Sec. 86-2Unauthorized use of, diversion of, or tampering with city utility distribution system and obstruction of city utility department personnel
Needs a look
The penalties for meter tampering, utility theft, and sewer violations point to the wrong sections, which could make those penalties harder to enforce in court. See the fix
Plain English: what this chapter 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.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, without authority from the city, to do such act or cause such act so as to permit to occur any of the following:
(1) The unauthorized connection to or use of city utilities without the consent of the city. This shall include unauthorized re-connecting or re-starting city utilities after discontinuation of services for nonpayment. Where there is no evidence to the contrary, the person receiving the benefit of such service without proper charge as a result of any improper action and the person in whose name the utility account is registered shall be presumed to be responsible for the unauthorized use of city utilities.
(2) Tampering with or breaking the seal of any city utility meters or otherwise tampering with city utility apparatus in attempt to make an unauthorized connection to the utility services, as set forth above. Where there is no evidence to the contrary, the person having possession of the property on which the tampering occurs and the person in whose name the utility account is registered shall be presumed to be responsible for the tampering.
(3) The diversion of any utility service by preventing the proper measure of service provided by the city measuring or metering device. Where there is no evidence to the contrary, the person who receives the benefit of the diversion shall be presumed to be responsible for the act of diversion.
(4) The tampering with property of the city which includes the act or attempted act of injuring or destroying any meter, pipe, conduit, wire, line, post, lamp or other apparatus belonging to the city.
(b) No person shall obstruct or in any way attempt to prevent the city from the operation of providing, gas, water, or sewerage service and the employees of the city in performing the assigned duties including the unscheduled maintenance of city utilities during emergency or other routine acts including meter reading, inspection and the performance of repairs. City employees shall have the right to go upon private property to perform inspections, maintenance and other necessary services regarding city utilities.
(c) Any person who violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 1-7 of the Ashburn costs related to necessary repairs, costs of investigation, and cost of utility service diverted by or used by the customer that was not reported and may be reasonably proven by the city.
History: (Ord. No. 20-02, § 1(Exh. A), 6-4-2020)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 20-02, § 1, adopted June 4, 2020, repealed the former section 86-2, and Exhibit A enacted a new section 86-2 as set out herein. The former section 86-2 pertained to Illegal use of systems and derived from the 2007 Code.
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_ARTIINGE_S86-2UNUSDITAUTDISYOBUTDEPE
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH86UT_ARTIINGE_S86-2UNUSDITAUTDISYOBUTDEPE
Paid for by James Burgess