer service charges will be reviewed by the city council at least once every two years. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1, (7.20.023). 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2993, § 1, 6-28-82; Ord. No. 4543, § 1, 8-8-95; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.050 Administration.

Sec. 12.16.050. - Administration. Except as otherwise provided in this article, the city shall administer, implement and enforce the provisions herein. Any powers granted or duties imposed upon the director may be delegated to persons acting in the beneficial interest of and in the employment of the city. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.020), 8-25-80)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.060 Dischargers subject to these regulations.

Sec. 12.16.060. - Dischargers subject to these regulations. All wastewater discharges to the city's wastewater facilities within the city limits are subject to the sewer user charges, waste surcharges, and construction requirements. Any discharge from outside the city limits that discharges to the city's POTW is subject to the limitations and requirements established in this chapter as appropriate. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1, (7.20.025), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2993, § 1, 6-28-82; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.070 Reserved.

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.080 Special rates.

Sec. 12.16.080. - Special rates. Whenever, by reason of special conditions, the application of the rates specified in this article would be inequitable or unfair to either the city or the discharger, the sewer service commission shall recommend special rates which are equitable and fair to all parties concerned, and when approved by the city council such special rates shall control. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.027), 8-25-80)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.090 Inconsistent agreements.

Sec. 12.16.090. - Inconsistent agreements. The sewer user charge and waste surcharge shall take precedence over any terms or conditions of existing agreements or contracts between the city and users which are inconsistent with the requirements hereof and Section 204 (b)(1)(A) of the act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.028), 8-25-80)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.100 Reserved.

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.110 Purpose.

Sec. 12.16.110. - Purpose. The purpose of the sewer user charge is to recover administration, collection, treatment and disposal, operation, maintenance, and repair and replacement costs, and costs connected to the City of Reno and Sparks jointly owned Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit or any other NPDES permit issued to the City of Reno and the costs are distributed based on volume and equivalent normal domestic strength wastewater. The operation and maintenance costs will be distributed to the users as a monthly service charge. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.031), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 4638, § 2, 6-25-96; Ord. No. 5102, § 1, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.120 Dwelling unit or residential unit.

Sec. 12.16.120. - Dwelling unit or residential unit. Customer classes are those user categories that have similar wastewater discharge characteristics. The three customer classes defined for user fee rates are single-family, multifamily and commercial/industrial. Residential condominium, townhouse condominium, community apartment, mobile home park are multifamily for the purpose of establishing user fee rates. Duplex, triplex, fourplex, mobile home lot, single-family residence, zero lot line single-family and mobile home subdivision are single-family for the purpose of establishing user fee rates. A residential user class not defined shall be assigned to that user class that is most closely representative of a multifamily or single-family class. The sewer service user charge for each type of residential unit, multifamily or single-family, is a flat monthly rate per residential unit plus a customer service charge in the amount of two dollars and forty cents ($2.40) per bill effective on the dates indicated as listed below. Effective on July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028 per the table titled Sewer Fee Rates the following user fee rates shall be applicable except properties that sewer to the South Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility and are annexed into the City of Reno will continue to pay the applicable Washoe County rate. Sewer Fee Rates (All Fees Are Per Month Rates) | Multiple-Family Residential Dwelling Unit with Shared Kitchen | Rooming House Effective Date | Single-Family | Multifamily | Per Kitchen | Per Bedroom | Per Kitchen | Per Room Rental July 1, 2026 | $62.73 | $51.55 | $39.42 | $19.20 | $39.42 | $19.20 July 1, 2027 | $65.73 | $54.10 | $41.37 | $20.15 | $41.37 | $20.15 July 1, 2028 | $68.73 | $56.65 | $43.32 | $21.10 | $43.32 | $21.10 *Per RMC 12.16.120, multi-family units up to a four-plex are charged at the single-family rate. Effective July 1, 2029, the rate shall be subject to an automatic increase by an amount equal to the increase of the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the west urban area, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The measurement period shall end with the published index for December of each year and the resulting increases shall be implemented with the July billings which will be reflected in the fee resolution adopted by city council and kept on file in the office of the clerk and the finance department. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1(7.20.032), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2954, § 1, 9-14-81; Ord. No. 3456, § 1, 1-26-87; Ord. No. 3754, § 1, 12-12-88; Ord. No. 4375, § 1, 3-22-94; Ord. No. 4560, § 1, 9-26-95; Ord. No. 5102, § 1, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 5518, § 1, 12-3-03; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 5817, § 1, 4-5-06; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6412, § 1, 8-24-16; Ord. No. 6438, § 3, 9-27-17; Ord. No. 6740, § 1, 5-6-26)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.130 Industrial/commercial discharger.

