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Santa Barbara Water Commission backs ordinance to detach long‑inactive water and sewer services
Summary
The commission recommended forwarding an ordinance to allow the city to remove meters and inactive connections that have been closed at least one year, replacing the reserve capacity charge program that began in 2013. Commissioners approved the staff recommendation unanimously.
The Santa Barbara Water Commission voted May 22 to forward to the ordinance committee a proposal to allow the city to detach long‑inactive water and wastewater service connections and to retire the cityreserve capacity charges program.
Staff told the commission the detachment program would target utility accounts that have been closed for at least one year and still have a meter or service line in place. Staff said removing unused meters reduces maintenance costs, lowers leak risk and provides a visible signal to prospective buyers that active service is not available at a property. Staff recommended retiring the reserve capacity charges in the annual fee resolution (effective July 1) and introducing an ordinance (Chapter 14.1 of the Municipal Code) to allow detachment; the ordinance is scheduled for ordinance committee June 17, city council introduction July 29 and possible adoption Aug. 5.
Why it matters: Under the citycode today,…
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