Columbia Fire protection facilities—On private property ordinance (§ 27-59)
Chapter 27: Utilities · Article III. Water and Light System
In short: Property owners who want standpipes or sprinklers on the city water main must pay the estimated tap cost upfront (with any shortfall billed or excess refunded) and build the system themselves, which they maintain. Hydrants pass to the city after inspection, with a 20-by-20-foot access easement, and unmetered water is for fire protection only.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) The department will furnish unmetered water to supply standpipes and sprinkler systems at the charge established and in effect at the time as provided in division 5 of this article.
(b) The department shall tap the main for such service upon application and deposit by the customer of the estimated cost for labor, equipment and material plus overhead. In the event of an underestimate, the customer will be billed for the remainder; in the event of an overestimate, the excess will be refunded.
(c) Upon approval of the department, the customer shall provide all materials and construct all parts of the system from the water main tap. Fire hydrants with their associated tees, valves and piping shall comply with department specifications and shall be installed under department inspection at locations specified by the department.
(d) With the exception of fire hydrants, the entire system, from the discharge side of the valved water main tap, shall be and remain the customer's installation and the department shall not be responsible for maintenance. Upon passing final inspection and in consideration of perpetual upkeep and maintenance of the hydrants, ownership of the fire hydrants shall be transferred to the city and the city shall be
granted easement rights to access the hydrant in an area around the hydrant having a minimum size of twenty (20) feet by twenty (20) feet with the hydrant centered in the twenty (20) feet by twenty (20) feet area. The customer shall make no unmetered use of this facility other than for fire protection.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 27-59
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.