HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 10290RESOLUTION NO. 10290
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING
AMENDMENTS TO 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 9 (DISCONNECTION,
TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE), UTILITIES RULE AND
REGULATION 10 (METER READING), UTILITIES RULE AND REGULATION 11
(BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS), UTILITIES RULE AND
REGULATION 18 (UTILITY SERVICE AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER
PREMISES), UTILITIES RULE AND REGULATION 20 (SPECIAL ELECTRIC
UTILITY REGULATIONS), UTILITIES RULE AND REGULATION 21 (SPECIAL
WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS), UTILITIES RULE AND REGULATION 22
(SPECIAL GAS UTILITY REGULATIONS), UTILITIES RULE AND REGULATION
23 (SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS), AND APPROVING
AMENDMENTS TO UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE C-4 (RESIDENTIAL RATE
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM), AND REPEALING UTILITIES RULE AND
REGULATION 15 (METERING)
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 Rule and Regulation 02 (Definitions and Abbreviations) is hereby amended as
attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 02, as amended, shall become
effective June 1, 2026.
Section 2. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility
Rule and Regulation 03 (Description of Utility Services) is hereby amended as attached
and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 03, as amended, shall become effective
June 1, 2026.
Section 3. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
Utilities Rule and Regulation 04 (Application for Service) is hereby amended as attached
and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 04, as amended, shall become effective
June 1, 2026.
Section 4. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
Utilities Rule and Regulation 05 (Service Contracts) is hereby amended as attached and
incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 05, as amended, shall become effective June 1,
2026.
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Section 5. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
Utilities Rule and Regulation 09 (Disconnection, Termination and Restoration of Service)
is hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 09, as
amended, shall become effective June 1, 2026.
Section 6. 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 1,
2026.
Section 7. 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 July 1, 2026.
Section 8. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
Utilities Rule and Regulation 18 (Utility Service and Facilities on Customers Premises) is
hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 18, as
amended, shall become effective June 1, 2026.
Section 9. 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 1,2026.
Section 10. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
Utilities Rule and Regulation 21 (Special Water Utility Regulations) is hereby amended
as attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 21, as amended, shall become
effective June 1, 2026.
Section 11. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
Utilities Rule and Regulation 22 (Special Gas Utility Regulations) is hereby amended as
attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 22, as amended, shall become
effective June 1, 2026.
Section 12. 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 1, 2026.
Section 13. Pursuant to section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
Schedule C-4 (Residential Rate Assistance Program) of the Palo Alto Utilities Rates and
Charges is hereby amended to read as attached and incorporated. The foregoing Utility
Rate Schedule, as amended, shall become effective July 1, 2026.
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Section 14. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
Utilities Rule and Regulation 15 (Metering Equipment) is hereby repealed as attached and
incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 15, as repealed, shall become effective June 1,
2026.
Section 15. The Council finds that the fees and charges adopted 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 16. Council finds that the adoption of this resolution is statutorily exempt
from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to California Code of
Regulations Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15273(a), because the fees and charges proposed
are necessary to recover the cost of providing utility service and meet operating expenses.
After reviewing the reports presented, 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.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: JUNE 1, 2026
AYES: BURT, LAUING, LU, LYTHCOTT-HAIMS, RECKDAHL, STONE, VEENKER
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
Assistant City Attorney City Manager
Director of Utilities
Director of Administrative Services
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 1
A. ABBREVIATIONS
ACH - Automated Clearing House
ADU - Accessory Dwelling Unit
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
DOE - Department of Energy (Federal)
DOT - Department of Transportation (Federal)
DSM - Demand-side Management
EVSE - Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
ERT - “Encode, Receive, Transmit”
ERU - Equivalent Residential Unit
FERC - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FTTP Fiber to the PremisePremises
GPM - Gallons Per Minute
ISP - Internet Service Provider
kVar - Kilovar
kVarh - Kilovar-hours
kW - Kilowatt
kWh - Kilowatt-hour
LCFS - Low Carbon Fuel Standard
MW - Megawatt
MDM - Meter Data Management
MMBtu - One million Btu.
NCPA - Northern California Power Agency
NEC - National Electric Code, Latest Version
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 2
NEM - Net Energy Metering
NEM 1 - Net Energy Metering Program (original)
NEM 2 - Net Energy Metering Successor Program
NEMA - Net Energy Metering Aggregation
NEMIA - Net Energy Metering Interconnection Agreement
NID - Network Interface Device
NRTL - Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory
ONT - Optical Network Terminal
PAMC - Palo Alto Municipal Code
PSIG - Per square inch gauge
PPA - Power Purchase Agreement
PST - Pacific Standard Time
RAP - Rate Assistance Program
RNI - Regional Network Interface
RTP - Real-time Pricing
RWQCP - Regional Water Quality Control Plant
TOU - Time of Use
UUT - Utilities Users Tax
WAPA - Western Area Power Administration
UUT - Utilities Users Tax
B. GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Accessory Dwelling Unit
A secondary An attached or a detached residential dwelling unit withthat provides complete independent
living facilities for one or more persons generally: Detached (the unitand is separated from the primary
residential structure), Attached (the unit is attached to the primary residential structure), or Repurposed
Existing Space within thelocated on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence converted into an
independent living unit..
Account
The identification number in CPAU’s billing system for Utility Services.
Advance Engineering Fee
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 3
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.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure
An integrated system of “smart” or advanced meters, communications networks, and data management
systems that enables two-way communication between utilities and customers. AMI uses radio-based
technology to read and transmit daily interval usage data and alarms from meters.
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 that Customer, and who has 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 a
Customer’s proposed Interconnection of a Generating Facility.
Affected System Operator
The entity that operates an Affected System.
Applicant
An individual, corporation, partnership, Agency, or other legal entity or authorized agent of same,
requesting CPAU to supply, reconfigure, rearrange, or modify any or all of the following:
1. Electric Service
2. Water Service
3. Natural Gas Service
4. Wastewater Collection
5. Refuse Service
6. Storm and Surface Water Drainage Service
7. Fiber Optics Service
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 4
Or, anAn Applicant may be an existing CPAU Customer, or an individual, corporation, partnership,
Agency, or other legal entity submitting an Application for Interconnection pursuant to Utilities Rule and
Regulation 27.
Application (for Interconnection of (Generating Facilities)
An approved standard form (Load Sheet) submitted to CPAU for Interconnection of a Generating Facility.
Automated Clearing House (ACH)
The electronic transfer of money between banks, processed in batches for one -time or recurring
transactions like direct deposits for payroll or Social Security, or direct debits for bills like mortgages or
utilities.
Backflow Prevention Assembly
City-Approved deviceA CPAU-approved mechanical device designed and constructed to prevent water from
Customer plumbing from flowingbackflow into the City’s Water Distribution System.
Beneficiary Account
The Electric Service Meter(s) serviced by an Aggregation Customer’s Generating Facility, as listed on the
Aggregation Customer’s NEM Aggregation Interconnection Agreement.
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 27 to 33 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 (“Btu”)
Also “Btu”. The standard sub-unit of measurement comprising a Therm of natural Gas. One (1) Therm
equals 100,000 Btu.
Broadband Internet
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 5
A general term for high-speed internet access that lets customers send and receive data across the public
Internet using various underlying technologies, such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable, and Optical
Fiber, excluding dial-up.
Business Day
Any day,weekday (Monday – Friday), except a Saturday, Sunday, orfor 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.
ccf (lower casecentum cubic feet)
One hundred cubic feet of water (748 gallons).
Certification Test
A test pursuant to Utilities Rule and Regulation 27 (Generating Facility Interconnections) 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 the Palo Alto
Municipal Code, and any Person who is designated the representative of the City Attorney.
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 6
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 Solid Waste, Compostable Materials and Recyclable
Materials pursuant to one or more written contracts with the City.
City Lateral
A City Lateral (also known as a Lower Sewer Lateral) is the portion of the Sewer Lateral that is owned
and maintained by the City. A City Lateral typically is the lower portion of a Sewer Lateral downstream
from the City Sewer Cleanout.
City Manager
The individual designated as the City Manager of the City appointed under Section 2.08.140 of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code, and any Person who is designated the including the City Manager’s authorized
representative(s)/designee(s). For purposes of these Utility Rules & Regulations, the City Manager’s
duties include general supervision over City-operated utilities, as provided in the City ManagerCharter.
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.
City Sewer Cleanout
A sewer cleanout is a point of access where the Sewer Lateral can be serviced. The City Sewer Cleanout
typically marks the transition point between the City Lateral (Lower Sewer Lateral) and the Customer’s
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 7
Upper Lateral, as further described in Utilities Rule and Regulation 23. (Special Wastewater Utility
Regulations).
CNG Vehicle
A vehicle powered by compressed natural gas.
