Columbia Outdoor area lighting (dusk to dawn) rate ordinance (§ 27-121)
Chapter 27: Utilities · Article III. Water and Light System
In short: Customers on the city electric system can get unmetered dusk-to-dawn outdoor lights, paying a one-time pole charge plus monthly fees per light: $10.14 (7,000-11,000 lumens), $21.91 (25,000-30,000), $26.30 (42,000-52,000) or $16.42 (post-top, 7,000-11,000). Customers maintain underground wire and conduit.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) Availability. The outdoor area lighting (dusk to dawn) rate is available to any customer within the area served by the city electric system for private street lighting and for outdoor area lighting (dusk to dawn) when such lighting facilities are unmetered and operated as an extension of the city's distribution system.
(b) Type of service. The city shall furnish, install, maintain and deliver electric service to automatically controlled lighting fixtures conforming to the department's standards, and subject to the published rules and regulations of the city water and light department.
(c) When required for private street lighting or for outdoor area (dusk to dawn) lighting, a pole with one span of #6 aluminum wire, up to one hundred fifty (150) feet, and necessary pole line hardware and accessories, shall be installed. Customer will be charged a one-time pole charge based on the current cost paid, by the department, for the type of pole used.
(d) Outdoor area lighting. Underground wire and conduit shall be installed and maintained by the customer for private street lighting for outdoor area (dusk to dawn) lighting. In addition to the one-time pole charge identified in section 27-121(c), the following rates shall apply for each light: Lumen Range Charge per Month
7,000 to 11,000, per light .....$10.14
25,000 to 30,000, per light .....21.91
42,000 to 52,000, per light .....26.30
7,000 to 11,000 Post-top Luminaire, per light .....16.42
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 27-121
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.