(A) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
UTILITY. Any water-works or similar utility owned or operated by the village.
TAMPER. To interfere with, damage, or by-pass a utility meter, conduit, or attachment with the intent to impede the correct registration of a meter or the proper functions of a conduit or attachment so as to reduce the amount of water service that is registered on the meter.
(B) No person shall knowingly, without the utility's consent, with intent to violate R.C. § 4933.18 or 4933.19 or this section, do any of the following:
(1) Tamper with a water meter, conduit, or attachment of a utility.
(2) Reconnect a water meter that has been disconnected by the utility.
(B) In a prosecution under division (B)(1) of this section, proof that a meter, conduit, or attachment of a utility has been tampered with is prima-facie evidence that the person who is obligated to pay for the service rendered through the meter, conduit, or attachment and is in possession or control of the meter, conduit, or attachment at the time the tampering occurred has caused the tampering with the intent to violate R.C. § 4933.18 or 4933.19 or this section.
(C) In a prosecution under division (B)(2) of this section, proof that a meter, conduit, or attachment of a utility has been reconnected without the consent of the utility is prima-facie evidence that the person in possession or control of the meter, conduit, or attachment at the time of the reconnection has reconnected the meter, conduit, or attachment with the intent to violate R.C. § 4933.18 or 4933.19 or this section.
(D) No person shall knowingly consume any water that has not been correctly registered because a meter, conduit, or attachment of a utility has been tampered with as defined in R.C. § 4933.18 or in this section, or knowingly use service that has been discontinued by a utility and reconnected without the utility's consent.
(E) A utility shall notify its consumers on an annual basis of the consequences of tampering with or bypassing a meter.
('81 Code § 51.10) (Ord. 213, passed 10-2-74; Am. Ord. 1996-O-10, passed 5-9-96) Penalty, see § 50.99
Statutory reference:
Tampering with utility equipment, R.C. § 4933.18
Notice regarding theft of utility service, R.C. § 4933.19