HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 6977
City of Palo Alto (ID # 6977)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 6/27/2016
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Miscellaneous Utility Rules and Rate Changes
Title: Adoption of a Resolution Amending Utilities Rate Schedule E-15
(Electric Service Connections) and Rules and Regulations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 15 18, 20, 23, and 24 (Adoption of Rules, Definitions and
Abbreviations, Description of Utility Services, Application of Service, Service
Contracts, Establishment and Reestablishment of Credit, Deposits, Access to
Premises, Discontinuance, Termination and Restoration of Service, Meter
Reading, Billing, Adjustments, and Payment of Bills, Metering, Utility Service
Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises, Special Electric Utility
Regulations, Special Wastewater Utility Regulations, and Special Refuse
Service Regulations)
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Utilities
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution amending Utilities Rules and Regulations 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 18, 20, 23, and 24, and Utilities Rate Schedule E-15, as attached.
Executive Summary
Utilities Rate Schedules and Utilities Rules and Regulations are updated as needed to ensure
current procedures are in place to continue Utilities operations. The recommended changes to
the various Rules and Regulations add new provisions, remove outdated sections or schedules,
update language for clarity, and reflect changes to business practices and procedures. The
recommended changes to Electric Service Connection Fees (Rate Schedule E-15) reflect current
labor and material costs since this fee schedule was last updated in 2012.
Discussion
There are twenty-nine Utilities Rules and Regulations (Rules) which set forth the conditions
under which the City provides utility services from both the Utilities Department (electric,
natural gas, water, wastewater, fiber optic) and the Public Works Department (refuse, storm
drain). The Rules are updated on as-needed basis to reflect current standards and business
practices.
City of Palo Alto Page 2
Rate Schedule E-15 (Electric Service Connection Fees)
Staff develops predetermined estimates of labor hours and material requirements to perform
the work to connect the simpler types of service connections, i.e. projects which do not require
a full estimate. These labor and material estimates are the basis of the connection fees paid by
customers for new or upgraded electric service connections to recover the cost of making the
electrical connections. The recommended amendments to this rate schedule updates the labor
and material costs required for customer connection to the electric distribution system from
2012 (the last time this schedule was updated) to 2016.
The following table illustrates the additional revenue that would be collected annually based on
the average number of customer connections per year from 2012 - 2015.
Service Connection Fee
# of
Applic
ations
Current
Fees
Current
Revenue
Proposed
Fees
Propose
d
Revenue
Change in
Revenue
Temp OH Res 200A 90 $840 $75,390 $970 $87,058 $11,668
Temp UG Res 200A 28 $840 $23,310 $970 $26,918 $3,608
OH Res 200A 66 $620 $40,920 $840 $55,440 $14,520
UG Res 200A 25 $450 $11,250 $850 $21,250 $10,000
UG Res 200A - Rear
Easement 9 $940 $8,460 $1,900 $17,100 $8,640
OH MF-Comm < 200A 1 $900 $900 $1,180 $1,180 $280
UG MF-Comm < 200A 4 $720 $3,060 $1,160 $4,930 $1,870
Temp OH Comm < 200A 2 $840 $1,890 $970 $2,183 $293
Temp UG Comm < 200A 4 $675 $2,531 $970 $3,638 $1,106
Grand
Total $167,711
$219,69
5 $51,984
200A – 200 Amps – refers to service panel rating Res – Residential
Comm – Commercial Temp – Temporary service
OH – Overhead UG – Underground
MF – Multifamily
Utilities Rules and Regulations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 18, 20, 23, and 24)
Utilities Rule and Regulation 1 (Adoption of Rules)
Rule and Regulation 1 covers the adoption of and penalties for violation of Utilities Rules and
Regulations. The proposed change incorporates the location of new Utilities Lobby Office on
the ground floor as a customer point-of-contact. Adds “applicant” and “account” to the list of
entities covered under the Utilities Rules and Regulations and clarifies the process and
procedures for imposition of fines will be consistent with section 1.12 of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code
City of Palo Alto Page 3
Utilities Rule and Regulation 2 (Definitions and Abbreviations)
Rule and Regulation 2 describes commonly used industry acronyms and the definitions of
various terms. Some terms were not previously defined in the section and the rule is being
revised to include these terms, including proposed amendments to add the definitions for
sewer cleanout, upper sewer lateral, and lower sewer lateral among other additions and
modifications.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 3 (Description of Utility Services)
The recommended amendments include:
Allowing single phase residential panels up to 600 Amps, rather than currently
mandated three-phase service, with Electric Engineering Manager’s approval.
Clarifying Refuse standard services and exceptions to standard services, specifies
Refuse-handling equipment requirements and the requirements for onsite-storage
between pick-up dates.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 4 (Application for Service)
The recommended amendments specify when monthly unmetered charges (charges
independent of metered consumption) for refuse, storm drain, and wastewater services are
included on a customer bill (when two of three metered services (electric, natural gas and
water) are actively being billed). Clarifies landlord and tenant rules for cost allocation of utility
services when tenants are sub-metered or master-metered.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 5 (Service Contracts)
The recommended amendment updates the list of special Services that may require contracts.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 6 (Establishment and Reestablishment of Credit)
The recommended amendment removes previous non-cash commercial deposit options
(Certificate of Deposits, Surety Bonds) due to changes in City financial policies.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 7 (Deposits)
The recommended amendments clarify the requirements for deposits, amounts of deposits and
terms for the return of deposits. Aligns the requirements for deposits to the creditworthiness
ratings in Rule and Regulation 6, “Establishment and Reestablishment of Credit.”
Utilities Rule and Regulation 8 (Access to Premises)
The recommended amendment stipulates that Meters shall be installed on the exterior of
buildings at ground level for ease of access by Utilities staff and improved customer building
security. Exceptions to this Rule would be approved by the Utilities Director or his/her
designee.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 9 (Discontinuance, Termination, and Restoration of Service)
The recommended amendments provide consistent definition and consistent terminology for
discontinuance (account closure) and termination (non-payment) of utility service.
City of Palo Alto Page 4
Utilities Rule and Regulation 10 (Meter Reading)
The recommended amendment clarifies the duration of the billing period and that billing
adjustments for Estimated Meter Readings will include both usage and cost.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 11 (Billing Adjustments and Payment of Bills)
These recommended amendments to Rule 11 clarify (1) that the City can recover for all
damages incurred by the City in cases of utility theft, both in terms of unbilled charges and the
costs to the City associated with investigating and remedying such situations; and (2) the
procedure for notifying customers about City’s intent to impose charges in connection with
theft and for customers to dispute utility such charges.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 15 (Metering)
The recommended amendment updates the meter test accuracy limits per City of Palo Alto
Utilities standards.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 20 (Special Electric Utility Regulations)
The recommended amendment deletes the current distance requirement from multiple electric
service drops to the same building. Staff could not identify a current need for this particular
restriction.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 23 (Special Wastewater Utility Regulations)
The recommended amendments clarify the responsibilities of the City and the customer for
wastewater infrastructure, including sewer laterals, the wastewater main, sewer cleanouts and
pipes that branch off the sewer laterals.
Amendment of the sewer lateral upgrade requirement is proposed for new construction or
remodel projects. Currently, customers are required to upgrade their portion of the sewer
lateral to current standard size and/or material when the existing material is non-plastic and
when the construction/remodel cost is greater than $100,000 for residential projects and
$300,000 for commercial projects. The amendment increases the residential requirement
threshold from $100,000 to $200,000. The current requirement threshold stays the same for
commercial projects.
In addition, the Utilities Operations has developed a standard evaluation method to assess the
condition of the sewer lateral when a customer remodels an existing building or constructs a
new one. Instead of mandating a lateral upgrade in every remodel or new construction
situation, under the proposed changes to Rule 23, Utilities Operations will inspect the existing
lower sewer lateral as part of the permit application review process and determine whether the
lateral meets the standard criteria to be upgraded. Minimizing lateral replacement to
situations where the existing lateral is in need of repair or replacement will save customers
money, reduce street digging and allow Utilities Operations to focus on system-wide
maintenance work. Staff proposes to apply the new rule retroactively to all projects that are
City of Palo Alto Page 5
currently in the queue to be replaced. This will reduce the backlog of sewer laterals scheduled
to be replaced under the current Rule 23 requirements.
Utilities Rule and Regulation 24 (Special Refuse Service Regulations)
The proposed changes to the refuse service regulations reflect the recent modifications to
Chapter 5.20 of the Municipal Code, which includes the Recycling and Composting Ordinance
(Staff Report #6475) adopted on January 25, 2016. Modifications also have been made to
refuse suspension service.
Resource Impact
Approval of changes to Utilities Rules and Regulation 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 18, 20,
23, and 24 will not result in a significant change in net operating revenues or expenses.
Approval of changes to Utility Rate Schedule E-15 will recover the City’s costs by approximately
$52,000.
Policy Implications
These recommendations do not represent a change in current city policies.
Environmental Review
The adoption of a resolution amending Utility Rate Schedule E-15 (Electric Service Connections )
is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to California Public
Resources Code Sec. 21080(b)(8) and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Sec.
15273(a). The adoption of the resolution amending Utility Rules and Regulations does not meet
the definition of a “project” under Public Resources Code 21065, thus no CEQA review of this
action is required.
Attachments:
Resolution for staff report 6977 (PDF)
Index of Rate Schedules, Rules and Regulations as of 6-27-2016 Redlined (PDF)
E-15 effective 6-27-2016- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 01 Adoption of Rules- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 02 Definitions and Abbreviations- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 03 Description of Utility Services- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 04 Application of Service- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 05 Service Contracts- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 06 Establishment and Reestablishment of Credit- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 07 Deposits- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 08 Access to Premises- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 09 Discontinuance, Termination, and Restoration of Service taa- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 10 Meter Reading- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 11 Billing, Adjustments and Payment of Bills- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 15 Metering- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 20 Special Electric Utility Regulations- Redlined (PDF)
Rule 23 Special Wastewater Utility Regulations- Redlined (PDF)
City of Palo Alto Page 6
Rule 24 Special Refuse Service Regulations- Redlined (PDF)
Attachment
NOT YET APPROVED
1
Resolution No.
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Utilities Rate Schedule E-15 (Electric
Service Connections) And Approving Amendments To Utilities Rule and Regulation 1
(Adoption of Rules), Utilities Rule and Regulation 2 (Definitions and Abbreviations),
Utilities Rule and Regulation 3 (Description of Utility Services), Utilities Rule And
Regulation 4 (Application for Service), Utilities Rule And Regulation 5 (Service Contracts),
Utilities Rule And Regulation 6 (Establish and Reestablishment of Credit), Utilities Rule and
Regulation 7 (Deposits), Utilities Rule and Regulation 8 (Access to Premises), Utilities Rule
and Regulation 9 (Discontinuance, Termination, and Restoration of Service), Utilities Rule
and Regulation 10 (Meter Reading), Rule and Regulation 11 (Billing, Adjustments and
Payment of Bills), Rule and Regulation 15 (Metering), Utilities Rule and Regulation 18
(Utility Service Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises), Utilities Rule and
Regulation 20 (Special Electric Utility Regulations), Utilities Rule and Regulation 23
(Special Wastewater Utility Regulations), Utilities Rule and Regulation 24 (Special Refuse
Service Regulations)
RECITALS
A. Pursuant to Chapter 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, the Council of the City of
Palo Alto may by resolution adopt rules and regulations governing utility services, fees and charges.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility
Rate Schedule E-15 (Electric Service Connections) is hereby amended as attached and
incorporated. Utility Rate Schedule E-15, as amended, shall become effective June 27,
2016.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities
Rule and Regulation 1 (Adoption of Rules) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated.
Utility Rule and Regulation 1, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 3. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility
Rule and Regulation 2 (Definitions and Abbreviations) is hereby amended as attached and
incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 2, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 4. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility Rule
and Regulation 3 (Description of Utility Services) is hereby amended as attached and
incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 3, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 5. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule
and Regulation 4 (Application for Service) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated.
Utility Rule and Regulation 4, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 6. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule
and Regulation 5 (Service Contracts) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility
A
Attachment
NOT YET APPROVED
2
Rule and Regulation 5, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 7. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 6 (Establishment and Reestablishment of Credit) is hereby amended as attached and
incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 6, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 8. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 7 (Deposits) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 7, as
amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 9. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 8 (Access to Premises) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and
Regulation 8, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 10. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 9 (Discontinuance, Termination, and Restoration of Service) is hereby amended as attached and
incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 9, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 11. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 10 (Meter Reading) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and
Regulation 10, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 12. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 11 (Billing, Adjustments and Payment of Bills) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated.
Utility Rule and Regulation 11, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 13. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 15 (Metering) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 15
as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 14. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 18 (Utility Service Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises) is hereby amended as
attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 18, as amended, shall become effective June 27,
2016.
SECTION 15. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 20 (Special Electric Utility Regulations) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility
Rule and Regulation 20, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 16. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 23 (Special Wastewater Utility Regulations) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated.
Utility Rule and Regulation 23, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
SECTION 17. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities Rule and
Regulation 24 (Special Refuse Service Regulations) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility
Rule and Regulation 24, as amended, shall become effective June 27, 2016.
Attachment
NOT YET APPROVED
3
SECTION 18. The City Council finds as follows:
a. Revenue derived from the implementation of Utility Rate Schedule E-15 (Electric Service
Connections) amended by this resolution does not exceed the funds required to provide
electric service.
b. Revenue derived from the implementation of Utility Rate Schedule E-15 (Electric Service
Connections) amended by this resolution shall be used only for the purpose set forth in
Article VII, Section 2, of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto.
c. The fees and charges adopted by the implementation of Utility Rate Schedule E-15 (Electric
Service Connections) amended by this resolution are charges imposed for a specific
government service or product provided directly to the payor that are not provided to
those not charged, and do not exceed the reasonable costs to the City of providing the
service or product.
SECTION 19. The adoption of Section 1 of this resolution amending Utility Rate Schedule E-15
(Electric Service Connections ) and changing electric rates to meet operating expenses, purchase supplies
and materials, meet financial reserve needs and obtain funds for capital improvements necessary to
maintain service is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to California
Public Resources Code Sec. 21080(b)(8) and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Sec. 15273(a).
After reviewing the staff report and all attachments presented to Council, the Council incorporates these
documents herein and finds that sufficient evidence has been presented setting forth with specificity the
basis for this claim of CEQA exemption. The adoption of the remainder of this resolution amending Utility
Rules and Regulations does not meet the definition of a “project” under Public Resources Code 21065, thus
no CEQA review of this action is required.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
Senior Deputy City Attorney City Manager
Director of Utilities
Attachment
NOT YET APPROVED
4
Director of Administrative Services
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Index of Existing Rate Schedules, Rules and Regulations
DATE OF LAST NUMBER
REVISION OF SHEETS
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
RATE SCHEDULES:
ELECTRIC:
E-1 Residential Electric Service ................................................. July 1, 2009 1
E-1 G Residential Green Power Electric Service ........................... July 1, 2009 2
E-2 Small Commercial Electric Service ..................................... July 1, 2009 2
E-2 G Small Commercial Green Power Electric Service ............... July 1, 2009 2
E-3 Customer-Owned Generation .............................................. July 1, 2007 3
E-4 Medium Commercial Electric Service ................................ July 1, 2009 3
E-4 TOU Medium Commercial Electric Time of Use Service ........... July 1, 2009 4
E-4 G Medium Commercial Green Power Electric Service........... July 1, 2009 4
E-7 Large Commercial Electric Service ..................................... July 1, 2009 3
E-7 TOU Large Commercial Electric Time of Use Service ................ July 1, 2009 4
E-7 G Large Commercial Green Power Electric Service ............... July 1, 2009 4
E-14 Street Lights ......................................................................... July 1, 2009 4
E-15 Electric Service Connection Fees ........................................ June 207, 2016August 8, 20086
E-16 Unmetered Electric Services ............................................... July 1, 2009 3
E-18 Municipal Electric Service .................................................. July 1, 2009 2
E-18 G Municipal Green Power Electric Service ............................ July 1, 2009 3
E-NSE Net Metering Net Surplus Electricity Compensation .......... January 1, 2011 1
FIBER OPTIC:
EDF-1 Dark Fiber Licensing Services ............................................. July 1, 2013 2
EDF-2 Dark Fiber Connection Fees ................................................ July 1, 2013 1
EDF-3 Dark Fiber Licensing Services ............................................. Sept. 18, 2006 1
EFTH-T Fiber to the Home Trial Participation Fee ........................... May 6, 2002 1
WATER:
W-1 General Residential Water Service ...................................... July 1, 2013 2
W-2 Water Service From Fire Hydrants ...................................... July 1, 2013 1
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Index of Existing Rate Schedules, Rules and Regulations
DATE OF LAST NUMBER
REVISION OF SHEETS
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
W-3 Fire Service Connections ..................................................... July 1, 2013 2
W-4 General Non-Residential Water Service .............................. July 1, 2013 2
W-5 Water Service Connection Fees ........................................... July 6, 2009 5
W-7 Irrigation Water Service ...................................................... July 1, 2013 2
RECYCLED WATER:
RW-1 Recycled Water Service .......................................................November 1, 2008 1
GAS:
G-1 Residential Gas Service ....................................................... July 1, 2012 2
G-2 Commercial Gas Service ..................................................... July 1, 2012 2
G-3 Large Commercial Gas Service ........................................... July 1, 2012 2
G-4 Large Commercial Gas Transportation Service................... July 1, 2012 2
G-5 Gas Service Connection Fees .............................................. August 8, 2008 4
G-8 Gas for Electric Generation Service ....................................November 1, 2008 3
G-10 Compressed Natural Gas Service ........................................ July 1, 2012 2
G-11 Large Commercial Fixed-Term Commodity Gas Service ... July 1, 2012 2
G-12 Large Commercial Custom Commodity Gas Service.......... July 1, 2012 2
WASTEWATER:
S-1 Residential Wastewater Collection & Disposal................... July 1, 2012 1
S-2 Commercial Wastewater Collection & Disposal ................. July 1, 2012 1
S-3 Industrial Waste Laboratory & Analysis Charges ............... July 1, 2002 1
S-4 Hauled Liquid Waste Charges ............................................. July 1, 2002 1
S-5 Sewer Service Connection Fees .......................................... July 6, 2009 3
S-6 Restaurant Wastewater Collection & Disposal ................... July 1, 2012 1
S-7 Commercial Wastewater Collection & Disposal
– Industrial Discharger ........................................................ July 1, 2012 1
REFUSE:
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Index of Existing Rate Schedules, Rules and Regulations
DATE OF LAST NUMBER
REVISION OF SHEETS
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
R-1 Domestic Refuse Collection ................................................ July 1, 2012 3
R-2 Commercial Refuse Collection ............................................ October 1, 2011 3
R-3 Commercial Refuse Collection ............................................ October 1, 2011 6
STORM AND SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE:
D-1 General Storm and Surface Water Drainage ....................... July 1, 2013 1
MISCELLANEOUS:
C-1 Utility Service Calls ............................................................. March13, 2013 1
C-2 Customer Deposits ............................................................... July 1, 1992 1
C-3 Service to City Employees ................................................... July 1, 1983 1
C-4 Residential Rate Assistance Program .................................. July 1, 2009 2
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Rule 1 Adoption of Rules ................................................................ June 2071, 20106 1
Rule 2 Definitions and Abbreviations .............................................June 207, 2016February 5, 2013
2651
Rule 3 Description of Utility Services ............................................ June 207, 2016May 13, 2013145
Rule 4 Application for Service ........................................................ June 270, 2016July 1, 2012 45
Rule 5 Service Contracts ................................................................. May 13, 2013June 27, 2016 1
Rule 6 Establishment and Reestablishment of Credit ..................... June 207, 2016July 1, 2012 2
Rule 7 Deposits ............................................................................... June 270, 2016July 1, 2012 21
Rule 8 Access to Premises .............................................................. June 207, 2016June 1, 2010 2
Rule 9 Discontinuancenection, Termination and Restoration of Service June 207, 2016June 1,
2010 4
Rule 10 Meter Reading ..................................................................... June 270, 2016June 1, 2010 2
Rule 11 Billing, Adjustments, and Payment of Bills ........................ July 1, 2012June 27, 2016 67
Rule 13 Shortage of Supply and Interruption of Utility Services ..... June 1, 2010 3
Rule 15 Metering............................................................................... June 27, 2016June 1, 2010 4
Rule 16 Line Extensions ................................................................... June 1, 2010 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Index of Existing Rate Schedules, Rules and Regulations
DATE OF LAST NUMBER
REVISION OF SHEETS
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Rule 17 Conversion of Electric and Communication Facilities
to Underground .................................................................... June 1, 2010 5
Rule 18 Utility Service Connections and Facilities on
Customer’s Premises ........................................................... June 270, 2016May 13, 2013 3
Rule 20 Special Electric Utility Regulations..................................... June 207, 2016May 13, 2013 8
Rule 21 Special Water Utility Regulations .......................................October 18, 2010 12
Rule 22 Special Gas Utility Regulations ........................................... June 1, 2010 2
Rule 23 Special Wastewater Utility Regulations .............................. June 270, 2016July 1, 2012 130
Rule 24 Special Refuse and Recycling Regulations ......................... June 207, 2016June 1, 2010 5
Rule 25 Special Storm and Surface Water Drainage
Utility Regulations ............................................................... June 1, 2010 7
Rule 26 Special Fiber Optic Utility Regulations ............................... July 1, 2012 4
Rule 27 Generating Facility Interconnections ................................... July 1, 2012 21
Rule 29 Net Energy Metering Service and Interconnection .............. March 8, 2011 6
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-1
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-1
dated 8-8-2008
A. APPLICABILITY:
This schedule applies to all connections, expansions, and upgrades to the City's electric distribution
systemElectric Distribution System except those that serve street lighting or traffic signals.
B. TERRITORY:
All territory within the incorporated limits of the City and land owned or leased by the City.
B.C. ADVANCE ENGINEERING FEES
Advance engineering fees Engineering Fees must be paid to start the engineering process and are non-
refundable. The engineering feesAdvance Engineering Fees will be credited against the estimated job
cost prior to the collection of construction fees. Advance engineering feesEngineering Fees will not be
collected for service Service connections Connections that do not require a job estimate.
C.D. ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
All estimated on-site, off-site distribution systemDistribution System, and service connectionService
Connection fees must be paid prior to the scheduling of any construction or connections to the City's
electrical distribution system.Electrical Distribution System.
E. SUMMARY OF FEES:
The following schedule of common fees is for summary purposes. Section Sections C and F herein
describesdescribe in detail the specific feefees and conditions in detailunder which they are required.
1. UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS:
Service Connections Which Do Not Require an Estimate
Service Connection Fees
(1) Residential ...................................................................................................... $450
(1) Residential ..................................................................................................... $850
(2) Residential: Rear Easement ............................................................................. ........... $940
$1,900
(3) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial 200A or less, Single Phase or Less..................$720
$1,160
(4) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 200A .................................... .........
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-1
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-2
dated 8-8-2008
By Estimate
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-2
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-2
dated 8-8-2008
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-2
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-3
dated 8-8-2008
Service Connections That Require Estimates
Advance Engineering Fees
(1) Residential .................................................................................................... $300
(1) Residential .................................................................................................... $800
(2) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial 200A or Less........................................ ........ $600
$1800
(3) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 200A ................. .... By Estimate
On-Site Distribution System Fees
(1) Residential ................................ ....................................................................................................
N/A
(2) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial ……………… .......................... ……………… By
Estimate
Off-Site Distribution System Fees
(1) Residential .................................... .........................................................................................
By Estimate
(2) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial .................................................... ............................
By Estimate
2. OVERHEAD SYSTEMS:
All service connectionService Connection fees are based on a maximum 100-foot service length. If
additional service length is required there may be additional fees.
