§ 54-21. Tampering.

(a)

Tampering shall include any of the following: Cutting or removal of any seal or locking device, manipulation, modification or removal of any piping, valve, meter or appurtenance thereto with the exception that it shall in an emergency, be permissible for a customer or his designated agent to close the water service cut-off to his premises in order to limit damage in the event of a leak or broken pipe. The customer shall notify the department of public services as soon as practical when an emergency cut-off occurs. Any person found tampering as described above, shall be charged with the criminal offense of malicious mischief. Additionally, any person found engaging in such action shall be charged the following fees or such fee as the board of commissioners may from time to time determine. Any person tampering with a town water meter connection cut-off shall be charged the same fee and any damages done to said cut-off or any appurtenances thereto shall be charged a fee plus the cost of repairing any damage to lines, cut-offs, or meters.

First offense	$ 250.00
Second offense	$1,000.00
Each consecutive offense	$1,500.00

 

(b)

Fines are tripled for tampering (getting water without permission) with fire hydrants.

(c)

In addition to the foregoing, any person tampering shall also be subject to all penalties and enforcement provisions of section 1-12 of the Pine Knoll Shores Town Code.

(Ord. No. 2009-01, 1-13-2009; Ord. No. 2016-18, Art. II, 7-13-2016)