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 Solid Waste,
Recyclable Materials, Compostable Materials or other materials designated by the City to be collected by
the City’s Collector.
Cooling Degree Days (CDD)
The number of the degrees per day that the daily average temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The
daily average temperature is the mean of the maximum and minimum temperatures for a 24-hour period.
Credit and CollectionCross Bore
A Cross Bore is the unintended conflict between one utility line and a portion of another utility line. This
situation can happen during construction using “horizontal directional drilling” or underground pneumatic
boring.
Cross Bore Inspection Program
The Cross Bore Inspection Program inspects City Laterals and Private Laterals to find and repair Gas
pipes that pass through existing Sewer Laterals.
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 8
Cross Connection
Cross Connections are anyAny actual or potential unapproved unprotected connectionsconnection or
structural arrangement between a potablepublic water system, including a piping system connected to the
public water system and located on the premises of a water user or available to the water user, and any
source or distribution system containing unapproved water or a substance which mayliquid, gas, or other
substances not be safefrom an approved water supply.
Cross Connection Control and Backflow PreventionPlan
A written plan adopted by the City to protect the public water system from contamination due to actual or
potential Cross Connections. The plan establishes the polices, and procedures, and responsibilities for
administering the Cross Connection Control Program in accordance with the City of Palo Alto Utility Rule
and Regulation 21(E) “Water System Protection and Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook adopted
by the State Water Resources Control Board.
Cross Connection Control Program
This program protects the quality of drinking Water by preventing contaminants in private Service pipes
from entering the Water Distribution system.
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
A Customer who is 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 (Optic) Service
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 9
ADark Fiber Optic cableService provided to end-users or resellers by CPAU by the City of Palo Alto
Utilities Department is a lease of City-owned unlit Dark Fiber without any of the light transmitters,
receivers, or electronics required for telecommunications over the Fiber. Transmission equipment fordata
transmission. Dark Fiber Optic activation serviceService is providedgoverned by the reseller or end-
user.City’s Dark Fiber License Agreement.
Dark Fiber (Optic) Infrastructure
The 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) LicensingLicense Agreement
The mandatory contractual agreement between the City and the Customer specifying the terms, conditions
and pricing for a limited license to access the City of Palo Alto’s Dark Fiber (Optic) Ringring.
Dedicated Distribution Transformer
A distribution transformer that is dedicated to serving a single premise.
Demand
The highest rate of metered delivery of Electric energy, measured in Kilowatts (kW) or kilovolt amperes
(kVA) occurring instantaneously or registered within a specified time interval (normally fifteen minutes
within a monthly billing cycle, unless otherwise specified).
Demand Charge
An electrical Charge or rate that is applied to a metered Demand reading, within a specified interval,
expressed in Kilowatts (kW) to compute the Demand Charge component of a Customer’s Electric bill.
Demand-side Management
The planning, implementation, and monitoring of Utility activities designed to encourage commercial,
residential, agricultural, and institutional Customers to modify patterns of electricity, natural gas, and
water usage, including the timing and level of demand. Demand-side management also covers the
complete range of electric load-shape objectives, including strategic conservation, load management, and
strategic load growth.
Demarcation Point
The Demarcation Point for a projectDark Fiber Service 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
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 10
Dark Fiber Services. The Demarcation Point for a Fiber Broadband Internet Service shall be the Customer
side of the optical network terminal.
Deposit
A fixed amount (for residential customersCustomers), or an estimated amount based upon usage (for
commercial customersCustomers, except Fiber Optic Service (Dark Fiber or Fiber Broadband Internet),
to be paid to the Utilities Department upon submission of an Application for Service. See Utilities Rule
and Regulation 7, “Deposits.”
Detailed Study
An engineering study consisting of an Interconnection System Impact Study and an Interconnection
Facilities Study for the purpose of identifying Interconnection Facilities, Distribution Upgrades , and
Reliability Network Upgrades.
Disconnection Notice
A final written notice from CPAU to the Customer indicating the date that all Utilities Services will be
disconnected for non-payment unless payment is tendered to mitigate an outstanding balance, or until a
Payment Arrangement is completed with CPAU for repayment over time. See Utilities Rule and
Regulation 9, “Disconnection, Termination, and Restoration of Service.”
Distribution Services
This includes, but is not limited to, Utility Service provided by the City’s Distribution System and other
Services such as billing, Meter reading, administration, marketing, and Customer Services. Distribution
Services do not include Services directly related to the Interconnection of a Generating Facility, as per
Utilities Rule and Regulation 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 Fiber Distribution System is the infrastructure that
distributes and routes optical fiber services from CPAU’s network backbone to the Network Interface
Device (NID), Optical Network Terminal (ONT), or other CPAU-designated demarcation point 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
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 11
Customer Premises. The Wastewater Collection System transports sewage from the Customer’s Premises
to the Regional Water Quality Control Plant.
Duct
A single, enclosed thoroughfare for conductors, cables, or wires.
Easement
See Public Utility Easement.
Efficiency
The ratio of water or energy input to useful output, measured at either a single point in time, or measured
change in ratio over time.
Effluent
Treated or untreated Wastewater flowing out of a Wastewater treatment facility, sewer, or industrial
outfall.
Elasticity of Demand
The ratio of the percentage change in consumer demand to the percentage change in price. If the ratio is
more than one, demand is elastic (sensitive to price).
Electric Distribution
The process of delivering electric energy to customers on a utility’s distribution system. Transmission
lines carry electricity at high voltage to substations which reduce the voltage and distribute the electricity
over primary distribution lines that extend throughout the service territory.
Electric, Electric Service
A Utility Service provided to residents and business owners in the City of Palo Alto consisting of the
generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power for retail use. Electric Service is provided
by the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department.
Electric Vehicle
A vehicle powered by an electric motor that draws current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells,
photovoltaic arrays, residential or commercial charging kiosks, or other sources of electric current.
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)
The conductors, including the ungrounded, grounded, and equipment grounding conductors and the
electric vehicleElectric Vehicle connectors, attachment plugs, and all other fittings, devices, power outlets,
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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 12
or apparatus installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and
the electric vehicle.Electric Vehicle. EVSE is as defined in the California Electrical Code, California Code
of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, Part 3, Chapter 6, Article 625 (Electric Vehicle Charging System), as
amended.
Enterprise Funds, Enterprise Services
A budgetary identification for individual Utilities services.Utility Services. Each individual Utility
(electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, storm drain, fiber optic, refuseElectric, Gas, Water, Wastewater,
Storm Drain, Fiber Optic, Refuse) has its own operating and capital budgets, staffing, contracts, financial
obligations, cash reserves, etc. combined into Utility-specific Enterprise Funds.
Emergency
An actual or imminent condition or situation, which jeopardizes CPAU’s Distribution System
Integrityintegrity.
Emergency Service
The Electric Service supplied to, or made available to, Load devices which are operated only in Emergency
situations or in testing for the same.
Energy Services
The Energyenergy 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 with or related to the Provisionprovision and/or usage of the energy commodity.
Energy Storage Facility, Energy Storage System
A facility or storage system that is an “energy storage system,” as that term is defined by the California
Public Utilities Code section 2835, as the same may be amended from time to time.
End Points
The respective start and termination of a Fiber Optic cableCable.
Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)
The basic unit for computing stormStorm and surface water drainageSurface 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 13
ERT (“Encode, Receive, Transmit”) (ERT)
A battery-powered module attached to an Electric, naturalNatural Gas, or Water Meter that permits the
remote reading by CPAU of secure, or encrypted, meterMeter data from a centralized location for the
purposes of billing, outage management, or data analysis.
Fiber (Optic) Infrastructure
The components of the CPAU Fiber Optic Distribution System that are attached to City infrastructure, or
otherwise owned, controlled or used by the City, which are required to provide Dark Fiber Service to
Customers (licensees) or Fiber Internet Service to Customers (subscribers), and are located overhead or
underground within the Public Right-of-Way, City-owned Properties, Public Utility Easements and
Leased Service Properties.
Fiber Broadband Internet Service (Fiber Internet)
High speed internet service delivered over Fiber Optic Cables, that transmit data using pulses of light.
Fiber Broadband Internet Service provided by the City of Palo Alto requires a subscription agreement for
connection to the City’s municipal Fiber Broadband Internet network, and may include installation of
City-provided equipment at Customer Premises.
Fiber to the Premises (FTTP)
The last-mile Fiber Optic Infrastructure installed and controlled by CPAU. FTTP includes active
transmission equipment necessary for the delivery of Fiber Broadband Internet Service to Customer
Premises (unlike Dark Fiber, which has no data transmission).
Final Bill
The last bill that is issued upon permanent termination of Service. This bill will combine ending financial
debits and credits, close the Account, and terminate all further Customer and Utility financial obligations,
unless additional Services are requested by the Customer prior to the receipt of the final bill.
