City of Santa Barbara, CA
09/30/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2026 16:43
Utility Rates Increase & Return Payment Fee
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Title
Utility Rates Increase & Return Payment Fee
Authored on
September 30, 2026
Body
Utility Rates Increase
Fiscal Year 2027 water, wastewater, trash, and recycling rates took effect on July 1, 2026. These changes follow the four-year rate schedule adopted by the City Council on June 25, 2024. To view the updated rates, please visit SantaBarbaraCA.gov/UtilityBilling.
Returned Payment Fee
Per City policy, a $25 returned payment fee will be assessed if a payment is returned for any reason. This applies to all payment types, including paper checks, ACH transfers, and credit or debit card payments. When a payment is returned, it is considered unpaid.
For all returned payments, customers must use cash, cashier's check, or money order for any subsequent payments. The Returned Payment Policy can be found in the Utility Service Discontinuation Policy on the City's website at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/UtilityBilling.
City of Santa Barbara, CA published this content on September 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 30, 2026 at 22:44 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]