Chapter 86 UTILITIES
Plain English: what this part covers
This chapter covers Ashburn's city-run water, sewer and natural gas service. It sets the rules on connection permits, deposits, meters, late penalties and shutoffs, disputing a bill, and the city's right to come on your property to read meters and fix lines. It also covers outdoor watering hours, what you can and can't put down the sewer, when you have to tie into city sewer, and how the gas system extends lines to new customers. The actual rates and deposit amounts aren't in the code. They're kept on file with the city clerk.
- 10% late penalty if unpaid by the 10th; service terminated if unpaid by the 20th (Sec. 86-3(b))
- Surviving spouse exempt from a new deposit (Sec. 86-4(b))
- 3%: meter test is free if the meter over-registers by more than 3% (Sec. 86-7(c))
- 24 hours: notice required before vacating premises (Sec. 86-11)
- 3/4 inch: maximum standard water service tap size (Sec. 86-22)
- 4:00 p.m.–10:00 a.m.: allowed daily outdoor watering hours (Sec. 86-25)
Cross reference— Administration, ch. 2; buildings and building regulations, ch. 18; flow rate restrictions on plumbing fixtures, § 18-101 et seq.; environment, ch. 38; floods, ch. 46; health and sanitation, ch. 50; historical preservation, ch. 54; planning, ch. 66; solid waste, ch. 70; streets, sidewalks and other public places, ch. 74.
What's in here
Questions folks ask
When is my utility bill late, and when can they cut me off?
A 10% penalty is added if the bill isn't paid by the 10th of the month it's due. If the bill plus the penalty still isn't paid by the 20th, the code says service will be terminated. The council can set a fee to turn service back on.
How much is the deposit, and do I have to pay a new one if the account holder dies or moves out?
The council sets the deposit amount, and the schedule is on file with the city clerk. When the account holder dies or moves out, whoever still lives there has to pay a new deposit, even if they've lived there a long time. The one exception is a surviving spouse, who doesn't pay an additional deposit.
Where can I find the actual water, sewer and gas rates?
The rates aren't printed in the code. The council sets them from time to time, and the schedule is kept on file in the city clerk's office.
I think my bill is wrong. What do I do?
Bring your claim in person to City Hall before the bill goes delinquent. You can pay under protest without giving up your claim. You can ask for a special meter reading, which is free if it shows the meter was over-read, or a meter test, which is free if the meter is over-registering by more than 3%.
I'm a landlord. Do I have to pay my tenant's unpaid utility bill?
No. The code says the owner of a rental property doesn't have to pay a tenant's unpaid bill before service is restored at that address, and the city can't put a lien on the property for unpaid utility bills.
When am I allowed to water my lawn?
Outdoor watering on city water is allowed daily from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. Some watering is allowed any time, including food gardens, drip or soaker hoses, hand watering with a shut-off nozzle or a can, new plantings for 30 days, and water from your own well. During a shortage, the council can add more restrictions by resolution.
Who's responsible for fixing the water line to my house?
The city owns and maintains the line up to the right-of-way (property) line. From there to your house, the service line belongs to the property owner. The owner also has to install a backflow valve, and the city installs the cut-off valve.
Do I have to hook up to city sewer, or can I keep my septic tank?
If your building is within 250 feet of a public sewer line it can drain into by gravity, you have to connect at your own expense. Where sewer isn't available, a septic system needs a city permit, and soil-absorption systems aren't allowed on lots under 15,000 square feet. Once sewer becomes available, the septic tank has to be abandoned and filled in.
What am I not allowed to put down the drain or into the sewer?
Rainwater, roof runoff or groundwater can't go into the sanitary sewer. Other things that are banned include gasoline and other flammables, garbage that isn't properly shredded, liquids hotter than 150°F, water carrying more than 100 mg/l of fats, oils or grease, and solids like rags, sand or plastics. Businesses that produce a lot of grease can be required to install grease interceptors.
Will the city run a gas line to my house for free?
Up to a point. The city extends up to 100 feet of main and installs up to 100 feet of service line at no charge. Past that, it runs a feasibility test and may ask you for a contribution toward construction (CIAC).
I smell gas, or I'm about to dig near a gas line. What do I do?
If you smell gas, notify the city right away, shut off the gas, and keep any flame or spark away. If you plan to dig near city gas equipment on your property, the code says to call the city manager at least 48 hours ahead. You'll be billed for any damage or lost gas.
I'm moving out. What do I need to do?
Tell the city at least 24 hours before you move out, and pay all bills due. The city isn't liable for damage after you leave, such as frozen pipes.
This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.
Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH86UT
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH86UT
Paid for by James Burgess