Fiber Optic Cable (Optical Fiber), Fiber Optic Service)
A solid core of optical transmission material. Fiber Optic Service that is provided, made of glass strands,
owned and maintained 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 and FTTP Infrastructure installed and owned by the City.
Fiber Optic Service (also Fiber Service)
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 14
Fiber Optic Service includes dark fiber, which is unused, unlit Fiber Optic Cable , and lit fiber or internet
services, licensed for private Customer use.
Final Bill
The last bill that is issued upon permanent termination of Service. This bill will combine ending financial
debits and credits, close the Account, and terminate all further Customer and Utility financial obligations,
unless additional Services are requested by the Customer prior to the receipt of the last bill.
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 City or Customer 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.
Gas, Gas Service; or Natural Gas
Gas, or Natural Gas refers to the Utility Service provided by the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department.
to residents and business owners in the City of Palo Alto. Gas, or Natural Gas Service consists of
procurement, transmission, and distribution of any combustible gas or vapor, or combustible mixture of
gaseous constituents used to produce heat by burning for retail use. It includes, but is not 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 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 the Producer for the
purpose of producing Electric power, including energy storage facilitiesEnergy Storage Facilities and solar
or wind turbine-powered Renewable Electrical Generation
Generator
A device converting mechanical, chemical or solar energy into electrical energy, including any required
protection and control functions, features and structural appurtenances. One or more Generators may
comprise a Generating Facility
Gross Nameplate Rating; Gross Nameplate Capacity
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 15
The total gross generating capacity of a Generator or Generating Facility as designated by the
manufacturer(s) of the Generator(s).
Heating Degree Days (HDD)
The number of the degrees per day that the daily average temperature is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The
daily average temperature is the mean of the maximum and minimum temperatures for a 24-hour period.
Initial Interconnection Capacity
The maximum rated generating capacity of a Renewable Electrical Generation Facility eligible for Net
Energy Metering (original) prior to the Total Rated Generating Capacity exceeding the NEM Cap.
Initial Review
The review by CPAU, following receipt of an Application for Interconnection, 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.
Interconnection; Interconnected
The physical connection of a Generating Facility in accordance with the requirements of the City’s
Utilities Rules and Regulations allowing Parallel Operation with CPAU’s Distribution System to occur.
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 Agreements, and the Power
Purchase Agreements authorized by the City Council may be considered Interconnection Agreements.
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.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 16
Interconnection Facilities Study
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 for the InterconnectInterconnection of 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.
Interconnection System Impact Study
An engineering study conducted by CPAU for an Interconnection Customer under the Independent Study
Processindependent 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, Junction Site
A location on the Dark Fiber Infrastructure where equipment is installed for the purpose of connecting
communication cables. The Junction Site refers to the area within the Transmission Pathway at which a
Junction is located.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 17
Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit
An Accessory Dwelling Unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a
single-family residence.
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.
Leased Service Properties
Any equipment or utility infrastructure which is not owned by CPAU, but leased from another provider
in order to deliver serviceService.
Law
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 Fiber(s)
One or more fibers comprising a part of the Dark Fiber Infrastructure that is dedicated to the exclusive use
of the Customer under the Provisions of the Dark Fiber License Agreement, a Proposal to the 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)
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 18
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.
Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)
A program developed and administered by the California Air Resources Board to lower the carbon
intensity of transportation fuel under the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). Through the
LCFS program, the City, through its Electric Utility, receives credits for providing electricity to charge
electric vehicles. These credits are sold and the funds are utilized to benefit current or future electric
vehicle customers, educate the public on the benefits of electric vehicle transportation, and accelerate the
adoption of electric vehicles.
Lower Sewer Lateral
See City Lateral.
Master-meteringMeter
WhereA metering configuration in which a single CPAU installs one Service and Meter to supply more
than one residenceserves multiple buildings, apartment dwelling unit, mobile home space, storeunits, or
office.facilities.
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
The instrument owned and maintained by CPAU that is used for measuringto measure and record the
quantityamount of the Electric, Gas or Watereach Utility Service delivered to the Customer or Premises
served.
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.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 19
Metering Equipment
All equipment, hardware, software, radio including AMI base station, Meter cabinets/vaults, conduit, etc.,
that are necessary for Meteringto measure consumption.
Meter Read
The recordingrecorded amount of Customer usage data from Metering Equipment.
Minimum Charge
The leastlowest amount toa Customer may be billed to a Customer for rendering Service, regardless of
actual usage, in accordance with the applicable 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 Utilities Rule and
Regulation 27. (Generating Facility Interconnections).
Natural Gas Distribution
The process of delivering natural gas to customers on a utility’s distribution system. Transmission lines
carry natural gas at high pressures to receiving stations in Palo Alto, which reduce the pressure and
distribute the natural gas over the City’s Gas Distribution System.
Net Electricity Consumer
A Customer-Generator or Producer whose Generating Facility produces less electricity than is supplied
by CPAU during a particular period; may also be referred to as a Net Electricity Importer.
Net Electricity Exporter
A Customer-Generator whose Generating Facility produces more electricity than is supplied by CPAU
during a particular period; may also be referred to as a Net Surplus Customer-Generator.
Net Energy Metering (NEM)
A means of measuring Customer-generated renewable electricity exported to the CPAU grid.
Net Energy Metering 1 (NEM 1)
CPAU’s original Net Energy Metering (NEM) Program and Net Energy Metering Aggregation (NEMA)
Program, either individually or collectively, which were developed in accordance with Senate Bill 656
(1995).
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 20
Net Energy Metering Cap (NEM Cap)
The MW value reached when the Total Rated Generating Capacity used by eligible NEM 1 Customer-
Generators exceeded 5 percent of CPAU’s aggregate Customer peak Demand, at which point NEM 1
became closed to new Customer-Generators. CPAU reached its NEM Cap on December 31, 2017.
Net Energy Metering 2 (NEM 2); Net Energy Metering Successor Program
CPAU’s NEM Program offering compensation for Customer-Generators whose Generating Facilities are
Interconnected after the NEM Cap was reached, including CustomersCustomer-Generators who are
eligible for NEM 1 but elect to take Service under the Net Energy Metering Successor Program. NEM 2
Customers take Service under Utilities Rate Schedule E-EEC-1 (Export Electricity Compensation), in
conjunction with their otherwise applicable Rate Schedule.
Net Energy Metering Aggregation
The process by which an eligible Customer-Generator with multiple Meters participating in CPAU’s NEM
1 Program may elect to combine the electrical Load of the Meters located on the property where the
Renewable Electrical Generation Facility is located and on property adjacent or contiguous, if those
properties are solely owned, leased, or rented by the eligible Customer-Generator.
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 (manufacturer’s specified maximum capacity) 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
See Net Electricity Exporter.
Net Surplus Electricity Compensation
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 21
A per kilowatt-hour rate offered to NEM 1 Net Surplus Customer-Generators (excluding NEM
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
A method 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.
Optical Network Terminal (ONT)
Customer-premises device installed at a home, business, or multi-dwelling unit that terminates the fiber
connection and converts the incoming optical signal to electrical/service interfaces for broadband data
service. The ONT functions as the customer gatewayDepending on the deployment, the ONT may provide
functions similar to a traditional modem and/or router.
Parallel Operation
The simultaneous operation of a Generator with power delivered or received by CPAU while
Interconnected. For the purpose of the Utilities Rules and Regulations, 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 InterconnectionService interconnection work, the City will conduct a
Performance Test of each Fiberfiber 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
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 22
licensed Fibersfibers whenever the testing is possible, measured in decibels at a wavelength of 1310 or
1550 nanometers for single-mode Fiberfiber, 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 natural Gas transmission system connects to
the CPAU local naturalNatural Gas Distribution 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 POD
is at the weather-head connection; for underground 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 naturalNatural 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 Customer’s Electric Service lateral to its Distribution System. For Fiber
OpticsOptic Service, this is where CPAU connects the Customer’s 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 23
Pole Line
Overhead wires and overhead structures, including poles, towers, support wires, conductors, guys,
messengers, 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
An adjustment to Customer’s bill that CPAU may make when necessary due to Customer maintaining low
Power Factor. CPAU may make a Power Factor Adjustment to a Customer’s bill to account for those costs
to install additional equipment to correct for Customers that maintain a low Power Factor and the
additional energy costs and losses incurred by CPAU due to the Customer’s low Power Factor.
Premise(s)
All structures, apparatusapparatuses, or portionportions thereof occupied or operated by an individual(s),
a family, or a business enterprise, and situated on an integral parcel of land undivided by a public street,
highway, or railway.
Primary Service
The Electric Distribution Service CPAU provides to a Customer’s Premises at a voltage level equal to or
greater than 1000 volts.