Service Connection Fees
(1) Residential
.................................................................................................... $620
(1) Residential 200 A or Less ............................................................................. $840
(2) Residential Mid-span 200A or Less ............................................................. $1,930
(1)(3) Multi-
Family/Commercial/Industrial 200A or Less ………………………… $900 ...... $1,180
(2)(4) .....................................................................................................................M
ulti-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 200A ................. All Others By Estimate
3. TEMPORARY SERVICES:
Temporary service charges 200A maximum, 250 V maximum, 3-wire services 100' in length are
shown in the following table. Fees for services requiring greater voltageVoltage or capacity will be
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-2
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-4
dated 8-8-2008
determined by estimate.
Overhead Service Connection Fees
(1) Residential .................................................................................................... $840
(1) Residential .................................................................................................... $970
(2) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial 200A or Less ............................................... $840
$970
(3) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 200A ................. .. .. By Estimate
Underground Service Connection Fees
(1) Residential .................................................................................................... $675
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-3
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-3
dated 8-8-2008
(1) Residential .................................................................................................... $970
(2) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial 200A or Less …………………………..$675 $970
(3) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 200A ................. .. .....................
By Estimate
F. FEES:
1. UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS
Connection fees for new or replacement services to the underground electrical system consist of one
or more of the following: Service Connection Fee, On-site Distribution System Fee and/or Off-site
Distribution System Fee.
(A) Service Connection Fees:
Where the City connects any Customer to the electrical distribution systemDistribution System,
a service connectionService Connection fee shall be charged. A one-time waiver of this fee is
granted for services connected during the construction of an underground conversion district.
(1) Residential - Single Family
These fees apply to development in which electric metering will be on a single-family
basis.
(
These fees apply to a development in which Electric Metering will be on a) single-family
basis.
(a) For a 250 voltVolt maximum, 200 ampere maximumAmp or less service
............................... $450 ............................................................................ $850
(b) For any connection requiring greater capacity the fee shall be the estimate of
the installation cost or $450 whichever is greater.
(c) For a 250 volt maximum, 200 ampere max service from a rear easement $940
(b) For any connection requiring greater capacity the fee shall be the estimate of
the installation cost or $720,850 whichever is greater.
(c) For a 250 Volt maximum, 200 Amp max service from a rear easement ...... $1,900
(d) For any rear easement connection requiring greater capacity the fee shall be the
estimate of the installation cost or $1,900, whichever is greater.
(2) Commercial/Industrial
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-3
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-4
dated 8-8-2008
These fees apply to commercial, industrial, multi-family residential services.
(a) For a 250 voltVolt maximum, 200 ampere maximumAmp or less service
............................... $720 ................................................................................ $1,160
(b) For any connection requiring greater capacity, the fee shall be the estimate of the
installation costs or $7201,160, whichever is greater.
(3) Where the City installs, or will install, electric metersElectric Meters in a new
development (single family, multi-family, or commercial/industrial inclusive) consisting of
30 (thirty) units or more, the
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-4
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-4
dated 8-8-2008
connection fee shall include the estimate of the cost to furnish all electric meters with AMR-
ERTs.
(B) On-site Distribution System Fees:
Where the City installs or will install the underground conductors (primary or secondary),
switches or transformers in and on facilities provided by the developer within the boundaries
of a sub-division or other development, an on-site distribution system fee shall be charged.
The fee shall be the estimate of the installation costs.
(C) Off-Site Distribution System Fees:
Where the City installs or will install an electric distribution system, system extension, or
system reinforcement outside the boundaries of a sub-division or other development to be
served, an off-site distribution system fee shall apply. The fee shall be the estimate of the
installation costs.
2. OVERHEAD SYSTEMS
Connection fees shall apply for all new services or for service upgrades exceeding 200
amperesAmps. Overhead services that do not require the addition of poles to the system will be the
standard service for residential areas not in Underground Districts. Underground Service will be
required for all new industrial, commercial, and multi-family residential construction. No new
construction that will require new poles to be added to the system shall be permitted except with the
approval of the ElectricalElectric Engineering Manager and only after a finding that an underground
service is not feasible. Replacement of existing overhead services with new overhead services will
be allowed so long as the new service does not exceed the size of the existing service or, 200
Amperes for single-family residential or 400 amperesAmps for all otherothers, whichever is greater.
Replacement of 250 voltVolt, 200 ampereAmp maximum, 3-wire overhead residential service drops
to existing structures will be done by the City at no cost to the customer providing such a
replacement does not require relocation of the connection at the pole or mid-span, does not require
relocation at the house by more than 10 feet, and does not exceed 100 feet in length.
(A) Overhead Service Connection Replacement Fees:
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-5
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-5
dated 8-8-2008
(1) Residential – Single Family
These fees apply to development in which electric metering will be on a single-family
basis.
These fees apply to development in which electric metering will be on a single-family
basis.
(a) For a 250 Volt maximum, 200 ampereAmp or less, 3 and 4 wire services,
100 feet in length Maximum services.......................................................$620maximum
services ..................................................................................................... $840
(b) For a 250 Volt maximum, 200 Amp or less, 3 and 4 wire services,
100 feet in length maximum services, mid-span connection .................... $1,930
(c) For all others the fee shall be the estimate of the installation cost or $840,
whichever is greater.
(2) Commercial/ Industrial
These fees apply to commercial, industrial, multi-family residential services.
(a) For a 250 Volt maximum, 200 ampereAmp or less, 3 and 4 wire services,
100 feet in length maximum service ......................... ....................................................
................................................................................................................................... $900
................................................................................................................. $1,180
(b) For all others the fee shall be the estimate of the installation cost or $1,180,
whichever is greater.
(3) Replacement of Overhead Services of greater voltageVoltage, other than described above
when done for the customer benefit, or when required due to damage by customer, shall
be the estimate of the installation costs.
3. TEMPORARY SERVICE
A fee shall be charged to connect temporary service.Temporary Service. The Customer shall
furnish all equipment up to the designated point-of-service. This pointPoint-of-serviceService will
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-5
Supersedes Sheet No E-15-6
dated 8-8-2008
usually be the weatherhead for overhead temporary servicesServices in overhead distribution areas
or the secondary connection box for underground temporary servicesServices in underground
distribution system areas. The City will not supply overhead temporary servicesTemporary
Services in underground service areas or underground temporary services in overhead distribution
system areas. The City will supply: overhead conductors and meterMeter for overhead temporary
servicesTemporary Services; and meterMeter only for underground temporary services.Temporary
Services. The City will connect both overhead and underground servicesServices to the City's
electrical distribution system.Distribution System. Any additional off-site facilities or work
required shall be provided and removed by the utilityUtility at the customer'sCustomer's expense.
(A) Overhead Temporary Service Fees:
(1) For a 250 voltVolt, 200 ampereAmp, 3 wire service,
100 feet in length maximum service ................................................................ ..... $840
$970
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-6 Supersedes Sheet No. E-15-6 dated 8-8-2008
(2) The fees for a temporary serviceTemporary Service of greater length and capacity or
voltageVoltage shall be the estimate of the installation and removal costs or $840970,
whichever is greater.
(B) Underground Temporary Service Fees:
(1) For a 250 voltVolt, 200 ampereAmp, 3-wire maximum service,
If a service box is available at the property .................................................... ...... $675
........................................................ $970
(2) If a serviceService box is not available at the property, the chargesCharges to provide a
serviceService box will be at the customer’sCustomer’s expense.
(3) The fees for a temporary serviceTemporary Service of greater length and capacity or
voltageVoltage shall be the estimate of the installation orand removal costs or $675970,
whichever is greater.
4. GENERATOR INTERCONNECTION
A fee shall be charged for evaluation of generator interconnection applicationsGenerator
Interconnection Applications performed pursuant to Rule and Regulation 27. An Initial Review for
Simplified Interconnection will be performed. No fee is charged for this initial review. If it is
determined that a Supplemental Review will be required, an Advance Engineering Fee will be
charged. The Advance Engineering Fee will be applied to any InterconnectionDetailed Study fees
or Interconnection fees.
(A) Advance Engineering Fees:
(1) All net energy metering projects..................................................................................$0
(1) Net Energy Metering projects (this does not include projects with a size less than
or equal to 10 kW taking Service under the Net Energy Metering Successor
Program) ................................................................................................................. $0
(1)(2) ..........................................................................................................................A
ll Projects not subject to net metering covered under section 4(A.)(1), which are
greater than 10 kW and less than 100 kW or less in capacity.......................$600 $675
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-6 Supersedes Sheet No. E-15-7 dated 8-8-2008
(2) All Projects not subject to net metering,covered under section 4(A)(1),
which are greater than or
(2)(3) ..........................................................................................................................
equal to 100 kW butand less than 500 kW in
capacity...............................................$4,000 ................................................... $4,500
(3)(4) ..........................................................................................................................A
ll Projects not subject to net metering,covered under section 4(A)(1), which are
500 kW or greater in capacity ....................$7 ................................................... $8,500
Interconnection(B) Detailed Study:
(1) All net energy metering projects..................................................................................$0
Formatted: Right: 0.5"
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-7 Supersedes Sheet No. E-15- dated 8-8-2008
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-12 6-27-2016
Supersedes Sheet No. E-15-8 dated 8-8-08 7-1-12 Sheet No.E-15-8
(1) (2)Net Energy Metering projects (this does not include projects with a size less than or equal to 10 kW taking Service under the Net Energy Metering Successor Program)All Net Energy Metering projects $0
(1)(2) .......................................................................................................................... A
ll Projects not subject to net meteringNet Energy Meteringcovered under section
4(B.)(1) shall be responsible for the actual costs of the interconnection studyDetailed
Study, as determined by CPAU.
(C) Interconnection Fees:
(1) All net energy metering projects..................................................................................$0
(1) (2)All projects eligible for Net Energy Metering projects (this does not include projects taking Service under the Net Energy Metering Successor Program) $0
(2) All projects less than or equal to 10 kW not eligible for Net Energy
Meteringunder section 4(C.)(1) ............................................................................ $123
(1)(3) .......................................................................................................................... A
ll Projects not subject to net meteringunder section 4.(C.)(1) or 4(.C.)(2) shall be
responsible for the actual costs of design and installation of interconnection
equipment.
5. PALO ALTO CLEAN LOCAL ENERGY ACCESSIBLE NOW PROGRAM
A monthly fee shall be charged for meterMeter maintenance and administrative services for
generatorsGenerators participating in the Palo Alto Clean Local Energy Accessible Now
(CLEAN) Program.
(1) (1) ... Metering and administrative fee ...........................................................................$ $34.73
G. NOTES:
1. These fees apply to all vacant land except where the fees are recorded as previously paid.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012
Sheet No.E-15-7 Supersedes Sheet No. E-15- dated 8-8-2008
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-12 6-27-2016
Supersedes Sheet No. E-15-9 dated 8-8-08 7-1-12 Sheet No.E-15-9
2. The Customer is responsible for the installation of all equipment from the facility to the
designated pointPoint-of-service.Service. For underground systems, this includes conduit and
conductors. For overhead systems, because the pointPoint-of-serviceService is the weatherhead
or point of attachment to the facility, this includes the mast or riser and all conductors therein.
3. When the City replaces a serviceService, the Customer is obligated to accept a shutdown of
serviceUtility Service during regular working hours. The time of the shutdown shall be agreed
upon as mutually acceptable. When, for the convenience of the Customer, the shutdown is
during other than regular working hours, it shall be done entirely at the Customer's expense. The
Customer shall pay the entire cost of the overtime labor, not the incremental cost.
4. The City can generally provide service availability from 30 to 45 days after all fees are paid
except when long lead-time equipment or materials are required. Consult the City for estimated
lead-times.
5. The City cannot be held liable for delays in serviceService connection caused by conditions
beyond its control, including, but not limited to, delays in the arrival of equipment such as
transformers, switches and cable.
{End}
ADOPTION OF RULES
RULE AND REGULATION 1
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-1-2010 6-27-2016
Original Sheet No. 1
A. ADOPTION OF RULES
These Rules and Regulations, and any amendments thereto, are approved and adopted by resolution
of the City of Palo Alto City Council and copies are available to the general public at the Utilities
Customer Service Center, Second Ground Floor, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 93401.
B. CONFLICT
In case of an apparent inconsistency or conflict between a Provision of any Rate Schedule or Rule
and Regulation, the Provision of the Rate Schedule shall apply. In the event a conflict occurs
between the interpretation of one Rule and Regulation with another Rule and Regulation, contract, or
Rate Schedule, the responsible Director of Utilities or the Director of Public Works, with
concurrence of the City Attorney, shall provide the correct interpretation.
C. PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Every individual Aapplicant, Ccustomer or Aaccount supplied Utility Services by the City shall be
considered as having expressed consent to be bound by the Utilities Rules and Regulations. It is
unlawful for any individual aApplicant, cCustomer or aAccount to disobey, violate or fail to observe
any Rule and Regulation or to violate the terms and conditions applicable to Utility Service under
agreements entered into with CPAU pursuant to these Rules and Regulations. It is unlawful for aan
aApplicant, Ccustomer or Aaccount to knowingly provide incorrect, inaccurate, false, or misleading
information of any kind to the City in connection with an Application for (1) Utility Service (Rule
and Regulation , (2) Fiber Optic Licensing Agreements, (3) Special Facilities Agreements, (4) or
with regard toservices provided through the Utilities distribution systems, (5) when responding to
any request for information related to Enterprise services made by the City, or (6) when responding
to any other request for information made by the City under these Rules and Regulations.
Any Applicant, Customer or Account violating any Utility Rule and Regulation shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1000) or by
imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding six months, or both fine and
imprisonment. Fines under this section will be imposed in accordance with process set forth in
section 1.12 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, where the Utilities Director will serve as the
“Enforcement Official”, and his/her designee will serve as the “Code Enforcement Officer” for
purposes of such enforcement of this section under section 1.12 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
(END)
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 1
A. ABBREVIATIONS
AMI - Advanced Metering Infrastructure
AMR - Automated Meter Reading
AER - Advance Engineering Request
APGA - American Public Gas Association
ARB - Air Resources Board (California)
AWWA - American Water Works Association
Btu - British Thermal Unit
ccf - Hundred Cubic Feet (water)
CEC - California Energy Commission
CNG - Compressed Natural Gas
CPAU - City of Palo Alto Utilities
CPI - Consumer Price Index
CPUC - California Public Utilities Commission
DFLA - Dark Fiber (Optic) Licensing Agreement
DOE - Department of Energy (Federal)
DOT - Department of Transportation (Federal)
DSM - Demand-side Management
ERU - Equivalent Residential Unit
FERC - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
kVar - Kilovar
kVarh - Kilovar-hours
kW - Kilowatt
kWh - Kilowatt-hour
MW - Megawatt
MMBtu - One million Btu.
NCPA - Northern California Power Agency
NEC - National Electric Code, Latest Version
NEM - Net Energy Metering
NEMA - Net Energy Metering Aggregation
NEMIA - Net Energy Metering Interconnection Agreement
NRTL - Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory
PAMC - Palo Alto Municipal Code
PSIG - Per square inch gauge
RAP - Rate Assistance Program
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 2
PPA - Power Purchase Agreement
PST - Pacific Standard Time
RTP - Real-time Pricing
RWQCP - Regional Water Quality Control Plant
TOU - Time of Use
WAPA - Western Area Power Administration
UUT - Utilities Users Tax
B. GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Account
The identification number in CPAU’s billing system for Utility Services.
Advance Engineering Fee
A non-refundable fee paid at the start of an engineering review process. The Advance Engineering Fees
will be credited against the estimated job cost prior to collection of construction fees.
Agency
Any local, county, state or federal governmental body or quasi-governmental body, including, without
limitation, the CPUC, the FERC and any joint powers agency, but excluding the City and any board,
commission or council of the City.
Aggregation Customer
A Customer with a Renewable Electrical Generation Facility wishing to install an eligible Renewable
Electrical Generation Facility that is sized to offset separately metered electric loads on adjacent or
contiguous properties that are solely owned, leased, or rented by them, and who have signed the Net
Energy Metering Interconnection Agreement for NEM Aggregation.
Affected System
An electric system, other than CPAU’s distribution or transmission system, that may be affected by the
proposed Interconnection.
Affected System Operator
The entity that operates an Affected System.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 3
Applicant
An individual, corporation, partnership, Agency, or other legal entity or authorized agent of same,
requesting CPAU to supply any or all of the following:
1. Electric Service
2. Water Service
3. Gas Service
4. Wastewater Collection
5. Refuse Service
6. Storm and Surface Water Drainage Service
7. Fiber Optics Service
Or, an entity submitting an Application for Interconnection pursuant to Rule 27.
Application (for Interconnection of Generating Facilities)
An approved standard form (Load Sheet) submitted to CPAU for Interconnection of a Generating
Facility.
Beneficiary Account
The Electric Service Meter(s) serviced by an Aggregation Customer’s Generating Facility, as listed on
the Aggregation Customer’s NEMA-IA form.
Bidweek Price Index
The price reported in Natural Gas Intelligence “NGI’s Bidweek Survey”, California “PG&E Citygate”
under the column “avg.” for the calendar month.
Billing Period
Also “service period” or “billing cycle”. The normal Billing Period for CPAU Customers is
approximately 30 days, with variations occurring due to staff availability, holiday scheduling, field
verification of Meter readings, or any other billing-related issues requiring additional investigation prior
to issuance of the bill.
British Thermal Unit
Also “Btu”. The standard sub-unit of measurement comprising a Therm of natural Gas. One (1) Therm
equals 100,000 Btu.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 4
Business Day
Any day, except a Saturday, Sunday, or any day observed as a legal holiday by the City.
Business Partner
A Utilities customer having multiple service locations in the City of Palo Alto.
Certification Test
A test pursuant to Rule 27 that verifies conformance of certain equipment with approved performance
standards in order to be classified as Certified Equipment. Certification Tests are performed by NRTLs.
Certification; Certified; Certificate
The documented results of a successful Certification Test.
Certified Equipment
Equipment that has passed all required Certification Tests.
Charge
Any assessment, cost, fee, surcharge or levy for Utility Service other than a Tax, including metered and
unmetered Utility Service, capacity, connections, construction, penalties, and mandated or required
Customer financial obligations for Service.
Charter
The Charter of the City of Palo Alto.
City Attorney
The individual designated as the City Attorney of the City under Section 2.08.120 of Chapter 2.08 of
Title 2 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, and any Person who is designated the representative of the City
Attorney.
City’s Collector
The Person(s) authorized under Section 5.20.040 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to provide collection,
processing and disposal of Refuse including Ssolid Wwaste, Compostable Materials and Recyclable
Materials pursuant to one or more written contracts with the City.
City Manager
The individual designated as the City Manager of the City under Section 2.08.140 of Chapter 2.08 of
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 5
Title 2 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, and any Person who is designated the representative of the City
Manager.
City of Palo Alto, or City
The government of the City of Palo Alto, a chartered City and a municipal corporation duly organized
and validly existing under the Laws of the State of California, with a principal place of business located
at 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, County of Santa Clara. For the purposes of these Rules and
Regulations, the term “City” may include services provided by both the City of Palo Alto Utilities
Department and the City of Palo Alto Public Works Department.
City of Palo Alto Public Works Department (Public Works)
The City Department responsible for providing Refuse Service, Wastewater Treatment and Storm and
Surface Water Drainage Services. Other Utility Services such as Water, Gas, Electric, Wastewater
Collection, and Fiber Optics are provided by the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department.
City of Palo Alto Utilities Department (CPAU)
The City Department responsible for providing Water, Gas, Electric, Wastewater Collection and Fiber
Optic Utility Services. Other Utility Services such as Refuse Service, Wastewater Treatment and Storm
and Surface Water Drainage are provided by the City of Palo Alto Public Works Department.
Code
The words "the Code" or "this Code" shall mean the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
Commercial Service
Commercial Utility Service is provided to businesses, non-profit organizations, public institutions, and
industrial Customers. The term also applies to Utility Services through Master Meters serving multi-
family Residential dwellings and common areas of multi-family facilities.
Compostable Materials
Organic materials designated by the City as acceptable for collection and processing, including, without
limitation, yard trimmings, food scraps, soiled paper and compostable plastics, but excluding animal
manure, sewage sludge, and human biological infectious wastes.
Container
Any bin, box, cart, compactor, drop box, roll-off box, or receptacle used for storage of Ssolid wWaste,
Recyclable Materials, Compostable Materials or other materials designated by the City to be collected
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 6
by the City’s Collector.
Cubic Foot of Gas (cf)
The quantity of Gas that, at a temperature of sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit and a pressure of 14.73
pounds per square inch absolute, occupies one cubic foot.
Curtailment
The act of reducing or interrupting the delivery of natural Gas.
Customer
The Person, corporation, Agency, or entity that receives or is entitled to receive Utility Service(s) from
the City of Palo Alto, or in whose name Service is rendered for a particular Account as evidenced by the
signature on the Application, contract, or agreement for Service. In the absence of a signed instrument,
a Customer shall be identified by the receipt of any payment of bills regularly issued in the name of the
Person, corporation, or Agency regardless of the identity of the actual user of the Utility Service(s).
Customer-Generator:
An “eligible customer-generator,” as that term is defined by the California Public Utilities Code section
2827, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Dark Fiber
A Fiber Optic cable provided to end-users or resellers by CPAU without any of the light transmitters,
receivers, or electronics required for telecommunications over the Fiber. Infrastructure for Fiber Optic
activation is provided by the reseller or end-user.
Dark Fiber Infrastructure
Components of the CPAU Fiber Optic Distribution System required to provide Service to Customers
(licensees), that are attached, owned, controlled or used by the City, located overhead or underground
within the Public Right-of-Way, the Public Utility Easements and Leased Service Properties.
Dark Fiber (Optic) Licensing Agreement
The mandatory contractual agreement between the City and the customer specifying the terms,
conditions and pricing to access the City of Palo Alto’s Dark Fiber (Optic) Ring.
Dedicated Distribution Transformer
A Distribution Transformer that is dedicated to serving a single premise.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 7
Demand
The highest rate of delivery of Electric energy, measured in Kilowatts (kW) or kilovolt amperes (kVA)
occurring instantaneously or registered over a fixed time period (normally fifteen minutes unless
otherwise specified within a monthly billing cycle).
Demand Charge
An electrical Charge or rate that is applied to a metered Demand reading expressed in Kilowatts to
compute a Demand Charge component of a Customer’s Electric bill.
Demarcation Point
The Demarcation Point for a project shall be the Customer side of the panel onto which the CPAU Fiber
terminates within the Customer Premises, unless otherwise specified in the Proposal for Dark Fiber
Services.
Deposit
A fixed amount (residential customers), or an estimated amount based upon usage (commercial
customers, except Fiber Optic), to be paid to the Utilities Department upon submission of an Application
for Service. Deposits from customers with good payment history will be retained for 36 months and
returned to the customer. Customers with inconsistent payment history will have deposits retained or re-
submitted until Utility Service on the account is permanently discontinued.
Detailed Study
An engineering study consisting of an Interconnection System Impact Study and Interconnection
Facilities Study for the purpose of identifying Interconnection Facilities, Distribution Upgrades and
Reliability Network Upgrades.
Disconnect Notice
A written notice from CPAU to the customer indicating the date that Utility Service will be terminated
or discontinued unless payment is tendered to mitigate an outstanding balance or until a customer’s
operating condition is brought into compliance with CPAU regulations and requirements.
Discontinuance of Service
The closing of a Utilities account. Considered to be a permanent cessation of service unlike temporary
termination of service for non-payment.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 8
Distribution Services
Includes, but is not limited to, Utility Service provided by the Distribution System and other Services
such as billing, meter reading, administration, marketing, and Customer Services. Does not include
Services directly related to the Interconnection of a Generating Facility as per Rule 27.
