4. a. For a property connected to the water or sewerage system for less than 20 years, a municipal authority may charge an additional connection or tapping fee for an addition, alteration, or change in use that materially increases the level of use and imposes a greater demand on the water or sewerage system, but does not involve a new physical connection of the property to the water or sewerage system.

b. The connection or tapping fee authorized by subsection a. of this section shall be equal to the amount by which the increased use and demand on the water or sewerage system exceeds the use and demand that existed prior to such addition, alteration, or change in use.

c. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude a municipal authority from charging a new or additional connection or tapping fee for any new or additional connection of a property to the water or sewerage system, or for any increase in the size of an existing connection or for any new construction of additional service units connected to the water or sewerage system that materially increases the level of use or demand on the water or sewerage system.

d. As used in this section, “materially increases” means any increase in the number of service units; or any other change which increases the level of use or demand on the water or sewerage system by 15 percent or more over the highest actual annual use and demand that existed during the prior 10-year period immediately preceding the addition, alteration, or change in use; provided, however, that, if the property has been connected to the water or sewerage system for less than 10 years, the average level of use and demand shall be calculated based on the actual period of connection.

L.2018, c.74, s.4.