HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-020 Ordinance amending YMC 7.50.110 Meter AccessORDINANCE NO. 2025-020
AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Section 7,50.110 Meter
Access to add new section (C).
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima wants to ensure that it has access to the water meters for
all needs including reviewing usage and initiation and termination of service; and
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima wants to ensure that it has the ability to remove or move
any obstruction of a water meter; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Yakima finds that it is in the best interest of the
City of Yakima and its residents to amend the meter access Code section to provide for the
specific authority of the City of Yakima to remove or move obstructions to a water meter, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. Section 7.50.110 Meter Access - of the City of Yakima Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
7.50.110 Meter Access.
A. A minimum of twelve inches of clearance on each side of the city meter tile must be
maintained to allow access to the city water meter.
B. Private meters, as provided for in Chapters 7.12 or 7.50 or 7.60 YMC, must be
located in a readily accessible place for inspection, verification, to obtain readings and to
allow the signal generated by the measuring device to be read by the city's automated
meter reading device.
C. If the City determines, in its discretion, that a violation of YMC 7.50.110(A) or (B)
exists, the City may remove and/or move any blockage, hinderance, or obstruction to
meter access after the City provides the utility account owner 48 hours' prior notice of
the violation in order to cure the violation. Notice may be perfected by either (a) posting
in a conspicuous place upon any improvement or structure at the property served by the
utility; or (b) mailing addressed to the property served by the utility. Notice shall be
effective on the date of posting or three (3) days after the date of depositing in the mail.
If the violation is not cured within 48 hours after notice is given as provided herein, the
City may move and/or remove any items blocking, hindering, or obstructing access to
the utility meter. Any moving and/or removal of items may include, without limitation, the
impounding of any vehicle on the property. If the obstruction is a vehicle, and the
vehicle has not been removed after the notice is provided, the vehicle may be declared
an unauthorized vehicle and may be towed, stored and subject to redemption, return
and/or sale in accordance with YMC 9.47 et. seq.
The City retains the ability to utilize City resources and/or employees, or may contract
with a third party, to obtain access. The account holder shall be responsible for the
payment of all costs and expenses (a) incurred by the City; and/or (b) charged by any
third party contracted by the City.
The failure of the City to issue a notice under this Section or to remove/move an
obstruction to a utility meter shall not constitute a waiver of the City's rights or
authority. The rights and authority of the City under this Section shall be in addition to
any other rights and authority the City may have under this Code or State law. (Ord.
2019-012 § 3, 2019: Ord, 2006-07 § 19, 2006).
Section 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage,
approval, and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 17th day of June, 2025.
ATTEST:
Rosalinda Ibarra, City Clerk
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
Effective Date: July 24, 2025
2