General Information, Rules, Regulations

Water System Annual Water Quality Report: Report for 1999

Police: Non-emergency calls can be made anytime to 437-9771. If an officer is not in the office, leave a message. The messages are checked hourly while officers are on duty.

Library: The Elgin Public Library is located at 1699 Division St; Hours are 1-6 PM, Mon-Fri.

Court: The Elgin Municipal Court hears traffic infractions and municipal ordinance citations on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7 PM in the City Hall.

Firearms/Weapons It is unlawful to discharge any weapon, within the city limits, including all firearms, pellet guns, and bows. The weapon can be confiscated and forfeited for violation.

Parking All DMV rules apply to parking on streets and highways. Vehicles for sale or under repair may not be parked on city streets except for emergency repairs. Illegally parked vehicles may be towed if the owner fails to respond to citations.

Trucks Loaded trucks may not travel on or park on paved city streets except in an emergency or when no other route exists to make a delivery. This does not apply to state or county roads within the city limits; fine up to $500 for violation.

Vehicle Impound The Elgin Police Department can and will impound the vehicle of any person cited for driving without a license, driving with a suspended license or failing to have insurance or proof of insurance in the vehicle. Charge of $100 plus towing and storage fees will apply.

Animals Farm/Barnyard Animals are not permitted within the R-1 residential zone except where a conditional use is granted by the city council.

All Dogs over 6 months of age are required to have rabies vaccinations and be licensed by the city. Current rabies infor- mation must be presented to obtain a licence. Fine up to $100 for failure to license a dog.

Elgin has a "leash law" that requires dogs to be restrained to the owner's property or to be on a leash and under control. Dogs may be transported in or on a vehicle but must be restrained if they cannot be relied upon to remain in or on the vehicle; Fine up to $100 for "dog at large".

Owners of dogs known to be aggressive must take precautions to protect the public from their animals. Dog bites can result in a fine of $500 and/or removal of the dog from the city.

Open Burning Open burning is restricted all year to the hours from 6 AM to 7 PM. During the fire season, burning is restricted to the hours from 6 AM to 10 AM in burn barrels only. Under severe fire conditions, burning may be banned. Check with city hall for the current burning restrictions.

It is prohibited by state law and city ordinance to burn any garbage, plastic, including disposable diapers, insulation, car parts, petroleum product, rubber, animal remains, food residue, or any other substance that produces dense smoke or noxious odors.

All open burning fires must be completely out at the time specified as the end of the burning period; Fines up to $500 for illegal burning.

Junk/Derelict Vehicles It is unlawful to keep a junked, wrecked or dismantled motor vehicle for more than 10 days on any property in the city where it can be seen from outside the property; fine up to $300 for violation.

Noise The city has a general ban on unnecessary noise which is judged on a reasonableness standard. Building construction or demolition is restricted to the hours from 6 AM to 7 PM except by permit. 10 PM is the basic rule for turning down the loud music, loud parties, etc; fine up $100.

Curfew Persons under 18 may not be on any street, alley, park, sidewalk or other public place between the hours of 10 PM and 5:30 AM Sun - Thurs, or 12 PM and 5:30 AM Fri - Sat, unless with parent or a person 21 or older approved by the parent and engaged in a lawful activity that requires their being out after hours; fine up $100 for violation.

Clerance Witty (fountain) Park downtown can be reserved by calling the City Hall 437-2253. The park is reserved on a first come first served basis.

Elgin EDGE has the park reserved on alternate Saturdays during the summer for the Saturday Market.

Elgin Lions Club has the park reserved for Riverfest the 3rd Saturday of June.

Tom McDowell Park at the Community Center can be reserved with or without the gazebo. The swimming pool can also be reserved for private parties. Call the Parks and Recreation District office at 437-5931 to make reservations.

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PETS The City has no limit on the number of pets you may have, but there is a STRICT enforcement of the noise and odor provisions of the City Ordinaces. Nuisance noise

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Buiding and Zoning
Building permits for all construction within Union County are obtained at the La Grande City Hall, 1000 Adams Ave. For Consturction and plumbing permits call 962-1317. For Electrical permits call 963-0431.

Zoning information for the City of Elgin is available at the Elgin City Hall 180 N 8th. Zoning approval from the City is required before the LaGrande Building Department will issue a building permit.

Zoning information outside the City limits is obtained at the Union County Planning Department; 963-1014, 1108 'K' Ave LaGrande;

All builders and subdividers are encouraged to contact the City Office early in the planning stage to prevent possible conflicts with zoning or subdivision rules and to insure that water and sewer services and street access are available.

Construction that fronts on either Highway 82 or 204, requires early review by Oregon Dept of Transportation; 963-8406, 3014 Island Ave, La Grande. Return to Questions

WATER AND SEWER SERVICE:
Water rates for residential and commercial services are as follows:
$13.00 for the 1st 2,000 cu.ft. per month;
$0.44/1,000 cu.ft. for 2,000 to 7,000 cu.ft.
$0.26/1,000 cu.ft. over 7,000 cu.ft.

Sewer rates
Residential service
$13.75 per month per household.
Commercial accounts are charged the basic residential rate of $13.75 plus
$0.34/1,000 cu.ft. of water used, over 2,000 cu.ft./month.

Residential water meters are read from April 1 through September 30. The flat rate of $13.00/month for water and $13.75/month for sewer is charged to residential accounts during the winter months. Commercial meters are read throughout the year.

Water service requests are to be made at City Hall during regular office hours; M-Th 8:30/5:00. Renters may request a transfer of service to their name, by phone, provided thier landlord has made arrangemets with the office in advance for the renter to pay the water and sewer charges.

Owner-occupants and Landlords must make an application for water and sewer services at the city office. The water and sewer services provided by the City are a lien against the property, and are the responcibility of the property owner.

Water and sewer accounts are billed every other month for services received during the previous 2 month period; eg. services for June and July are billed the 1st of August.

Landlords that choose to have their renter pay the water and sewer fees must be aware of this extended billing cycle to insure that the renter's payment is current.

Low income senior citizens over 65 may qualify for reduced water and sewer service fees. Contact the City office, 437-2253, for an application.

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