Sec. 12.16.130. - Industrial/commercial discharger. The industrial/commercial discharger sewer service charges are based on weighted fixture units in accordance with the rate under (1), herein, until data is available to charge according to metered flow. The sewer service charge under (2), herein, shall be based on 100 percent of the water consumed which shall include all unmetered and metered water usage. There is an availability-of-service charge such that the charge determined from (1) or (2) hereinafter shall not be less than the rate for a single-family dwelling unit including quarterly charge and customer service charge for each discharger. If an industrial/commercial discharger has a significant quantity of water which is not discharged to the wastewater facilities, the discharger may submit a waiver of nonsewered water request in accordance with (3), herein. (1) Weighted Fixture Unit Charge. Weighted fixture units shall pay a quarterly sewer use charge. Effective on the stated dates the annual sewer use charge for each weighted fixture unit plus $4.20 per bill is the following: Weighted Fixture Unit Charge For Each Weighted Fixture Unit July 1, 2026 .....$36.11 July 1, 2027 .....$37.89 July 1, 2028 .....$39.56 Rates shall be subject to an automatic increase by an amount equal to the increase of the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the west urban area, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The measurement period shall end with the published index for December of each year and the resulting increases shall be implemented with the July billings which will be reflected in the fee resolution adopted by city council and kept on file in the office of the clerk and the finance department. (2) Commercial/Industrial User Class Rates: Commercial/Industrial sewer use rates are based upon comparable costs for an equivalent single-family dwelling. Surcharges for predefined user classes in Table I are included. Rates for undefined classes of users may be established pursuant to section 12.16.200. (Surcharge). Commercial/industrial accounts serviced by one or more water meters but having multiple dischargers or user categories (such as shopping malls), or that are not directly assignable under Table I shall have user fee rates established under section 12.16.200 (Surcharge) and be billed in $0.10 increments rounded to the nearest $0.10 increment of cost per 1,000 gallons. Multiple use facilities user fees shall be calculated and billed based upon water usage per user category or fixture unit counts and hours of operation to obtain a proportional allocation of costs for billing use. A customer service charge of $4.20 shall be added per bill for all customer classes. Gallonage charge of metered flow for Commercial/industrial user fees with effective date as shown on Table I per 1,000 gallons. TABLE I COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL USER CLASS RATES** Description | Charge in Dollars per 1,000 Gallons | Charge in Dollars per 1,000 Gallons | Charge in Dollars per 1,000 Gallons * | Rate effective | 7/1/2026 | 7/1/2027 | 7/1/2028 A. | Large Hotel w/ Restaurant | $11.42 | $11.96 | $12.51 B. | Small Hotel w/ Restaurant | $9.79 | $10.26 | $10.72 C. | Casino w/ Restaurant | $11.42 | $11.96 | $12.51 D. | Full Service Restaurant | $13.73 | $14.38 | $15.04 E. | Fast Food | $13.51 | $14.15 | $14.80 F. | Pizza Parlor | $10.92 | $11.44 | $11.97 G. | Meat, Seafood Prep | $11.24 | $11.77 | $12.31 H/I | Commercial/Industrial Laundry | $14.78 | $15.48 | $16.19 J | Car Wash | $9.16 | $9.60 | $10.03 K | Bakery | $8.70 | $9.11 | $9.53 L | Market w/ Bakery | $10.60 | $11.10 | $11.61 M | Hospital, Conv Home | $9.37 | $9.82 | $10.26 N | Service and Repair Garage | $10.01 | $10.49 | $10.97 P | Mortuaries | $15.14 | $15.87 | $16.59 Q | Laundromat | $9.79 | $10.26 | $10.72 R | Schools w/ Cafeteria | $8.86 | $9.29 | $9.71 S | Doctor/Dentists/Vet | $8.80 | $9.22 | $9.64 T | Bottling Plant | $11.04 | $11.57 | $12.09 UA | Dairy Processing | $16.75 | $17.55 | $18.35 WW | Photographic Studios | $18.24 | $ 19.11 | $19.99 Z | All Other Commercial and Nevada System of Higher Education Dormitories | $9.79 | $10.26 | $10.72 Rates shall be subject to an automatic increase by an amount equal to the increase of the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the west urban area, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The measurement period shall end with the published index for December of each year and the resulting increases shall be implemented with the July billings which will be reflected in the fee resolution adopted by city council and kept on file in the office of the clerk and the finance department. **Includes applicable surcharges or cost of service allocations for each user class (3) Waiver of Nonsewered Water Request. Industrial/commercial dischargers may request an allowance be made for water which flows through the water meter but is not discharged to the sewer. The waiver will be reviewed and acted on by the director, once the discharger has submitted a completed application, "waiver of nonsewered water," to the director. The nonsewered allowance determined by the waiver will be applied to second and third quarter billings. Forms for a waiver application can be obtained from the public works department. The director may require verification by metering. The meter type and location must have approval from the director prior to installation and must be accessible to authorized city personnel for inspection. Quarterly readings of the meter will be obtained by the city. Authorized representatives shall have access to read and inspect the meters. There will be a $15.00 charge per meter per quarter to read the meters. All new meter installation are required to have remote readouts. Any existing meter that fails or is not accessible to be read due to mud, water, debris, or other reason determined by the director shall be required to install a meter with a remote readout. If an allowance meter is not functioning or cannot be read, the industrial/commercial discharger will be notified and the discharger will not receive any allowance until the meter is repaired. The repair and maintenance of the meters shall be the responsibility of the industrial/commercial discharger. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.033), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 7-27-81; Ord. No. 3456, § 2, 1-26-87; Ord. No. 3496, § 1, 5-11-87; Ord. No. 3754, § 1, 12-12-88; Ord. No. 3924, § 3, 2-27-90; Ord. No. 4375, § 2, 3-22-94; Ord. No. 4560, § 1, 9-26-95; Ord. No. 4565, § 1, 10-10-95; Ord. No. 4619, § 1, 4-23-96; Ord. No. 5102, § 1, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 5511, § 1, 11-5-03; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6438, § 4, 9-27-17; Ord. No. 6586, § 1, 1-13-21; Ord. No. 6740, § 1, 5-6-26)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.140 Unmetered water source.

Sec. 12.16.140. - Unmetered water source. Any industrial/commercial discharger with an unmetered water source must install, operate and maintain a meter on that source. All new meter installations after October 1, 1995, will be required to have remote readouts. Any existing meter that fails or is not accessible to be read due to mud, water, debris, or other reason determined by the director shall be required to install a meter with a remote readout. The meter type and location must have approval from the director prior to installation. Quarterly records of the meter will be obtained by the city. Authorized representatives of the director shall have access to read and inspect these meters. There will be a $15.00 charge per meter per quarter to read these meters. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.034), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 7-27-81; Ord. No. 2990, § 1, 6-28-82; Ord. No. 3497, § 1, 5-11-87; Ord. No. 3924, § 4, 2-27-90; Ord. No. 4565, § 1, 10-10-95; Ord. No. 4620, § 1, 4-23-96; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.150 Weighted fixture unit schedule.

