SECTION 1. GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING COMPLIANCE
All development within the SOI must conform to the City’s General Plan land use and zoning requirements to qualify for sewer or water service.
At the City’s discretion, staff may approve deviations from zoning standards if a project is substantially compliant with the Zoning Code or demonstrates a substantial public benefit, including but not limited to:
Advancing regional infrastructure improvements.
Supporting affordable housing or workforce housing initiatives.
Enhancing environmental sustainability efforts.
Addressing critical public health or safety needs.
SECTION 2. ANNEXATION REQUIREMENTS
A. Non-Adjacent Parcels (SOI parcels not contiguous to the City boundary) Property owners must either annex into the City or execute and file an Irrevocable Agreement to Annex.
Annexation will occur once the City determines there are a sufficient number of surrounding parcels to annex, and the number of parcels qualify under LAFCO’s policy.
B. Contiguous Parcels (SOI parcels bordering the City boundary) Property owners must annex the parcel to receive sewer and/or water service.
If annexation is deemed infeasible, as defined in Section 3, the owner must execute an Irrevocable Agreement to Annex.
C. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Exemption
ADUs within the SOI shall be exempt from annexation requirements when seeking a sewer connection.
ADUs are not required to connect to the sewer system if a properly functioning private septic system is in place.
D. Sizable Developments within the SOI
At the City’s discretion, sizable developments within the SOI will be required to annex before receiving sewer or water service unless annexation is deemed infeasible as defined in Section 3. The determination of a sizable development will be based on factors including:
The number of units or square footage of the project.
The projected impact on City infrastructure and services.
The type and overall scope and scale of the proposed development.
Infrastructure Committee Oversight – All Irrevocable Agreements to Annex other than individual single family home requests must be reviewed and recommended by the Infrastructure Committee before an "Ability to Serve" letter is issued.
SECTION 3. CITY DISCRETION FOR INFEASIBILITY DETERMINATIONS The City reserves the right to determine that annexation is infeasible under the following conditions:
Excessive Burden on a Single Property Owner – If annexation imposes a disproportionate financial or procedural burden on the property owner seeking the sewer or water service.
Lack of Support from Surrounding Parcels – If adjacent property owners do not support annexation.
Infrastructure Constraints – If existing sewer or water infrastructure cannot support annexation.
Cost Considerations – If extending services without broader parcel support creates an unsustainable financial burden.
Long-term Maintenance Obligations – If annexation results in an undue maintenance burden.
SECTION 4. OUT-OF-BOUNDARY SERVICE AGREEMENTS
Out-of-boundary sewer and water service agreements shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering feasibility, service impact, and public benefit.
No Annexation Requirement – Unlike SOI sewer and water connections, annexation shall not be required for Out-of-Boundary Service Agreements.
Service Feasibility Analysis – The City will evaluate:
Infrastructure capacity and accessibility.
Long-term maintenance obligations.
Impact on existing and future service demands.
Public Benefit Considerations – Agreements shall be approved if they provide a regional benefit, such as:
Enhancing sewer and water service efficiency.
Improving regional infrastructure access.
Increases to the City’s allocation of reclaimed water.
Assessment of economic considerations.
Infrastructure Committee Oversight – All Out-of-Boundary Service Agreements must be reviewed and recommended by the Infrastructure Committee before an "Ability to Serve" letter is issued.
City Cost Participation for Connector Fees – The City shall contribute its fair share of connector fees for necessary sewer or water infrastructure improvements.
SECTION 5. WATER SERVICE CONSIDERATIONS
The same policy framework and feasibility criteria outlined for sewer connections shall apply to water service requests within the SOI and out-of-boundary areas.
In assessing whether to approve water service requests, the City shall consider the following factors:
Water infrastructure capacity and distribution.
Long-term maintenance obligations.
Regional water service efficiency and sustainability.
Proposed Sewer Policy
For the Sphere of Influence and Out-of-Boundary Service Agreements (DRAFT)