Private Lateral
A Private Lateral (also known as the Upper Sewer Lateral) is the portion of the Sewer Lateral that is
owned and maintained by the Customer. A Private Lateral typically is the upper portion of a Sewer Lateral
upstream from the City Sewer Cleanout. A Private Lateral may include the entire Sewer Lateral if a City
Sewer Cleanout is not present or if the Sewer Main is in a Public Utility Easement.
Producer
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 24
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 Dark Fiber
Service licensing fees, term of the Service, and summary of licensed Fiber Optic Infrastructure 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,
lanes, places, roads, sidewalks, sidewalk planter areas, streets, and wayssurface of and the space above
and below any street, road, highway, freeway, bridge, lane, path, alley, court, sidewalk, parkway, drive,
or any right-of-way or easement primarily dedicated to travel, now or hereafter existing within the City.
Public Utility Easements; Easement
The areas occupied or used by the City for the purpose of providing Utility Service and all related Services
offered by the City to the general public, the rights of which were acquired by easements appurtenant or
in gross, or other interests or estates in real property, or 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
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 25
Easements for Utility Services that have been recorded by the City with the Office of the Clerk-Recorder
offor the County of Santa Clara, California.
Public Works Department
See City of Palo Alto Public Works Department.
Rate Assistance Program (RAP)
A CPAU program that provides financial assistance to low-income or other qualifying households.
Rate Schedule
One or more Council-adopted documents including, as applicable, the City’s Municipal Fee Schedule,
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 that are necessary for the Interconnection of one or more Generating Facility(ies)
safely and reliably to the CAISO-controlled grid.
Renewable Electrical Generation Facility
A Generation Facility eligible for NEM 1 under California Public Utilities Code section 2827 et seq. as
the same may be amended from time to time.
Reserved Capacity
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 26
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 a separately meteredMetered single family or multi-family domestic dwelling.
Restoration of Service
The reactivation of a Utilities Account after: a) payment is received after Disconnection for non-payment,
or b) the operating condition of a Customer’s facility is brought into compliance with CPAU requirements.
See Utilities Rule and Regulation 9, “Disconnection, Termination, and Restoration of Service.”
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, and 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 27
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 Service Drops, the overhead Fiber Optics cableCable from the last pole or other aerial
support to the building or other structure to and including the termination box.
Services or Service Lines
TheCPAU Facilities of CPAU, excluding transformers and Meters, between CPAU’s infrastructure and
the Point of Delivery to the Customer. “Services” or “Service Lines” as used in this definition are distinct
from the Electric, Fiber Optic, Gas, Water, and Wastewater Collection Utility Services offered by the City
of Palo Alto.
Service Territory
The geographic area within the boundaries establishing the city limits of Palo Alto and /or served by
CPAU’s physical Distribution System.
Sewer Lateral
The Sewer Lateral is a pipe that takes an individual building’sPremise or Premises Wastewater to the
Wastewater Main in the Public Right-of-Way or in a Public Utility Easement. CPAU owns and is
responsible of the lower portion of the sewer lateral. Customer owns and is responsible of the upper
portion from the sewer cleanout to the premise.
Short Circuit (Current) Contribution Ratio (SCCR)
The ratio of thea 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 Distribution System.
Simplified Interconnection
An Interconnection conforming to the minimum requirements as determined under Utilities Rule and
Regulation 27. (Generating Facility Interconnections).
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.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 28
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.
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 wasteswaste or sewage, abandoned vehicles,
hazardous waste, recyclable materials or compostable materials.
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 Optic Cables are physically connected.
Standby Service
The 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 (sectionSection 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
A 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.
Submetering
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 29
Utility submeteringSubmetering 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. See Utilities Rule and Regulation 11, “Billing, Adjustment,
and Payment of Bills.”
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, imposition, license, or levy (including any Utility Users Tax) imposed on Charges by
any Agency, including the City.
Telemetering
The electrical or electronic transmittal of Metering data in real-time to CPAU.
Temporary Service
When Service is 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 until a Customer’s operating condition is brought into
compliance with CPAU regulations and requirements. This is assumed to be a temporary situation unless
service is permanently terminated and the Account is closed. See Utilities Rule and Regulation 9,
“Disconnection, Termination, and Restoration of Service.”
Therm
A Therm is a unit of heat energyunit of heat energy equal to 100,000 British Thermal UnitsBritish Thermal
Units (Btu). It is approximately the energy equivalent of burning 100 cubic feetcubic feet (often referred
to as 1 ccf) of natural Gas.natural Gas. Since Meters measure volume and not energy content, a Therm
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 30
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,
propaneethane, propane or butanebutane will have a higher Therm factor. Impurities, such as carbon
dioxidecarbon dioxide or nitrogennitrogen lower the Therm factor.
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 1 or NEM 2. The rated
generating capacity for each individual Renewable Electrical Generation Facility participating in NEM 1
or NEM 2 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 and Fiber-to-the-Premises 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.
Trap
Any approved equipment or appliance for sealing an outlet from a house-connection sewer to prevent the
escape of sewer Gasgas from a main line through a building connection (service) sewer.
Underground Utility District
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 31
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
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 thean Interconnection Agreement.
Upper Sewer Lateral
See Private 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 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 CityPublicCity’s Public Works Department.
Utility Service Application (Application)
A general CPAU Application form documenting an Applicant’s request for Electric, Water, Fiber, Gas
and Wastewater Service. The Application documents the Applicant’s contact information, billing
information and basic electric, water, fiber, gas and wastewater loading data necessary to approve, design
and install sufficient facilities based on Load and usage information provided by the Applicant.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No 32
Utility Users Tax (UUT)
A City of Palo Alto Tax imposed on Utility Charges to a Water, Gas, and/or Electric Service Customer.
Such Charges subject to Tax 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.sewage for residents and business owners in the
City of Palo Alto. 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
The 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
A Utility Service provided to residents and business owners in the City of Palo Alto for retail use. Potable
Water Service is provided by the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department.
Water Distribution
The process of delivering potable water to customers on a utility’s distribution system. Transmission lines
carry potable water from the San Francisco Public Utility Commission’s Hetch Hetchy System to
receiving stations in Palo Alto, which then distribute the water over distribution lines that extend
throughout the Service Territory. In cases of reduced water supply from Hetch Hetchy, local wells in Palo
Alto can also withdraw potable water from local aquifers and inject it into the Water Distribution System.
Water Column (WC)
A 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)
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
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 followingCity’s
complete Utility Rules and Regulations: which are published on the City’s website.
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 will 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 will 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 will be responsible for all costs of providing
Secondary or Primary Services at the alternate location.
dc. CPAU assumes no duty, responsibility or liability for inspecting, validating or
approving the safe operating condition of the Customer’s Service, appliances, or
equipment downstream of the Utility Meter.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
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 or utility box, 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
c. ALTERNATE DELIVERY POINTS
1. Customers may request Secondary or Primary Services at an alternate Point of
Delivery other than CPAU’s normal Point of Delivery. If approved by CPAU,
the Customer will be responsible for all costs of providing Secondary or
Primary Services at the alternate location and may be subject to Special
Facilities Charges.
2. 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 3
3. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
a. PAD-MOUNTED EQUIPMENT
All new equipment in underground areas required to provide Electric Service to a
Customer will be pad-mounted. In addition, any three-phase Electric Service
connection and any Electric Service connection rated greater than 400 Amps which is
located either in an underground or overhead area must be served from aby
underground cables and pad-mounted transformerequipment.
The Utilities Director, or his/her designee, may authorize: 1) an exception to the pad-
mounted requirements 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, such as in locations with limited access
byor a lack of suitable space for utility equipment. Such installations will be considered
“Special Facilities” as defined in Rule and Regulation 20, and the Applicant will be
responsible for theall costs described in that Rule and outlined in the Service Contract
asas further described in Rule and Regulation 520.
b. ALTERNATE POINT OF DELIVERY LOCATIONS
Alternate Point of Delivery locations cause delays in repairs or Service restoration
during emergencies. If the Applicant wants a Point of Delivery at a location other than
at the locationthat determined by CPAU, CPAU will work with the Applicant to assist
in the selection of, and must approve, the alternate Point of Delivery location for the
Electric Service equipment within the boundaries of the Applicant’s property. When
the Applicant chooses aAlternate 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 locationlocations will cause CPAU personnel to incur delays
when performing repairs or Service restoration during emergencies. In addition to
beingbe considered “Special Facilities” as defined in Rule and Regulation 20, and the
Applicant will be responsible to pay for the initial cost of installation of such Electric
Service equipment in an alternate location, the Applicant will also be responsible to
pay for, as well as 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.
c. SCREENING
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 4
Any installation intended to assist in visual screening of Electric Service equipment by
landscaping or structures must be constructed in a manner which meets all of CPAU’s
clearance standards. CPAU will assist Customers/Applicants in identifying acceptable
screening alternatives to minimize aesthetic impacts of Electric Service equipment. The
plans for such screening must be approved by the CPAU prior to beginning work on
the screening installation.