Sec. 12.16.150. - Weighted fixture unit schedule. (a) Sewer Fixture Unit weights shall be determined by the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code drainage fixture unit values - table 702.1. The number of weighted sewer fixture units for new installation or determination of credit based upon existing fixtures shall be determined from the following schedule: Fixture Description | Quantity of Fixtures | Sewer Weighting Value | Total Sewer Fixture Units (SFU) Bar Sink | - | 2.0 | - Bathroom Group (Hotel or motel only) | - | 8.0 Bathtub | - | 2.0 | - Car Wash—Self Serve (per bay) | - | 28.0 | - Car Wash—Auto Wash | - | 100.0 | - Clinic Sink | - | 6.0 | - Coffee Making Station, Commercial | - | - | - Dipper Well | - | 3.0 | - Dishwasher—Commercial | - | 35.0 | - Dishwasher—Conveyor | - | 100.0 | - Dishwasher—Residential Type | - | 2.0 | - Disposal—Commercial (with Independent Water Supply) | - | 50.0 | - Drinking Fountain or Watercooler | - | 0.5 | - Floor Drain or Floor Sink | - | 2.0 | - Hair Wash Sink | - | 5.0 | - Kitchen Sink—Domestic | - | 2.0 | - Kitchen Sink—Commercial (3 Compartment Sink or Similar) | - | 3.0 | - Laundry Machine—Residential Type <4.5 cu. Ft. (12—20 lbs. capacity) | - | 3.0 | - Laundry Machine—Commercial (max 35 lb. Capacity) | - | 50.0 | - Laundry Machine—Commercial—Per lb. Capacity (above 35 lbs.) | - | 1.5 | - Laundry Sink | - | 2.0 | - Lavatory | - | 1.0 | - Mop Sink or Service Sink | - | 2.0 | - RV Dump Station | - | 25.0 | - RV Park per Wet Space | - | 7.0 | - Shower Stall—Per Head | - | 2.0 | - Urinal | - | 2.0 | - Washfountain, Circular Spray | - | 3.0 | - Wash-Up Sink | - | 2.0 | - Water Closet | - | 3.0 | - Whirlpool Bath or Combination Bath/Shower | - | 2.0 | - Trench Drains (for up to 2 inch trap size) | - | 4.0 | - Other | - | - | - (1) Multiply by one and five-tenths (1.5) for industrial/commercial facilities with greater than 12-hour and less than 16-hour operation. Multiply by two and zero-tenths (2.0) for industrial/commercial facilities with greater than 16-hour operation. (b) For fixtures not listed, weights may be assumed by comparing the fixture to a listed one using water in similar quantities and at similar rates. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.035), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6651, § 1, 4-12-23)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.155 Sewer connection fee credit policy.

Sec. 12.16.155. - Sewer connection fee credit policy. (1) The purpose of a connection fee is to reserve sewer capacity for treatment and conveyance. (2) The sewer connection fee credit will be determined by: (a) Evidence of the original basis of the connection fee which must be provided as follows: (i) If the structure was a single family residence, evidence showing the structure as a single family residence. (ii) If the structure was an industrial, commercial or multi-family structure the following detail must be provided: (a) The original sewer connection fee receipt or documentation associated with the original building of the structure, or (b) A re-creation of fixture unit counts for the structure using building plans acceptable to the director of public works, or (c) Performance of a physical fixture unit count which is accepted by the director of public works. (b) And, the current weighting values. (3) If a structure is rebuilt on the property or contiguous property under common ownership or agreement (providing it flows into the same collection system and causes no capacity problems), the connection fee at the current rate associated with that sewer capacity will be applied. (4) If the fixture units shown in the plans for the new structure to be built exceed the connection fee credit, the balance of the calculated connection fees must be paid at the current rate prior to the issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy pursuant to RMC 12.16.280. (5) It is incumbent upon the owner to maintain the records to confirm the credit. (Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6408, § 1, 8-10-16; Ord. No. 6704, § 1, 3-26-25)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.160 Uses of charges collected.

Sec. 12.16.160. - Uses of charges collected. The proceeds from the sewer user charges shall be used solely for the operation, maintenance and replacement of the wastewater facilities and stormwater facilities, including costs connected to the City of Reno and Sparks jointly owned Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit and State Water Quality Standards, and including indirect allocated costs as well as funding depreciation expense and the interest and principal payments of debt incurred for the sewerage system. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.036), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 3456, § 3, 1-26-87; Ord. No. 4543, § 1, 8-8-95; Ord. No. 4638, § 3, 6-25-96; Ord. No. 5102, § 2, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.170 Purpose.

Sec. 12.16.170. - Purpose. The purpose of a waste surcharge is to recover collection, treatment, disposal and administration expenses associated with higher concentrations of waste than normal domestic strength wastewater as defined in section 12.16.010. The funds collected will be used solely for the purposes under section 12.16.110. All sewer charges in division 2 of this article are based on flow and equivalent strength to domestic wastewater discharges. For discharges in excess of normal domestic strength wastewater concentrations, a waste surcharge shall be charged in addition to the sewer user charge. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1(7.20.041), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 5102, § 2, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.180 Scope.

Sec. 12.16.180. - Scope. The wastewater surcharge will be implemented in cooperation with the city's wastewater discharge regulations. Wastewater discharge data from industrial users shall be supplied by the user as specified in a wastewater discharge permit as required under article III of this chapter. Charges for wastewater surcharge shall commence upon notice to the industrial user. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1(7.20.042), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 7-27-81; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.190 Reserved.

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.200 Surcharge rates.

