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WATER

Charlotte City Code ch. 23, art. IV
in effect

Charlotte City Code § 23-126 Water system operation.

Sec. 23-126. - Water system operation. The water treatment facilities and water distribution system shall be operated as, and considered to be, a single, integrated system. Any revenue collected by Charlotte Water shall be sufficient to meet: (i) the annual principal and interest payable and any associated fees on the debt incurred for construction for the water system and associated infrastructure; and (ii) the amount necessary for repairs, for fire protection, maintenance and operation of the system. (Code 1985, § 23-80; Ord. No. 464, § 1, 1-23-2023)

Charlotte City Code § 23-127 Application for water service.

Sec. 23-127. - Application for water service. Water will be introduced into premises abutting on streets having water mains upon application being made by the owner or lessee or the authorized agent of the property to be benefitted and upon compliance with all requirements of CMU. (Code 1985, § 23-81)

Charlotte City Code § 23-128 Meters.

Sec. 23-128. - Meters. All water meters installed or required to be used under this article shall be under the control of CMU. No meter shall be installed, removed or disturbed by anyone except authorized CMU personnel. (Code 1985, § 23-82)

Charlotte City Code § 23-129 Charges for making service connections.

Sec. 23-129. - Charges for making service connections. (a) The charges for making service connections of sizes four inches or smaller shall be arrived at in accordance with the water and sewer rate methodology set forth in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department Revenue Manual dated November 26, 2012, which is on file with the city clerk. The above documents shall be referred to as the "revenue manual." Such rates, fees and charges as are determined in accordance with the revenue manual and any modifications thereto and any other CMU water or sewer rates, fees or charges determined in accordance with applicable law are referred to as the "schedule of current rates, fees and charges" in this chapter. The charges for making partial service connections of three-quarter-inch size shall be calculated and applied in the same manner. (b) The charges for making complete service connections at sizes larger than four inches shall be made as follows: (1) At the time of application for a service connection, a design study will be scheduled and made by CMU personnel to determine the cost of construction, material, meter, valves and required appurtenances to furnish the service applied for. (2) Payment of the determined cost is required prior to the start of any construction work by CMU. (c) The applicant shall designate with a marker the location of the water service connection along the street right-of-way within the boundaries of his property prior to the beginning of the work. The location may not be within a driveway. (d) The applicant or customer shall not operate or disturb any part of the water service other than to turn off water to the premises in an emergency by operating the curb turnoff within the meter box if the service is one inch or smaller or by operating the property line cutoff valve on larger services. All fixtures within the owner's premises must be kept in repair by the customer or property owner. (Code 1985, § 23-83; Ord. No. 2032, § 1, 3-25-2002; Ord. No. 3875, § 1, 4-7-2008; Ord. No. 4609, § 5, 2-28-2011; Ord. No. 5007, § 2, 11-26-2012)

Charlotte City Code § 23-130 Repairs to service connections at CMU expense; exceptions.

Sec. 23-130. - Repairs to service connections at CMU expense; exceptions. After the water service connection and meter cost have been paid by the property owner, CMU will keep the service in repair from the main up to and including the meter yoke assembly. There will be no further expense to the property owner, except that, in case of malicious damage by the owner or tenant, or in case of damage caused by hot water being forced from the premises through the meter from boilers, hot water tanks, etc., the property owner or tenant shall pay the cost of repairs. (Code 1985, § 23-84)

Charlotte City Code § 23-131 Removal of water service fixtures.

Sec. 23-131. - Removal of water service fixtures. (a) When water is introduced into any property or premises by CMU, the water service fixtures become a permanent improvement in the same manner as paving, curbing, sidewalks, sewer connections, etc. The water service fixtures belong to the property for which they are placed and will not be removed or transferred from the property to which they have been assigned, but are under the control of CMU. (b) CMU may replace existing meters, service connections or other fixtures with meters, service connections or other fixtures of equal, or greater, capacity or efficiency. (c) Should the use of water through service connections be discontinued, or a partial service connection remain unused, CMU may remove the meter, service connection and other water service fixtures, or discontinue the availability of the partial service connection. (Code 1985, § 23-85)

Charlotte City Code § 23-132 Separate meter for each property.

Sec. 23-132. - Separate meter for each property. (a) Property owned by separate parties must have separate water service where each piece of property has a city main accessible for a connection. CMU shall not be required to furnish water service unless the property is in compliance with the requirements of this section. (b) The joint use of water by separate property owners through one service connection will be allowed only where no water main is accessible to all of the property. (c) When three or more premises are owned by the same party and are supplied through the same meter, the owner shall be responsible for paying the charges for water and sewer service, if any, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. (d) When multiple premises owned by the same party are supplied through the same meter and, afterwards, part of the property is sold, the parcel sold must be disconnected from the supply and a separate meter installed, if the property sold is to be supplied with CMU water. Premises under the same ownership will be supplied through one service connection only when they are adjoining. (Code 1985, § 23-86)

Charlotte City Code § 23-132.1 Separate meter for in-ground irrigation systems.