4. EMERGENCY AND STANDBY SERVICES
CPAU may provide back-up, Emergency, and other Standby Service to Customers, at its
sole option and discretion, as Special Facilities. See Rule and Regulation 20 "Special
Electric Utility Regulations" regarding special Service Facilities requirements.
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 120/240240V,
3 -wire or 240/120120V, 4-wire Services must have the capability of converting to a
120/208208V, 3 -wire or 208 Y/120208Y/120V, 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
120/240240V, 3 -wire 240/120120V, 4-wire* 12,470, 3-wire
120/208208V, 3-wire 240, 3208Y/120V, 4-wire*
208 Y/120480Y/277V, 4-wire
480 Y/277, 4-wire
*Only available in special conditions as determined by the Electric Engineering
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 5
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 41604,160 volt Primary Service to 12,470 volt Service. If CPAU notifies
the 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. The Customer will bear all costs of providing
suitable Service equipment to receive Service at the new voltage.
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
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 6
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 Point of Delivery as deemed necessary by the
Customer.
e. The Customer will be responsible for designing and operating its Service 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 may 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 will test for excessive
fluctuations at its own expense. Voltage checks requested by the Customer more
than once in any twelve -month period will be paid by the Customer, unless CPAU
determines that excessive voltage fluctuation exists that does not originate from the
Customer’s equipment.
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,
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 7
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 will be 400 amperes, unless approved by the Utilities
Director or his/her designee. If the Load exceeds the capability of a 400-
ampere single phase Service, then the Service will be three-phase.
2. In locations where CPAU maintains a 120/208 volt secondary system, 3-
wire single-phase Service normally will 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
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 Amperes300kVA
240 5 hp, 3-phase connected 400 Amperes
208Y/120 Demand Load 75 kVA 500 kVA
480Y/277 Demand Load 11275 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, willmay 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 for installations meeting the
requirements of section 7(b). If three-phase Service is not readily available,
Service will be provided in accordance with Rule and Regulation 20,
Special Electric Utility Requirements.
3. Residential Applicants or Customers requestingwhose load justifies a three-
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 8
phase Service will 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 75075 kVA, as determined by CPAU, will be served
by a padmountpad-mount transformer. No submersible or vault-installed
transformers in excess of 750 kVA will be installed by CPAU. Where an
existing underground Service must be upgraded beyond 750 kVA, the
Customer will be required to provide adequate space for installation of the
padmountpad-mount transformer. In the event the Customer is unable to
provide adequate space for the padmount transformer, then the Customer
must make arrangements at his or her expense to receive Service at primary
voltage and associated equipment.
c. THREE-PHASE SERVICE (OVER 2,000 480 VOLTS)
The following three-phase primary voltage may be available as an isolated Service
for a single Applicant; and, where that Applicant’s Demand Loadpeak demand
justifies such voltage. The determination will be made, as determined by CPAU.
in its sole discretion.
Nominal Voltage Minimum Demand Maximum Demand
Normal Voltage Bank Installed Load Permitted
4,160 500 kVA 3,600 kVA
12,470 1,000 kVA 1110,000 kVA
Note: 4,160 volt Services will not be furnished for new Services.
8. TEMPORARY SERVICE
Temporary Service is Electric Service which, as determined by CPAU in its sole discretion,
is of an indefinite or impermanent duration at a single location, or any other Service which
CPAU estimates will 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
if all of the following conditions are met:
a. The Customer is solely responsible for any and all costs of CPAU’s provision
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 9
and/or removal of Temporary Service, including any Temporary Service and/or
Connection Charges.
b. The Applicant for such Temporary Service can apply for Service on an Application
form provided by CPAU Engineering and must pay to CPAU in advance the cost
of installing and removing any facilities necessary in connection with the furnishing
of suchTemporary Service by CPAU.
c. Each Applicant for Temporary Service must prepay a Temporary Service Charge
in accordance with Electric Service Connection Charges in Rate Schedule E-15.
d. If the Temporary Service connection time exceeds one- year, the Customer must
apply for an extension of the Temporary Service and pay applicable Charges. The
Director of Utilities or his/her designeeThe Engineering Manager will determine if
the Service should be reclassified as a permanent Service. If the Applicant fails to
seek an extension for Temporary Service that exceeds one- year, CPAU may
disconnect the 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. DARK FIBER OPTIC SERVICE
Dark 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 Regulations,” regarding special Service
requirements. All CPAU fibers terminate within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City
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DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 10
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 Optic cable installations.
3. QUALITY
Dark Fiber routes in the City of Palo Alto are comprised of single mode Fiber Optic cable
that complies with generally accepted industrial standards and specifications. All
construction is done using industry accepted techniques and procedures. All constructed
routes are Performance Testedperformance tested to assure the industry quality standards
are met.
D. WATER SERVICE
1. 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 Regulations”
regarding special Service requirements.
2. 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.
3Water quality information is available in the Annual Water Quality Report published by
CPAU.
3. CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION
ASSEMBLIES
As part of the City of Palo Alto’s Water Service, the Utility maintains a Cross-Connection
Control Program (CCCP) to safeguard the public drinking water system from pollutants
and contamination. Cross-connections—any actual or potential connection between
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DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 11
potable water and a non-potable source—can pose a risk to water quality. Backflow, the
reversal of water flow from a Customer’s Premise into the public water system, can
introduce contaminants and compromise the safety of the water supply.
To prevent this, the City requires Backflow Prevention Assemblies at Service connections
where a cross-connection hazard has been identified. Customers are responsible for
ensuring that required Backflow Prevention Assemblies are installed, tested annually, and
properly maintained in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code (HSC)
Section 116555 (a)(2), and the latest Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook adopted
by the State Water Resources Control Board. The City provides annual notifications to
Customers with testing requirements and maintains a list of certified backflow testers.
Customers failing to meet the Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention
Assembly requirements may experience Service interruptions, fees, or other enforcement
actions necessary to protect the integrity of the public water system.
1.4. 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, upon request, as are available in its general Distribution System. If low
Water pressure occurs due to additional on-site development, it will be the responsibility
of the property ownerCustomer to replace the existing Water Service with a new Water
Service designed for the current site. All costs of the required new Service upgrade will
be borne by the property ownerCustomer.
4.
5. 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.
5.6. 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.
E. GAS
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DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 12
1. TYPES OF SERVICES
CPAU provides Gas supply, transportation, and Distribution Services.
2. KIND AND HEATING VALUE
CPAU purchases Gas from multiple 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 Customer’s 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
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.
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DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 13
3. DETERMINATION OF THERMS TO BE BILLED
The unit of measure for billing is the Therm. Gas Meters measure the volume of Gas in
cubic feet of gas (cf) 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 cf) 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 cf, 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
stormStorm and surfaceSurface 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 are required for satisfactory
drainage, as approved by the Water, Gas, and Wastewater Engineering Manager. If the
elevation of the basement floor is above the rim elevation of the next upstream manhole,
Applicant must 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 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
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DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 14
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 (RWQCP) 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 System 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 system 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.contracted refuse
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 the City’s Collector.contracted refuse
collector. Customers must subscribe to 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 period, unless a different frequency for a collection schedule has been
approved or directed by Public Works. Each Customer will receive collection Services on
a specified day of each week and use the City Collector’scontracted refuse collector’s
provided Containers for Service. Customers wanting to supply their own container must
check with the City Collectorcontracted refuse collector to ensure compatibility with the
collection vehicles. The automatic standard Service for Solid Waste Service Charge is one
32-gallon Container for Residential Service and one 64-gallon Container for Commercial
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DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 15
Service. All Customers may change Service levels to meet their refuse needs as specified
above.
Solid Waste in excess of the Service Charge subscribed by the Customer will be removed
by the City’s Collectorcontracted refuse collector for an additional Charge upon Customer
request or notification. Customers exceeding their subscribed Service 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 will 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)
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APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council Effective 10-21-201906-01-2026
Sheet No 1
A. APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
1. This Rule applies to all Metered and Unmetered Utility Services. Metered Services
include Electric, Fiber Optic, Water, Gas and Wastewater Collection Utility Services are
provided by the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department (CPAU), andWater Service.
Unmetered Services include Refuse and Recycling, and Storm and Surface Water Drainage
Services are provided by the City of Palo Alto Public Works Department. CPAU process
all, and Wastewater Collection, as well as Dark Fiber licensing and Fiber Broadband
Internet subscriptions, which require separate Customer agreements whose application
requirements may vary from this Rule. CPAU processes applications for all Services.
Metered and Unmetered Services:
Refuse and Recycling, Storm and Surface Water Drainage, and Wastewater Collection are
unmetered Utility Services. Electric, Gas, and Water Services are Metered Services.
