Glendale Water & Power (GWP) has proposed water rate increases that would take effect January 1, 2027, with another increase each January 1 through 2031. The City Council will vote after a public hearing on November 3. Under Proposition 218, if a majority of affected parcels file valid written protests, the City can’t adopt the new rates.
We put together a ready-to-sign protest form for our clients. Download it below, then print, sign, and mail or drop it off.
What’s Proposed
- Five years of increases, each January 1 from 2027 through 2031. Nothing has been adopted yet.
- A new rate structure. Rates move to two tiers based on your meter size, plus a new pump-zone charge for properties at higher elevations.
- Electric rates aren’t part of this. The electric adjustments scheduled for November 2026 and November 2027 were approved separately and aren’t covered by this protest.
Why It Matters for Apartment Owners
Multifamily buildings currently get a Tier 1 allotment of 6 HCF per unit. Under the proposal, Tier 1 is set by meter size instead. For example, a 20-unit building on a 2-inch meter gets 120 HCF at Tier 1 today, but only 53 HCF under the proposal, so more of its water bills at the higher Tier 2 rate.
| Multifamily item | Current | Jan 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 water ($/HCF) | $2.80 | $4.09 |
| Tier 2 water ($/HCF) | $4.11 | $6.92 |
| 2-inch meter fixed charge (monthly) | $126.64 | $174.54 |
| Tier 1 allotment | 6 HCF × units | Set by meter size |
- HCF = hundred cubic feet, about 748 gallons. It’s the unit Glendale uses to measure water use.
To see how your own bill would change, use the City’s water bill estimator.
How to File a Protest That Counts
A protest only counts if it’s on paper and includes all four of these:
- A clear statement opposing the proposed water rate adjustments
- The name of the record property owner or customer of record
- The property’s street address or APN (or the customer’s account number)
- An original, wet-ink signature and legibly printed name
Our form covers all four. Check whether you’re the owner or tenant, write in the property address or APN, print your name and the date, and sign in ink. Emailed, faxed, or spoken protests are not counted.
Where and When to Deliver It
- Mail or hand-deliver to: City of Glendale, Attn: City Clerk, 613 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206.
- Or deliver it in person at the hearing: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 6:00 p.m., City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 613 E. Broadway.
- It must be received before the hearing closes. A postmark doesn’t count, so mail it by October 27 to be safe.
Rules to Know
- One protest counts per parcel. If you own several parcels, file one for each.
- Owners or tenants can protest, but only one protest per parcel is counted.
- A majority is needed to block the rates. The City counts 44,757 parcels, so about 22,379 valid protests are required.
Questions about the proposal itself can go to GWP Customer Service at (855) 550-4497 or the City’s proposed water rates page.
Source: City of Glendale Proposition 218 Notice of Public Hearing and Proposed Water Rate Changes, and GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates, as of October 21, 2026. This article is informational and is not legal advice.