Distribution System
The infrastructure owned and operated by CPAU which is capable of transmitting electrical power, other
than Interconnection Facilities, or transporting Water, Wastewater, or Gas within the City of Palo Alto.
The Electric Distribution System transmits power from the City’s Interconnection with PG&E to
CPAU’s Meter located on the Customer’s Premises. The Gas Distribution System transports Gas from
PG&E receiving stations to CPAU’s Meter located on the Customer Premises. The Water Distribution
System transports Water from the San Francisco Water Department receiving stations and CPAU wells
to the meter located on the Customer Premises. The Wastewater Collection System transports sewage
from the Customer’s Premises to the Water Quality Control Plant.
Effluent
Treated or untreated Wastewater flowing out of a Wastewater treatment facility, sewer, or industrial
outfall.
Electric, Electric Service
Utility Service provided to residents and business owners in the City of Palo Alto consisting of
generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power for retail use. Electric Service is provided
by the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department.
Enterprise Funds, Enterprise Services
A budgetary identification for individual Utilities services. Each individual Utility (electric, natural gas,
water, wastewater, storm drain, fiber optic, refuse) has its own operating and capital budgets, staffing,
contracts, financial obligations, cash reserves, etc. combined into specific Enterprise Funds.
Emergency
An actual or imminent condition or situation, which jeopardizes CPAU’s Distribution System Integrity.
Emergency Service
Electric Service supplied to, or made available to, Load devices which are operated only in Emergency
situations or in testing for same.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 9
Energy Services
Energy commodity and any applicable ancillary Services used to generate and transport such commodity
from its origin to the City’s Point of Receipt. May also mean the sale of value added Services associated
or related to the Provision and/or usage of energy commodity.
Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)
This is the basic unit for computing storm and surface water drainage fees. All single-family Residential
properties are billed the number of ERU’s specified in the table contained in Utility Rate Schedule D-1,
according to parcel size. All other properties have ERU's computed to the nearest 1/10 ERU using this
formula: No. Of ERU = Impervious Area (sq. ft.) / 2,500 sq. ft.
Final Bill
The last bill that is issued upon permanent discontinuance of service. This bill will combine ending
financial debits and credits, close the account, and terminate all further customer and Utility financial
obligations.
Fiber Optic, Fiber Optic Service
A solid core of optical transmission material. Fiber Optic Service that is provided by the City of Palo
Alto Utilities Department is referred to as Dark Fiber.
Fiber Optic Backbone
The high-density portion of the Dark Fiber Infrastructure installed and owned by the City.
Force Majeure
The occurrence of any event that has, had or may have an adverse effect on the design, construction,
installation, management, operation, testing, use or enjoyment of the City’s Utility Services, which is
beyond the reasonable control of the parties and which event includes, but is not limited to, an Act of
God, an irresistible superhuman cause, an act of a superior governmental authority, an act of a public
enemy, a labor dispute or strike or a boycott which could not be reasonably contemplated by the City or
Customer affected thereby, a defect in manufactured equipment (including, but not limited to, the Dark
Fibers), fire, floods, earthquakes, or any other similar cause.
Function
Some combination of hardware and software designed to provide specific features or capabilities. Its
use, as in Protective Function, is intended to encompass a range of implementations from a single-
purpose device to a section of software and specific pieces of hardware within a larger piece of
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 10
equipment to a collection of devices and software.
Gas
Any combustible gas or vapor, or combustible mixture of gaseous constituents used to produce heat by
burning. It shall include, but not be limited to, natural gas, gas manufactured from coal or oil, gas
obtained from biomass or from landfill, or a mixture of any or all of the above.
Gas, Gas Service
Utility Service provided to residents and business owners in the City of Palo Alto consisting of
procurement, transmission, and distribution of Gas for retail use. Gas Service is provided by the City of
Palo Alto Utilities Department.
Generating Facility
All Generators, electrical wires, equipment, and other facilities owned or provided by Producer for the
purpose of producing Electric power. This includes a solar or wind turbine Renewable Electrical
Generation Facility that is the subject of a Net Energy Metering and Interconnection Agreement and
Rule and Regulation 29.
Generator
A device converting mechanical, chemical or solar energy into electrical energy, including all of its
protective and control Functions and structural appurtenances. One or more Generators comprise a
Generating Facility.
Gross Nameplate Rating; Gross Nameplate Capacity
The total gross generating capacity of a Generator or Generating Facility as designated by the
manufacturer(s) of the Generator(s).
Initial Review
The review by CPAU, following receipt of an Application, to determine the following: (a) whether the
Generating Facility qualifies for Simplified Interconnection; or (b) if the Generating Facility can be
made to qualify for Interconnection with a Supplemental Review determining any additional
requirements.
Inspector
The authorized Inspector, agent, or representative of CPAU.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 11
Interconnection; Interconnected
The physical connection of a Generating Facility in accordance with the requirements of the City’s
Utilities Rules and Regulations so that Parallel Operation with CPAU’s Distribution System can occur
(has occurred).
Interconnection Agreement
An agreement between CPAU and the Producer providing for the Interconnection of a Generating
Facility that gives certain rights and obligations to effect or end Interconnection. For the purposes of the
City’s Utilities Rules and Regulations, the Net Energy Metering and Interconnection Agreement (for
NEM and NEM Aggregation Customers), and the Power Purchase Agreements authorized by the City
Council may be considered as Interconnection Agreements for purposes of defining such term.
Interconnection Facilities
The electrical wires, switches and related equipment that are required in addition to the facilities
required to provide Electric Distribution Service to a Customer to allow Interconnection.
Interconnection Facilities may be located on either side of the Point of Common Coupling as appropriate
to their purpose and design. Interconnection Facilities may be integral to a Generating Facility or
provided separately.
Interconnection Facilities Study
A study to establish the requirements for Interconnection of a Generating Facility with
CPAU’s Distribution System.
A study conducted by CPAU for an Interconnection Customer under the Detailed Study process to
determine a list of facilities (including CPAU’s Interconnection Facilities, Distribution Upgrades, and
Reliability Network Upgrades as identified in the Interconnection System Impact Study), the cost of
those facilities, and the time required to interconnect the Generating Facility with CPAU’s distribution
or transmission System.
Interconnection Request
An Applicant’s request to interconnect a new Generating Facility, or to increase the capacity of, or make
a Material Modification to the operating characteristics of, an existing Generating Facility that is
interconnected with CPAU’s Distribution or Transmission System.
Interconnection Study
A study to establish the requirements for Interconnection of a Generating Facility with CPAU’s
Distribution System.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 12
Interconnection System Impact Study
An engineering study conducted by CPAU for an Interconnection Customer under the Independent
Study Process that evaluates the impact of the proposed interconnection on the safety and reliability of
CPAU’s distribution and/or transmission system and, if applicable, an Affected System.
Internet Exchange
Any Internet data center for telecommunications equipment and computer equipment for the purposes of
enabling traffic exchange and providing commercial-grade data center services.
Island; Islanding
A condition on CPAU’s Electric Distribution System in which one or more Generating Facilities deliver
power to Customers using a portion of CPAU’s Distribution System that is electrically isolated from the
remainder of CPAU’s Distribution System.
Junction
A location on the Dark Fiber Infrastructure where equipment is installed for the purpose of connecting
communication cables.
Junction Site
The area within the Transmission Pathway at which a Junction is located.
Kilovar (kVar)
A unit of reactive power equal to 1,000 reactive volt-amperes.
Kilovar-hours (kVarh)
The amount of reactive flow in one hour, at a constant rate of Kilovar.
Kilowatt (kW)
A unit of power equal to 1,000 watts.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
The amount of energy delivered in one hour, when delivery is at a constant rate of one Kilowatt; a
standard unit of billing for electrical energy.
Law
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 13
Any administrative or judicial act, decision, bill, Certificate, Charter, Code, constitution, opinion, order,
ordinance, policy, procedure, Rate, Regulation, resolution, Rule, Schedule, specification, statute, tariff,
or other requirement of any district, local, municipal, county, joint powers, state, or federal Agency, or
any other Agency having joint or several jurisdiction over the City of Palo Alto or City of Palo Alto
Utilities or Public Works Customers, including, without limitation, any regulation or order of an official
or quasi-official entity or body.
Licensed Fibers
One or more fibers comprising a part of the Dark Fiber Infrastructure that are dedicated to the exclusive
use of the Customer under the Provisions of the Dark Fiber License Agreement, Proposal to Dark Fiber
Services Agreement and the Utilities Rules and Regulations.
Licensed Fibers Route
A defined path of Licensed Fibers that is identified by specific End Points.
Load(s)
The Electric power Demand (kW) of the Customer at its Service Address within a measured period of
time, normally 15 minutes, or the quantity of Gas required by a Customer at its Service Address,
measured in MMBtu per Day.
Lower Sewer Lateral
The portion of the wastewater pipe from the Wastewater Main to the City Sewer Cleanout or to the
property line if there is no City Sewer Cleanout.
Master-metering
Where CPAU installs one Service and Meter to supply more than one residence, apartment dwelling
unit, mobile home space, store, or office.
Maximum Generation
For a customer with a non-utility generator located on the customer’s side of the Point of Common
Coupling, the Maximum Generation for that non-utility generator during any billing period is the
maximum average generation in kilowatts taken during any 15-minute interval in that billing period
provided that in case the generator output is intermittent or subject to violent fluctuations, the City may
use a 5-minute interval.
Meter
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 14
The instrument owned and maintained by CPAU that is used for measuring either the Electricity, Gas or
Water delivered to the Customer.
Metering
The measurement of electrical power flow in kW and/or energy in kWh, and, if necessary, reactive
power in kVar at a point, and its display to CPAU as required by Rule 27.
Metering Equipment
All equipment, hardware, software including Meter cabinets, conduit, etc., that are necessary for
Metering.
Meter Read
The recording of usage data from Metering Equipment.
Minimum Charge
The least amount for which Service will be rendered in accordance with the Rate Schedule.
Momentary Parallel Operation
The Interconnection of a Generating Facility to the Distribution System for one second (60 cycles) or
less.
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
A laboratory accredited to perform the Certification Testing requirements under Rule 27.
Net Electricity Consumer
A Customer-Generator whose Generating Facility produces less electricity than is supplied by CPAU
during a particular period, as such definition may otherwise be modified or supplemented by any
definition in California Public Utilities Code section 2827(h)(2), as the same may be amended from time
to time.
Net Energy Metering
Net Energy Metering means measuring the difference between the electricity supplied through CPAU’s
Electric utility Distribution System and the electricity generated by the customer-generator’s facility and
delivered to CPAU’s Electric utility Distribution System over a specified twelve-month period.
Net Energy Metering Cap (NEM Cap)
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 15
Five (5) percent of the historical system peak of 190 MW from 2006, or 9.5 MW, using the CEC’s
Alternating Current (AC) capacity rating. Where the CEC AC rating is not available, CPAU will
multiply the inverter AC nameplate rating by 0.86.
Net Generation Metering
Metering of the net electrical power of energy output in kW or energy in kWh, from a given Generating
Facility. This may also be the measurement of the difference between the total electrical energy
produced by a Generator and the electrical energy consumed by the auxiliary equipment necessary to
operate the Generator.
Net Nameplate Rating
The Gross Nameplate Rating minus the consumption of electrical power of a Generator or Generating
Facility as designated by the manufacturer(s) of the Generator(s).
Net Surplus Customer-Generator
A Customer-Generator who’s Generating Facility produces more electricity than is supplied by CPAU,
during a particular period, as such definition may otherwise be modified or supplemented by any
definition in California Public Utilities Code section 2827(h)(3), as the same may be amended from time
to time.
Net Surplus Electricity Compensation
A per kilowatthour rate offered by CPAU to the Net Surplus Customer-Generators (excluding
Aggregation Customers) for net surplus electricity, as such definition may otherwise be modified or
supplemented by any definition in California Public Utilities Code section 2827(b)(8), as the same may
be amended from time to time.
Non-Islanding
Designed to detect and disconnect from an Unintended Island with matched Load and generation.
Reliance solely on under/over voltage and frequency trip is not considered sufficient to qualify as Non-
Islanding.
Occupied Domestic Dwelling
Any house, cottage, flat, or apartment unit having a kitchen, bath, and sleeping facilities, which is
occupied by a Person or Persons.
Parallel Operation
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 16
The simultaneous operation of a Generator with power delivered or received by CPAU while
Interconnected. For the purpose of this Rule, Parallel Operation includes only those Generating
Facilities that are Interconnected with CPAU’s Distribution System for more than 60 cycles (one
second).
Performance Test, Performance Tested
After the completion of any Fiber Interconnection work, the City will conduct a Performance Test of
each Fiber constituting a part of the proposed leased fibers to determine its compliance with the
Performance Specifications.
Performance Specifications
These specifications will include, but not be limited to, criteria relating to end-to-end optical time
domain reflectometer data plots that identify the light optical transmission losses in each direction along
the leased fibers whenever the testing is possible, measured in decibels at a wavelength of 1310 or 1550
nanometers for singlemode Fiber, as a Function of distance, measured in kilometers.
Person
Any individual, for profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
limited liability partnership, joint venture, business, family or testamentary trust, sole proprietorship, or
other form of business association.
PG&E Citygate
The PG&E Citygate is the point at which PG&E’s backbone transmission system connects to PG&E’s
local transmission system.
Point of Common Coupling (PCC)
The transfer point for electricity between the electrical conductors of CPAU and the electrical
conductors of the Producer.
Point of Common Coupling Metering
Metering located at the Point of Common Coupling. This is the same Metering as Net Generation
Metering for Generating Facilities with no host load.
Point of Delivery (POD)
Unless otherwise specified, the following definitions apply: For Electric, that location where the Service
lateral conductors connect to the Customer’s Service entrance equipment; for overhead Services, the
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 17
POD is at the weather-head connection; for under-ground Services, the POD is located at the terminals
ahead of or at the Meter; for multiple Meter arrangements with connections in a gutter, the POD is at
the Meter terminals (supply-side); for multiple Meter arrangements in a switchboard, the POD is
typically at the connectors in the utility entrance section; for Natural Gas, the POD is the point(s) on the
Distribution System where the City delivers natural Gas that it has transported to the Customer.
Point of Interconnection
The electrical transfer point between a Generating Facility and the Distribution System. This may or
may not be coincident with the Point of Common Coupling.
Point of Service (POS)
Where CPAU connects the Electric Service lateral to its Distribution System. For Fiber Optics Service,
this is where CPAU connects the Fiber Service to the backbone. This point is usually a box located in or
near the street or sidewalk and can be in the Public Right-of-Way. This point is at a mutually agreed
upon location established at the time of installation.
Pole Line
Overhead wires and overhead structures, including poles, towers, support wires, conductors, guys, studs,
platforms, cross arms braces, transformers, insulators, cutouts, switches, communication circuits,
appliances attachments, and appurtenances, located above ground and used or useful in supplying
Electric, communication, or similar or associated Service.
Power Factor
The percent of total power delivery (kVA) which does useful work. For billing purposes, average Power
Factor is calculated from a trigonometric function of the ratio of reactive kilovolt-ampere-hours to the
Kilowatt-hours consumed during the billing month. Power Factor is a ratio that reflects the reactive
power used by a Customer. CPAU maintains an overall system Power Factor above 95% to reduce
distribution system losses caused by low Power Factor.
Power Factor Adjustment
CPAU must install additional equipment to correct for Customers that maintain a low Power Factor, and
may make a Power Factor Adjustment to a Customer’s bill to account for those costs and the additional
energy costs and losses incurred by CPAU due to the Customer’s low Power Factor.
Premises
All structures, apparatus, or portion thereof occupied or operated by an individual(s), a family, or a
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 18
business enterprise, and situated on an integral parcel of land undivided by a public street, highway, or
railway.
Primary Service
CPAU Electric distribution Service provided to a Customer’s Premises at a voltage level equal to or
greater than 1000 volts.
Producer
The entity that executes an Interconnection Agreement with CPAU. The Producer may or may not own
or operate the Generating Facility, but is responsible for the rights and obligations related to the
Interconnection Agreement.
Proposal for Dark Fiber Services
A project-specific Service agreement that acts as a supplemental document for the Dark Fiber License
Agreement. This Service agreement shall include the proposed Interconnection fees, applicable Fiber
licensing fees, term of the Service, and summary of licensed Fiber elements.
Protective Function(s)
The equipment, hardware and/or software in a Generating Facility (whether discrete or integrated with
other Functions) whose purpose is to protect against Unsafe Operating Conditions.
Provision
Any agreement, circumstance, clause, condition, covenant, fact, objective, qualification, restriction,
recital, reservation, representation, term, warranty, or other stipulation in a contract or in Law that
defines or otherwise controls, establishes, or limits the performance required or permitted by any party.
Prudent Utility Practices
The methods, protocols, and procedures that are currently used or employed by utilities to design,
engineer, select, construct, operate and maintain facilities in a dependable, reliable, safe, efficient and
economic manner.
Public Right-of-Way
The areas owned, occupied or used by the City for the purposes of furnishing retail and/or wholesale
Electricity, Gas, Water, Wastewater, Storm and Surface Water Drainage, Refuse Service or
communications commodity and/or distribution Service, and the means of public transportation, to the
general public, including but not limited to, the public alleys, avenues, boulevards, courts, curbs, gutters,
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 19
lanes, places, roads, sidewalks, sidewalk planter areas, streets, and ways.
Public Utility Easements
The areas occupied or used by the City for the purpose of providing Utility Service to the general public,
and all related Services offered by the City’s Utilities Department and/or Public Works Department, the
rights of which were acquired by easements appurtenant or in gross, or are other interests or estates in
real property, or are the highest use permitted to be granted by the nature of the City’s interest in and to
the affected real property. This term incorporates all public Service easements for Utility Services that
have been recorded by the City with the Recorder of the County of Santa Clara, California.
Public Works Department
See City of Palo Alto Public Works Department.
Rate Schedule
One or more Council-adopted documents setting forth the Charges and conditions for a particular class
or type of Utility Service. A Rate Schedule includes wording such as Schedule number, title, class of
Service, applicability, territory, rates, conditions, and references to Rules.
Recyclable Materials
Materials designated by the City as suitable for collection and transport to a material recovery facility
for processing into a recycled content product, including, but not limited to newspaper, paper, cans,
corrugated cardboard, glass and certain types of plastic, and metals.
Refuse Service
Refuse Service includes weekly collection, processing and disposal of Solid Waste, weekly collection
and processing of Recyclable Materials, weekly collection and processing of Compostable Materials and
construction and demolition waste, street sweeping service, the household hazardous waste program,
and the annual Clean Up Day.
Reliability Network Upgrades
The transmission facilities at or beyond the point where CPAU’s distribution system interconnects to the
CAISO Controlled Grid, necessary to interconnect one or more Generating Facility(ies) safely and
reliably to the CAISO Controlled Grid, as defined in the CAISO Tariff.
Renewable Electrical Generation Facility
A Generation Facility eligible for NEM under California Public Utilities Code section 2827 et seq. as
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 20
the same may be amended from time to time.
Reserved Capacity
For a customer with one or more non-utility generators located on the customer’s side of the Point of
Common Coupling, the Reserved Capacity for each billing period is the lesser of 1) the sum of the
Maximum Generation for that period for all non-utility generation sources; or 2) the maximum average
customer demand in kilowatts taken during any 15-minute interval in the billing period provided that in
case the load is intermittent or subject to violent fluctuations, the City may use a 5-minute interval.
Residential Service
Utility Service provided to separately metered single family or multi-family, domestic dwelling.
Rules and Regulations
See Utilities Rules and Regulations
Scheduling Coordinator
An entity providing the coordination of power schedules and nominations to effect transportation and
distribution of Gas, Electric power and energy.
Secondary Service
CPAU Electric distribution Service provided to a Customer’s Premises at a voltage level less than 1000
volts.
Service(s)
Utility Services offered by the City of Palo Alto include Electric, Fiber Optics, Gas, Water, Wastewater
Collection services provided by the Utilities Department (CPAU); and Refuse Service, Wastewater
Treatment, and Storm and Surface Water Drainage Services provided by the Public Works Department.
Service Address
The official physical address of the building or facility assigned by CPAU’s Planning Department, at
which Customer receives Utility Services.
Service Charge
A fixed monthly Charge applicable on certain Rate Schedules that does not vary with consumption. The
Charge is intended to recover a portion of certain fixed costs.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 21
Service Drop
The overhead Electric Service conductors from the last pole or other aerial support to and including the
splices, if any, connecting to the service entrance conductors at the building or other structure. Or, in the
case of Fiber Optic Drops, the overhead Fiber Optics cable from the last pole or other aerial support to
the building or other structure to and including the termination box.
Services or Service Lines
Facilities of CPAU, excluding transformers and Meters, between CPAU’s infrastructure and the Point of
Delivery to the Customer.
Service Territory
The geographic boundaries within the City of Palo Alto limits served by the physical Distribution
System of the CPAU.
Sewer Cleanout
A point of access where the sewer lateral can be serviced.
Short Circuit (Current) Contribution Ratio (SCCR)
The ratio of the Generating Facility’s short circuit contribution to the short circuit contribution provided
through CPAU’s Distribution System for a three-phase fault at the high voltage side of the distribution
transformer connecting the Generating Facility to CPAU’s system.
Simplified Interconnection
An Interconnection conforming to the minimum requirements as determined under Rule 27.
Single Line Diagram; Single Line Drawing
A schematic drawing, showing the major Electric switchgear, Protective Function devices, wires,
Generators, transformers and other devices, providing sufficient detail to communicate to a qualified
engineer the essential design and safety of the system being considered.
Smart Inverter
A Generating Facility’s inverter that performs functions that, when activated, can autonomously
contribute to grid support during excursions from normal operating voltage and frequency system
conditions by providing: dynamic reactive/real power support, voltage and frequency ride-through, ramp
rate controls, communication systems with ability to accept external commands and other functions.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 22
Solid Waste
Solid Waste means solid and semisolid wastes, generated in or upon, related to the occupancy of,
remaining in or emanating from residential premises or commercial premises, including garbage, trash,
rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, manure, animal carcasses, solid or semisolid wastes, and other solid
and semisolid wastes. Solid Waste shall not include liquid wastes or sewage, abandoned vehicles,
hazardous waste, recyclable materials or compostable materials.
Special Facilities
See CPAU’s Rule and Regulation 20 governing Special Facilities.
Special Facilities are facilities requested by an Applicant in addition to or in substitution for standard
facilities which CPAU would normally provide.
Splice
A point where two separate sections of Fiber are physically connected.
Standard Refuse Container
A Standard Refuse Container shall have the meaning described in the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
A Standard Container shall also include a wheeled container with a capacity of not to exceed 32
gallons.
Standby Service
Back-up Energy Services provided by CPAU.
State Energy Surcharge
The California State Board of Equalization administers the Energy Resources Surcharge Law, as
authorized under the Revenue and Taxation Code (section 40016). The surcharge is imposed upon the
consumption in California of electrical energy purchased from an electric utility on and after January 1,
1975. Every electric utility in California making energy sales to consumers must collect and remit to the
state the amount of surcharge applicable to its consumers. Information on the surcharge and current
surcharge rate can be found at the California Board of Equalization’s web site.
Storm and Surface Water Drainage
Utility Service provided to residents and business owners in the City of Palo Alto.
Storm and Surface Water Drainage Service is provided by the City of Palo Alto Public Works
Department.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 23
Submetering
Utility submetering is the implementation of a system that allows a landlord, property management firm,
condominium association, homeowners association, or other multi-tenant property to bill master-
metered tenants for utility usage.
Supplemental Review
A process wherein CPAU further reviews an Application that fails one or more of the Initial Review
Process screens. The Supplemental Review may result in one of the following: (a) approval of
Interconnection; (b) approval of Interconnection with additional requirements; or (c) cost and schedule
for an Interconnection Study.
System Integrity
The condition under which a Distribution System is deemed safe and can reliably perform its intended
Functions in accordance with the safety and reliability rules of CPAU.