Monthly Charges for unmetered Utility Services are applied to an existing Account when
at least two of the three Metered Services are also active and the Account is in good
standing (not suspended).
2. An Applicant’s request for Service does not bind the City to serve except under conditions
reasonable and acceptable to CPAU in its sole discretion, nor does it bind the Customer to
take Service for a longer period than the minimum requirements of the applicable Service.
3. CPAU will requirerequires each prospective CustomerApplicant for Service to provide any
information that may be reasonably needed for CPAU to furnish Service, administer the
Account, and to allow for 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
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APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council Effective 10-21-201906-01-2026
Sheet No 2
Account.
For Commercial Customers:
a. Legal business name.
b. Responsible party for Utilities bill payment.
c. Address of Premises to be served.
d. Federal Tax ID number.
For all Customers:
a. Effective date of Service.
b. Physical address to which bills or other communications are to be
mailed or delivered.
c. Whether Premises have been previously served. If the Applicant requires
Service upgrades, and/or new Meters installed, 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.
c. Email to which bills or other electronic communications are to be delivered.
d. Whether Applicant is the property owner, agent or tenant of Premises to be served.
e. Purpose for which Service is to be used, for North American
Industry Classification System reporting purposes.
f. Rate Schedule desired, if an optional rate is available.
g. Identifiers, unique to the Applicant or Customer, as 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 (last 4 digits);
2. California Driver’s License Number;
3. Passport Number;
4. Employer Name;
5. Business Telephone;
6. Primary Contact Telephone Number (also used for emergencies);
7. Alternate Contact Telephone Number;
8. Email Address.
Customer refusal to provide a required identifier will terminate the Application
for Service process.
4. Applicants for Commercial Service at more than one location must furnish information and
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APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council Effective 10-21-201906-01-2026
Sheet No 3
establish credit for each location in accordance with section A.3 and Rule and Regulation
6 (Establishment and Re-establishment of Credit).
5.
For Residential Customers:
a. Legal name of Applicant.
b. Name, contact information, and Government-issued ID, of a spouse, domestic
partner or other Person(s) identified as a responsible party for the Account by the
Applicant who is 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.
The Applicant and additional responsible parties on the same Application for
Service or established Account will be jointly and severally liable for Utility
Services supplied. Only one bill will be rendered for such joint Service. Applicants
may designate a third party to receive notices of termination, discontinuance of
Service, or other matters affecting the provision of Service.
c. If a Customer becomes incapacitated, that Customer’s spouse, domestic partner, or
responsible party can be added to the Account upon furnishing legally valid proof
of the Customer’s incapacity.
d. If a Customer is deceased, that Customer’s Account will be closed and the deceased
Customer’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, responsible party, or estate
executor who is not currently listed on the account may apply to establish a new
Utility Account for the Premises.
For Commercial Customers:
a. Legal business name.
b. DBA Name (if applicable)
c. Responsible party for Utilities bill payment.
d. Responsible party for Bankruptcy.
ed. Address of Premises to be served.
6. A tenantfe. Federal Tax ID number.
gh. Applicants for Water Service must comply with the City of Palo Alto Utility Rule
and Regulation 21, (E) Water System Protection. Customers must complete and
provide CPAU with a Hazard Survey to identify actual or potential Cross
Connection risks, determine the degree of hazard at the Service connection, and
establish the appropriate level of backflow protection required. The Hazard Survey
will be included as part of the Water Service Application and is administered in the
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APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council Effective 10-21-201906-01-2026
Sheet No 4
form of a written questionnaire, available from CPAU upon request or at
www.paloalto.gov/backflow.
4. An Applicant who opens an Account for a metered Service serving more than one
dwellingfacility will be required to provide a letter in writingwritten confirmation to CPAU
that he or shethe Applicant understands that the Meter(s) serves additional dwellings and
that he or she is willing to acceptfacilities and the Applicant accepts responsibility for all
Charges on said Meter(s). Otherwise, the Account may be opened in the name of the
property owner or property manager.
B. CHANGE IN CUSTOMER’S EQUIPMENT OR OPERATION
1. Customers must 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 to the contrary, no change or alteration of any
Utility Service, agreement, connection, or facility, including any installation or
reinstatement thereof, will 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. RIGHTS OF WAY
The CityCPAU will not connect with, or render Service to, an Applicant unless and until the
ApplicantCPAU has obtained or been granted all necessary Utility operating rights, including
rights-of-way, Easements, and Applicant has obtained all necessary permits.
DC. RESALE PROHIBITED
1. Customers may use Services only for the purposes specified at the time of application for
Service. Utility Services may not be resold to another entity except as provided in this Rule.
Section D.1. “SUBMETERING AND MASTER-METERING”.
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
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APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council Effective 10-21-201906-01-2026
Sheet No 5
the City.
23. Sub-metering of individual units is considered resale of Utilities Services and is prohibited
by this Rule and Regulation, with the exception of Submetering and Master-Metering,
which are permitted where conducted in accordance with Section ED.1. “SUBMETERING
AND MASTER-METERING” of this Rule.”.
ED. SUBMETERING AND MASTER-METERING
1. 1. Property owners/managers may allocate the cost of Submetering 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, as applicable.
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.Whenever Gas or Electrical Service, or both, is provided by a Master-Meter customer
to users who are tenants of a mobile home park, apartment building, or similar residential
complex, the Master-Meter Customer shall charge each user of the Service at the same rate
that would be applicable if the user were receiving gas or electricity, or both, directly from
the gas corporation or load-serving entity, as defined in California Public Utilities Code
Section 380. 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 Utility bill to the tenant upon request, including
current Utility costs, copies of prior 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’s Landlord/Tenant
Mediation Services Mandatory Response Program.
2. Customers 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
Charges is the responsibility of the license holder.
(END)
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SERVICE CONTRACTS
RULE AND REGULATION 5
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council Effective 6-20-201606-0111-2026....................................... Sheet No 1
A. TYPES OF SERVICE AND INSTALLATION CONTRACTS
For all Utility Services provided, the
The City in its sole discretion may require a written agreementcontract for new or existing
Customers. Contracts, whenrever a Customer requires or requests installations or relocations of
CPAU-owned or maintained infrastructure, upgrades and modifications to CPAU-owned and
maintained infrastructure, and/or special Utility Services from CPAU. CPAU’s contract
requirement may apply to standard, custom, or special installations and Service offerings.
The following is an illustrative and non-exclusive list of special Services and installations 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.a written contract between Customer and CPAU:
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. Special Metering and/or Billing Services
7. Special Energy Services
8. Long-term Service agreements greater than 3 years
9. Loans and leases to finance efficiency improvements at a Customer’s site
10. Loans and leases to improve power quality or reliability at a Customers’ site
11. Standby Service
12. Purchase, lease, installation, connectioninterconnection, or maintenance of on-site or
distributed generation or Energy Storage Facility.
13. All Dark Fiber Optic Services
14. ReserveReservation of Electric Capacity
15. Installation of additional Service or lateral connections
16. Fiber Internet Services
B. CONTRACT APPLICATION PROCEDURES
1. Customers shall complete and execute applicable contract 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 costs, fees and deposits in accordance with the terms of
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SERVICE CONTRACTS
RULE AND REGULATION 5
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council Effective 6-20-201606-0111-2026....................................... Sheet No 2
the contract.
4. Customers shall comply with the City’s insurance requirements.
(END)
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DISCONNECTION, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-011-2026
Sheet No 1
A. CUSTOMER-INITIATED TERMINATION OF UTILITY SERVICE
1. A Customer requesting termination of Utility Service(s) must notify the CPAU Customer
Service Office, in writing, at least three business days before the Customer’s requested
Service termination effective date. Upon receipt of such notice, CPAU has no obligation
to render a Service (whether metered or unmetered) after the requested termination
effective date of such change, and CPAU will discontinue the Customer’s responsibility
for that Service. Final bills will be prorated. Customer must provide a forwarding address
for Service supplied to the Premises after that date. final billing purposes.
2. A Customer vacating a Premise to move to another Premise served by CPAU, but
wishing Service to continue beyond the date vacated, must provide an a termination
effective date of termination to the CPAU Office or Call Center at the time of the request
for establishment of Service for the new Premise. The Customer is financially responsible
for all Service supplied prior to the Service end date, and Customer must provide a
forwarding address for final billing purposes.to the vacated Premises.
B. CPAU-INITIATED TERMINATION OR DISCONNECTION OF SERVICE FOR
REASON OTHER THAN NON-PAYMENT
CPAU may terminate or temporarily disconnect Utility Service when an existing Customer,
through action or inaction, has not complied with Utility Servicethe requirements as stated inof
these Rules and Regulations, or with other applicable lawsLaws. CPAU will terminate or
disconnect Utility Service as a last resort. Actions that warrant termination or disconnection 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 responsible for all associated Charges from the date of initial Service as
determined by CPAU, up to the maximum period allowed by lawLaw.
