Council Sets New Water and Wastewater Capital Facility Fees

November 24, 2020 9:26 PM

At its November 24, 2020 meeting, the Santa Monica City Council updated Santa Monica’s water and wastewater capital facility fees for properties that are either newly developed or redeveloped, increasing the site’s water demand and/or wastewater discharge. The current fees were last updated in 2008 and the new fee structure brings Santa Monica in line with the capital facility fees of neighboring utilities.

A capital facility fee is a one-time fee paid at the time of development or redevelopment when there’s a change in water system demand and/or wastewater discharge. The water capital facility fee is based on water meter size and the fee only applies when the customer requests a new or larger water meter than what is existing at the property. The wastewater capital facility fee structure is based on the business use or residential property type and the property’s impact on the wastewater system. This will not impact residents unless the size of a home dramatically increases (two bedrooms to four, for instance). Similarly, the wastewater capital facility fee will only impact existing or new businesses if they increase the existing wastewater service on the property (if a restaurant expands to accommodate 50 tables from 25 or a flower shop becomes a laundromat, for instance). This will ensure new customers are equitably paying into the system and contributing to the long-term health of Santa Monica’s water and wastewater system.    

The new fees are listed below. Examples and charts by use type are available in the staff report.

Water Capital Facility Fee

Water Meter Size

Capital Facility Fee

3/4 inch

$                 8,429.00

1 inch

$                 8,429.00

1.5 inch

$               16,858.00

2 inch

$               26,973.00

3 inch

$               53,947.00

4 inch

$               84,292.00

6 inch

$             168,584.00

8 inch

$             472,036.00

10 inch

$             741,771.00

 

Wastewater Capital Facility Fee

Single Family Residential

Fee

 

New Construction (1 Bedroom)

$2,793.01

 

New Construction (2 Bedroom)

$3,690.77

 

New Construction (3 Bedroom)

$4,588.52

 

New Construction (>3 bedrooms)

TBD at Plan Check

 

Add 1 Bedroom to Existing Structure

$897.75

 

Add 2 Bedroom to Existing Structure

$1,795.51

 

Add 3 Bedroom to Existing Structure

$2,693.26

 

Add ≥ 4 Bedrooms to Existing Structure

TBD at Plan Check

 

 

Multi-Family Residential

 

Each Additional 1 Bedroom Unit

$2,194.51

 

Each Additional 2 Bedroom Unit

$2,992.51

 

Each Additional 3 Bedroom Unit

$3,790.52

 

 

Non-Residential

 

Commercial/Industrial

$997.50

Per 1000 Sq. Ft.

 

Hotel/Motel

$2,394.01

Per unit

 

Laundromats

$4,739.63

Per washing machine

 

Restaurant - Sit Down (Full Service)

$1,071.97

Per Seat

 

Restaurant - Sit Down (Fast Food)

$893.31

Per Seat

 

Restaurant - Carry Out

$10,719.66

Per 1000 Sq. Ft.

 

Storage

$598.50

Per 1000 Sq. Ft.

 

Office Building

$3,391.51

Per 1000 Sq. Ft.

 

Retail Store

$997.50

Per 1000 Sq. Ft.

 

Wastewater Capital Facility Fee Calculation Factor

 

 

 

 

Capital Facility Fee

$4,589.00

Per EDU

 

Notes:

  1. EDU = Equivalent Dwelling Unit
  2. The wastewater capital facility fee shown here is only for the City of Santa Monica’s wastewater system and does not include LA ASSFC fees.

The capital facility fees are being updated to compliment the recently adopted water and wastewater rates approved in January 2020. The adoption and implementation of the capital facility fees were originally scheduled to come before Council in the spring but were postponed due to the pandemic.  In bringing this forward now, the City was mindful of the economic climate and impacts on local businesses. The new facility fees do not impact existing businesses, including those who have expanded their footprint to accommodate outdoor dining during the pandemic. Outdoor dining permits remain available at no cost as part of the City’s commitment to economic recovery and supporting local business owners.

The new water and wastewater capital facility fees take effect March 1, 2021. Santa Monica Water account holders can direct questions to water.resources@smgov.net. 

The proposed rates were noticed on November 10 and November 17. For more information, read the staff report.

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Media Contact

Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov

Departments

Public Works