Sec. 23-132.1. - Separate meter for in-ground irrigation systems. (a) The following phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection: Billing period means the time period during which a customer's water usage is regularly determined and associated charges are billed to the customer. Non-compliant irrigation system means an irrigation system installed in violation of the requirements of this section. Subject lot means a lot that is platted and recorded in the office of the register of deeds in the county or counties in which the real property is located after July 1, 2009. Subsection (d) civil penalty means a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. (b) No portion of an in-ground irrigation system using water from the CMU water distribution system may be installed or operated unless said irrigation system is connected to the CMU water distribution system through a separate meter authorized by CMU that only serves said irrigation system. CMU shall not be required to furnish water service to any non-compliant irrigation system. (c) Each owner of a subject lot shall be responsible for complying with the requirements of this section for any irrigation system installed on such lot. (d) Installation of a non-compliant irrigation system shall subject each owner of a subject lot on which such a system has been installed to a civil penalty of $100.00. Each day that such system remains in place shall not be considered a continuing violation or a separate and distinct violation. (e) Each owner of a subject lot who has been assessed a subsection (d) civil penalty shall be subject to an additional civil penalty of $50.00 for each billing period beginning at least 30 days after receipt of a subsection (d) civil penalty during which said owner fails to: (1) Permanently and completely disconnect the non-compliant irrigation system from any plumbing system receiving water in any manner from the CMU water distribution system; or (2) Apply for a separate meter and, if applicable, service connection for the in-ground irrigation system associated with the subsection (d) civil penalty and pay all applicable CMU fees and charges for the installation of said meter and, if applicable, service connection. If the owner of a subject lot is not the customer who is billed for water usage at said lot, the billing period associated with water usage at said lot shall apply for purposes of assessing additional civil penalties under this subsection. (f) The violation of any provision of this section may be enforced by all remedies authorized by law for noncompliance with municipal ordinances, including the assessment of a civil penalty and action for injunction, order of abatement or other equitable relief; provided that, no violation of any provision of this section shall be a basis for imposing any criminal remedy. (g) Each civil penalty assessed pursuant to this section may be added to any water bill of the owner and shall be paid in the same manner as set forth in this chapter for the payment of water bills. Failure to pay all or any portion of a water bill, including any civil penalty assessed pursuant to this section, in a timely manner may result in the termination of water service from CMU. (h) The director may consider petitions for remission of civil penalties assessed pursuant to this section. A petition for remission shall be in writing, signed by the person against whom the civil penalty was assessed and submitted to the director within 30 days after receipt of the assessment of the civil penalty. The petition shall include a waiver of any and all rights of the petitioner to a hearing and judicial review of the assessment, and a stipulation that the facts are correct as set forth in the documents assessing the civil penalty. The decision of the director on the petition shall be final and shall not be subject to further administrative or judicial review. (1) In determining whether a petition for remission will be approved, the director shall consider the following factors: a. Whether the petitioner has taken action to permanently and completely disconnect the non-compliant irrigation system from any plumbing system receiving water in any manner from the CMU water distribution system; b. Whether the petitioner has applied for a separate meter and service connection for the in-ground irrigation system associated with [the definition in subsection (a) designated as] the subsection (d) civil penalty and paid all applicable CMU fees and charges for the installation of said meter and service connection; c. Whether the petitioner has been assessed a civil penalty for any prior violation of this section; d. Whether the petitioner has paid all outstanding invoices to petitioner for water and/or sewer service from CMU, with the sole exception of the civil penalty that is the subject of the petition for remission. (2) After submitting a petition for remission, the petitioner shall provide such additional information and records as may be reasonably necessary or convenient to the director's consideration of the petition. The director may remit the entire amount of a civil penalty only when the petitioner has not been assessed civil penalties for any prior violation of this section. (Ord. No. 5006, § 1, 11-26-2012)

Charlotte City Code § 23-133 Cutoff valve.

Sec. 23-133. - Cutoff valve. (a) At each complete water service connection larger than one inch, a cutoff valve will be placed at the property line or right-of-way line. This valve will be furnished as part of the meter installation and is to be under the control of the owner or tenant. This valve is to be used in case of a break, or other necessity, whereby pipes to be repaired can be cut off without using CMU's cutoff valve located in the meter box or meter vault. This is not intended to take the place of the ordinary stop and waste value located within the premises for the purpose of draining the pipes to prevent damage from freezing. (b) Private fire protection lines that cross unoccupied ground to reach the object to be protected shall have a cutoff valve placed at the property line or at the right-of-way line where the connection is to be made. (Code 1985, § 23-87)

Charlotte City Code § 23-134 Interference with the water distribution system.