2. Vacating Premises without notification to CPAU.
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DISCONNECTION, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-011-2026
Sheet No 2
3. Tampering, damaging, interfering with or destroying CPAU equipment, facilities or
property. Customers will be liable for all damage to CPAU arising from negligence, lack
of proper care, or wrongful act of the Customer or Customer’s tenants, agents, employees
or contractors.
4. Nonpayment of bills or anyof proper Charges from special fees, licensing agreements,
loans or returned check(s) due to insufficient funds in Customer’s bank account; failure to
establish credit, failure to provide adequate credit information, or failure to provide
required deposits.,
5. Failure to either (i) establish credit (either by failing to provide required credit information
or not meeting credit criteria)or (ii) provide required deposits.
6. Theft of Utility Service.
7. Willful waste of Water.
8. Unsafe wiring or equipment on Customer Premises or wiring or equipment that fails to
meet CPAU standards or applicable Law. CPAU reserves the right to inspect if CPAU
staff reasonably believes that unsafe conditions exist. If the Customer discovers any defect
in their Utility Service, the Customer must notify CPAU immediately.
9. 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 an acceptable level established by CPAU, or avoid the use of such
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DISCONNECTION, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-011-2026
Sheet No 3
equipment. Failure to comply with such mitigation and/or limitation requests may result in
immediate termination of Utility Service.
10. Placement, construction, or maintenance of any structure, vegetation, debris, or other
object upon the Customer’s Premises that, in CPAU’s judgment, endangers the safe and
reliable operation or maintenance of CPAU overhead or underground Electrical, Fiber
Optic, Water, Gas and Wastewater facilities.
C. PROCEDURES FOR CPAU-INITIATED DISCONNECTION OF SERVICE FOR
NON-PAYMENT
1. Prior to physical or remote disconnection for non-payment, CPAU will provide two written
notices to the Customer, and/or the third party the Customer has designated to receive such
notices, as applicable:
a. 10-Day Late Notice: The first “Late Notice” is issued 5 days after the bill due date
and informsInforms Customer that a late fee has been charged, and Customer must
pay the overdue amount by the date specified to avoid disconnection of Service.
b. 48-Hour Disconnect Notice: If payment is not received by the date specified in the
10-day notice, a Disconnect Notice will be delivered to the Customer’s Premises,
notifying the Customer that payment must be received within 48 hours or Utilities
Services will be disconnected for non-payment. If payment is not received within
the 48-hour period, Utilities Services may be disconnected without further notice.
The 48-hour Disconnect Notice will include:
(1) The name and address of the Customer whose Account is delinquent.
(2) The total amount of the delinquency and late fee.
(3) The date and time by which payment or arrangements for payment is required
to avoid disconnection of Service.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DISCONNECTION, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-011-2026
Sheet No 4
(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 is not required to contain
that information.
(4) The process for the Customer to request clarification or explanation of the 48-
hourHR noticeNOTICE;.
(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(6) The availability
of financial assistance, including private, local, state, or federal sources, if
applicable.
(7) The CPAU telephone number of a representative of CPAU whothat can provide
additional information or institute arrangements for payment.
2. Customers may contact CPAU Customer Service Center to discuss options for averting
disconnection of Service for non-payment:
IN PERSON
City of Palo Alto Utilities
Customer Service Center, Ground Floor/Lobby
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
BY TELEPHONE
PHONE: 650-329-2161
BY MAIL
City of Palo Alto Utilities
Customer Service Center
PO Box 10250
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DISCONNECTION, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-011-2026
Sheet No 5
BY E-MAIL
UtilitiesCustomerService@cityofpaloaltopaloalto.gov
BY CPAU ONLINE PORTAL
MyCPAU.org
3. Deferred or Reduced Payments Policy: Customers may contact CPAU Customer Service
Center to request deferred or reduced payments based on Customer’s demonstrated
financial need.. If deferred payments are approved, CPAU will notify the Customer in
writing of the terms of deferred or reduced payment.
4. Alternative Payment Schedule PolicyArrangements: Customers may contact
CPAUCPAU’s Customer Service Center to request an alternative payment schedule based
on Customer’s demonstrated financial need. An example of a possible alternative payment
schedule is the Budget Billing Payment Plan (BBPP) found in Rule and Regulation 11,
“Billing, Adjustment and Payment of Bills.” CPAU will notify the Customer in writing of
the terms of the alternative payment schedule.
5. To avoid disconnection of Utility Service, a Customer’s outstanding Account balance may
be transferred to another Account in the same class of Servicegood standing in that
Customer’s name at another location served by CPAU.
6. To avoid disconnection of Utility Service, CPAU may 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 the Account Service(s) will be subject to
disconnection after expiration of a 48-hour Disconnect Notice.
7. Customers whose Utility Service has been disconnected for non-payment will have their
Accounts referred to a collection agency when past-due balances exceed 180 calendar days.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DISCONNECTION, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-011-2026
Sheet No 6
8. Residential metered Utility Services will not be disconnected for non-payment of a bill on
any Friday, Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or at any time during which the Utilities
Customer Service Lobby Office or telephone Call Center is closed. Online payments may
take up to 24 hours to be received by CPAU.
9. Payments delivered to a City Hall Drop-Box (Plaza or A-Level Garage) and payments
made on-line via a City portal may take up to 24 hours to be received and processed. It is
therefore strongly recommended that Customers who have received a 48-hour disconnect
notice make payment by contacting the Customer Service Center by telephone or in person.
10. Payments made via mail or via a third-party electronic system can take up to 24 hours to
process after they have been received by CPAU. CPAU cannot be responsible for the
amount of time it takes USPS or a third-party electric system to carry or transmit such a
payment to CPAU.
9.11. Utility Service will not be disconnected for non-payment of an incorrect bill until
the final corrected bill becomes past due.
10. CPAU’s Disputed Bills Policy can be found in Rule and Regulation 11, “Billing,
Adjustment, and Payment of Bills.”
11.12. Utility Service will not be disconnected for non-payment 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 Customer within thirty calendar days of the Customer’s notification to CPAU of the
bill dispute.
12.13. Customers in need of assistance with bill payment for their UtilityCPAU Service,
due to a reduction in household income resulting from 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 California Military and Veterans Code, Section
827, as amended. CPAU, at its option, may extend these protections for an additional 180
days.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DISCONNECTION, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-011-2026
Sheet No 7
D. PRIOR NOTICE EXCUSED IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS
CPAU may immediately terminate Utility Services, without notice, for an unauthorized action of
a Customer, including, but not limited to:
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 law. CPAU reserves the right to inspect if CPAU staff
reasonably believes that unsafe conditions exist. If the Customer discovers any defect in
their Utility Service, the Customer must notify CPAU immediately.
4. 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 an acceptable level established by CPAU, or avoid the use of such
equipment. Failure to comply with such mitigation and/or limitation requests may result in
immediate termination of Utility Service.
5. Placement, construction, or maintenance of any structure, vegetation, debris, or other
object upon the Customer’s Premises that, in CPAU’s judgment, endangers the safe and
reliable operation or maintenance of CPAU overhead or underground Electrical, Fiber
Optic, Water, Gas and Wastewater facilities.
E.D. REMOTE DISCONNECT/RECONNECT
CPAU will use the remote disconnect reconnect enabled electric meter function for Customer
Electric Meters on Customer Electric Services. The use of remote disconnect reconnect Electric
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DISCONNECTION, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-011-2026
Sheet No 8
Meters allows for the disconnection and/or reconnection of an Electrical Service to a Service
address without CPAU staff being physically present where the electric Meter is located. Customer
is fully responsible for any impacts resulting from the disconnection at the Service address. CPAU
reserves the right to remotely reconnect the Electric Meter and it is the Customer’s full
responsibility to ensure that all equipment and appliances at the service address pose no potential
hazard if and when the Electric Meter is reconnected and the Electric Service is restored.
Remote disconnect /reconnect enabled Electric Meters may be installed at any location identified
by CPAU using the following guidelines:
• A service address that has a high rate of move-in and move-out events where multiple
Accounts are opened and closed within a 36-month span.
• Any service address that has been physically disconnected for non-payment more
than one time in the previous 12 months.
• A Meter site location is deemed inaccessible or hazardous for CPAU personnel to
access.
A remote disconnect/reconnect Electric Meter allows CPAU to disconnect or reconnect Electrical
Service to the Service address without CPAU staff physically accessing the electric Meter. CPAU
reserves the right to remotely reconnect the Electric Meter and it is the Customer’s sole
responsibility to ensure that all equipment and appliances at the service address pose no potential
hazard if and when the Electric Meter is reconnected and the Electric Service is restored.