Sec. 12.16.200. - Surcharge rates. Surcharge commercial/industrial user class rates are included in the actual billed rate for nonresidential user fee rates. The wastewater fees of commercial/industrial dischargers are based upon the following applicable equation (in accordance with the findings and methodology of the Sewer Equity Study by Brown and Caldwell dated June 1995 and the Wastewater Rate Study Report by Red Oak Consultants dated June 2005) or are predefined in Table I of section 12.16.130 for commercial/industrial user class rates. Commercial/Industrial User Class Rates are based upon the following: Commercial/Industrial User Class Surcharge Calculations Effective Date | Commercial/Industrial User Class Surcharge Calculations Effective July 1, 2026 | 9.79 + (BOD5 - 174) × (0.00554565) + (SS - 150) × (0.00680007) + (P - 7) ×(0.12750283) + (N - 20.2) × (0.05351936) Effective July 1, 2027 | 10.26 + (BOD5 - 174) × (0.00581074) + (SS - 150) × (0.00712511) + (P - 7) × (0.13359746) + (N - 20.2) × (0.05607758) Effective July 1, 2028 | 10.72 + (BOD5 - 174) × (0.00607571) + (SS - 150) × (0.00745001) + (P - 7) × (0.13968951) + (N - 20.2) × (0.05863472) BOD = Commercial/industrial customer's BOD concentrations, mg/l SS = Commercial/industrial customer's SS concentration, mg/l P = Commercial/industrial customer's P concentration, mg/l (Total Phosphorus) N = Commercial/industrial customer's N concentration, mg/l (Total Nitrogen) A commercial/industrial customer class not assignable in Table I of section 12.16.130 shall have a user fee rate established by the above equation and the methodology of the Sewer Equity Study dated June 1995. Effective July 1, 2026, shall be subject to an automatic increase by an amount equal to the increase of the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the west urban area, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The measurement period shall end with the published index for December of each year and the resulting increases shall be implemented with the July billings which will be reflected in the fee resolution adopted by city council and kept on file in the office of the clerk and the finance department. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1, (7.20.044), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2991, § 1, 6-28-82; Ord. No. 3924, § 5, 2-27-90; Ord. No. 4560, § 1, 9-26-95; Ord. No. 5102, § 3, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13; Ord. No. 6356, § 1, 12-10-14; Ord. No. 6438, § 4, 9-27-17; Ord. No. 6740, § 1, 5-6-26)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.280 Connection fee

Sec. 12.16.280. - Connection fee (a) If a sewage allocation program is in effect, the connection fee will be paid as specified in section 12.16.310. (b) Except as provided for in (c) and (d) of this section, the connection fee for connection to city facilities will be paid prior to building permit issuance. (c) The connection fee for new connections to city facilities or change of occupancy may be deferred until prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. No certificate of occupancy will be issued until such time as the connection fees are paid in full. (d) For affordable housing projects: (1) Temporary deferral of the connection fee for connection to city facilities may be approved by city council pursuant to the terms of an affordable housing deferral agreement. (2) Connection fees may be reduced or subsidized pursuant to the Reno Municipal Code 1.08. (e) If a connection is made to the wastewater facility without a building permit and payment of connection fees, the discharger will be subject to a connection fee which is twice the applicable connection fee plus all applicable costs required to determine the illegal connection. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1, (7.20.061), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 3082, § 1, 5-23-83; Ord. No. 4346, § 1, 10-12-93; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6409, § 1, 8-10-16; Ord. No. 6545, § 1, 2-12-20; Ord. No. 6651, § 2, 4-12-23)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.290 Dwelling unit or residential unit.

Sec. 12.16.290. - Dwelling unit or residential unit. The connection fee is at a flat rate for each residential unit and shall be in accordance with the following schedule and effective dates: RESIDENTIAL CONNECTION FEE RATES Type of Residential Unit | TMWRF | Lawton-Verdi/TMWRF | RSWRF Single-Family Dwelling up to 31 fixture units (per dwelling) | $12,002 | $14,594 | $11,906 Single-Family Dwelling >31 fixture units (per dwelling) | $12,002 + ($554 x number of fixture units exceeding 31) | $14,594 + ($673 x number of fixture units exceeding 31) | $11,906 + ($549 x number of fixture units exceeding 31) Multi-Family Residential Dwelling (per dwelling unit) | $10,202 | $12,463 | $10,168 Multi-Family Residential Dwelling (micro-unit) 600 sq. ft. or less up to 15 fixture units | $8,310 | $10,095 | $8,235 Mobile Home Estates or Subdivisions* | $12,002 | $14,594 | $11,906 Mobile Home Parks (per space) | $12,002 | $14,594 | $11,906 Residential Dwelling Unit Shared Kitchen or Rooming House Kitchen | $4,275 | $5,198 | $4,241 Rooming House (per room rental) | $3,842 | $4,672 | $3,811 Fixture Unit Fee (see fixture unit weight table at 12.16.150 for calculation) | $554 | $673 | $549 * (Per Each Mobile Unit Space) The connection fee for each bedroom unit used in connection with a shared kitchen shall be the fee for a rooming house (per room rental). Beginning July 1, 2024, the effective rate shall be subject to an automatic increase by an amount equal to the increase of the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the west urban area, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The measurement period shall end with the published index for December of each year and the resulting increases shall be implemented on July 1 of the following year which will be reflected in the fee resolution adopted by city council and kept on file in the office of the clerk and the finance department. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.062), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2954, § 1, 9-14-81; Ord. No. 3456, § 4, 1-26-87; Ord. No. 3945, § 1, 4-24-90; Ord. No. 4055, § 1, 2-26-91; Ord. No. 5102, § 4, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6646, § 1, 1-25-23; Ord. No. 6651, § 3, 4-12-23)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.300 Industrial/commercial connection fee.

