Columbia Resale of utility services ordinance (§ 27-24)
Chapter 27: Utilities · Article II. Accounts and Billing
In short: Customers may not resell city utility service at a profit, and may resell it at all only with city council authorization. Resellers must periodically show the city manager they comply, and may have to install submeters and keep records at their own expense.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) No customer shall sell at a profit, or offer for sale at a profit any utility service purchased for his or her sole use from the city.
(b) Any customer wishing to resell a utility service, shall do so only after having first obtained authorization from the city council.
(c) Any customer reselling utility service, regardless of whether the utility service so resold is metered or not, shall from time to time as determined by the city manager, furnish evidence that such resale is in compliance with all rules relating to such.
(d) Any customer wishing to resell utility service may be required, as determined by the city, to install submeters where required and maintain records at such customer's expense, for the purpose of determining compliance with this section.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 27-24
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.