Tax
Any assessment, Charge, imposition, license, or levy (including any Utility Users Tax) and imposed by
any Agency, including the City.
Telemetering
The electrical or electronic transmittal of Metering data in real--time to CPAU.
Temporary Service
Service requested for limited period of time or of indeterminate duration such as, but not limited to,
Service to provide power for construction, seasonal sales lots (Christmas trees), carnivals, rock crushers
or paving plants. Temporary Service does not include Emergency, breakdown, or Standby Service.
Termination of Service
When one or more Utilities services are interrupted for non-payment. Assumed to be a temporary
situation unless service is permanently discontinued and the Account is closed.
Therm
A Therm is a unit of heat energy equal to 100,000 British Thermal UnitsA Therm is a unit of heat
energy equal to 100,000 British Thermal Units (Btu). It is approximately the energy equivalent of
burning 100 cubic feet (often referred to as 1 ccf) of natural Gas.cubic feet (often referred to as 1 ccf)
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 24
of natural Gas. Since Meters measure volume and not energy content, a Therm factor is used to convert
the volume of Gas used to its heat equivalent, and thus calculate the actual energy use. The Therm factor
is usually in the units therms/ccf. It will vary with the mix of hydrocarbons in the natural Gas. Natural
Gasnatural Gas. Natural Gas with a higher than average concentration of ethane, propane or
butaneethane, propane or butane will have a higher Therm factor. Impurities, such as carbon
dioxidecarbon dioxide or nitrogen lower the Therm factor.
Field Code Changed
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 25
Total Rated Generating Capacity
Total Rated Generating Capacity will be calculated as the sum of the rated generating capacity of all
installed Renewable Electrical Generation Facilities participating in NEM or NEM Aggregation. The
rated generating capacity for each individual Renewable Electrical Generation Facility participating in
NEM or NEM Aggregation will be calculated as follows:
1. For Solar: For each Renewable Electrical Generation Facility that is a solar photovoltaic
generating facility, CPAU will use the CEC’s Alternating Current (AC) rating; or where the
CEC AC rating is not available, CPAU will multiply the inverter AC nameplate rating by
0.86; and
2. For Non-Solar: For all other Renewable Electrical Generation Facilities, CPAU will use the
AC nameplate rating of the generating facility.
Transfer Trip
A Protective Function that trips a Generating Facility remotely by means of an automated
communications link controlled by CPAU.
Transmission Pathway
Those areas of the Public Right-of-Way, the Public Utility Easements and the Leased Service Properties
in which the Dark Fiber Infrastructure is located.
Transmission System
Transmission facilities owned by CPAU that have been placed under the CAISO’s operation control and
are part of the CAISO Controlled Grid, as defined in the CAISO Tariff.
Trap
Any approved equipment or appliance for sealing an outlet from a house-connection sewer to
prevent the escape of sewer Gas from a main line through a building connection (service) sewer.
Underground Utility District
An area in the City within which poles, overhead electric or telecommunication wires, and associated
overhead structures are prohibited or as otherwise defined in Section 12.04.050 of the PAMC.
Unintended Island
The creation of an Island, usually following a loss of a portion of CPAU’s Distribution System, without
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 26
the approval of CPAU.
Unsafe Operating Conditions
Conditions that, if left uncorrected, could result in harm to personnel, damage to equipment, loss of
System Integrity or operation outside pre--established parameters required by the Interconnection
Agreement.
Upper Sewer Lateral
The portion of the wastewater pipe from the building or structure to the City Sewer Cleanout or Lower
Sewer Lateral.
Utilities Department
See City of Palo Alto Utilities Department.
Utilities Director
The individual designated as the Director of Utilities Department under Section 2.08.200 of Chapter
2.08 of Title 2 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, and any Person who is designated the representative of
the director of utilities.
Utility(ies) Rules and Regulations, Rules and Regulations
The compendium of Utilities Rules and Regulations prepared by the City’s Utilities and Public Works
Departments and adopted by ordinance or resolution of the Council pursuant to Chapter 12.20 of the
Palo Alto Municipal Code, as amended from time to time.
Utility(ies) Service(s), Service(s)
Electric, Fiber optics, Water, Gas, Wastewater collection services provided by the City of Palo Alto
Utilities Department (CPAU) and Refuse Service, Wastewater Treatment and Storm and Surface Water
Drainage services provided by the City of Palo Alto Public Works Department.
Utilities UserUtility Service Application (Application)
A general CPAU Application form documenting an Applicant’s request for Electric, Water, Gas and
Wastewater Service. The Application documents the applicant’s contact information, billing
information and basic electric, water, gas and wastewater loading data necessary to approve, design and
install sufficient facilities based on load and usage information provided by the Applicant.
Utility Users Tax (UUT)
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-26-15 6-27-2016
Sheet No 27
City of Palo Alto Tax imposed on Utility Charges to a Water, Gas, and/or Electric Service user. This
may include Charges made for Electricity, Gas, and Water and Charges for Service including Customer
Charges, Service Charges, Standby Charges, Charges for Temporary Services, Demand Charges, and
annual and monthly Charges, as described in Chapter 2.35 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
Wastewater
Utility Service provided to residents and business owners in the City of Palo Alto. Wastewater Utility
Services include collection and treatment of Wastewater. Wastewater Collection Service is provided by
the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department, and Wastewater Treatment Service is provided by the City of
Palo Alto Public Works Department.
Wastewater Main
Collector pipes for numerous sewer laterals from an area or neighborhood. Wastewater Mains convey
the wastewater to larger trunk sewer lines or to a water quality treatment plant.
Water
Utility Service provided to residents and business owners in the City of Palo Alto for retail use. Water
Service is provided by the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department.
Water Column (WC)
Pressure unit based on the difference in inches between the heights of water columns as measured in a
manometer. 6” WC = 0.217 psi; 7” WC = 0.25 psi.
(END)
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 1
A. GENERAL
Rule and Regulation 3 describes Services that are offered within the jurisdictional boundaries of
the City of Palo Alto. For Rules specific to each type of Service, please refer to the following
Rules and Regulations:
Rule and Regulation 20 – Special Electric Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 21 – Special Water Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 22 – Special Gas Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 23 – Special Wastewater Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 24 – Special Refuse Service Regulations
Rule and Regulation 25 – Special Storm and Surface Water Drainage Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 26 – Special Fiber Optics Utility Regulations
B. ELECTRIC SERVICE
1. BASIS OF SERVICE a. Unless otherwise provided in a Rate Schedule or contract, CPAU’s Electric rates
are based upon the furnishing of Electric Service to Customer Premises at a single
Point of Delivery at a single voltage and phase classification. Unless specified
otherwise, each Point of Delivery shall be metered and billed separately under the
appropriate Rate Schedule. Any additional Service supplied to the same
Customer at other Points of Delivery or at a different voltage or phase
classification shall be separately metered and billed.
b. The type of distribution Service (voltage, Secondary, Primary) available at any
particular location may be determined by inquiry to a CPAU Engineering
representative.
c. If the Customer, for his or her convenience, requests Secondary or Primary
Services at an alternate Point of Delivery other than the normal Point of Delivery
as determined by CPAU, the Customer is responsible for all cost of providing
Secondary or Primary Services at such alternate location.
d. CPAU assumes no duty or liability for inspecting, validating or approving the safe
operating condition of the Customer’s Service, appliances, or equipment
downstream of the Utility Meter.
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 2
e. See Rule and Regulation 20. "Special Electric Utility Regulations" regarding
special Service requirements.
2. LOCATION OF POINT OF SERVICE
a. SECONDARY SERVICE
1. OVERHEAD SERVICE AT SECONDARY VOLTAGES
The Point of Service for Overhead Service at secondary voltages will normally be
located at a power pole on the perimeter of the parcel to be served, which is, in
CPAU’s judgment, most conveniently located and in compliance with CPAU
standards and specifications and applicable building and electrical codes.
2. UNDERGROUND SERVICE AT SECONDARY VOLTAGE
The Point of Service for Underground Service at secondary voltages will
normally be located at the Secondary connectors of the transformer serving the
Customer’s Load, or in the Secondary hand hole, if available.
b. PRIMARY SERVICE
The Point of Service for Primary Service will normally be at the point near the
property line of the premises to be served which is, in CPAU’s judgment, most
conveniently located with respect to CPAU’s transmission or distribution
facilities.
c. EXCEPTIONS
If several buildings are occupied and used by one Customer in a single business or
other activity, CPAU may, at its discretion, furnish Service for the entire group of
buildings through one Service connection at one Point of Service.
3. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
All new equipment in underground areas required to provide electric service to a
Customer shall be pad-mounted. In addition, any three-Phase electric service connection
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 3
and any electric service connection rated at 400 Amps or greater which is located either
in an underground or overhead area must be served from a pad-mounted transformer.
The Utilities Director, or his/her designee, may authorize: 1) an exception to the above
provisions when, in his/her opinion, a pad-mounted equipment installation in any
particular instance would not be feasible or practical or 2) installation of electric service
equipment in locations with limited access by utility equipment. Such installations will
be considered “Special Facilities” as defined in Rule and Regulation 20, and the
Applicant will be responsible for the costs described in that rule and outlined in the
Service Contract as described in Rule and Regulation 5.
If the Applicant wants a Point of Delivery other than at the location determined by
CPAU, CPAU will work with the Applicant to assist in the selection of the alternate Point
of Delivery location for the electric service equipment within the boundaries of the
Applicant’s property. When the Applicant chooses a Point of Delivery location other
than the location which has been determined by CPAU, the Applicant must acknowledge
that such an alternate Point of Delivery location will cause CPAU personnel to incur
delays when performing repairs or service restoration during emergencies. In addition to
being responsible to pay for the initial cost of installation of such electric service
equipment in an alternate location, the Applicant shall also be responsible to pay for any
future additional labor, equipment, and material costs incurred by CPAU necessary to
facilitate replacement, removal, or relocation of any electric service equipment which has
been installed in an alternate Point of Delivery location at the Applicant’s request.
Any installation intended to assist in “screening” of electric service equipment by
landscaping or structures must be constructed in a manner which meets all of CPAU’s
clearance standards. The plans for such screening must be approved by the City of Palo
Alto and CPAU prior to beginning work on the screening installation.
The Applicant shall provide a Public Utility Easement in recordable form for installation
of such facilities within the boundaries of the property. All pad-mounted equipment will
be subject to CPAU’s aesthetic guidelines.
4. EMERGENCY AND STANDBY SERVICES
CPAU may provide back up Emergency, and other Standby Service to Customers as
Special Facilities. See Rule and Regulation 20 "Special Electric Utility Regulations"
regarding special Service requirements.
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 4
5. SERVICE DELIVERY VOLTAGE The following are the standard Service voltages normally available. Not all standard
Service voltages are available at each Point of Delivery. These Service voltages are
available in locations that already have this Service voltage and have sufficient capacity,
as determined by CPAU, to serve the new Load. Any equipment installed on 120/240, 3
wire or 240/120, 4-wire Services shall have the capability of converting to a 120/208, 3
wire or 208 Y/120, 4-Wire Service.
a. DISTRIBUTION OF VOLTAGE
Alternating-current Service will be regularly supplied at a nominal frequency of
approximately 60-Hertz (cycles per second).
Single-Phase Three-Phase Three-Phase
Secondary Secondary Primary
120/240, 3 -wire 240/120, 4-wire* 12,470, 3-wire
120/208, 3-wire 240, 3-wire*
208 Y/120, 4-wire
480 Y/277, 4-wire
*Only available in special conditions as determined by the Electric Engineering
Manager.
b. All voltages referred to in this Rule and appearing in some Rate Schedules are
nominal Service voltages at the Point of Delivery. CPAU’s facilities are designed
and operated to provide sustained Service voltage at the Point of Delivery, but the
voltage at a particular Point of Delivery will vary within satisfactory operating
range limits.
c. In areas where a certain standard Secondary voltage is being delivered to one or
more Customers, CPAU may require an Applicant for new Service in such areas
to receive the same standard voltage supplied to existing Customers.
d. CPAU may change the voltage at which Service is delivered, including converting
existing 4160 volt Primary Service to 12,470 volt Service. If CPAU notifies the
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 5
Customer that a Service voltage change is necessary, the Customer will be
required to provide Service equipment capable of accepting the new voltage and
meeting other CPAU requirements. Costs to provide suitable Customer’s Service
entrance equipment and any other associated equipment to receive Service at the
new voltage shall be borne by the Customer.
6. VOLTAGE AND FREQUENCY CONTROL a. Under normal Load conditions, CPAU’s distribution circuits will be operated so
as to maintain Service voltage levels to Customers within plus or minus 5 percent
of the nominal Service voltage at the Point of Delivery. Subject to the limitations
above, CPAU will maintain the voltage balance between phases as close as
practicable to 2.5% maximum deviation from the average voltage between the
three phases.
b. Voltages may be outside the limits specified above when the variations:
1. arise from Service interruptions;
2. arise from temporary separation of parts of the system from the main
system;
3. are minor momentary fluctuations and transient voltage excursions of
short duration which may occur in the normal operation of CPAU system;
4. are beyond CPAU’s control.
c. Due to conditions beyond the control of CPAU, the Customer, or both, there will
be infrequent and limited periods when voltages will occur outside of the nominal
Service voltage ranges. Utilization equipment may not operate satisfactorily
under these conditions, and protective devices in the equipment may operate to
protect the equipment.
d. Where the operation of the Customer’s equipment requires stable voltage
regulation or other stringent voltage control beyond that supplied by CPAU in the
normal operation of its system, the Customer, at its own expense, is responsible
for installing, owning, operating, and maintaining any special or auxiliary
equipment on the Load side of the Service delivery point as deemed necessary by
the Customer.
e. The Customer shall be responsible for designing and operating its Service
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 6
facilities between the Point of Delivery and the utilization equipment to maintain
proper utilization voltage at the line terminals of the utilization equipment.
f. The Customer shall not impose a Load on CPAU’s system that will cause the
voltage limits in this section to be exceeded for an adjacent Service delivery point.
g. When there is reasonable indication of a problem, CPAU shall test for excessive
fluctuations at its own expense. Voltage checks requested by the Customer more
than once in any twelve month period shall be paid by the Customer, unless
CPAU determines that excessive voltage fluctuation exists.
h. CPAU may institute measures to prevent the continuous operation of equipment
detrimental to Service to other Customers or may discontinue Electric Service to
the offending Customer. (See Rule and Regulation 20, Special Electric Utility
Regulations).
i. Customers are responsible for protecting their connected Loads, audio, video, and
electronic equipment, including computers, from sudden voltage or frequency
fluctuations outside nominal Service and frequency ranges. Such protection may
include, but is not limited to, surge protectors.
7. GENERAL LOAD LIMITATIONS
a. SINGLE-PHASE SERVICE
1. Single-phase Service normally will be 3-wire, 120/240 volts (or 3-wire,
120/208 volts at certain locations as now or hereafter established by
CPAU) where the size of any single motor does not exceed 7-1/2
horsepower (10 horsepower at the option of CPAU). For any single-phase
Service, the maximum Service size shall be 400 ampere, unless approved
by the Utilities Director or his/her designee. If the Load exceeds the
capability of a 400 ampere single phase Service the Service shall be three-
phase.
2. In locations where CPAU maintains a 120/208 volt secondary system, 3-
wire single-phase Service normally shall be limited to that which can be
supplied by a main switch or Service entrance rating of 200 amperes.
Single-phase Loads in these locations in excess of that which can be
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 7
supplied by a 200 ampere main switch or Service entrance rating normally
will be supplied with a 208Y/120 volt, three-phase, 4-wire Service. b. THREE-PHASE SERVICE (480 VOLTS OR LESS) Minimum Load Maximum Demand Normal Voltage Requirements Load Permitted
240/120 5 hp, 3-phase connected 400 Amperes
240 5 hp, 3-phase connected 400 Amperes
208Y/120 Demand Load 75 kVA 500 kVA 480Y/277 Demand Load 112 kVA 2,500 kVA (See Note 1)
Note 1. Applicants or existing Customers with a planned or existing single or
multiple building development having a maximum Demand in excess of 2500
kVA, as determined by CPAU, will be required to take delivery at the available
primary voltage and are required to provide their own primary switchgear and
transformer(s). Determination of maximum Demand and Service voltage will be
made by CPAU and the decision of the Electric Engineering Manager will be
final. 1. Where three-phase Service is supplied, CPAU reserves the right to use
single-phase transformers, connected open-delta or closed-delta, or three-
phase transformers.
2. Three-phase Service will be supplied on request for installations
aggregating less than the minimum listed above, but not less than 3
horsepower (hp), three-phase Service, where existing transformer capacity
is available. If three-phase Service is not readily available, or for Service
to Loads less than 3 hp, Service shall be provided in accordance with
CPAU’s applicable Rule 20 on Special Power Service requirements.
3. Residential customers requesting three-phase service shall be responsible
for all labor and material costs required to provide service, including the
cost of the transformer. These installations are not considered “Special
Facilities” as described in Rule and Regulation 20.
4. An Applicant or existing Customer requiring Service with a maximum
Demand in excess of 1000 kVA, as determined by CPAU, shall be served
by a padmount transformer. No submersible or vault-installed
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 8
transformers in excess of 1000 kVA will be installed by CPAU. Where an
existing underground Service must be upgraded beyond 1000 kVA, the
Customer shall be required to provide adequate space for installation of
the padmount transformer. In the event the Customer is unable to provide
adequate space for the padmount transformer, then the Customer shall
make arrangements at his or her expense to receive Service at primary
voltage.
c. THREE-PHASE SERVICE (OVER 2,000 VOLTS)
The following three-phase primary voltage may be available as an isolated
Service for a single Applicant; and where that Applicant’s Demand Load justifies
such voltage. The determination will be made by CPAU. Minimum Demand Maximum Demand
Normal Voltage Bank Installed Load Permitted
4,160 500 kVA 3,600 kVA
12,470 1,000 kVA 11,000 kVA
Note: 4,160 volt Services will not be furnished for new Services.
8. TEMPORARY SERVICE
Temporary Service is Electric Service which, in CPAU’s opinion, is of an indefinite
duration at the same location, or for operations of a speculative character or of
questionable permanency, or any other Service which is estimated to last less than one
year. CPAU will furnish Temporary Service if the furnishing of such Service will not
create undue hardship for CPAU, or its Customers, and the following conditions are met:
a. The Applicant for such Temporary Service shall apply for Service on an
Application form provided by CPAU Engineering and shall pay to CPAU in
advance the cost of installing and removing any facilities necessary in connection
with the furnishing of such Service by CPAU. b. Each Applicant for Temporary Service shall prepay a Temporary Service Fee in
accordance with Electric Service Connection Fees Rate Schedule E-15.
c. Nothing in this Rule and Regulation shall be construed as limiting or in any way
affecting the right of CPAU to collect from the Customer an additional sum of
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 9
money by reason of the Temporary Service furnished or to be furnished or
removed hereunder.
d. If the Temporary Service connection time exceeds one-year, the Applicant shall
apply for an extension of the Temporary Service. The Director of Utilities or
his/her designee will determine if the Service should be reclassified as a
permanent Service.
9. SERVICE DOWNSTREAM OF METER
CPAU assumes no duty or liability for inspecting, validating or approving the safe
operating condition of the Customer’s Service, appliances, or equipment downstream of
the Utility Meter.
C. FIBER OPTIC SERVICE
Fiber Optic Service includes the custom construction and licensing of single mode Fiber routes
between points within the City of Palo Alto. It is the Customer’s responsibility to establish all
electronic devices and networks required to pass data over their licensed CPAU Dark Fiber
routes.
1. LICENSING SERVICES
All Dark Fiber routes are licensed in accordance with the currently approved Dark Fiber
Rate Schedules, and in compliance with the Utilities Rules and Regulations. See Rule and
Regulation 26, “Special Fiber Optic Utility Regulation,” regarding special Service
requirements. All CPAU fibers terminate within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City
of Palo Alto.
2. OTHER SERVICES
CPAU offers custom Dark Fiber construction and ancillary Services such as Fiber Optic
cable splicing, engineering feasibility studies, and when specifically requested by the
Customer, multimode Fiber cable installations.
3. QUALITY
Dark Fiber routes in the City of Palo Alto comprised of single mode Fiber comply with
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 10
generally accepted industrial standards and specifications. All construction is done using
industry accepted techniques and procedures. All constructed routes are Performance
Tested to assure the industry quality standards are met.
D. WATER SERVICE
1. SOURCE OF SUPPLY
CPAU’s primary source of Water is the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct system, managed by the
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). CPAU wells also provide
Emergency supply. See Rule and Regulation 21, “Special Water Utility Regulation”
regarding special Service requirements.
2. QUALITY Hardness generally varies between 1 and 4 grains per gallon depending on the source.
An analysis of the mineral content of the Water is available upon request from CPAU
Engineering.
3. PRESSURE
Water pressure varies from 30 to 125 pounds per square inch. CPAU maintains an
average of 50 pounds per square inch, with the maximum and minimum pressures being
experienced at the lower and higher elevations of the Distribution System. CPAU
assumes no responsibility for loss or damage due to lack of Water pressure but agrees to
furnish such pressures as are available in its general Distribution System. If low Water
pressure occurs due to additional on-site development, it shall be the responsibility of the
property owner to replace the existing Water Service with a new Water Service designed
for the current site. All costs of the required new Service upgrade shall be borne by the
property owner.
4. TREATMENT
CPAU currently does not treat Water supplied by the SFPUC. The pH of the Water
supplied is adjusted by the SFPUC to reduce its corrosive action.
5. SERVICE DOWNSTREAM OF METER
CPAU assumes no duty or liability for inspecting, validating or approving the safe
operating condition of the Customer’s Service, appliances, or equipment downstream of
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 11
the Utility Meter.
E. GAS
1. TYPES OF SERVICES
CPAU provides Gas supply, transportation, and Distribution Services.
2. KIND AND HEATING VALUE
CPAU purchases Gas from several/various Gas suppliers. The heating value of Gas
supplied varies. The average monthly heating value in British Thermal Units (Btu)-dry
basis per cubic foot of the Gas served may vary within the limits of 750 to 1150 Btu.
This average heating value is converted to a Therm factor for use as one of the factors
used in calculating a composite multiplier for billing purposes. The Therm factor will be
based upon the heat factor used by CPAU’s supplier of Gas for the preceding month.
Gas is supplied by CPAU either at standard “low pressure” or at “medium pressure”.
Low pressure Service is available at all points where Gas is supplied. Where available
from existing high pressure mains, at the option of CPAU, high pressure Service may be
supplied. However, CPAU reserves the right to lower the pressure or to discontinue the
delivery of Gas at high pressure.
The standard pressure for low pressure is seven inches of Water Column (WC), which is
approximately 1/4 pound per square inch (psi) above atmospheric pressure. In limited
circumstances, increased pressure may be provided for domestic use at 14” Water
Column. This increased pressure will only be provided for domestic use if the houseline
size required is greater than 2” diameter, or CPAU determines, based upon satisfactory
information from the manufacturer, provided by the Customer, that an appliance to be
located in the residence requires increased pressure at the inlet that cannot be obtained by
resizing or relocating the houseline. Increased pressure may be provided for commercial
uses only if the use of the houseline size required is greater than 4” diameter, or evidence
as described above establishes that equipment on the site requires increased pressure at
the inlet that cannot be obtained by resizing or relocating the houseline. For commercial
uses, the available pressures are 7” WC, 14” WC (approximately 1/2 psi), 1 psi, 2 psi and
5 psi.
All increased pressure above 7”WC requires review and approval of the Engineering
Manager, a plumbing permit and testing of the existing Gas piping with a building
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 12
Inspector present in accordance with the latest adopted version of the California
Plumbing Code
See Rule and Regulation 22, “Special Gas Utility Regulations” regarding special Service
requirements.