Sec. 12.16.300. - Industrial/commercial connection fee. (1) The sewer connection fee will be based on the number of weighted fixture units which are being connected times the current fixture unit fee per weighted fixture unit. The number of weighted fixture units shall be in accordance with the weighted fixture unit schedule in section 12.16.150. The connection fee shall not be less than the current residential connection fee in section 12.16.290 for a single-family dwelling per connection. Fixture Unit Industrial/Commercial Fee Schedule INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL FIXTURE UNIT FEE AND EFFECTIVE DATES TMWRF | Lawton-Verdi/TMWRF | RSWRF $554 | $673 | $549 Beginning July 1, 2024, the effective rate shall be subject to an automatic increase by an amount equal to the increase of the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the west urban area, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The measurement period shall end with the published index for December of each year and the resulting increases shall be implemented on July 1 of the following year which will be reflected in the fee resolution adopted by city council and kept on file in the office of the clerk and the finance department. (2) Effective April 1, 2000, in addition to a sewer connection fee based upon weighted fixture units, any new commercial/industrial sewer connection fee shall include an additional fee component for any wastes greater in strength than 20 percent of normal domestic wastes. The basis of cost for the additional connection fee charge shall be the unit cost of each cost category (flow, BOD, SS, P and N) for which a residential connection is charged as determined by the Sewer Service Commission. Each discharger covered by this section shall be required to submit a wastewater connection fee application containing the estimated maximum monthly quantities and peak daily quantities for flow, BOD, SS, P, N and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). The additional connection fee for Commercial/Industrial users will be based upon estimates furnished in the wastewater connection fee application and approved by the director. The environmental control discharge permit issued for which the connection fee was paid will contain the allowed flow and loading specific to the property from which the discharge will occur. The environmental control discharge permit issued under section 12.16.610. (Permit for industrial/commercial discharges) may contain provisions requiring the discharger to report future flows and strength. The environmental control discharge permit may limit actual discharge based upon the estimate furnished in the wastewater connection fee application. In the event flow and/or loading increases occur either incrementally or all at once after a connection fee is paid, additional connection fees will be assessed. The fee calculation shall be based upon the difference between the permitted flows and loads as contained in the original wastewater discharge permit and the maximum monthly flows and loads reported. The payment for the additional fees will become due and payable by the discharger 120 days after receipt of bill. The user may, within three years of occupancy, request a one-time reevaluation of the connection fee for reimbursement of the additional connection fee. Any reimbursement shall be at the rate charged at the time the connection fee was paid. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.063), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 3456, § 5, 1-26-87; Ord. No. 3945, § 1, 4-24-90; Ord. No. 4055, § 1, 2-26-91; Ord. No. 5102, § 4, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6646, § 2, 1-25-23)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.310 Prepayment of sewer connection fees by prospective users.

Sec. 12.16.310. - Prepayment of sewer connection fees by prospective users. (a) If the city council determines the need to establish a sewer allocation list for either the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility or Reno Stead Water Reclamation Facility applicants will be required to prepay sewer connection fees prior to being placed on the allocation list. (b) Prepayment of sewer connection fees must be made in cash only. (c) Each applicant for residential allocation shall pay his sewer connection prepayment fee, pursuant to section 12.16.290 and any amendments thereto, prior to filing each final map. No consideration for gallonage allocation shall be given to any applicant until the filing of the final map and the said prepayment of fees as required herein. (d) Prepayment of sewer connection fees, pursuant to section 12.16.290 and any amendment thereto, shall be paid at the time application is made for issuance of a building permit for construction of any structure other than residential. (e) The amount of prepaid fees shall be based upon the connection charges in effect at the time the prepayments are paid. (f) Acceptance of prepayment of sewer connection fees shall not be deemed nor construed as a guarantee that sewage treatment capacity will be available at any point in time nor shall any person or user acquire any rights of any kind by reason of prepayment of sewer connection fees in the event that sewage treatment capacity should, at any time, be insufficient to accommodate all user applicants. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.064), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.320 Expenditure of funds limited.

Sec. 12.16.320. - Expenditure of funds limited. (a) Upon timely receipt by the city of prepaid sewer connection fees in cash sufficient to fund a project or projects for expansion as stated below, the city council shall immediately implement the procedures for the issuance of appropriate contracts to provide for additions to the treatment plant, so as to increase the capacity of the treatment plant by additional facilities or for additions to the sewerage system equal to the amount of prepaid fees received by the city. Contracts shall include necessary engineering design and construction which must be eligible for all approvals, permits, and requirements of all applicable regulatory agencies. (b) All cash monies received by the city as prepayments of sewer connection fees shall be expended and utilized only for the purpose specified in subsection (a) of this section. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.064A), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6356, § 1, 12-10-14)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.330 Administration of procedures by public works.

Sec. 12.16.330. - Administration of procedures by public works. (a) The director shall administer the allocation of sewer capacity and issuance of sewer connection permits. (b) The director shall not withhold issuance of sewer connection permits indiscriminately provided sufficient capacity exists. Upon determination by the city council that the remaining sewage capacity available for allocation from the city's portion of any sewage plant is at such a level so as to endanger the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city, or is in the best interest of the city, it shall institute an allocation program for the remaining capacity. Any allocation system will divide the capacity proportionately between commercial and residential according to historical data of construction within the community prior to 1977. (c) At such time as available capacity for allocation is increased by plant expansion so as to alleviate any harm to the citizens of the city, the allocation system shall be discontinued. Any action taken pursuant to the procedures established for the allocation of any remaining capacity may be appealed to the city council upon 30 days written notice of such action. (d) Each application for sewer connection shall be dated and time stamped. If an allocation program is implemented, date and time will determine the order of issuance of available capacity. (e) The following shall be exempt from allocation regulations and are permitted to move to the front of the allocation list. The maximum allocation shall be limited to 10,000 gallons per day per project in any given month. (1) A single-family residence for the owner's use and occupancy or individuals remodeling their own single-family residence for their own use; (2) Commercial application with a requirement of 500 gallons per day or less; (3) Public health, safety and welfare projects; (4) Affordable housing as defined by ordinance; (5) Elderly and handicapped housing; (6) All projects requiring consideration because of a regulatory agency's order or rule for health, welfare or safety purposes with a sewage treatment demand of six fixture units or less will be issued permits upon a sufficient showing of need; (7) When it is deemed by the health department that an existing septic tank is no longer usable and is a hazard to health; (8) Residential applicants with a requirement of 1,000 gallons per day, or less, per year per single family builder or developer. (f) Any allocation made under subsection (e) shall be charged against the total sewage treatment capacity before any consideration is given to the allocation for residential and commercial. (g) The director shall post current copies of all allocation, abeyance and waiting lists in a conspicuous place in the director's office for viewing by any person and copies shall be furnished upon request to any person. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.064B), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.340 No delegation of city council power.

