Columbia Electricity—Metering of residential dwelling units ordinance (§ 27-111)
Chapter 27: Utilities · Article III. Water and Light System
In short: Every residential dwelling unit must have its own electric meter for billing, and one meter serving multiple units (master metering) is banned. The only exception is when the director decides, at his or her sole discretion, that master metering serves the city's interest because of alternative power sources incompatible with single metering.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
Each residential dwelling unit must have a separate meter through which the electricity supplied the residential dwelling unit shall be measured for billing by the department. Metering of electricity supplying more than one residential dwelling unit through a single meter for billing by the department (master metering) is prohibited; except where in the sole discretion of the director, master metering is in the best interests of the city due to the utilization of alternative power sources which are incompatible with single metering.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 27-111
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.