3. DETERMINATION OF THERMS TO BE BILLED
The unit of measure for billing is the Therm. Gas Meters measure volume of Gas in ccf
at ambient temperature and pressure conditions. Therms are derived from the metered
data by subtracting the Meter reading for the previous reading cycle from the current
reading. The difference (uncorrected ccf) is multiplied by the pressure factor required to
convert the measured consumption volume to a standard volume (at standard temperature
and pressure conditions). This standard volume, in pressure-corrected ccf, is then
multiplied by the Therm factor (a variable determined by periodic analysis of CPAU’s
Gas supply) to produce the final number of Therms billed. The composite correction
factor (the product of the Therm factor and the pressure correction factor) is shown on
bills under the heading “multiplier.”
4. SERVICE DOWNSTREAM OF METER
CPAU assumes no duty or liability for inspecting, validating or approving the safe
operating condition of the Customer’s Service, appliances, or equipment downstream of
the Utility Meter.
F. WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND TREATMENT
1. COLLECTION
CPAU operates and maintains a Wastewater Collection System separate from the storm
and surface Water Collection System. A connection to the Wastewater Collection
System is required for all water users where wastewater service is available.
For the disposal of Wastewater from basements and floors below ground level, it will be
necessary for the Customer to provide pumps or ejectors for satisfactory drainage, as
approved by the Water-Gas-Wastewater Engineering Manager. If the elevation of the
basement floor is above the rim elevation of the next upstream manhole, Applicant shall
provide a survey by a licensed Civil Engineer indicating the elevations of the basement
floor and the rim elevation of the next upstream manhole. Submission of this survey and
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 13
approval by the Engineering Manager is required for exemption from the pump/ejector
requirement.
2. REGULATION
Chapter 16.09 of the Municipal Code regulates the discharge into the Wastewater
Collection System of substances other than domestic Wastewater. See Rule and
Regulation 23, “Special Wastewater Utility Regulations” regarding special Service
requirements.
3. TREATMENT
The collection system transports the Wastewater to the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality
Control Plant for treatment. At this tertiary treatment plant, the City of Palo Alto
processes the Wastewater from Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Alto Hills, Stanford
University, and East Palo Alto Sanitary District, as well as its own. The treatment is
performed in accordance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Permit issued
by the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board before the treated
water is discharged into the San Francisco Bay Estuary.
4. LIMITATION OF SERVICE
CPAU reserves the right to limit the size of connection and the quantity of wastes
disposed and to prohibit the use of the sewer for disposal of toxic or hazardous wastes
detrimental to the Wastewater system or treatment plant.
G. REFUSE SERVICE
1. REGULATION All Refuse Services are governed by Chapter 5.20 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
regulations promulgated by the City Manager pursuant to Chapter 5.20, these Rules and
Regulations and the contract between the City and the City’s Collector. See Rule and
Regulation 24, “Special Refuse Service Regulations” regarding special service
requirements.
2. REFUSE COLLECTION
Refuse Service is provided to all Customers by Tthe City’s Collector. provides collection
of solid waste, Compostable materials and Recyclable Materials. Customers shall
subscribe and pay for Refuse Service and for a number of containers to hold all Solid
Waste created, produced or accumulated at or on their Premises during a one-week
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 14
period, unless a different frequency for a collection schedule has been approved or
directed by Public Works. Each Customer shall receive collection Services on a City
specified day of each week and Customers must use the City Collector’s provided
Containers for service. Customers wanting to supply their own container must check with
the City Collector to ensure compatibility with the collection vehicles. The automatic
standard service for Ssolid Wwaste Service Charge level is one Standard Container 32-
gallon container for Residential Customers Service and two one Standard Containers 64-
gallon container for Commercial Customers Service. All customers may change service
levels to meet their refuse needs as specified above. The minimum Service for
Residential Premises is one twenty gallon wheeled cart provided by the City’s Collector.
Solid Wwaste in excess of the Service Charge level subscribed by the Customer will be
removed by the City’s Collector for an additional Charge upon Customer request or
notification. Customers exceeding their subscribed Service level repeatedly are required
to subscribe to additional collection Services at the City-established rates.
H. STORM AND SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE
1. RESPONSIBILITY AND PURPOSE
The City of Palo Alto Public Works Department is responsible for all Drainage Facilities
in the street and public right of way that collect storm and surface Water and convey it to
the major channels and creeks within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Palo
Alto. Examples include curbs and gutters, catch basins, pipelines, culverts, street,
channels and pumping stations. The purpose of the Storm and Surface Water control
facilities is to improve the quality of control, or protect life or property from any storm,
flood or surplus waters. See Rule and Regulation 25, “Special Storm and Surface Water
Drainage Regulations,” regarding special Service requirements.
2. STORM DRAINAGE FEE
A Storm Drainage fee shall be payable to the City monthly by the owner or occupier of
each and every developed parcel in accordance with Rule and Regulation 25.
(END)
APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 1
A. APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
1. These Rules for Application offor Service apply to all Utility Services. Electric, Fiber Optics,
Water, Gas and Wastewater Collection Utility Services are provided by the City of Palo Alto
Utilities Department (CPAU), and Refuse & Recycling, and Storm & Surface Water
Drainage Services are provided by the City of Palo Alto Public Works Department.
Application for all Services is handled through CPAU.
Unmetered Services:
Utility services for Refuse & Recycling, Storm & Surface Water Drainage and Wastewater
Collection are unmetered services. TheseThe monthly Customer costs for these Utility
Services arewill be applied to existing utility accountsAccounts when two of the three
metered services includingfor Electric, Gas andor Water Service are set up and
established.being currently billed (Account not suspended).
2. An Applicant’s request for Service does not bind the City to serve except under reasonable
conditions, nor does it bind the Customer to take Service for a longer period than the
minimum requirements of the applicable Service.
3. CPAU will require each prospective Customer to provide any information that may be
reasonably needed to furnish Service or, administer the Account, and to allow collection
action in the event of payment default. This information may include, but is not limited to,
the following:
For Residential Customers:
a. Legal name(s) of Applicant.
b. Name of a spouse, domestic partner or other Person(s) identified as a responsible
party for the Account by the Applicant and authorized to access and manage the
Applicant’s Utilities Account. Without the addition of an authorized responsible
party, access and management of the Utilities Account will be restricted to the
Applicant/Customer.
c. A Customer’s surviving spouse, domestic partner or estate executor can be added to
the Account upon furnishing proof of the Customer’s death or incapacity. A
surviving sibling or other family member will be required to apply for a new Utility
Account.
APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 2
For Commercial Customers:
d. Legal business name.
e. Responsible party for Utilities bill payment.
f. Address of Premises to be served.
For all Customers:
g. Effective date of Service.
h. Physical address to which bills or other communications are to be mailed or
delivered.
i. Whether Premises have been previously served. If the Applicant requires Service
upgrades, and/or new meter installs, Utility Services will be installed between 30 and
45 days following receipt of full payment. Fiber Optic installations will be completed
between six to eight weeks following the receipt of full payment.
j. Whether Applicant is the property owner, agent or tenant of Premises to be served.
k. Purpose for which Service is to be used for North American Industry Classification
System reporting purposes.
l. Rate Schedule desired if an optional rate is available.
m. Identifiers, unique to the Applicant or Customer, are required to establish credit with
CPAU to manage the security of the Account, maintain communication with the
Customer, and allow for collection action in the event of payment default. These
include:
1. Social Security Number
2. California Drivers License Number
3. Current Passport Number
4. Employer Name
5. Business Telephone
6. Primary Contact Telephone Number
7. Alternate Contact Telephone Number
8. Email Address (if Customer requests electronic communication)
Customer refusal to provide a required identifier will terminate the Application
for Service process.
4. Applicants for Commercial Service at more than one location shall be required to furnish
information and establish credit for each location in accordance with section A.3 and Rule
APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 3
and Regulation 6 (Establishment and Re-establishment of Credit).
5. The Applicant and additional responsible parties on the same Application for Service or
established Account shall be jointly and severally liable for Utility Services supplied. Only
one bill will be rendered for such joint Service.
6. A tenant who opens an Account for a metered Service serving more than one dwelling will
be required to provide a letter in writing to CPAU that he or she understands that the
Meter(s) serves additional dwellings and that he or she is willing to accept responsibility for
all Charges on said Meter(s). Otherwise, the Account shall be in the name of the owner or
property manager.
B. CHANGE IN CUSTOMER’S EQUIPMENT OR OPERATION
1. Customers shall give CPAU written notice of any material changes in the size, character, or
extent of Utilities equipment or operations for which the City is supplying Utility Service
before making any such change.
2. Notwithstanding any Rule and Regulation herein to the contrary, no change or alteration of
any Utility Service, agreement, connection, or facility, including any installation or
reinstatement thereof, shall be made or permitted by CPAU where the purpose or effect
would be to serve, facilitate or make possible a use or occupancy of a structure or other
condition which is or would be in violation of the Zoning Ordinance, the Building Code or
any ordinance of the City of Palo Alto.
C. SERVICE WITHOUT PROPER APPLICATION
Anyone using Utility Services, without having first complied with the requirements for Service, will
be held liable from the date of the first Service as determined by the City. Failure to pay
accumulated Charges may result in discontinuance of Service without further notice.
D. RIGHTS OF WAY
The City shall not be required to connect with, or render Service to, an Applicant unless and until the
Applicant has obtained or been granted all necessary Utility operating rights, including rights-of-way,
APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 4
easements, and permits.
E. RESALE PROHIBITED
1. Customer shall use Services only for the purposes specified at the time of application for
Service. Utility Services shall not be resold to another entity except as provided in this Rule.
2. Premises that are receiving Service in conflict with this Rule as of the effective date of this
Rule may continue to receive Service under such conditions if so authorized in writing by the
City.
3. Sub-metering of individual units shall be considered sufficient evidence that as resale of
Utilities are being resold,Services that is prohibited by this section, with the exception of
ProvisionSubmetering and Master-Metering which are permitted where conducted in
accordance with Section F.1. “SUBMETERING”. AND MASTER-METERING” of this
Rule.
F. SUBMETERING AND MASTER-METERING
1. Property owners/managers may billallocate the cost of providingSubmetering and Master-
Metering Utility Services to individual tenants. Such Submetering and Master-Metering
must be conducted in accordance with the requirements of section 739.5 of California Public
Utilities Code and section 798.40 of the California Civil Code.
Under no circumstances can the total costs of the Utility Services allocated to tenants exceed
the costs of the Utility Services billed to the property owner by the City. The property
owners/managers may allocate the cost for a third-party billing service to individual tenants,
to the extent that the total costs allocated, and the individual costs assessed under
Submetering and Master-Metering do not exceed the cost of third party billing services to the
property owner/manager.. A property owner must disclose all information used to determine
a tenant’s Utilities bill to the tenant upon request, including current utility costs, copies of
pastprior utility bills., Submetering and/or Master-Metering records, and third-party tenant
billing invoices. Resolution of Submetering or Master-Metering Utility bill disputes between
property owners and tenants can be mediated through the City of Palo Alto, Community
Services Department, Human Services Division’s Palo Alto Mediation Program’s Mandatory
Response Program.
APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 5
2. Those who license Fiber Optic Services may use Fiber Optics to serve themselves or third
parties; however, compliance with all Rules and Regulations, and payment of all fees is the
responsibility of the license holder.
(END)
SERVICE CONTRACTS
RULE AND REGULATION 5
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 3-1-2014 65-2013-20163
Original Sheet No 1
A. TYPES OF SERVICE CONTRACTS For all Utility Services provided, the City may require a written agreement for new or existing
Customers. Contracts may apply to standard, custom, or special Service offerings. The
following is an illustrative list of special Services that may be the subject(s) of a contract.
Additional Services may require contracts not listed here, at the discretion of the Director of
Utilities.
1. Line Extensions
2. Temporary Service
3. Special Facilities
4. Utility Service to special districts and institutions
5. Work performed for other agencies at their expense
6. Transporting Gas to Customers on behalf of Gas Service Providers (GSP)
76. Transmission service
87. Special Metering and/or Billing Services
879. Special Energy Services
9810. Long-term Service agreements greater than 3 years
10911. Loans and leases to finance efficiency improvements at a Customer’s site
110.2 Loans and leases to improve power quality or reliability at a Customers’ site
1213. Standby Service
1324. Purchase, lease, installation, connection or maintenance of on-site or distributed
generation
1435. All Fiber Optic Services
1546. Reserve Electric Capacity B. CONTRACT APPLICATION PROCEDURES 1. Customers shall complete and execute applicable form(s) or letter(s), as necessary.
2. Depending on the type of Service contract and at the request of CPAU, Customers shall
request consideration for a special contractual agreement in writing to the Director of
Utilities and/or the Director of Public Works specifying their objectives, including the
desired terms and conditions of the contract.
3. Customers shall pay all applicable fees and deposits in accordance with the terms of the
contract.
4. Customers shall comply with the City’s insurance requirements.
C. CONTRACT PRICING GUIDELINES For Electricity and Gas contracts, only the commodity portion of the rate will be established by
contract under custom commodity rates and fixed-term commodity rates. All other Rate
Formatted: Normal, Tab stops: 0.63",Decimal aligned
SERVICE CONTRACTS
RULE AND REGULATION 5
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 3-1-2014 65-2013-20163
Original Sheet No 2
Schedule components and other non-bypassable Charges may be changed by Council action at
any time.
(END)
ESTABLISHMENT AND REESTABLISHMENT OF CREDIT
RULE AND REGULATION 6
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 1
A. ESTABLISHMENT OF CREDIT FOR RESIDENTIAL SERVICE
The Applicant’s credit with CPAU shall be established upon CPAU verification of either of the
following:
sufficient cash deposit a) a Deposit as required by Rule and Regulation 7 (Deposits); or,
two or fewer 10 Day Past Due notices within the prior 12 months of service, b) if the Applicant
has been a Customer of CPAU for a minimum of within the prior 24 months.
B. ESTABLISHMENT OF CREDIT FOR COMMERCIAL SERVICE
The Applicant’s credit will be established upon CPAU verification of either of the
following:
sufficient cash deposita Deposit as required by Rule and Regulation 7 (Deposits); or,
a) a Certificate of Deposit drawn on a local bank or savings and loan association, or a surety
bond of equal or greater value than the cash deposit.
C. REESTABLISHMENT OF CREDIT
1. An Applicant who has been a Utilities Customer and whose service has been discontinued
for any reason, including failure to pay Utility bills, may be required to reestablish credit
before service is resumed, by making a cash deposit and by paying all outstanding past due
bills. Applicants for residential service may not be denied service for failure to pay
outstanding past due bills for commercial classes of service.
2. A Customer whose utility service is terminated for non-payment will be required to pay
reconnection fees (Utility Rate Schedule C-1), all outstanding past due bills, and provide a
new cash deposit (Rule and Regulation 7, Deposits) prior to the reestablishment of Service.
3. A Customer may be required to reestablish credit in accordance with this section if the
conditions of service or basis on which credit was originally established have, in the opinion
of CPAU, materially changed.
4. If a Customer files for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7, Chapter 11, or Chapter 13, the
Customer shall be required to re-establish credit.
ESTABLISHMENT AND REESTABLISHMENT OF CREDIT
RULE AND REGULATION 6
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 2
D. CUSTOMER CREDIT RATING SYSTEM
1. CPAU Creditworthiness Ratings are based on the Customer or responsible party’s payment
history. Adequate Creditworthiness is a requirement for service for the Applicant or
responsible party of the Account. The creditworthiness of an Applicant or responsible party
is established by the Applicant’s or Customer’s CPAU payment history and determines when
a security deposit is required to maintain the Account in good standing. New Applicants
begin service with an “Excellent” Creditworthiness rating. Failure to pay in full or late
payments automatically results in erosion of Creditworthiness ratings. Similarly, continued
good payment history over time improves the rating. Creditworthiness ratings are established
and maintained by the City of Palo Alto for internal use only and are not reported to external
credit reporting agencies.
CREDITWORTHINESS RATING
Credit
Worthiness
Status
Maximum Points Allowed
Excellent 0 - 23
Good 24 - 43
Average 44 - 75
Below Average 76 - 999
2. Creditworthiness status is updated in the CPAU billing system manually or automatically for
different business transactions including: a payment returned for insufficient funds, issuance
of a payment delinquency notice (10 Day Past Due, 48-Hour Disconnection) or when an
uncollected account balance is written-off as Bad Debt.
3. Creditworthiness points are adjusted or eliminated by the City of Palo Alto if erroneous
Charges for a past-due notice or returned payment are corrected by CPAU.
(END) Formatted: Font: Bold
DEPOSITS
RULE AND REGULATION 7
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 1
Formatted: Header
A deposit is required for a new
A. DEPOSIT INFORMATION
1. A single Deposit per individual Account, covering all billed metered and monthly Utilities
Services except Dark Fiber Licensing Agreements, is required for every new residential or
commercial Application for Service. For commercial customers, the addition of a new service
address to an already existing business partner is not Reconnection following termination or discontinuation of
service will be considered a new Application for Service and shall not require an additional deposit. A deposit
is also required for reconnection after termination purpose of Service. this Rule.
2. Credit references from another electric, natural gas or water utility cannot be used to waive
the City of Palo Alto deposit requirement.
3. Deposits are creditedwill be added to Accountsthe first Utilities bill and, with the other services
on the bill, payable, by cash, check, credit, or debit card.
4. Deposits will be returned to the account holder after 36 continuous months of “Excellent”
creditworthiness ratings (Rule and Regulation 6, “Establishment and Reestablishment of
Credit”), or upon termination of Service, or after 36 months of good payment historypermanent
discontinuance of service, whichever comes first.
A. AMOUNT OF DEPOSIT
B RESIDENTIAL DEPOSITS
1. The amount of deposit required for a Residential Accountresidential account shall be set forth in
Customer DepositsUtilities Rate Schedule C-2, Customer Deposits, with each separate Account
number requiring a considered to be a separate Application for Service that therefore require a
separate depositDeposit.
2. In the event of termination of service for non-payment, if a customer deposit is currently being
held by CPAU, then that deposit will not be returned after 36 months of service, but will be held
until that customer’s permanent discontinuance of service and issuance of the Final Bill.
3. In the event of termination of service for non-payment, if a customer deposit is NOT currently
being held by CPAU, then a deposit equivalent to the initial deposit at the initiation of service
DEPOSITS
RULE AND REGULATION 7
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 2
Formatted: Header
will be required and:
a) will be applied to the account prior to reconnection,
b) will not be returned after another 36 months of service, and
c) will be held until the permanent discontinuance of service from CPAU and
applied to the Final Bill.
4. Deposit requirements may be waived at the City’s discretion on established residential accounts
for Changes of Party or additional names on the account due to death, establishment of trusts,
legal conservatorships, or other incapacity of the original customer or account holder-of-record.
C. COMMERCIAL DEPOSITS
1. The amount of deposit required for a Commercial Account shall be determined based on
estimated Utility Services Charges for a commercial account shall be equivalent to an estimate
of the Applicant’s initial three-month periodUtilities bill combining all metered and monthly
services.
Deposits2. For commercial customers, the addition of a new service address to an already existing
Business Partner is not considered a new Application for Service and shall not require an
additional deposit. Deposit requirements for Commercial Accounts may be increased if the
Customer’s usage substantially differs from when Service was first established.
1. Deposits can be in the form of a Certificate of Deposit at a local financial institution or cash.
RETURN OF
D. DEPOSIT REFUNDS
1. Upon permanent discontinuance of Service, CPAU will refund or credit apply any
remainingUtilities-held deposit balance in excess of unpaid CPAU Charges.balances to the
Final Bill. Deposits greater than the Final Bill will be refunded to the customer at their
forwarding address.
2. CPAU, at its option, may refund a Customer’s deposit by draftcheck or by applying the deposit
to the unpaid balance onor as a credit to the Customer’s Account.
3. If an existing Customer establishes additional Service at a new location, CPAU, at its option,
DEPOSITS
RULE AND REGULATION 7
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2012 6-27-2016
Sheet No 3
Formatted: Header
may apply an existing deposit for the new Account toward the deposit obligation for the new
Account.
4. CPAU will not pay interest on Customerreturned or applied customer deposits.
(END) Formatted: Font color: Black
ACCESS TO PREMISES
RULE AND REGULATION 8
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 06-1-2010 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 1
Meter Access to Customer Premises, including access to the Meters required to serve CPAU Customers, is
a condition of taking Service from CPAU. CPAU, its agents, and employees shall have the right of
ingress to or egress from the Customer’s Premises as reasonably required for meterMeter reading,
performance of necessary maintenance, repairing, inspectingrepair, inspection, testing, installation,
removal or replacement of itsCPAU property and, including the exercise of any and all rights
secured to it by Law.
1. Meters shall be installed on the exterior of the building at ground level, unless otherwise
authorized in writing by the Utilities Director or his/her designee.
2. If any such equipment is located within a locked area or enclosed, CPAU must be furnished
access. The Customer must supply CPAU with a key to any gate/door or remove any
obstacle toprovide CPAU personnel free access to the Meter by CPAU personnel.. In the
event the Customer is not the owner of the Premises occupied, the Customer shall obtain all
such permissions and resources from the Premises owner.
3. CPAU, its agents, and employees will make reasonable efforts to maintain Customer security
while on the Customer’s Premises.
4. Water, Gas, and Electric Meters are the property of CPAU, and CPAU may take suchany
legal action as is necessary to gain access to the Premises and Meters for the any reasonable
CPAU business purpose of , including, but not limited to, the terminating Service or
disconnecting service, retrieving suchor repairing Meters.
Where Customer’s denial of5. If the Customer has effectively denied CPAU access has
prevented inspection ofto the Meter, CPAU may terminate or discontinue Service after
written notice to the Customer.
6. If CPAU is unable to read the Customer’s Water, Electric, and/or Gas Meter due to
conditions imposed by the Customer or created on the Premises, CPAU may, at its option,
estimate the Customer’s Meter Read for up to three months.
If CPAU or its representative (Meter Reader or Utility Field Service Worker) is denied access to
ACCESS TO PREMISES
RULE AND REGULATION 8
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 06-1-2010 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 2
its Meter(s) for greater than three months, 7. If Meter access has not been possible for
the three consecutive months CPAU will notify the Customer by registered mail. If the
Customer does not acknowledge receipt of the registered mail within two weeks of receipt of
such notice, indicating how and when Meter access will be provided, CPAU will initiate
discontinuance or termination of Service. Such acknowledgment by the Customer shall be in
writing or by calling the CPAU telephone number provided to the Customer in the registered
notice.
8. If CPAU, its agents, and employees are denied access to its Meter(s) for greater than three
consecutive months within a twelve-month period, CPAU may require the Customer to move
the Meter(s) to a location on the Premises that shall be accessible to CPAU personnel for
purposes of furnishing or maintaining Utilities.Utility Service. The cost to relocate the
Meter(s) for Utilities access shall be borne by the Customer.
1. CPAU will notify the Customer by registered mail that Meter access has not been possible
for the prior three months. If the Customer does not acknowledge receipt of the registered
mail within a two week period, and indicate an intention to provide access, then, a notice of
disconnection will be sent to the Customer. Such acknowledgment by the Customer shall be
in writing or by calling the CPAU telephone number provided to the Customer in the registered
notification mail.
9. Failure to relocate such Meters within 90 days of receipt of notice from CPAU of the
requirement to relocate the meter(s) will result in discontinuance termination of Service.
Service discontinuedterminated under this provision will not be restored until the Meter
relocation has been completed and has successfully passed such inspections as may be
required by both CPAU and theCity’s Planning Department’s Regulationsand Community
Environment Department.