Sec. 12.16.340. - No delegation of city council power. By the enactment of section 12.16.310, the city council is not delegating, relinquishing or waiving any of its powers with respect to zoning, major project review, special use permit conditions, required compliance with building or other codes, or any other rule, procedure, policy or regulation of the city. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.064C), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.350 Regulations recommendation of sewer service commission.

Sec. 12.16.350. - Regulations recommendation of sewer service commission. The sewer service commission shall recommend to the city council regulations and policies consistent with the provisions of this chapter for the implementation of the provisions contained herein. Each prepayment of a sewer connection fee must be assigned to a specific project and shall not be transferable. (1) If a specific project is unable to proceed, a return of up to 95 percent of the prepaid sewer connection fee may be made if the funds deposited have not been committed for capital projects construction. If funds have been committed, the percentage return will be 100 percent minus the percent developed by taking the amount of capital projects construction committed between the date of the prepayment and the date of the request for the return divided by the unreserved retained earnings in the capital sewer projects division of the sanitary sewer enterprise fund on the date of the request for the return. The return will never be more than 95 percent nor less than zero percent. However, if the prepayment of a sewer connection fee resulted in the city issuing a notice to the county department of health that sewage services will be provided to a subdivision, "a will-serve letter," refunds will not be made. (2) Whenever a subdivision has prepaid sewer connection fees and is issued a "will-serve letter" for sewage treatment, and said subdivision subsequently reverts to acreage, a return not exceeding 95 percent of the sewer connection fee will be returned as set forth in subsection (1) above. Exception: The calculation will be made as of the date of recordation of the map of reversion or abandonment and not on the date of request for return. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1, (7.20.064D), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2977, § 1, 3-8-82; Ord. No. 3047, § 1, 11-22-82; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.360 Expiration of chapter by limitation.

Sec. 12.16.360. - Expiration of chapter by limitation. If the city determines that circumstances occur outside of the control of the city which would prevent execution of any of the change orders or contracts under this chapter, this chapter shall expire by limitation, be of no further force and effect, and all uncommitted monies shall be returned prorata by the city to the payers thereof without interest, and the provision of section 12.16.290 will be applicable. Any prepayments made pursuant to this chapter shall be nonrefundable. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.064E), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 5717, § 1, 7-6-05; Ord. No. 6356, § 1, 12-10-14)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.370 Reserved.

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.380 Charges payable by owner.

Sec. 12.16.380. - Charges payable by owner. The finance director shall bill the owner of the premises connected to the wastewater facilities for payment of sewer user charges and waste surcharges. (a) In the case of industrial/commercial users, billing may be rendered the lessee or lessees obligated to pay such rates and charges upon written notice delivered to the finance director and executed by both the owner and lessee; however, any such billing to a lessee shall not relieve the owners of responsibility for payment of the bill. (b) In the case of residential or non-industrial/non-commercial users, billing may be rendered the tenant or tenants or property management companies obligated to pay such rates and charges upon written notice delivered to the finance director and executed by both the owner and tenant; however, any such billing to a tenant or property management companies shall not relieve the owners of responsibility for payment of the bill. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.070), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2993, § 1, 6-28-82; Ord. No. 4167, § 1, 11-26-91; Ord. No. 6129, § 1, 10-7-09; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.390 Billing period.

Sec. 12.16.390. - Billing period. (a) The billing period for the charges shall be quarterly in advance for residential users, and the payments shall be due and payable upon receipt of the bill and shall be delinquent if not fully paid on the last day for the quarter in which the bill is sent to the user by the city. Apartments, mobile homes and room rentals shall be classified as residential users for sewer billing purposes. (b) The billing period for the charges shall be quarterly in arrears for industrial/commercial users, and payments shall be due and payable upon receipt of the bill and shall be delinquent if not fully paid on the last day of the quarter in which the bill is sent to the user by the city. (c) All payments for charges if not actually received at the office of the city clerk by 5:00 p.m., or deposited in any drop box provided by the city, on the last day of any period described in subsections (a) and (b) above, shall nevertheless be deemed timely paid if postmarked on the last day of the period as provided in NRS 238.100. All payments which are not so received or postmarked by the last day of the applicable period shall be subject to the penalties provided in subsection (d) below. (d) There shall be added to all such charges which are delinquent a penalty of 15 percent of the charges assessed on all unpaid amounts and will be compounded each billing period. (e) Any penalty or portion thereof assessed pursuant to this title may be reversed or modified at the discretion of the city manager or their designee in accordance with established Finance Department policy. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.072), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2938, § 1, 6-28-82; Ord. No. 3456, § 6, 1-26-87; Ord. No. 3835, § 1, 7-24-89; Ord. No. 4140, § 1, 8-27-91; Ord. No. 4565, § 1, 10-10-95; Ord. No. 4829, § 1, 1-13-98; Ord. No. 5519, § 1, 12-3-03; Ord. No. 6128, § 1, 10-7-09)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.395 Appeals to the administrative hearing officer.

