Electrical Theft Ordinance
ORDINANCE OF RANKIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE UNAUTHORIZED SUPPLY
OF ELECTRICITY TO ANY STRUCTURE WITHIN THE
COUNTY OF RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Rankin County, Mississippi, on the _____ day of ______________, 20____, took up the matter of the issuance of building permits and certificates occupancy; and
WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Board of Supervisors that electricity has been supplied to structures on a temporary basis without the supplier requiring proof of the issuance of a building permit and supplied on a permanent basis without requiring proof of a certificate of occupancy; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors desire to impose penalties upon any person so supplying electricity.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Rankin County, Mississippi, as follows:
SECTION I - DEFINITIONS:
(1) "Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, association, power company or any other entity.
(2) "Supply electricity" means to supply any form of electrical current, lines, or meters to any structure within the unincorporated areas of Rankin County excluding the Pearl River Valley Water District.
(3) "Temporary” includes the supplying of electricity to any structure prior
to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(4) "Structure" means any building, residence, office or other construction, under construction or repair so as to require the issuance of a building permit by Rankin County, Mississippi, prior to beginning said construction or repair.
(5) "Permanent" includes the time after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(6) "Building permit" means a building permit issued in accordance with the ordinances of Rankin County, Mississippi.
SECTION II - UNLAWFUL ACTS:
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to supply electricity to any structure on a temporary basis without such person first requiring proof of the issuance of a building permit by Rankin County, Mississippi, to the owner, builder or other person in control of said structure.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to supply electricity to any structure on a permanent basis without such person first requiring proof of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by Rankin County, Mississippi, to the owner, builder or other person in control of said structure.
SECTION III – PENALTIES:
It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to violate Section II of this ordinance, and upon a conviction therefore, said person may be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and/or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.
SECTION IV - EFFECTIVE DATE:
This ordinance shall be effective thirty (30) days after publication according to law.
SO ORDAINED this the ______ day of __________________, 20____.
Murphy Adkins
Clerk of the Board
By: Shirley McLaurin, D.C.
Publish: February 24, March 3, 1993