(END)
DISCONNECTIONDISCONTINUANCE, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF
SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 06-1-2010 6-27-2016
Sheet No 1
A. CUSTOMER-INITIATED TERMINATION DISCONTINUANCE OF UTILITY SERVICE
1. A Customer requesting discontinuance termination of Utilityies Service(s) shall notify the
CPAU Customer Service Office at least three working days before the Service termination
discontinuance date. Receipt of such notice is sufficient to terminate discontinue the
obligation of CPAU to render Service after the effective date of such change, and will also
terminate discontinue the Customer’s responsibility for bills for Service supplied to the
Premises which are consumed beyond after that date. A Customer vacating a Premise to
move to another Premise served by CPAU, but wishing Service to continue beyond the date
vacated, shall provide an effective date of termination discontinuance to the CPAU Office or
Call Center Customer Service Center at the time of the request for establishment of Service
for the new Premise. The Customer is responsible for all Service supplied until the effective
date of the termination discontinuance and shall provide a forwarding address for final billing
purposes.
2. A Customer may designate a third party to receive notice of termination, or discontinuance of
service or other matters affecting the pProvision of Service. CPAU will not affect
termination terminate or discontinuance of Service until five Business Days after Provision
of written or electronic notice to the third party.
B. CPAU-INITIATED TERMINATION OR DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE
CPAU may terminate or discontinue Utility Service when an existing Customer, through action or
inaction, has not complied with Utility Service requirements as stated in these Rules and
Regulations, or applicable Law. CPAU will terminate or discontinue Utility Service as a last resort.
Actions that warrant termination or discontinuance of Service include, but are not limited to, the
following:
1. Use of Utility Services without having first complied with the requirements for Service.
Customers will be liable for deposits, fees and payment for Services from the date of initial
Service as determined by CPAU, up to the maximum period allowed by Law.
2. Customer vacating of Premises without notification to CPAU.
DISCONNECTIONDISCONTINUANCE, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF
SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 06-1-2010 6-27-2016
Sheet No 2
3. Tampering with CPAU equipment or property. Customer shall be liable for willful
tampering, modification, or damage to Utilities equipment, plant, cables or property,
including Metering devices.
4. Nonpayment of bills or any proper Charges from special fees, licensing agreements, or
loans, or, returned check(s) due to insufficient funds in Customer’s bank account; failure to
establish credit, provide adequate credit information, or failure to maintain minimum credit
requiring additional Customer funds to increase provide required deposits.
C. PROCEDURES FOR CPAU-INITIATED DISCONTINUANCE TERMINATION OF
SERVICE
1. Prior to discontinuancetermination for non-payment, CPAU shall provide two notices to the
Customer:
a. 10 Day Disconnect Notice: The first “Disconnect Notice” will allow a minimum of 10
days from the date it is issued for the Customer to pay the overdue amount and avoid
termination of Service.
b. 48 Hour Disconnect Notice: If payment is not received within the - 10 day period, a
second Disconnect Notice will be delivered to the Customer’s Premises and notify the
Customer that payment must be received within 48 hours or Utilities Services will be
terminated. If payment is not received within the 48 hour period, Utilities Services may
be discontinued terminated without further notice.
The forty-eight (48) hour notice of termination of Service Disconnect Notice will include:
the name and address of the Customer whose Account is delinquent, the amount of the
delinquency and required payment amount to bring the Account to a zero balance; the
Customer procedure to pay the Account balance or to make arrangements for payment with
CPAU to avoid termination; the date payment or arrangements for payment is required in
order to avoid termination; and, the procedure for the Customer to obtain information on the
availability of financial assistance including local, state, or federal sources.
DISCONNECTIONDISCONTINUANCE, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF
SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 06-1-2010 6-27-2016
Sheet No 3
(1) The name and address of the customer whose account is delinquent.
(2) The amount of the delinquency.
(3) The date by which payment or arrangements for payment is required in order to avoid
termination.
(4) The procedure by which the customer may initiate a complaint or request an
investigation concerning service or charges, except that, if the bill for service contains a
description of that procedure, the notice pursuant to subdivision (a) is not required to
contain that information.
(5) The procedure by which the customer may request amortization of the unpaid charges.
(6) The procedure for the customer to obtain information on the availability of financial
assistance, including private, local, state, or federal sources, if applicable.
(7) The telephone number of a representative of the public utility who can provide
additional information or institute arrangements for payment.
2. A Customer’s Utility Service will not be discontinued for nonpayment of bills until the
amount of any deposit made to establish credit has been fully absorbed by past due and current Charges. See
Rule 7 “Deposits”, for the deposit requirements necessary to restore Utility Service that has been terminated
by CPAU for non-payment of bills.
3. To avoid termination of Utility Service, aA Customer’s outstanding Account balance may be
transferred to another Account in the same class of Service in that Customer’s name at
another location served by CPAU.
4. In order toTo avoid termination of Utility Service, CPAU may, at its option, extend payment
arrangements for the unpaid Account balance to accommodate a Customer’s financial
situation. If the Customer fails to meet the terms of the payment arrangement, the outstanding
balance will become immediately due and payable, and subject to termination after
expiration of a 48 hour “Disconnect Notice”.
5. Customers having Utility Service terminated for non-payment will have their Accounts
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0", First line: 0"
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0"
DISCONNECTIONDISCONTINUANCE, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF
SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 06-1-2010 6-27-2016
Sheet No 4
referred to a collection Agency when past-due balances exceed 180 calendar days.
6. Residential Electric, Water, and Gas Utility Services will not be terminated for nonpayment
of a bill on any Friday, Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or at any time during which the
Utilities Customer Service Office or Call Center is closed.
7. Utility Service will not be terminated for nonpayment of a bill issued to correct Charges
previously incorrectly billed, unless and until the correct bill becomes past due.
8. Any A Utility Service will not be terminated for nonpayment of a disputed bill during
investigation or review by CPAU. The non-disputed portion of the Utility bill will remain
due and payable. CPAU findings and resolution of a disputed bill will be communicated to
the Ccustomer within thirty calendar days of the Ccustomer’s notification ofto CPAU of the
disputed bill.
9. Qualified Utilities customers customers in need of assistance with bill payment for their
Utility Service due to a reduction in household income as a result of a member of the
household being called to active duty status in the military may apply for shut off and
payment protections for a period of 180 days, pursuant to the State of California Military and
Veterans Code, Sections 827, as amended. and 828 . CPAU, at its option, may extend these
protections for an additional 180 days.
D. PRIOR NOTICE EXCUSED IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS
CPAU may immediately discontinue Utility Services, without notice, for any of the following
reasons:
1. Theft of Utility Service.
2. Willful waste of Water.
3. Unsafe wiring or equipment on Customer Premises or wiring or equipment that fails to meet
CPAU standards or applicable codes and regulations. CPAU reserves the right to inspect if
there isCPAU staff reasonably reason to believes that unsafe conditions exist. If the
DISCONNECTIONDISCONTINUANCE, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF
SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 06-1-2010 6-27-2016
Sheet No 5
Customer finds Utility Service installation to be defective, the Customer must notify CPAU
immediately.
4. Denial of CPAU agents or employees’ reasonable access to Premises or for the installation,
inspection, maintenance, repairing, testing, or removal of CPAU equipment or facilities
located upon such Premises.
54. Use of Customer equipment that imposes an electrical Load adversely affecting CPAU’s
Distribution System operation, Service capacity, or Service to its other Customers. Any
Customer that operates Electric equipment including, but not limited to, pumps, welders,
furnaces, compressors or other equipment where the use of Electricity is intermittent, and
causes significant voltage fluctuations or electromagnetic interference to other Customers,
must reasonably limit such impacts or interference upon request by CPAU. The Customer
may be required to permanently mitigate any ongoing disruption to the Electric Distribution
System to a level established by CPAU as acceptable, or avoid the use of such equipment.
Failure to comply with such mitigation and/or limitation requests may result in immediate
discontinuance of Utility Service.
65. Placement, construction, or maintenance of any structure, vegetation, debris, or other object
upon the Customer’s Premises that, in CPAU’s judgment, impairs the ability to accurately
read Meters, restricts access to Meter enclosures, or endangers the safe and reliable operation
or maintenance of CPAU overhead or underground Electrical, Fiber Optic, Water, Gas and
Wastewater facilities.
F. RESTORATION OF SERVICE
1. CPAU will restore Service when the financial cause for termination or discontinuance has
been rectified and payment has been made of all proper Charges due, including any
additional deposits or reconnection Charges.
2. CPAU will restore Service when it determines that the physical cause for termination or
discontinuance has been rectified, and safe operating conditions have been restored, and the
engineering and operations requirements for Service have been met, including compliance .
complying with CPAU Rules and Regulations.
DISCONNECTIONDISCONTINUANCE, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF
SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 06-1-2010 6-27-2016
Sheet No 6
(END)
METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-1-2010
6-27-16
Sheet No. 1
CPAU will attempt to read Water, Gas, and Electric Meters at regular intervals with each Billing
Period being approximately 27-33 days.
A. BILLING PERIOD
1. CPAU will attempt to read Water, Gas, and Electric Meters at consistent intervals ranging
from 27-33 days for each Billing Period.
2. Under normal conditions, bills will be based upon actual Meter readings. In the event of Under
abnormal conditions, such as, but not limited to Meter malfunction, lack of access to the Meter,
or CPAU staffing limitations, the bill for a Billing Period may be based upon estimated Meter
readings taken from the historical record of consumption at the Premises. To correct any
inaccuracies arising from the use of an estimated Meter reading, CPAU will make reasonable
efforts, but does not guarantee, that it will obtain a Meter reading for the following Billing
Period based on an actual Meter reading.
3. CPAU may estimate bills for unmetered Utility Service, for Utility Service from Meters which
have been tampered with, or where access has been denied or impeded by the Customer, by the
best available means, which may include, but are not limited to: estimation by comparison to
prior Billing Period for the same Premise and equivalent Billing Period for the prior year. Such
bills shall be due and payable by the Customer.
4. When the estimated Meter reading is higher than the actual Meter reading, an
adjustmentadjustments for consumption and cost will be made to the Customer’s next regularly
scheduled bill.
B. MULTIPLE METERS FOR SAME SERVICE
For the purpose of calculating Charges, each Meter on the Customer’s Premises will be considered
separately, and the readings of two or more Meters will not be combined, except as follows:
1. Where combinations of Meter Readings are specifically provided for in Rate Schedules or via
contract with the Customer;
2. Where CPAU’s operating convenience or necessity shall requirerequires the installation of two
Formatted: Normal, Justified, Allow hangingpunctuation
METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-1-2010
6-27-16
Sheet No. 2
or more Meters on the Customer’s Premises; or,.
METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-1-2010
6-27-16
Sheet No. 3
1. Unless aggregation of Accounts or Meters is authorized by Rate Schedule, contract, or a
Rule and Regulation.
METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-1-10 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 4
C. “CUSTOMER READS OWN METER” PROGRAM
The “Customer Reads Own Meter” program allows Customers to be responsible for the reading of
CPAU Meters located on their property. The Customer sends the Meter readings to CPAU for entry
into CPAU’s computer billing system. It is the Customer’s responsibility to furnish the readings to
CPAU in accordance with the Meter reading schedule that CPAU will provide upon the Customer’s
entry into the program. Customer continuance onparticipation in this program is at the sole
discretion of CPAU.
1. If a Customer reading is not received by CPAU in time for billing, an estimated read(s) will
be made by CPAU, to facilitate billing.. Failure by the Customer to consistently provide
Meter readings shall result in termination of participation in the “Customer Reads Own
Meter” program.
2. In the event the Customer fails to provide readings for two consecutive months, CPAU
willmay require the Customer to provide access to the Meters, or relocate them, at the
Customer’s expense, to an accessible location on the property, in accordance with such
CPAU Rules and Regulations, procedures, and standards that apply to relocation of Service.
3. On an annual basis, CPAU will read the Meters for verification. For such purposes, Meter
access by CPAU personnel at reasonable hours must be provided by the Customer. In the
event access is denied, Rule 9 shall apply.
D. METER READING ERRORS
Under certain circumstances, CPAU will adjust a Customer’s bill for reasons of accuracy. (See
applicable CPAU Rule 11 for a discussion ofregarding billing adjustments related to error or
malfunction and back billing a Customer for billing errors..)
1. Meter reading errors may be brought to the attention of CPAU by the Customer or identified
by a computer generated report as part of the billing review process.
2. When a Meter reading error has been identified, the Customer will be notified of the error.
Adjustments will be based on the applicable Rule and Regulation.correction within 30
calendar days.
METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-1-10 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 5
(END)
Formatted: Normal, Justified, Right: 0",Space Before: 0 pt, Allow hanging punctuation
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No 1
A. BILLING UNITS
All metered billing units used for billing purposes shall be determined to the nearest whole unit. Such
units may include, kW, kWh, kVA, kVar, hp, Therms, and/or ccf.
B. PAYMENT OF BILLS
CPAU issues bills to its Customers on a regular interval. Bills shall be deemed received upon physical
or electronic delivery to Customer, or three calendar days following the deposit of the bill in the United
States Mail to the Customer’s billing address. Bills for CPAU Services are due and payable 20 calendar
days following issuance of the bill statement. Bills unpaid after the 20 day period are considered
delinquent (“past due”). If a Customer’s payment is not received by CPAU after 25 days of bill
issuance, the outstanding balance will be assessed a late payment Charge.
For the convenience of Customers there are a number of ways to pay CPAU bills:
1. By enclosing the bill stub and check and mailing to: CPAU, P.O. Box 10097, Palo Alto, CA
94303-0897.
2. By enrolling in the Utilities Bank Draft Program. Payments will be drafted from a Customer’s
designated checking or saving account and automatically applied to the Customer’s Utility
Account for each current Billing Period.
3. By paying in Person at the Civic Center, Revenue Collections, 1st Floor, 250 Hamilton Avenue,
Palo Alto between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The City offices are closed on alternate
Fridays. Customers should call 650-329-2317 to ensure the office is open. Credit card payments
are accepted at Revenue Collections. Customers should call to see which credit cards are
accepted. Customers can pay delinquent bills with a credit card by phone by calling the Utility
Customer Service Center during business hours.
4. By depositing the payment in the walk-up Night Depository Box in the front of the City Hall
building on the Civic Center Plaza, or at the drive-up Night Depository Box in the Civic Center
Garage, on “A” Level.
5. By paying online through the “My Utilities Account” application, accessible from the Utilities’
website. Payment through the “My Utilities Account” may be made by credit card or by bank
draft.
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No 2
6. By enrolling at a financial institution or service company that can provide electronic payments
to CPAU on behalf of the Customer.
7. By Property Managers completing a “Revert to Owner (RTO) Agreement” in order to maintain
utility service to units during the interim period between tenants.
C. BUDGET BILLING PAYMENT PROGRAM The Budget Billing Payment Program establishes equalized monthly payments and is available to all
Residential Customers who qualify as set forth below:
1. Customers may join the Budget Billing Payment Program at any time providing the Customer
Account balance is zero and the Customer has not been previously removed from the Budget
Billing Program for non-payment.
2. A Customer electing to utilize the program shall agree to make monthly payments based on
CPAU’s forward estimate of the Customers’ Charges for the subsequent twelve-month period.
3. CPAU does not guarantee that the total actual Charges will not exceed, or be less than, its
original estimate. Customers should review their Account on an ongoing basis and request
changes to the budget billing amount in response to changes in their household usage. CPAU
may require that Customers pay a revised monthly amount as a condition to continuing
participation in the plan, if CPAU determines that substantial changes in Customer usage
patterns or consumption has occurred.
4. CPAU will perform an annual true-up on Customer Budget Billing Accounts every twelve
months. This will result in either a Customer credit for CPAU over-collection or an outstanding
balance due from the Customer for under-collection by CPAU during the prior twelve months.
D. DISCONTINUANCE OF BUDGET BILLING
The Customer’s Budget Billing Payment Program shall remain in effect, subject to review of the
monthly payment amount, and shall terminate when:
1. The Customer notifies CPAU to terminate participation in the Budget Billing Program;
2. CPAU notifies the Customer of the termination of its Budget Billing Payment Program:
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No 3
3. The Customer no longer takes Service at the Premises; or
4. The Customer owes an amount of two or more monthly payments. However, if the Customer
eliminates the delinquency, removal from the program will not occur.
Upon termination of either Utility Service or participation in the Budget Billing Payment Program, any
amount owed by the Customer for actual Charges shall immediately become due and payable or any
amount due to the Customer shall be refunded or credited.
E. INSUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR PAYMENT
1. A Service Charge will be made and collected by the City of Palo Alto for each check returned
by a bank to CPAU for the reason of insufficient funds in accordance with Rate Schedule C-1.
2. Unsuccessful Bank Drafts due to insufficient funds will be subject to late payment fees in
accordance with Rate Schedule C-1.
F. PRORATION OF BILLS
1. Bills for Utility Services will be prepared for each Billing Period in accordance with the
applicable Rate Schedules or CPAU contract applicable to the Premises served.
2. Proration is intended to produce a uniform average unit cost for the commodity regardless of the
number of days in the Service period. Services will be prorated if the number of actual Service
days differs from the number of days in the applicable Billing Period. Electric Demand (kW)
and Electric Power Factor Charges will not be prorated. Proration will not occur for those Rate
Schedules that contain Meter fees, connection fees, deposits, and other miscellaneous fees.
3. If Rate Schedules change during the Billing Period, Charges will be prorated on the basis of the
number of days covered by the previous Rate Schedule and the number of days covered by the
new Rate Schedule.
G. DELINQUENT BILLS AND LATE PAYMENT CHARGES
1. Utilities Charges incurred in the applicable Billing Period are due and payable by the “Due
Date” indicated on the front of the bill statement. Bills unpaid by the due date are delinquent
and a late payment Charge will be added to the outstanding balance as specified in Rate
Schedule C-1.
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No 4
2. Residential and commercial Accounts having unpaid balances older than 180 days shall be
subject to collection action by the City. Collection action may result in notifications to credit
reporting agencies.
3. Late payment Charges may be suspended by CPAU if the Customer is withholding full or partial
payment pending final resolution of disputed bill. The late payment Charge may be waived by
CPAU based upon the ultimate resolution of a disputed Charge.
4. Full or partial payments towards outstanding balances will be applied to the oldest outstanding
Charges. Failure to pay outstanding balances will result in late fees and termination of Service
for non-payment.
5. In the event that a Customer donating to the ProjectPLEDGE Program has a delinquent bill, the
late Charge percentage will not be applied to the amount of the Customer’s pledge. However,
the Customer’s participation in ProjectPLEDGE will be discontinued after three consecutive
Billing Periods in which the Customer has not included their pledge amount in the bill.
6. Customers whose Utility bills include payments of principal and/or interest on loans from
CPAU which are secured by deeds of trust on real property shall be charged a late payment
Charge when any current Utility bill includes an unpaid installment on such loan from a prior
bill. Nothing in this Rule and Regulation shall be construed to alter in any way the duty of the
Customer to pay any installment on a loan from CPAU when due, or to alter the rights of CPAU
to enforce the payment of such installments.
H. DISPUTED BILLS
If bill accuracy is questioned or disputed by the Customer, Customers shall request an explanation from
CPAU within the current Billing Period or as soon as reasonably possible. After reviewing the disputed
bill, CPAU will:
1. Issue a corrected bill to the Customer or reflect the correction on the bill in a subsequent Billing
Period.
2. Determine if an amortization period (“payment arrangement”) for the Charge-in-question shall
be provided by CPAU. If a payment arrangement is offered by CPAU and agreed to by the
Customer, Utility Services will not be discontinued for nonpayment while the Customer
complies with the payment arrangement for the “past due” balance , and subsequent Utilities
bills are paid on time during the payment arrangement period.
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No 5
3. Advise the Customer that the bill is correct as presented. The Customer may choose, at the
Customer’s option, to have the Meter removed for testing under the Provisions of Rule 15
“Metering” and payment of the applicable fee found in Rate Schedule C-1 “Exchange Meter for
Accuracy Test”.
I. METERED SERVICE BILLING ERRORS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Where a Customer has been undercharged or overcharged for metered Service, the date and cause of
which can be reliably established where a customer has been undercharged or overcharged, the
retroactive billing adjustment (back bill or refund) shall not exceed three years.
1. When, as a result of either a CPAU or a Customer-initiated accuracy test, an Electric or Gas
Meter is found to register more than two percent (2%) fast or a Water Meter is found to register
more than one and a half percent (1.5%) fast, CPAU will refund the Customer the overcharge
based upon the corrected Meter readings for the period the Meter was in use, or three years,
whichever is less. Any applicable late payment will be waived.
2. When, as a result of a test, a Customer’s Electric or Gas Meter is found not to register or to
register more than two percent (2%) slow, or a Water Meter is found not to register or to register
more than one and half percent (1.5%) slow, CPAU may bill the Customer for the undercharge
base on an average bill. The bill will be computed based on an estimate of the Customer’s
consumption during a prior month in the same season or on the consumption in the same period
of the prior three years.
3. When, a billing or consumption problem has been investigated and verified, Utilities will
attempt to notify the Customer within 30 workingbusiness days, or a reasonable amount of
time depending on the complexity of the error.
J. UNMETERED SERVICE BILLING ERRORS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Where a Customer has been undercharged or overcharged for unmetered Service, the date and cause of
which can be reliably established where a customer has been undercharged or overcharged, the
retroactive billing adjustment (back bill or refund) shall not exceed three years.
K. THEFT OF SERVICE
Where there is evidence that meter tampering or theft of Utility Service has occurred, CPAU will
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No 6
retroactively bill, and collect any underpayment or nonpayment of Charges as well as any labor or
material costs related to investigating the theft and making any required corrections. The applicable
period to assess Charges shall commence from the date it can be reasonably established the theft began
to the date in which the underpayment was discovered and initially established. The labor and material
costs related to investigating the theft will be calculated in accordance with Utility Rate Schedule C-1
and/or any other applicable Utility Rate schedules. All underpayments or non-payments shall become
immediately due and payable. Customers committing theft of Utility Service may also be subject to
legal action pursuant to Rule 1, California Penal Code sections 487,496, 498, 591, 592, 593 and
California Civil Code sections 1882 through 1882.6.
Customers billed for theft of service can dispute the charges by following the process described in Rule
and Regulation 11.H. If that process does not resolve the matter, customers billed for theft of service
may, within thirty (30) calendar days, request (by telephone, in writing, or in person) an administrative
hearing. If a hearing is requested, the city manager or his designee shall schedule a date and time for
said hearing as soon as possible after the request is filed, but no later than ten (10) business days after
the filing of such request for hearing.
At the hearing, the customer billed for theft of service may offer evidence in person or in the form of a
written statement, setting forth the reasons why the customer believes the determination of theft is
incorrect. Utilities personnel shall also be allowed to offer whatever evidence they may have as to why
they have established the customer engaged in utilities theft. The city manager or his designee shall
make a determination as to whether the customer is liable for the charges for theft of service.
L. WATER OR GAS LEAK CREDITS
It is the Customer’s responsibility to maintain their lines and equipment in a reasonable condition such
that leaks do not occur. CPAU shall not make billing adjustments for Water, Gas or Wastewater
Charges resulting from leakage in a line on the Customer Premises beyond the CPAU Meter, unless
CPAU determines that City staff were solely responsible for such leakage.
M. REFUSE BILLING ERRORS, DISPUTES AND ADJUSTMENTS
1. Adjustments to the Refuse Service bill shall be requested to the City’s Collector. Customers
with adjustments unresolved by the City’s Collector, may dispute their claim with the City’s
Public Works Department, Environmental Services – Zero Waste section.Refuse. Billing
adjustments will be resolved by following the City’s Rules and Regulations, Chapter 5.20 of the
Palo Alto Municipal Code and specific regulations promulgated by the City Manager pursuant
to the authority established in Chapter 5.20.
