Columbia Special assessments—Authority to levy ordinance (§ 27-75)
Chapter 27: Utilities · Article III. Water and Light System
In short: The city council can charge property owners along a street or alley for new or extended water mains, split by front footage. It can do so when a majority of resident owners (who own a majority of the resident-owned front feet) petition for it, or when the council itself deems the extension necessary for sanitary or other public welfare purposes.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
The city council may provide for the paying of the cost of laying and extending water main pipes by such city by levying a special assessment, as herein provided, on the lots and tracts of land fronting or abutting on either side of the street, avenue or alley along the distance so improved in proportion to the front foot, whenever a majority of the resident owners of the property liable to taxation therefor and who shall own a majority of the front feet owned by residents of the city abutting on the street or alley along which the improvement is to be made, shall petition the city council for such improvement; or whenever such body, in its discretion, shall deem extension of water mains necessary for sanitary or other purposes conducive to the public welfare.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 27-75
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.