Sec. 23-134. - Interference with the water distribution system. It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to operate or damage, by interference and/or tampering, the valves on the street mains or any part of the water distribution system. Plumbers or property owners may, in an emergency, shut off water at the curb cutoff valve. (Code 1985, § 23-88)

Charlotte City Code § 23-135 Charges for testing meters and fixtures.

Sec. 23-135. - Charges for testing meters and fixtures. CMU shall test, or cause to be tested, and make a thorough examination of the water meter and all fixtures when so desired by the customer under the following conditions: (1) Should the test or inspection prove the excessive bill to be caused by negligence of CMU, inaccuracy of the meter, or for any cause be the fault of CMU, the expense of the investigation shall be borne by CMU; or (2) Should the test and inspection prove the excessive bill to be the fault of the customer or any person not connected with, or in the employ of, CMU, the actual cost of such investigation is to be borne by the customer requesting the test and inspection, as set forth in the schedule of current rates, fees and charges. (Code 1985, § 23-89)

Charlotte City Code § 23-136 Duty of customer when ordering water turned on.

Sec. 23-136. - Duty of customer when ordering water turned on. Any customer ordering water to be turned on should verify that all pipes are properly connected and faucets closed so that the building or dwelling will not be flooded. The city will not be liable for any damages caused by flooding when faucets or openings are not closed. (Code 1985, § 23-90)

Charlotte City Code § 23-137 Unauthorized turning on of water after turnoff by CMU.

Sec. 23-137. - Unauthorized turning on of water after turnoff by CMU. If the water is cut off from any premises by CMU for nonpayment of a bill or for any other cause authorized by this chapter, it shall be unlawful for a customer or user to restore service by a turn-on or by installing unauthorized devices or directing or permitting the installation of unauthorized devices to restore service. If an unauthorized turn-on occurs, CMU may remove the meter, any unauthorized meter or device or turn off the service at the main. (Code 1985, § 23-91; Ord. No. 2274, § 2, 3-24-2003)

Charlotte City Code § 23-138 Turning water on and off at mains.

Sec. 23-138. - Turning water on and off at mains. The city will not be liable for any damage that may result from shutting off the water main or service for any purpose, even when no notice is given; and, accordingly, no deduction from water bills will be made. If the stoppage of the water supply to a customer may cause damage, such customer should install protective devices to prevent damage during any period that water is turned off. CMU will attempt to notify customers when the water will be turned off, except in emergencies. (Code 1985, § 23-92)

Charlotte City Code § 23-139 Fire hydrants; authorized users; permit required for private user.

Sec. 23-139. - Fire hydrants; authorized users; permit required for private user. (a) Public fire hydrants and water therefrom are primarily for the use of the fire department to render fire protection service. CMU personnel are authorized to operate and use hydrants without special permission for inspection, repairs, flushing mains or other such reasonable and proper use required by CMU operations. The employees of the fire department are authorized to operate and use hydrants without special permission for inspection, repairs, fire protection or other such reasonable and proper use required by the operations of the fire department. (b) Any person may shut off a fire hydrant opening in order to stop a flow of water caused by an accident. It is unlawful for any other person to use a fire hydrant for any purpose, except by special permit issued by CMU. (Code 1985, § 23-93)

Charlotte City Code § 23-140 Damage to elements of CMU water system.

Sec. 23-140. - Damage to elements of CMU water system. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to break, damage, or cause to be broken or damaged, any public fire hydrant, water main, any portion of a complete service connection, valve box or any other element of CMU water system. In addition to any applicable penalties for violating this section, such person shall pay the reasonable cost for any necessary repairs. (b) If any of the structures mentioned in subsection (a) of this section is broken or damaged by accident or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the person causing the damage to report the location and description of the damage to the police department, fire department or CMU. Failure to make the report shall be unlawful. (c) If a driveway is constructed over an existing meter box, CMU may relocate the service at the customer's expense. (Code 1985, § 23-94)

Charlotte City Code § 23-141 Restrictions on use of private fire hydrants.

Sec. 23-141. - Restrictions on use of private fire hydrants. Private fire hydrants or any other fire protection fixtures on unmetered services located on private premises shall not be used, except for a fire, training, periodic testing, maintenance or repair of the hydrants or fixtures. It is unlawful for any person to use a private fire hydrant or any other fire protection fixture on unmetered services for any other purpose, except by special permit issued by CMU and approved by the owner of such private fire hydrant or fixture. Any person violating this section shall pay the charge for any water used or obtained, in addition to any applicable penalty. (Code 1985, § 23-95)
Source: City of Charlotte, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/charlotte/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH23WASEINWADIRE_ARTIVWAFetched: 10/27/2026

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