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No 7
2. When an error in billing has occurred, the date and cause of which can be reliably established
where a Customer has been undercharged or overcharged, the retroactive billing adjustment
shall not exceed three years. When an account discrepancy is identified, the City’s Collector
and/or the Public Works Department staff reviews the account history for a period not to
exceed 3 years and either generates a credit or a charge to the Customer. Residential, small
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No 8
Commercial Customers, or non-profit Customers that have been undercharged may be back
billed for a shorter time period as appropriate, or not back billed if the Customer is not at
fault.
1. Customers requesting Refuse Services to be suspended shall obtain from the City’s Public
Works Department a form requesting Refuse Service suspension. See Rule and Regulation
24, “Special Refuse Services Regulations” regarding requirements for Refuse Service
suspension.
3.
(END)
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0", First line: 0"
METERING
RULE AND REGULATION 15
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-20146-27-2016
Sheet No. 1
A. OWNERSHIP OF AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR METERING EQUIPMENT
CPAU shall furnish, own and maintain all Gas Regulators and all Meters for measuring Electric,
Water, and Gas usage by the Customer. In addition, CPA shall furnish, own and maintain all
equipment including: instrument transformers, phase shifting transformers, test switches, and
connecting circuitry necessary for measuring Electricity used by the Customer.
CPAU may, at its option, meter delivery to Primary Service Customers at Secondary Service
voltage, and apply an adjustment factor to compensate.
An accurate record will be kept by CPAU, or its designated Meter data management agent, of all
Meter readings, and such record will be the basis for determination of any bill rendered for
Service. CPAU reserves the right to estimate Meter readings, should any Meter fail to register
correctly the amount of commodity used by the Customer.
B. METER INSTALLATIONS
1. LOCATION
a. All Meters shall be installed by CPAU in a convenient location upon the
Applicant’s Premises, and so placed to be at all times accessible for inspection,
reading and testing. Meter location must be approved by CPAU; placement of
Meters above the ground-floor level is generally not permitted.
b. The Customer shall, at the Customers’ own expense, provide a new and approved
location for the Meter or Meters in order to comply with CPAU Rules and
Regulations, and whenever the existing Meter or Meters become inaccessible for
inspection, reading, or testing
2. MULTIPLE-OCCUPANCY BUILDINGS
In buildings in which separate Meters are required for each unit to measure separately the
Electric Service, Gas or Water supplied to each Customer, Meters for each Service will
be located at one central point, per the CPAU standards or as otherwise specified by
CPAU. Each Meter position shall be clearly marked by the building owner to indicate
the particular location supplied by it.
If more than one Gas Meter is required to serve a multiple-occupancy building, a Public
METERING
RULE AND REGULATION 15
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-20146-27-2016
Sheet No. 2
Utility Easement shall be required for the Gas Service Line and Gas Meters
3. SEALING OF METERS
All CPAU Meters will be sealed by CPAU and no such seal shall be tampered with or
broken except by an authorized representative of CPAU.
If a Meter is tampered with, bypassed or otherwise compromised by the Customer,
CPAU may discontinue and remove the Service in addition to charging for the estimated
amount of Utilities used, and pursue all available civil and criminal remedies. If Service
is removed, Customer will be responsible for the expense of removal and installation of
new Service before the new Service is re-installed and activated.
4. ELECTRIC DEMAND METERS
Generally, Demand Meters will not be installed on Loads with an estimated maximum
Demand less than six (6) or eight (8) kW or eight (8) horsepower (hp). Demands of such
lesser loads will be determined by a Load check.
5. ADDITIONAL METERING
CPAU may, at its discretion and at its cost, install additional Metering for system quality
control purposes.
6. CAPACITY OF METERS
CPAU will set Water and Gas Meters to match the Customer’s Demand as stated on the
Customers Utility Application/load sheet. CPAU may install Meters with a capacity in
excess of what is needed to supply the stated demand if the Customer pays all applicable
fees associated with the larger Meter. It is the Customer’s responsibility to submit an
accurate Utility application/load sheet for Meter and Service capacity sizing.
C. METER TESTS
1. Any Customer may secure a test of the accuracy of the Meter serving the Customer’s
Premises. Prior to the test, the Customer will be required to make a deposit with CPAU
as specified in CPAU Rate Schedule C-1. The deposit will be returned to the Customer
METERING
RULE AND REGULATION 15
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-20146-27-2016
Sheet No. 3
if, under normal operation conditions; the Electric or Gas Meter is found by test to
register more than two percent (2%) faster, or the Water Meter is found by test to register
more than one and a half percent (1.5%) faster under conditions of normal operation.
Otherwise, the deposit will be retained by CPAU to offset a portion of the cost of making
such test.
2. The Customer has the right to require that the test be made in their presence, or a
representative’s presence at the Meter shop. A written report giving the result of the test
will be supplied to the Customer upon request within ten (10) days of the test.
3. Meters will be tested before their installation, except that in the case of newly purchased
single phase Electric Meters, the manufacturer’s test may be used as the installation test
when CPAU’s random test indicates satisfactory test conditions for a particular
manufacturer and a particular shipment. No Electric orf Gas Meter will be placed in
Service or allowed to remain in Service if it is found to have an error in registration in
excess of two percent (2%) under conditions of normal operation conditions. No Water
Meter will be placed in Service or allowed to remain in Service if it is found to have an
error in registration in excess of one and a half percent (1.5%) under conditions of normal
operation.
D. MASTER METERING
Separate Premises, even though owned by the same Customer, will not be supplied Water, Gas,
and/or Electric through the same Meter (i.e. master Meter), except as provided herein.
1. RESIDENTIAL
Customers for which Water, Gas, and Electric Master-metering was installed prior to
December 31, 1982, may continue to obtain Service at a single Point of Delivery through
a single Metering installation for two or more single-family dwelling units in the same
building or for two or more multi-family dwelling buildings, provided such buildings are
adjacent to each other on an integral parcel of land undivided by a public highway, street,
or railway. Requests for Master-metered multi-family Residential Service subsequent to
December 31, 1982, will be evaluated and approved if central space conditioning is
acceptable to CPAU. Developments with such central systems may continue to qualify
for Master-metering.
2. NONRESIDENTIAL
METERING
RULE AND REGULATION 15
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-20146-27-2016
Sheet No. 4
CPAU need not serve Premises directly, but will provide Master-metered Gas Service,
where any of the following conditions are met:
a. The building will contain central heating, air conditioning, or central domestic hot
Water and can be shown (using methods of calculation acceptable to CPAU) to be
more energy efficient and at a more favorable cost-benefit ratio than would be the
case if individual Metering were installed.
b. The building is designed to be subdivided or modified after construction to meet
changing space needs of a number of tenants.
3. SEPARATE METERING IMPRACTICAL
Where, in the sole opinion of CPAU, it is impractical for CPAU to meter individually
each Premise or space, CPAU may meter only those Premises or spaces that it is practical
to meter, if any.
4. ESTABLISHING EXCEPTION
The owner of the building shall bear the burden of proof satisfactory to CPAU in
establishing an exception for any of the above reasons.
E. TOTALIZING METERING
Totalizing though a single Electric Meter of the Electricity delivered by two or more separate
Services will be considered if a Customer is served at primary voltage, has an estimated or actual
Load in excess of 3,000 kVa, and all Services serve a contiguous site. Any exception to this
provision must be explicitly addressed by a Rate Schedule or Customer Contract (Rule 5).
(END)
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-2013 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 1
A. GENERAL
In addition to the general requirements outlined in Rule and Regulation 18 for Utility Service
Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises, the following is required:
B. ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS
1. FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER PREMISES
a. The Customer is responsible for installing and maintaining all substructures on the
Customer’s Premises for CPAU to provide Electric Service. This will be at the
Customer’s expense and in accordance with the requirements, standards, and
specifications of CPAU. This substructure shall be owned and maintained by the
Customer for exclusive use by CPAU. The Customer shall be responsible for
repairing or replacing the substructure for any reason, including deterioration to the
extent that the existing conductors/cables cannot be removed.
b. The Customer is required to provide all substructure between the Customer’s Service
entrance equipment and the nearest available Point of Service connection, as
determined by CPAU. This Point of Service is typically a splice box located near
the street and may be in the Public Right-of-Way. In the case of rear easements, this
point is typically at a splice box or at the base of a pole riser.
c. Upon approval by CPAU of the substructure installed on the Customer’s Premises,
CPAU will install Primary Electric Service conductors and a transformer, if needed.
The Applicant/Customer is responsible for the cost of installation in accordance with
the applicable sections of CPAU’s Electric Service Connection Fees (Rate Schedule
E-15). CPAU will determine the type and size of the conductors to be installed by
CPAU.
d. CPAU will assume ownership and responsibility for maintenance of the underground
Electric Service lateral conductors, as defined in the National Electric Code Article
100, installed by the Customer if the Service meets CPAU specifications and it has
been approved and accepted by the Electrical Engineering Manager or his or her
designee. Where bus duct or extra flexible cable is required and used, CPAU’s
maintenance responsibility for conductors ends at the transformer secondary
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-2013 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 2
terminals. The bus duct or extra flexible cable is considered to be the Service
entrance conductor for which CPAU assumes no responsibility.
2. MISCELLANEOUS SERVICE EQUIPMENT
a. CUSTOMER’S EQUIPMENT
1. All service switches, fuses, Meter sockets, Meter and instrument transformer
housing and similar devices, irrespective of voltage, required in connection
with serviceService and Meter installation on the Customer’s Premises shall
be furnished, installed, owned and maintained by the Customer in accordance
with CPAU requirements.
2. The “service disconnect” is defined by the National Electric Code.
3. Applicant will provide a suitable means for CPAU to place its seal on covers
of service enclosures / troughs and instrument transformer enclosures which
protect un-metered live circuits installed by the Applicant. Such seals shall
be broken only by authorized CPAU representatives. Detailed information
will be furnished by CPAU on request.
b. CPAU’S EQUIPMENT
1. CPAU will furnish and install the necessary instrument transformers, test
facilities and Meters.
C. SERVICE CONFIGURATIONS
1. OVERHEAD OR UNDERGROUND
a. The standard service Service to single family Residential homes in existing overhead
areas shall be overhead. The Director of Utilities or his/her designee can require an
underground Service for single family Residential Service in areas where system
design requires underground Service, or would otherwise require the addition of
poles to the system.
b. All new Electric Utility Services to Commercial/ Industrial
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-2013 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 3
Customers and new subdivisions shall be provided by underground facilities on
the Customer’s Premises. The on-site underground Electric Utility lines shall be
provided by the Customer at their expense and shall meet CPAU specifications.
2. NUMBER OF SERVICES PER BUILDING
Only one Electric Service line is allowed for a building or other Premises, except for
commercial properties where:
a. Two or more Electric Service Drops or laterals may be extended to a single building
provided they enter the building at least 150 feet apart (measured in a straight line)
and provided all wiring, other than metering conductors, supplied for each Service
has no common raceway, connection, or service area with wiring supplied by any
other such Service. Approval by the Utilities Director, or his/her designee, is required
and Special Facilities fees may apply.
b. Two or more sets of Electric Service entrance conductors may be extended to a single
switch gear for the purpose of providing additional capacity or for backup protection.
Special Facilities and/or reserve capacity fees may apply.
3. SERVICES FOR TWO OR MORE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ON ONE PARCEL
Only one Electric Service line is allowed on a parcel with multiple commercial buildings
except where the Applicant requests CPAU to install multiple Service Lines, and CPAU
agrees to make such an installation. The additional costs, as estimated by CPAU, shall be
borne by the Applicant, including such continuing ownership costs as may be applicable.
See Special Facilities section below.
4. NUMBER OF ELECTRIC SERVICE PERISCOPES PER SERVICE DROP
Not more than two service periscopes may be served from a single overhead Service Drop.
Overhead service connections will not be installed where the Applicants main switchboard is
larger than 400 amp.
D. PROTECTIVE DEVICES
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-2013 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 4
1. 1. The Applicant is responsible for furnishing, installing, inspecting and keeping in
good and safe condition at Customer’s own risk and expense, all appropriate protective
devices of any kind or character, which may be required to properly protect the
Applicant’s facility. CPAU shall not be responsible for any loss or damage occasioned or
caused by the negligence, or wrongful act of the Applicant or any of the agents, employees
or licensees of the property owner in omitting, installing, maintaining, using, operating or
interfering with any such protective devices.
2. The Applicant is responsible for installing and maintaining approved protective devices as
may be necessary to coordinate properly with CPAU’s protective devices to avoid exposing
other Customers to unnecessary Service interruptions.
3. Applicants who request Primary voltage Service shall install, at a minimum, circuit breakers
with over-current and ground fault relays. Applicants must submit their planned protection
scheme to the City for approval prior to installing any equipment.
4. The Applicant is responsible for equipping three-phase motor installations with appropriate
protective devices, or using motors with inherent protective features, to completely
disconnect each motor from its power supply. Particular consideration must be given to the
following:
a. Protection in each set of phase conductors to prevent damage due to overheating in
the event of overload.
b. Protection to prevent automatic restarting of motors or motor-driven machinery
which has been subject to a service interruption and, because of the nature of the
machinery itself or the product it handles, cannot safely resume operation
automatically.
c. Open-phase protection to prevent damage in the event of loss of voltage on one
phase.
d. Reverse-phase protection where appropriate to prevent uncontrolled reversal of motor
rotation in the event of accidental phase reversal. Appropriate installations include,
but are not limited to, motors driving elevators, hoists, tramways, cranes, pumps, and
conveyors.
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-2013 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 5
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-2013 6-27-16
Sheet No. 6
5. The Applicant is responsible for installing and maintaining service equipment rated for the
available short-circuit current at the Point-of-Delivery. This value varies from one location to
another, and can change over time. The Customer shall consult CPAU for the short-circuit
current at each Point-of-Delivery.
6. Any non-CPAU-owned Emergency standby generation equipment shall be installed by the
Applicant with suitable protective devices to prevent Parallel Operation with CPAU’s
system. The design must be fail-safe, such as with the use of a double-throw switch to
disconnect all conductors. Any exception must include a written agreement or service
contract with CPAU permitting such parallel operation.
7. Unprotected Service entrance conductors within a building must terminate at a disconnect
switch immediately after entering the building. Installation must comply with the National
Electrical Code section 230-70 concerning the location of the disconnect switch and section
230-6 for the definition of conductors considered outside a building.
E. INTERFERENCE WITH SERVICE
1. GENERAL
CPAU reserves the right to refuse to serve new Loads or refuse to continue to supply existing
Loads of a size or character that may be detrimental to CPAU’s operation or to the Service of
its Customers. Any Customer who operates or plans to operate any equipment such as, but
not limited to pumps, welders, saw mill apparatus, furnaces, compressors or other equipment
where the use of Electricity is intermittent, causes intolerable voltage fluctuations, or may
otherwise cause intolerable Service interference, must reasonably limit such interference or
restrict the use of such equipment upon request by CPAU. The Customer is required to
provide and pay for whatever corrective measures are necessary to limit the interference to a
level established by CPAU as reasonable, or avoid the use of such equipment, whether or not
the equipment has previously caused interference.
2. HARMFUL WAVEFORM
Customers shall not operate equipment that superimposes a current of any frequency or
waveform onto CPAU’s system, or draws current from CPAU’s system of a harmful
waveform, which causes interference with CPAU’s operations, or the service to other
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-2013 6-27-16
Sheet No. 7
Customers, or inductive interference to communication facilities. Examples of harmful
waveform include, but are not limited to:
a. Current drawn with high harmonic currents causing transformer or conductor
overheating, even if root-mean-square (RMS) loading is within normal limits.
b. Current drawn causing voltage distortion adversely affecting CPAU or other CPAU
Customers.
c. Harmonic currents which exceed the harmonic current distortion limits set in the
most recent IEEE Standard 519. In most cases, this equates to a maximum limit of
4% harmonic current on any individual odd harmonic or 5% total harmonic current.
3. CUSTOMER’S RESPONSIBILITY
Any Customer causing service interference to others must take timely corrective action.
Otherwise, CPAU, without liability and after giving five (5) days written notice to Customer,
will take corrective action. Corrective action could include discontinuing Electric Service
until a suitable permanent and operational solution is provided by the Customer, at
Customer’s expense.
4. MOTOR STARTING CURRENT LIMITATIONS
a. The starting of motors shall be controlled by the Customer as necessary to avoid
causing voltage fluctuations that will be detrimental to the operation of CPAU’s
distribution or transmission system, or to the Service of any of CPAU Customers.
b. If motor starting causes or is expected to cause detrimental Service to others, a
suitable means must be employed, at the Customer’s expense, to limit voltage
fluctuations to a tolerable level.
F. PHASE BALANCING
It is the Customer’s responsibility to maintain a balanced Load, as nearly as practical, between
supplied circuit phases. In no case shall the Load on one side of a three-wire single-phase service be
greater than twice that on the other. In no case shall the Load on any one phase of a polyphase
service be greater than twice that of any other.
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-2013 6-27-16
Sheet No. 8
G. POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
The Customer is required to provide, at Customer’s own expense, Power Factor correction
equipment. This equipment must be sized to improve the average Power Factor to at least the level
set forth in the applicable Rate Schedule with respect to avoiding a Power Factor penalty.
H. SERVICE DISCONNECT AND METER TEST DEVICES
1. All service disconnects and similar devices, irrespective of voltage, required by Law in
connection with a Service and Meter installation on Customer’s Premises must be furnished,
installed and maintained by the Customer. A “Service-disconnecting means”, as defined in
the NEC, must be installed adjacent to the meter(s). Metering equipment must be located on
the exterior of the building, unless approved by the Electric Engineering Manager.
2. When instrument transformers are required by CPAU as part of the Meter installation, CPAU
will install a Meter test bypass block on a mounting plate that must be furnished by the
Customer. When instrument transformers are not required by CPAU, the Customer is
responsible for providing the Meter test bypass block. Meter test bypass blocks furnished by
the Customer must be approved by CPAU in conjunction with Applicant’s plan submittal.
I. SPECIAL POWER SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
1. GENERAL
Where a Customer requires voltage control with less variance than what is specified in Rule
and Regulation 3, the Customer must reimburse CPAU for its cost to provide any special or
additional equipment to meet the Customer’s special needs.
2. NONSTANDARD OR EXCESSIVE CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
a. In order to prevent damage to CPAU’s equipment and impairment of its service, the
Customer shall give CPAU notice before making any additions to the connected Load
so that CPAU, at its option, may provide such facilities as may be necessary for
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-2013 6-27-16
Sheet No. 9
furnishing the increased service.
b. If a Customer’s Load is of sufficient magnitude that it exceeds the capacity of
CPAU’s Distribution System, the Customer may be required to shift peak loading to off-peak periods and/or
receive service from CPAU’s 60 kilovolt sub-transmission system.
J. SPECIAL FACILITIES
1. Special Facilities are facilities requested by an Applicant in addition to or in substitution for
standard facilities which CPAU would normally provide. Standard facilities are for delivery
of Service at one point, through one Meter, at one voltage class under its Rate Schedules.
2. CPAU normally installs only those standard facilities which it deems are necessary to
provide regular service in accordance with the Rate Schedules. Where the Applicant requests
CPAU to install Special Facilities and CPAU agrees to make such an installation, the
additional costs thereof, as estimated by CPAU, shall be borne by the Applicant, including
such continuing ownership costs as may be applicable. These costs will be calculated by
CPAU based on the net present value, and shall be paid by the Applicant in advance of
installation unless alternative payment arrangements are approved by the Director of
Utilities.
3. Unless otherwise provided by CPAU’s Rate Schedules, Special Facilities will be installed,
owned and maintained by CPAU as an accommodation to the Applicant only if acceptable
for operation by CPAU and the reliability of service to CPAU’s other Customers is not
impaired.
4. Installation of Special Facilities will require a contract between the Applicant and the City of
Palo Alto.
(END)
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 1
Formatted: Header
A. GENERAL
In addition to the general requirements outlined in Rule and Regulation 18 for Utility Service
Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises, the following is required:
B. HAULED LIQUID WASTE
The discharge of hauled liquid wastes is regulated by the Palo Alto Municipal Code 16.09.110. The
following Rules and Regulations are to implement this Provision.
1. PURPOSE
To provide a means of treating certain waste prohibited from entering the Wastewater
system, City of Palo Alto Public Works Department operates a Hauled Liquid Waste
Treatment Site at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). Certain wastes may be
hauled to this site for treatment and disposal.
2. WASTES ACCEPTABLE FOR TREATMENT
a. Hauled septic tank wastes
b. Portable toilet pumpings
c. Grease Trap wastes
3. HOURS OF OPERATION
Hours of operation for the Liquid Waste Hauler’s Treatment Site shall be as established by
the Manager, Water Quality Control.
4. WASTE IDENTIFICATION
The hauler must provide a liter sample, taken in the presence of a waste treatment plant
operator, of the contents of each tank to be discharged. The nature and source of the waste
will be verified before the truck is permitted to unload. If laboratory analysis indicates that the
material is not as represented (septic tank waste or toilet piping from a domestic source) the
hauler’s permit may be revoked.
5. HAULING OPERATIONS
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 2
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
a. To discharge at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, a hauler must:
i. Obtain a Trucker’s Discharge Permit from the Manager, Water Quality
Control;
ii. File with City of Palo Alto Public Works Department a Certification of
insurance and a hold harmless clause:
iii. Post a bond or cash deposit with City of Palo Alto Public Works
Department’s appropriate division.
b. The Trucker’s Discharge Permit shall be issued for twelve-month periods and is
revocable for the violation of any of these Rules. The fee for Trucker’s Discharge
Permits shall be as stated in City of Palo Alto Public Works Department Rate
Schedule S-4.
c. Insurance policies in force with limits of liability shall not be less than those
specified below as follows:
Coverage for Which Limits of
Insurance is Afforded Liability
Worker’s Compensation & Compensation
Employer’s Liability Statutory
Bodily Injury Liability $1,000,000 each Person
except automobile including $1,000,000 each occurrence
the following coverages:
Coverage for Which Limits of
Insurance is Afforded Liability
Protective, Completed Operations,
Board Form Contractual and
Personal Injury
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 3
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
Property Damage Liability $1,000,000 each occurrence
except automobile including
the following coverages:
Protective, Completed Operations,
Board Form Contractual and
Personal Injury
Property Damage Liability $1,000,000 each occurrence
except automobile including
the following coverages:
Protective Completed Operations
and Board Form Contractual
Bodily Injury & Property Damage $1,000,000 each Person
Liability Automobile $1,000,000 each occurrence
d. The hauler must agree to save and hold harmless City of Palo Alto Public Works
Department, its officers, agents, and employees from any liability of any nature
whatsoever caused in whole or in part, by the negligence of the hauler, or his agents, or
employees, arising out of such operation.
6. BILLING
Waste Haulers will be billed directly for grease, septic tank and portable toilet wastes.
7. REFUSAL OF WASTES
City of Palo Alto Public Works Department reserves the right to reject any Loadload of hauled
waste under the following conditions:
a. If the waste is not properly identified
b. If there is not sufficient storage capacity at the plant for the Loadload
c. For reasons of public health or safety at the discretion of the Manager, Water Quality
Control Plant.
d. If the Loadload contains waste materials not authorized by these Regulations.
C. MAINTENANCE OF AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WASTEWATER COLLECTION
SYSTEM
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 4
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
Depending on whether the City’s Wastewater mainMain is located in the public right Public Right-
of way-Way or in an easementa Public Utility Easement, the Customer may be solely responsible
for the inspection, maintenance and, repair, and upgrade of a portion of the lateralLateral or the
entire lateral. (Lateral.
Diagram A lateral is
Standard Sewer Lateral Configuration within the pipe connecting a building’s plumbing system to the City's
Wastewater main.)Public Right-of-Way
1. CITY WASTEWATER MAIN IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
a. If the City’s Wastewater mainResponsibility for Sewer Lateral when City-owned Sewer
Cleanout is located in the public right of way, the CustomerPresent (Diagram B):
The City is responsible for the upper portion of the lateral,Lower Sewer Lateral from the
home or structure downWastewater Main up to and including the connection to the City’s
Wastewater cleanoutfirst City Sewer Cleanout, as shown on Diagram AB below. The
Upper Sewer Lateral shall be the Customer’s sole responsibility.
