Section 56.301. Amount of cash deposit

(a) Applicants. A utility may not require a cash deposit from an applicant in excess of the average estimated bill of the applicant for a period equal to one billing period plus 1 additional month’s service, not to exceed 4 months in the case of water and wastewater utilities and 2 months in the case of gas, electric and steam heat utilities, with a minimum deposit of $5.

(b) Existing customer. For an existing customer, the cash deposit may not exceed the estimated charges for service based on the prior consumption of that customer for the class of service involved for a period equal to one average billing period plus 1 average month, not to exceed 4 months in the case of wastewater utilities and 2 months in the case of gas and steam heat utilities, with a minimum of $5.

(c) Adjustment of deposits. The amount of a cash deposit may be adjusted at the request of the customer or the utility whenever the character or degree of the usage of the customer has materially changed or when it is clearly established that the character or degree of service will materially change in the immediate future.