Chapter 206. To provide for the drainage of lots in the District of Columbia
768 words·~3 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-29/chapter-206-697204·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 206.— An Act To provide for the drainage of lots in the District of Columbia.May 19, 1896. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That each original lot or subdivisional District of Columbia. Drainage of lots required. Sewer connections. lot situated on Sewer and water connections. any street in the District of Columbia where there is a public sewer shall be connected with said sewer in such manner that any and all of the drainage of such lot, whether water or liquid refuse of any kind, except human urine and fecal matter, shall flow into said sewer; and if such original lot or subdivisional lot is situated on any street in said District where there is a public sewer and water main, such original lot or subdivisional lot shall be connected with said sewer and also with said water main in such manner that any and all of the drainage of such lot, whether water or liquid refuse of any kind shall flow into said sewer: *Provided,* That the connections required to *Proviso.* All buildings to connect with sewer, etc. be made by this Act shall be made under the following conditions:
When there is on any such original lot or subdivisional lot aforesaid any building used or intended to be used as a dwelling, or in which persons are employed or intended to be employed in any manufacture, trade, or business, or any stable, shed, pen, or place where cows, horses, mules, or other animals are kept, then, and in that instance, such original lot or subdivisional lot shall be connected with a public sewer and water main or with a public sewer, as may be required with this Act; and whenever there is no such building, stable, shed, pen, or place, as aforesaid, Vacant lots. on such original lot or subdivisional lot, then such lot shall be required to be connected with a public sewer only when it has been certified by the health officer of said District that such connection is necessary to public health.
Sec. 2. That it shall be the duty of the Commissioners of said District Notification to owners. to notify the owner or owners of every lot required by this Act to be 126FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Sess. I. Chs. 206–208. 1896. connected with a public sewer or water main, as the case may be, to so connect such lot, the work to be done in accordance with the regulations governing plumbing and house drainage in said District. Sec. 3. That if the owner or owners of any such lot neglect or refuse Penalty for neglect, etc. to make such connections as are required by this Act within thirty days after the receipt of such notice, such owner or owners shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, on conviction in the police court of said District, be punished by a fine of not less than one dollar nor more than five dollars for each day he, she, or they fail or neglect to make such connections.
Sec. 4. That in case the owner or owners of any such lot be a nonresident Notice to nonresident owners. or nonresidents of the District of Columbia, or can not be found therein, then, and in that case, the said Commissioners shall give notice, by publication twice a week for two weeks in some daily newspaper published in the city of Washington, to such owner, directing the connection of such lot with such public sewer or with such public sewer and water main, as the case may be: *Provided, however,* That if the *Proviso.* Mailing notice. residence or place of abode of the said nonresident lot owner be known or can be ascertained on reasonable inquiry, then, and in that case, a copy of the aforesaid notice shall be mailed to said nonresident, addressed to him in his proper name at his said place of residence or abode, with legal postage prepaid; and in case such owner or owners shall fail or neglect to comply with the notice aforesaid within thirty days it shall be the duty of said Commissioners to cause such connection to be made, the expense to be paid out of the emergency fund; such expense, with necessary expense of advertisement, shall be assessed as a tax Expense to be taxed on property. against such lot, which tax shall be carried on the regular tax roll of the District of Columbia, and shall be collected in the manner provided for the collection of other taxes.
Approved, May 19, 1896.