A. Residential and Multifamily customers will receive billing for transportation and drainage services for each month. Residential and Multifamily customers that are absent from the community for seven or more consecutive days, can apply for a vacancy credit. A separate written application must be made to the City for each billing period or portion of a period the customer claims they are absent from the community, or their property is vacant. Vacancy credit application for extended planned absences may be made in advance for owner occupied residential properties. Credit is prorated based on the billing period definition.

B. Residential Properties for Sale or Rent may make application for vacancy credit. Application must be made for each seven or more consecutive day period of vacancy. An individual credit application may be made for an entire billing period, defined as thirty (30) consecutive days beginning on the first (1st) day of the month, provided however, proof of vacancy status must be provided in the form of other utility bills identifying no consumption, or vacant status, or an affidavit signed by the owner or responsible person that the property is unoccupied for the period.

C. Commercial, Manufacturing, and Industrial customers may make application for vacancy credit for an entire building or any separate business or leasable space within the building. An application must be made to the City for each seven or more consecutive day period the premise is vacant. An individual credit application may be made for an entire billing period, defined as thirty (30) consecutive days beginning on the first (1st) day of the month. During the vacancy, there can be no use of the property, buildings or portion of the buildings on the property for which the vacancy credit is applied. Proof of vacancy status for the claimed period must be provided in the form of other utility bills identifying no consumption, or vacant status, or an affidavit signed by the owner or responsible person that the building or leasable space within the building is unoccupied for the period. The City reserves the right to inspect the premises or verify the customer is entitled to the credit.

D. Motels, Assisted Living facilities, Nursing Homes and similar facilities are not eligible for vacancy credits.

E. All Vacancy Credits may be applied retroactively, however, they are limited to a retroactive period of no more than four billing periods if proof of vacancy during this period is provided in writing with the application.

F. Proration of Vacancy Credits may occur based on the billing cycle defined in this code for each period of vacancy, provided however, the minimum time for vacancy credit is seven consecutive days.