(a) Generally. To determine the benefits accruing to each lot that is or can be connected to the County water distribution system or the County wastewater collection system, or to both systems, the Director shall establish the number of feet of the boundary of the lot to be assessed.
(b) Classification based on use. To determine the number of feet of the boundary of each lot to be assessed, the Director shall classify each lot on the basis of its use at the time that the parcel is or can be connected to a water distribution or wastewater collection system. The classification may be changed when the actual use of the parcel is changed. The use classifications shall conform generally to the use classifications of the County zoning laws.
(c) Calculation. The number of boundary feet of each lot subject to assessment for front foot assessments shall be calculated in accordance with its classification as provided in this section.
(1) For single-family residential, add the number of feet in the boundary line abutting a water main or wastewater line and the rear line and divide by two to determine the average width of the property. For irregularly shaped lots the average width of the property shall be determined by some other reasonable method of calculation. The average width is the number of boundary feet subject to assessment.
(2) For apartment residential, use the formula in subsection (c)(1) or multiply the number of apartment units by 18. The number of boundary feet subject to assessment is the larger of the two numbers.
(3) For commercial uses, use the formula in subsection (c)(1) and multiply the average width by three.
(4) For industrial uses, use the formula in subsection (c)(1) and multiply the average width by five.
(5) For agricultural land, a lot in excess of five acres actually used for agriculture shall be assessed for 150 boundary feet. A lot in excess of five acres not actually used for agriculture shall be assessed in subsection (c)(1) and divided by two and, if there is more than one dwelling units on the lot, multiply the number of dwelling units by 150 feet, and the assessment shall be the number that is larger.
(6) For small acreage, a lot of less than five acres shall be assessed in subsection (c)(1), except that the average width may not exceed 300 boundary feet if the parcel is undeveloped or if there is a single dwelling unit on the lot and, if there is more than one dwelling unit on the lot, the average width may not exceed 150 feet multiplied by the number of dwelling units plus one.
(7) For religious facilities, cemeteries, or recreational uses, use the formula in subsection (c)(1), except that the average width may not exceed 300 boundary feet.
(8) For institutional properties, use the formula in subsection (c)(1) and multiply the average width by two.
(9) For mobile home parks, use the same formula in subsection (c)(1) or multiply the number of mobile home spaces by 18. The number of boundary feet subject to assessment is the larger of the two numbers.
(d) Assessment when service line does not extend along entire length of boundary. The lots in a class shall be assessed in the manner provided for in this section even though a water or sewer line does not extend along the full length of a boundary.
(e) Deferral. Property that does not abut a road in which a water or wastewater line is located but has access to the water or wastewater line by a common use right-of-way, driveway, or other access lane may not be assessed a front foot assessment charge until a connection is made. At the time the property is connected to the water or wastewater lines, front foot assessment charges will be computed as provided in this section as if the property did abut the water or wastewater line.
(1985 Code, Art. 25, § 25-5-604) (Bill No. 63-04)