In cases where there is no cleanout at the property line, in the planting strip, or in the
sidewalk, but there is cleanout on private property greaterThe City is also responsible for
the City Sewer Cleanout. The City’s Sewer Cleanout’s standard location is inside the
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 5
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
planting strip, per WGW Utility Standards. If the City’s Sewer Cleanout cannot feasibly
be placed in the planting strip, the City may permit an existing Sewer Cleanout to be
located along the Lateral within the Public Right-of-Way, or within 5 feet behind the
property line on private property, to be deemed the City’s Sewer Cleanout.
Diagram B
Sewer Lateral Responsibility When City-owned Cleanout is Present
b. Responsibility for Sewer lateral Lateral When City Sewer Cleanout is Not Present
(Diagram BC):
If there is no Sewer Cleanout or the Sewer Cleanout is more than five (5) feet
frombehind the property line on private property, the City is responsible for only the
portion ofLower Sewer Lateral within the lateral locatedPublic Right-of-Way from the
Wastewater Main to the property line, and the City is not responsible for the Sewer
Cleanout on the private property, as shown on Diagram C below.
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 6
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
The Upper Sewer Lateral, including any sewer pipe connected to the Upper Sewer
Lateral, on private property between the property line and the City’s Wastewater
main.Customer’s building or structure is the Customer’s sole responsibility.
If a cleanout does not exist, the City will If there is no City Sewer Cleanout on the
Premises being served, the City may elect to install a new cleanoutSewer Cleanout in
one of the following locations, at the City’s discretion: the planting strip, sidewalk, back
of (standard location per WGW Utility Standards), sidewalk, o r atbehind the same
distance assidewalk. Once the water meter box setback distance on private property.
IfCity’s Sewer Cleanout is installed, the existing cleanout is located on private property,
it shallCity will be located within five (5) feet ofresponsible for the property line.Lower
Sewer Lateral between the Wastewater Main and the new Sewer Cleanout. If the
Customer (or the Owner, if the Customer is not the owner of the property) refuses to
permit the City to install a cleanoutS e w e r C leanout, then the Customer (or the
Owner, if the Customer is not the owner of the propertyas applicable) shall be
immediately and solely responsible for the lateral runningentire Sewer Lateral from the
City’s Wastewater mainMain to the homeCustomer’s building or other structure on the
Premises being served.
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 7
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
Diagram A:C
Sewer Lateral When City Sewer Cleanout is Not Present
c. Responsibility for Sewer Lateral That Branches Off the Lower Lateral (Diagram D):
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 8
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
If the Customer’s Sewer Lateral branches off the Lower Sewer Lateral via a tee or wye
connection, the branched-off Lateral between the tee or wye connection and the
building or structure on the Premises being served shall be the Customer’s sole
responsibility for upper wastewater lateral, as shown in Diagram D.
Diagram D
Sewer Lateral Branching Off City Lateral
2. CITY WASTEWATER MAIN IN AN EASEMENT
CityCity’s Wastewater mainsMains located in easementsPublic Utility Easements are often, but not
always, located at the rear of the property rather than under the public street or public rightPublic
Right-of-way surfaceWay. If the City’s Wastewater mainMain is located within an easement, a
Public Utility Easement, CPAU is onl y responsible for the inspection, maintenance and,
repair, and upgrade of the Wastewater mainMain located therein. The Customer is responsible
for the connection point of the Lateral to the Wastewater Main and inspecting, maintaining and, repairing,
and upgrading the Wastewater lateral,entire Lateral including but not limited to: clearing any
stoppages and any clean-up related to lateralLateral backups. Diagram BE below illustrates the
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 9
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
Customer’s sphere of responsibility when the Wastewater Main is in a Public Utility
Easement.
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 10
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
Diagram B – E
Customer’s sphere of responsibilityResponsibility for the lateral where the wastewater main is
within an easement.Entire Lateral When Wastewater Main is Within an Easement
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 11
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
3. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY REGARDLESS OF LOCATION OF CITY
WASTEWATER MAIN
These rules apply without regard to the location of the City’s Wastewater mainMain.
a. If maintenance or repair of the City’s Wastewater mainMain or Lateral is required as a
result of a Customer’s violation of the Municipal Code and/or these Regulations or
other applicable Law, the Customer is responsible for completing any necessary
maintenance and repair at the Customer’s sole expense. All lateral replacements and
repairs shall be constructed pursuant to the City’s current WastewaterWGW Utility
Standards and shall require City inspection and approval.
The Customer shall replace non-plastic Wastewater laterals whenever
b. Whenever the Customer is building a new structure or constructing additions or
remodels that have on Premises to be served or currently served by CPAU, the Customer
shall be responsible for the cost of replacing the Lower Sewer Lateral from the
Wastewater Main up to and including the City’s Sewer Cleanout, if either of the below
conditions apply:
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 12-29-2014
Sheet No 12
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
i. The Lower Sewer Lateral must be realigned and reconnected to the Wastewater
Main at a permit valuationnew location.
ii. The project’s construction and/or remodel cost, as shown on the Customer’s City
building permit application, is greater than one hundred thousand dollars ($100$200,000)
for residential projects and three hundred thousand dollars ($or $300,000) for commercial
projects, as stated on the City building permit application. Reconnection to a City Wastewater
lateral will only be allowed on and the existing plastic pipe laterals meetingLower Sewer
Lateral has been determined to be in poor condition by Utilities Operations based
on standard criteria established by the Utilities Department. The inspection and
evaluation of the existing Lower Sewer Lateral will be performed by Utilities
Operations as part of the City permit application review process.
a. All construction must meet current WGW Utility Standards. All laterals constructed of
non-standard pipe materials must be replaced, per the WGW Utility Standards, from the main up to
and including the
cleanout at the property line at the fees listed in Related Fees will be based on
Utilities Rate Schedule S-5, or for inspection/construction work performed by the
City. Any work performed by the Customer’s contractor and any inspection costs
incurred by the City, shall be at the Customer’s sole expense.
b. The inspection, maintenance and repair of private Wastewater mains and laterals shall be the
responsibility of the Customers (or the property owners, if the Customers are not the property
owners) up to and including the connection point between the private Wastewater mains and laterals
and the City’s Wastewater mains or manholes. However, the City will conduct at its cost (without
cost to the Customers or the property owners) and assume temporary responsibility for the
inspection and maintenance or repair, if required, of the private Wastewater mains and laterals if
the City determines, in its sole discretion, that an unsafe condition exists with respect to such
private Wastewater mains and laterals and CPAU has created such unsafe condition. CPAU’s
temporary responsibility and obligation to inspect and maintain or repair, if required, any private
Wastewater main and lateral will continue until CPAU has restored the private Wastewater main
and lateral, which are initially determined to be in an unsafe condition, to a safe condition, and the City
has taken such other reasonably necessary actions regarding any other Utility facilities that may
have contributed, directly or indirectly, to the existence of the unsafe condition. Once the unsafe
condition has been corrected, the Customer and/or property owner shall again be solely
responsible for the private Wastewater mains and laterals.
b.c. Customers shall grant the City and CPAU personnel access to the entire Wastewater
Lateral serving the Customer’s Premises as needed for the City to implement the
City’s Cross Connection Control Program. The City’s Cross Connection Control
Program-related access may include City inspection, maintenance or repair of the
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-2016 12-29-2014
Sheet No 13
Lateral as determined by the City in its sole discretion. The Customer will be
responsible for the on-site Wastewater Collection System in accordance with the
Municipal Code, including:
i. Preventing storm water, roof or yard drainage, basement, foundation or
under- drainage from being discharged into the Wastewater Collection
System, unless a permit is granted by Regional Water Quality Control Plant.
In addition, any plumbing or piping that is connected or could be connected
that would allow the future discharge of storm Water or ground Water into the
Wastewater Collection System is prohibited.
ii. Maintaining the condition of the on-site Wastewater Collection System so that
it is water tight and does not allow the infiltration of groundwater.
iii. Keeping the clean-out box at ground level and visible. If after a 30 day notice
from CPAU the Customer has not made the clean-out box accessible,
CPAU may remedy the inaccessibility by performing the work and charging
the Customer the actual cost incurred.
iv. Installing, maintaining, and ensuring proper usage of Grease Control Devices
in accordance with the Sewer Use Ordinance (Section16.09.103 of the
Municipal Code). If the source of grease contamination in the Wastewater
Collection System can be linked to a particular Customer, the Customer may
be held responsible for cleaning the Wastewater System, including any
associated costs or damages incurred by the City.
v. Limiting the Water inflow rate to the Wastewater Collection System during
fire system testing to 30 GPM. Higher flushing rates must be diverted to a
detention tank to limit the flow rate to 30 GPM.
vi. Limiting Wastewater ejector pumps usage so that the following conditions are
met: The pump(s) output capacity may not exceed 100 GPM. The Wastewater
lateral must change to a 4” gravity flow lateral at least 20’ from the City-owned
clean out. The velocity in the 4” gravity flow lateral must not exceed 3 feet per
second. The tank and float shall be set up such that the pump run time does
not exceed 20 seconds or 33 gallons pumped during each cycle.
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-2016 12-29-2014
Sheet No 14
vii. Installing an approved backwater valve per the latest adopted version of the
California Plumbing Code 710.0 when the fixtures or drains connected to
the Wastewater system are less than one foot above the next upstream
Wastewater main manhole cover. The upstream Wastewater main manhole rim
elevation shall be shown on the plans.
4. NOTIFICATION TO CPAU
If a Wastewater stoppage occurs, the Customer shall notify CPAU. CPAU will then
determine whether the stoppage has occurred in the portion of the system maintained by
CPAU or the Customer (or the Property Owner, if the Customer is not the owner of the
property). CPAU will clear the stoppage that has occurred in the portion of the system
maintained by CPAU.
D. SAMPLING OF INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES IN EXCESS OF 25,000 GALLONS PER
DAY
In order to properly apportion costs of operation and maintenance of the RWQCP to industrial
or commercial users who, as determined by the Environmental Compliance Division of the
RWQCP, are dischargers of chemicals or effluent of a content and/or quality as to require
special monitoring and charges, it is essential to determine both the quantity and quality of
Wastewater produced by each user so identified.
The following is adopted as a fair and equitable method of developing the necessary criteria:
1. FLOW
The quantity Charge shall be based upon the metered Water served to the industrial
or commercial user being billed under Section D of this Rule. Exceptions will be made
for the following:
a. For Customers with one or more cooling towers, the volume of evaporated Water
associated with cooling (inflow less outflow) may be used to offset flow calculations
for Wastewater billing. To be eligible for such offsets, the Customer must comply
with the following items:
i. Inflow Water data
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-2016 12-29-2014
Sheet No 15
(a) Customer must have inflow Water Meter(s) on all cooling tower inlet(s);
(b) Meter(s) must be annually certified by County Department of Weights and
Measures;
(c) Proof of Certification(s) must be submitted to Utilities along with annual
Meter Reads;
ii. Outflow Water data
(a) Five (5) cycles of concentration will be assumed for outflow calculations;
(b) Customers whose cycles of concentration are greater than five (5) and who
want to have this reflected in their calculations must have outflow
Meter(s) installed;
(c) Outflow Meter(s), if installed and used for purposes of calculation, must
be annually certified by County Department of Weights and Measures;
(d) Proof of Certification(s) must be submitted to Utilities along with annual
Meter Reads;
iii. Data acquisition and submittal
(a) Customer is responsible for reading and recording each inflow Meter(s)
flow (and each outflow Meter, if applicable) on a monthly basis;
(b) Meter Reads should be performed at approximately the same time each
month;
(c) The following data, at a minimum, must be recorded at each reading:
i. Date of read
ii. Inflow read(s) for each inflow Meter
iii. Outflow read(s) for each outflow Meter (if applicable)
(d) The City of Palo Alto reserves the right to periodically review Customer's
Meter(s) for accuracy;
iv. Participation rules and restrictions
(a) Customer must have six (6) months of data in the first year to be eligible
for participation;
(b) Customer must annually submit twelve (12) months of data thereafter;
(c) Inflow data (and outflow data, if applicable) must be submitted to the
Utilities Customer Service Division annually by May for consideration in
calculations for July (the start of the City's fiscal year);
b. In cases where the user has extensive landscape irrigation and summer monthly
consumption exceeds the average monthly consumption of January, February, and
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-2016 12-29-2014
Sheet No 16
March by more than 50 percent (50%), the average of the January, February, and
March consumption shall be used for calculating wastewater discharge for the
remaining months of the year.
c. If an outflow Meter has been installed, such metered outflow will be used to
determine flow in lieu of recorded water meter consumption.
2. CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND, SUSPENDED SOLIDS, AMMONIA
a. Measurements of the concentration of these constituents shall be taken from 24- hour
composite samples collected periodically for each discharger being billed under
Section D of this Rule.
i. The constituent concentrations found in these samples and previous samples
shall be averaged to provide the basis for establishing the Wastewater
Treatment Charge to be levied to the discharger being sampled.
ii. All samples shall be analyzed at the laboratory of the RWQCP.
Treatment Charges will be based upon the quantity and concentration found in
the waste stream monitored.
b. If an establishment’s piping configuration, or other physical considerations, render
representative Effluent sampling prohibitively complex or infeasible, then CPAU
shall set the establishment’s level of sewage effluent constituents for billing purposes
at the average effluent levels of industries in CPAU, or where feasible, at the
average effluent constituent levels of similar establishments.
c. Sampling results are intended to provide an estimate of the quality of Effluent
discharge by the facility. Sampling results can vary significantly depending on the
facility processes operating on the day of sampling. If the annual sampling results
in combination with the flow data indicate a revised annual bill to the Customer, the
amount of the increase or decrease shall not exceed 25 percent. The 25 percent
limitation is independent of any change in rates or Charges to Rate Schedule S-2.
(END) Formatted: Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
SPECIAL REFUSE SERVICE REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 24
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No. 1
A. SPECIAL REFUSE
In addition to this Rule and Regulation 24, Refuse Services are governed by Chapter 5.20 of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code, which requires all Customers to subscribe to recycling, compost and solid waste
services and to correctly sort materials into each designated container. Refuse Service includes weekly
collection, processing and disposal of materials properly deposited in the City Collector’s provided
containers for solid waste, as well asSolid Waste, weekly collection and processing of Recyclable
Materials, weekly collection and processing of Compostable Materials (yard trimmings, food scraps,
and food soiled paper), ongoing maintenance of the closed Palo Alto Landfill, zero waste programs,
street sweeping service, the household hazardous waste program, and the annual Clean Up Day. Refuse
Services are provided to all Customers by the City’s Collector.
1. GENERAL
a. The City shall authorize, permit, regulate and control the collection and disposal of all
solid wasteSolid Waste within the City limits.
b. Minimum collection service for solid wasteSolid Waste is once a week. Each Customer
shall receive Refuse Service collection Services on a City specified day of each week.
a. The automatic solid waste service level is one Standard Container for Residential
Customers and two Standard Containers for Commercial Customers unless an
alternate level is requested. Containers to be serviced by the City’s Collector
c. Containers must not be packed so tightly that contents do not empty freely. Contents of
wheeled containers shall not exceed athe weight of 200 poundslimit specified on the
container.
d. Customers must supply a safe and accessible pathway for all collection. The City’s
Collector does not enter buildings or residential garages to empty solid waste,
compostablecompost or recyclingrecycle containers.
e. Customers must have all Containers ready and on the street for collection by 6:00 a.m.
on collection day.
f. Any occupied domestic dwelling which is receiving any two active utility
servicesUtility Services, such as Gas and Electric Service, shall be charged at least a
Minimum Charge for Refuse Services. If unusual circumstances exist such that no
solid wasteSolid Waste, Compostable Materials or Recyclable Materials are generated
at the Premises, the Customer may apply for an exemption from this Rulerequirement.
SPECIAL REFUSE SERVICE REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 24
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No. 2
Customers with non-occupied Premises for a minimum of three months needingwho
need to have Refuse Services temporarily suspended shall obtain from the City’s
Public Works Department a Refuse Service suspension form. The suspension will be
authorized for up to one year. Upon approval of the Refuse Service suspension, the
City’s Collector will remove all Containers from the Customer’s Premises. Upon
reoccupation of the Premises, it is the obligation of the Customer to reestablish Refuse
Service to the address by contacting the City’s Utilities and City’s Collector. The
Refuse Service bill shall be adjusted accordingly upon approval from the City.
g.
Residential Customers on extended absences from their Premises for a minimum of
one month or more (i.e., long vacation), but less than three months may have their
Refuse Services temporarily reduced by the City’s Collector to the lowest service
levels available.
The City’s Collector shall provide wheeled Containers for solid wasteSolid Waste, Recyclable
Materials, and Compostable Materials collection. Standard service for solid waste
collection is one 32-gallon black cart, for Recyclable Materials it is one 64-gallon blue
cart, and for Compostable Materials it is one 96-gallon green cart. Such Containers
remain the property of the City and shall not be removed by Customers vacating
Premises. If Containers are removed, the outgoing Customer may be Chargedcharged a
fee to replace the Container based on either a published fee or actual replacement cost.
h. Containers shall remain on private property and not in the Public Right-of-Way except
as is necessary to accommodate the scheduled collection. Containers are permitted in the
Public Right-of-Way only during the day preceding the day of scheduled collection and
terminating the day following such collection.
i. Bulky goods scheduled for collection by the City’s Collector are permitted in the Public
Right-of-Way only during the day preceding the day of the scheduled collection and
terminating the day following such collection. Bulky goods meansmean discarded
furniture, mattresses, and household appliances.
j. All Containers should have lids closed, and be placed on the street with the front of the
Containers facing the street withand have a minimum of 2 feet between Containers and
from any parked vehicle or structure.
Formatted: List Paragraph, Space Before: 0
pt, Allow hanging punctuation
SPECIAL REFUSE SERVICE REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 24
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No. 3
2. RESIDENTIAL
a. The standard collection location for all Containers is on the street at curbside. Back/side
yard solid wasteSolid Waste collection is available only to Customers with existing
subscription service and existing associated monthly service fee at City established rates.
b. Residential Customers may exchange City Collector provided Containers for a different
size or a damaged container at no cost once per calendar year. Additional Container
exchanges will be subject to a Charge per each exchange.
c. The automatic default service level for Residential Customers is one 32-gallon black
container for Solid Waste, one 64-gallon blue container for Recyclable Materials, and
one 96-gallon green container for Compostable Materials. Minican/20-gallon, 32-gallon,
64-gallon, and 96-gallon carts are available.
d. Residential Customers may receive up to three containers for the collection of
Recyclable Materials and three containers for Compostable Materials. Additional
wheeled containers may be rented or purchased at City established rates.
e. Temporary Containers for the rare occurrence of excess Compostable Materials may be
used by residents and may include 30-gallon paper bags, cardboard boxes, or yard/plant
trimming bundles (no larger than 2’ x 4’). Each bundle or container used for the extra
collection may not exceed 40 pounds, and will not be returned to the Customer.
f. Physical limitation collection service is available to eligible Residential Customers. On-
premise (back/side yard) collection services for Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials,
Compostable Materials and household hazardous waste collection is available at no
additional Charge to Customers who are physically limited and unable to move the
Containers to the street for collection. Program requires completion and approval of the
City’s Collector application form and may be updated annually.
3. COMMERCIAL
a. The automatic default service level for Commercial Customers is one 64-gallon
SPECIAL REFUSE SERVICE REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 24
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No. 4
container for Solid Waste, one 96-gallon blue container for Recyclable Materials, and
one 32-gallon green container for Compostable Materials.
a.b. Service location of Containers shall be determinedapproved by the Public Works
Director or his/her designee. Commercial Service Customers may choose from a variety
of service levels and frequency of collection. Containers in multiple sizes and collection
frequencies are also available and provided by the City’s Collector. Containers may be
pulled out to the street level by the City’s Collector at an additional charge.
c. Commercial Service Customers may receive up to five (5) wheeled containers for the
collection of solid wasteSolid Waste instead of a bin if space constrains exist. All
Containers for solid wasteSolid Waste and Compostable Materials are subject to a rental
fee at City established rates.
b.d. Commercial Service Customers may also receive up to five (5) wheeled containers for
the collection of Recyclable Materials at no charge. The sixth wheeled container for
Recyclable Materials will be subject to a rental fee at City established rates.
c.e. Commercial Service Customers with space constraints that are willingmay have to
share collection Containers with other adjacent Commercial Service Customers may do
so and pay for a percentage of the service Refuse Service provided. Customers with
shared service will be responsible for paying for the same percentage of extra Fees if
additional collection or services are needed or assessed.
B. COLLECTION AND OWNERSHIP OF MATERIALS
1. RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
a. Recyclable Materials from Residential Customers placed for collection in Containers
provided by City’s Collector shall become the property of the City’s Collector at the
time of container placement on the street or other designated location for collection. The
City’s Collector shall be an authorized City contractor under PAMC Section
5.20.040 pursuant to written contract with the City, and shall have exclusive right to
collect such Recyclable Materials.
b. Commercial Service Customers shall place Recyclable Materials in bins, boxes, or
SPECIAL REFUSE SERVICE REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 24
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 6-27-
20167-1-2015
Sheet No. 5
containers provided by the City’s Collector. Such materials become the property of
the City’s Collector. The City’s Collector shall have the exclusive right to collect
Recyclable Materials from such bins, boxes, or containers.
Commercial Service Customers can
b. Commercial Customers may donate, sell, or pay to have Recyclable Materials collected
by any recycler provided such materials are separated by a single material type. Glass,
paper, plastics, and metal cans may be commingled for collection. Additional
requirements related to exclusions to the City or its Collector having the exclusive right
to Recyclable Materials are provided in PAMC Chapter 5.20.
2. COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS
a. Residents may receive up to three (3) wheeled containers for Compostable Materials at
no cost. Additional wheeled containers may be rented or purchased at City established
rates.
b. Temporary Containers for the rare occurrence of excess Compostable Materials may be
used by the residents and may include 30 gallon Kraft paper bags, cardboard
boxes, or yard/plant trimming bundles (no larger than 2’ x 4’). The containers and
bundles used for the extra collection may not exceed 40 pounds will not be returned to
the Customer.
Formatted: Normal, Indent: Left: 1", Hanging: 0.5", Right: 0", Line spacing: single,
Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: a, b,c, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned
at: 1" + Tab after: 1.25" + Indent at: 1.25",Allow hanging punctuation, Tab stops: -1", Left
+ Not at 1.25" + 1.6"
Formatted: Not Expanded by / Condensed by
Formatted: Not Expanded by / Condensed by
Formatted: Not Expanded by / Condensed by
Formatted: Not Expanded by / Condensed by
Formatted: Not Expanded by / Condensed by
Formatted: List Paragraph, Space Before: 0pt, Allow hanging punctuation
SPECIAL REFUSE SERVICE REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 24
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 7-1-2015 6-27-2016
Sheet No. 6
Formatted: Header, Right
C. SCAVENGING OF SOLID WASTE AND/OR RECYCLABLE MATERIALS IS
PROHIBITED
1. No Person shall scavenge in any City-operated location or facility nor disturb nor remove any
material therein, without permission from the Director of Public Works.
2. No Person shall scavenge from or deposit solid wasteSolid Waste, Recyclable Materials, or
Compostable Materials in any Container on the Premises of a Residential or Commercial
Customer without the permission of the owner of the Premise.
B. SPECIAL PROGRAMS
1. PHYSICAL LIMITATION PROGRAM COLLECTION
On-premise (back/side yard) collection for solid waste, recyclable Materials, Compostable
Materials and household hazardous waste collection is available at no additional Charge for
residents who are physically limited. Program requires completion and approval of the City’s
Collector form.
(END)