Sec. 12.16.395. - Appeals to the administrative hearing officer. (a) Any director or staff decision relating to the imposition and/or collection of the fees and charges provided for in this article II may be appealed to the administrative hearing officer by filing with the administrative hearing officer at the city clerk's office, within 30 calendar days after the date on which any such fees or charges are due, a written statement setting forth fully the grounds for the appeal. The administrative hearing officer may modify or reverse any such decision based on legal justification. (b) The hearing before the administrative hearing officer shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures specified in section 4.04.170. (c) The decision of the administrative hearing officer may be appealed to municipal court, unless appeal to another tribunal is required by law, within 30 calendar days after written notification of the administrative hearing officer's action by filing a statement of appeal or complaint setting forth the facts, grounds and legal justification for the appeal. Failure to file a timely appeal to court shall be deemed a waiver of any and all objections to the administrative hearing officer's decision. (d) Representation is limited to representation in proper persona or by an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the State of Nevada. (Ord. No. 4915, § 3, 9-22-98; Ord. No. 6130, § 1, 10-7-09; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6224, § 1, 2-22-12; Ord. No. 6230, § 1, 5-23-12; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13; Ord. No. 6559, § 1, 3-25-20)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.400 Notification.

Sec. 12.16.400. - Notification. Each user shall be notified at least annually, in conjunction with a regular bill, of the rate and that portion of the user charges which are attributable to wastewater treatment services. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.073), 8-25-80)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.410 Biennial review of sewer service charges.

Sec. 12.16.410. - Biennial review of sewer service charges. The city shall review at least once every two years the wastewater contribution of users or user classes, the total costs of operation and maintenance of the treatment works, and its appropriate user charge. The city shall revise the charges for users or use classes to accomplish the following: (1) Maintain the proportionate distribution of operation and maintenance costs among users and user classes; (2) Generate sufficient revenue to pay the total operation and maintenance costs necessary for the proper operation and maintenance of the treatment works (including replacement); (3) Apply excess revenues collected from a class of users to the operation and maintenance costs attributable to that class for the next year and adjust the rate accordingly. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.074), 8-25-80)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.420 Sewer user fees when vacant or fire damaged.

Sec. 12.16.420. - Sewer user fees when vacant or fire damaged. (1) There shall be no reduction in sewer user charges for dwelling unit or residential unit for any premises to which a sewer service connection exists during any period of vacancy and the user charge will be the applicable rate pursuant to section 12.16.120. Commercial/industrial dischargers during periods of vacancy shall pay the metered rate or the rate for a single family unit whichever is greater. (2) For a fire damaged structure that has been determined by an authorized city official as unsafe for human occupancy and is being repaired or rebuilt, sewer user charges will be waived during the period where the structure is being repaired or rebuilt which time period commences from the date of determination by the authorized city official to the date of final inspection for the applicable permit by the City of Reno Building Department or after the expiration of five years, whichever occurs first. Upon resumption of the billing, the sewer user charge shall be the applicable rate in accordance with the fee schedule. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.075), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 3498, § 1 5-11-87; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6451, §§ 1, 2, 2-28-18; Ord. No. 6704, § 2, 3-26-25)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.430 Termination of charges.

Sec. 12.16.430. - Termination of charges. The sewer user charge shall be terminated as follows: (a) Upon the receipt of an affidavit by the property owner of sewer connection severance and verification by the building department. The affidavit must be accompanied with a copy of the invoice from the person who severed the connection. Any discharger that has the sewer user charge terminated will only be allowed to reconnect to the sewer system after obtaining a building permit and paying the applicable connection fees. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.076), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6704, § 3, 3-26-25)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.440 Method of collection of delinquent charges.

Sec. 12.16.440. - Method of collection of delinquent charges. (a) All charges imposed by this chapter become a lien against the property serviced, until paid. (b) In addition to the foregoing, the sewer service commission may, after a determination has been made at a publicly noticed meeting of the name of the person chargeable, the premises, and the delinquent charges due, order the sewer connection to be severed for default in payment of sewer fees and the cost of such severance assessed to the person chargeable for the sewer fees. (c) In addition to the foregoing, the City of Reno Finance Department may cause to have a person's delinquent charges for sewerage collected on the county's tax roll in the same manner, by the same persons, and at the same time as, together with and not separately from, the county's general taxes. The City of Reno Finance Department shall have the right to collect from such person(s) four percent of the amount of the delinquent charges for sewerage to be collected on the tax roll or the amount estimated by the county treasurer which is necessary to collect and distribute those delinquent charges, whichever is greater. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.077), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 4543, § 1, 8-8-95; Ord. No. 4623, § 1, 4-23-96)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.450 Use of charges collected.

Sec. 12.16.450. - Use of charges collected. The proceeds from connection charges shall be used solely for the capital costs required to construct improvements, expansion, extension or betterment of the wastewater and stormwater facilities, and reasonable appurtenances of the city, and for costs connected to the Reno-Sparks Joint Water Pollution Control Plant's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit or any other NPDES permit issued to the City of Reno. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.078), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 4543, § 1, 8-8-95; Ord. No. 4638, § 4, 6-25-96; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.455 Use of customer lists.

Sec. 12.16.455. - Use of customer lists. Customer lists of commercial and industrial users received by the city from Truckee Meadows Water Authority for the purposes of sewer billing shall not be available for inspection by the public, and water consumption data received from Sierra Pacific Power Company d/b/a Nv Energy relating to those users shall not be available for inspection by the public except on a need-to-know basis on individual accounts. Submittal, maintenance and release of records from industrial users that are deemed confidential or trade secrets shall be done in accordance with the requirements of section 12.16.590. (Ord. No. 2948, § 1, 7-27-81; Ord. No. 6197, § 1, 8-24-11; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.460 Prior approval of plans.

