Ord 83-2020 Amending Chapter 106 of the Code Ordinances 12/15/2020Ordinance No. 83-2020
Ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Code of Ordinances by
amending Article III; providing a repealer clause; providing for
inclusion; providing for severability; and setting an effective date
WHEREAS, in March 2019, the City Council amended Chapter 106 of the Code of
Ordinances to eliminate private service lines from crossing property lines, resulting in a
reduction of various problems; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance amendment failed to account for the unique layout of
buildings and infrastructure in the Central Business District; and,
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed this proposal and recommends that the Central
Business District be exempt from those March 2019 amendments to Chapter 106
regarding service lines crossing property lines; and,
WHEREAS, staff believes this amendment will clarify the sewer extension policy
for new development; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council concurs with staff's recommendation to amend the
Code of Ordinances at Chapter 106, amending Articles III, to clarify the placement of
private sewer lines in relation to property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
1. Chapter 106 of the Wichita Falls Code of Ordinances is hereby amended
by the addition of language in, Article III, at Section 106-248 (b), which shall hereafter
read as follows:
ARTICLE III. - SEWER SERVICE
Sec. 106-248. - Connections required.
a) No utilities shall be connected with any new building or construction until a proper
sewer connection has been made if the city sewer is available within 200 feet from
such new building or construction. If such city sewer is not available within such
distance, no utilities shall be connected until an approved septic tank and disposal
field has been constructed for the use of such new building or construction. The
septic tank shall be approved by the city/county public health district before such
utility clearances shall be issued.
b) All service pipes/lines from the sewer mains shall be in accordance with the city's
plumbing code.
c) Service pipes/lines may not cross adjoining property lines. All service pipes/lines
must be adjacent to the property. This subsection shall not apply to the downtown
businesses within an area defined from the south right-of-way line of 5th Street, to
the north right-of-way line of 14th Street, and from the east right -of way lines of
Austin Street, to the west right-of-way line of the BNSF railroad. All private sewer
service pipes/lines crossing property lines within the area described herein must
be in a filed and recorded private sewer easement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed.
3. It is the intention of the City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, that
the provisions of this ordinance shall become a part of the Code of Ordinances of the City
of Wichita Falls, Texas, and that sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or
relettered to accomplish such intention.
4. Should any word, phrase, paragraph, section or portion of this ordinance or
the Code of Ordinances, as amended hereby, be held to be void or unconstitutional, the
same shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said ordinance or the Code
of Ordinances, as amended hereby, which shall remain in full force and effect.
5. This ordinance shall become effective 30 days from the below date.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 15th day of December, 2020.
ATTEST:
City Clerk