Sec. 12.16.460. - Prior approval of plans. All construction plans and specifications of connection to the wastewater or stormwater systems must be approved by the community development director before issuance of any permits. This applies to all incorporated areas of the city and those unincorporated areas which will use the city's wastewater facilities. The community development director may require that the plans be prepared under the supervision of and signed by an engineer of suitable training registered in the state. Prior to the issuance of any permits to replace any plumbing fixture or equipment, all such fixture units or equipment must be approved by the community development director. If required the plans must include the requirements in section 12.16.650. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.081), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 3499, § 1, 5-11-87; Ord. No. 4543, § 1, 8-8-95)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.470 Plumbing fixture unit standards.

Sec. 12.16.470. - Plumbing fixture unit standards. (a) All new plumbing fixture units and plumbing fixtures installed after September 12, 1977 must meet the following design standards: (1) Toilets and water closets discharge shall not exceed four gallons per flush. (2) Shower heads discharge shall not exceed three and five-tenths gallons per minute under normal working pressure. (Orifices may be used to reduce flow.) (3) No fixture shall be allowed that has a continuous flow of water of a constant or automatic nature. (4) Grease trap and grease interceptors shall be of such type which does not allow any bypass of prohibited wastes to the POTW. (5) Except for emergency equipment of public utilities during routine maintenance and emergency operation, facilities using water for cooling shall not discharge the cooling water to the wastewater system or storm drainage system. Recirculation of such cooling water shall be required. (6) Industrial user wastewater shall be pretreated, if necessary, to meet all applicable pretreatment standards and requirements as required in article III of this chapter. If process water can be recirculated or reused, equipment shall be installed to accomplish the recirculation or reuse. (7) Car wash facilities must recycle a minimum of 80 percent of the wash/rinse water. (b) All existing installations that do not satisfy subsection (a) (3), (4), (5), and (6) must be retrofitted to meet these requirements within three years after August 25, 1980. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.082), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 3500, § 1, 5-11-87; Ord. No. 3875, § 1, 11-13-89; Ord. No. 6305, § 1, 8-28-13)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.480 Sewer main line extensions.

Sec. 12.16.480. - Sewer main line extensions. Sewer main facilities, hereinafter referred to as "sewer main," must be extended by a subdivider or other property owner in accordance with plans and specifications submitted to and approved by the director. The following requirements apply to sewer main extensions: (1) The inside diameter of every sewer main to be installed shall not be less than eight inches. The subdivider or other property owner shall construct all sewer mains in accordance with the plans and specifications as submitted and approved by the director and pay any and all costs for the minimum size sewer main required for his development with the exception of subsection (4). (2) The infiltration rate shall not exceed 200 gallons per day per inch diameter per mile of length on all new sewers. Inflow sources to the wastewater system are prohibited. (3) Upon connection to the sewer system, the subdivider or other property owner shall dedicate all sewer mains located on property owned or controlled by the city to the city. Upon dedication, the city will operate and maintain the sewer mains located on the property. (4) Construction of larger mains: a. Whenever a subdivider or other property owner, hereinafter referred to as "owner." is required to construct sewer mains from owner's respective property to the nearest sewer main outside of owner's respective property, and where, in the opinion of the city council, it is necessary that a sewer main be constructed of a larger capacity than the minimum capacity needed to serve such subdivision or other property and that such extended sewer main will be or can be used in the disposal of sewage from adjacent properties not in such subdivision or other properties, the city council shall require the owner to construct the larger capacity sewer main in accordance with the plans and specifications as submitted and approved by the director and pay any and all costs for the sewer main. The director shall determine the amount of money necessary to cover the cost of construction of said sewer main. b. Upon connection to the sewer system, the owner shall dedicate all oversized mains located on property owned or controlled by the city to the city. Upon dedication, the city will operate and maintain the sewer mains located on said property. c. The city council shall contract with the owner so as to provide a means of reimbursement to the owner for all costs incurred for construction of said sewer main, and said contract to be based on the guidelines listed below: 1. The amount of money determined by the director under subsection (4)a., above, shall be prorated by the director against the subject parcel as well as all parcels of land that may later be served by connection to the sewer main. In no event shall any owners of property to be served by such extended sewer line or other facility be permitted to connect thereto without first paying to the city the prorated charge above and the connection costs provided by division 5 of this article. 2. All money mentioned in subsection (4)a., above, except the prorated cost to the owner, shall be refunded to the owner who constructed such main lines or facilities. Such refunds shall be made as soon as payments are received by the city or at such other time as the city and the owner may agree. If the entire amount of money due to the owner under the contract with the city has not been refunded in full within the maximum period of 20 years from the date of contract, the same shall terminate and be of no further force and effect. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1(7.20.083), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 2921, § 1, 1-26-81; Ord. No. 3278, § 1, 5-28-85; Ord. No. 3810, § 1, 5-22-89)

Reno Administrative Code § 12.16.490 Construction.

Sec. 12.16.490. - Construction. (a) After a permit has been obtained and all connection fees have been paid, the permittee or authorized representative of the permittee may construct sewer connections in accordance with approved plans and specifications. (b) The permittee or authorized representative shall give notice to the city of the connection, cutting or physical alteration of the city's sewer or storm drain and shall not commence unless a city inspector is present. Forty-eight hours notice must be given to the building department. No wastewater shall be discharged into the city's sewer prior to obtaining inspection and approval of construction by the city. (Ord. No. 2899, § 1 (7.20.084), 8-25-80; Ord. No. 4543, § 1, 8-8-95)

Source: City of Reno, Nevada, Administrative Code, City Charter and Annexation and Land Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nv/reno/codes/administrative_code?nodeId=PT2READCO_TIT12PUWOUT_CH12.16SESE_ARTIISESECHREFetched: 11/1/2026