F.E. RESTORATION OF SERVICE
1. If a disconnection has been made as a result of non-payment, CPAU will physically restore
or remotely reconnect Service to athe disconnected Account whenonce the financial cause
for disconnection has been rectified and Customer has paid all proper Charges due,
including any additional deposits or reconnection Charges.
2. If a disconnection has been made for any reason other than nonpayment, CPAU will
physically restore or remotely reconnect Service to a terminatedthe disconnected Account
when it determines that the physical cause for termination has been rectified, safe operating
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
DISCONNECTION, TERMINATION AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
RULE AND REGULATION 9
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-011-2026
Sheet No 9
conditions have been restored, and the engineering and operations requirements for Service
have been met, including compliance with CPAU Rules and Regulations.
(END)
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 1
A. OWNERSHIP OF AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR METERING EQUIPMENT
CPAU will own and maintain all Meters, Meter-related equipment and regulators for measuring
Electric, Water, and Gas usage by the Customer. For Electric Service, this includes instrument
transformers, phase shifting transformers, test switches, and connecting circuitry necessary for
measuring Electricity used by the Customer.
B. METER INSTALLATIONS
1. LOCATION
a. All Meters will be installed by CPAU upon the Customer Premise, and located to
be at all times accessible by CPAU or its authorized representatives for
maintenance, inspection, reading, and testing. Meter location must be approved by
CPAU; placement of Meters above the ground-floor level is not permitted.
b. When required in order to comply with current CPAU Rules and Regulations and
Utility Standards, the Customer must, at the Customer’s expense, relocate the Meter
or Meters to a CPAU-approved location.
2. CAPACITY OF METERS
a. 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
greater than 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.
b. CPAU may, at its option, provide Service to Primary Service Customers at Secondary
Service voltage, and apply an adjustment factor to compensate.
3. SEPARATE METERING IMPRACTICAL
Where, in the sole opinion of CPAU, it is impractical for CPAU to meter individually
each Premise or unit, CPAU may meter only those Premises or units that it is practical to
meter, if any.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 2
4. 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:
a. Where combinations of Meter Readings are specifically provided for in Rate
Schedules or via contract with the Customer;
b. Where CPAU’s operating convenience or necessity requires the installation
of two or more Meters on the Customer’s Premises.
5. SEALING OF METERS
All CPAU Meters will be sealed by CPAU and no such seal may 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.
6. 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).
7. ADDITIONAL METERING EQUIPMENT
CPAU may, at its discretion, install additional Metering Equipment for the purpose of
meeting quality control standards, updating outdated equipment, or otherwise improving
the functionality of its Utility Services.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 3
C. 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 individual Customers, Meters for each
Service will be located at one central point, per applicable CPAU standards or as
otherwise specified by CPAU. The building owner must clearly mark each Meter
position to indicate the particular location supplied by the Meter. Each Water and Gas
houseline must be tagged with a brass identification plate showing the final and legal
address served by each Meter.
If more than one Gas or Water Meter is required to serve a multiple-occupancy building,
such as a condominium or townhome, a Public Utility Easement will be required
for the Water and Gas Service Lines and Meters.
D. MULTI-UNIT STRUCTURES
New multi-unit residential structures or mixed-use residential and commercial structures
must include a Meter or a submeter for each dwelling unit, so that tenants can be billed
accordingly for their utility use. Requests for Master-metered multi-family Residential
Service are subject to review and approval by CPAU.
ED. 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. a Master Meter), except as provided
herein.
1. 1. RESIDENTIAL
a. Customers for whom Water, Gas, and Electric Master-metering was installed
prior to July 1, 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 on the same parcel, 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,
however, CPAU may require individual Meters to be installed due to new
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 4
construction, reconstruction or remodeling on the impacted Premises, to
conform with applicable law, including current City Building and Utility
Standards.
b. When multiple tenants/units are served through a Master-metered Service
Connection, the Master-meter Customer may resell the Service to tenants/units,
provided either of the following conditions are met:
i. Services are separately metered and resold at rates identical with the CPAU
rates that would apply if that Service was furnished to the individual tenants
or units directly by CPAU, regardless of the rate the Master-meter Customer
is charged; or,
ii. The charge to the tenants or units for such Service is absorbed in the rental
charges for that individual tenant or unit with no separate identifiable
charge for the Service, and the rent does not vary with consumption.
2. MULTI-FAMILIY RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED USE MULTI UNIT
BUILDINGS
a. New multi-unit residential structures or mixed-use residential and commercial
structures must include a Meter or a submeter for each dwelling unit, so that
tenants can be billed accordingly for their utility use. Requests for Master-
metered multi-family Residential Service are subject to review and approval
by CPAU.
Customers for whom Water, Gas, and Electric Master-metering was installed
prior to July 1, 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 on the same parcel, 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, however,
CPAU may require individual Meters to be installed due to new construction,
reconstruction or remodeling on the impacted Premises, to conform with
applicable law, including current City Building and Utility Standards. New
Master-metered multi-family Residential Service requests must meet all
applicable Utilities and Metering standards and are subject to CPAU approval.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 5
When multiple tenants/units are served through a Master-metered Service
Connection, the Master-meter Customer may resell the Service to tenants/units,
provided either of the following conditions are met:
Services are separately metered and resold at rates identical with the CPAU rates
that would apply if that Service was furnished to the individual tenants or units
directly by CPAU, regardless of the rate the Master-meter Customer is charged;
or,
The charge to the tenants or units for such Service is absorbed in the rental
charges for that individual tenant or unit with no separate identifiable charge for
the Service, and the rent does not vary with consumption.D. MULTI-UNIT
STRUCTURES
New multi-unit residential structures or mixed-use residential and commercial
structures must include a Meter or a submeter for each dwelling unit, so that
tenants can be billed accordingly for their utility use. Requests for Master-
metered multi-family Residential Service are subject to review and approval
by CPAU.
32. NON RESIDENTIAL
CPAU in its sole discretion, may opt to provide Master-metered Gas Service and
Electric Service if either of the following conditions are met:
a. The building will contain shared Eelectric or Nnatural-Ggas appliances such as
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 multiple tenants.
EF. TOTALIZING METERING
CPAU may permit totalizing though a single Electric Meter of the Electricity delivered by
two or more separate Services if a Customer is served at primary voltage, has an estimated
or actual Load greater than 3,000 kVA, and all Services serve a contiguous site. Any
exception to CPAU’s standard Metering requirements must be explicitly addressed by a
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 6
Rate Schedule or Customer Contract (Rule 5).
FG. METER TESTS
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, Gas or 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 two percent (2%) under condition of normal operation.
1. Any Customer may request 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
if, under conditions of normal operation, the Electric, Gas, or Water Meter is found by
test to register more than two percent (2%) faster. Otherwise, the deposit will be
retained by CPAU to offset a portion of the cost of making such test. Deposits made
for Meter accuracy testing will be returned or waived if CPAU determines that the
Meter’s current condition requires testing or replacement in advance of the Meter’s
scheduled replacement date.
2. The Customer has the right to require that the test for Electric and Gas Meters be made
in their presence, or a representative’s presence at the Meter shop. Testing requested
for Water Meters will be sent to a third party to conduct the test. A written report giving
the result of the test will be supplied to the Customer upon request within ten (10) days
of the test.
A. H. BILLING PERIOD
1. CPAU will attempt to readcollect a reading for Water, Gas, and Electric Meters at
consistent intervals ranging from 27-33 days for each Billing Period.
GI. METER READING AND ESTIMATION
1. 2. Under normal conditions, bills will be based upon actualtransmitted Meter
readings. Under abnormal conditions, such asincluding, but not limited to Meter
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 7
malfunction, or lack of access to the Meter, or CPAU staffing limitations, the bill for a
Billing Period may be based upon estimated Meter readings, typically 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 to obtain a Meter reading for the following Billing Period
based on an actualupdated Meter reading.
2. 3. CPAU may estimate bills for unmetered Utility Service, for Utility Service from
Meters which have been tampered with, have experienced communication failure, 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..
3. 4. When the estimated Meter reading is higher than the actual Meter reading,
adjustments for consumption and cost will be made to the Customer’s next regularly
scheduled bill.
HB. 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 requires the installation of two
or more Meters on the Customer’s Premises.
C. “CUSTOMER READS OWN J. METER” PROGRAM READING ERRORS
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 participation in this program is at
the sole discretion of CPAUUnder certain circumstances, CPAU will adjust a Customer bill to
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 8
ensure accuracy. (See CPAU Rule 11 regarding billing adjustments related to error or
malfunction.)
IK. .
1. If a Customer reading is not received by CPAU in time for billing, an estimated
read(s) will be made by CPAU. 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 may 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.
D. OPT-OUT OF ELECTRIC AND GAS ADVANCED METERING
Subject to the following requirements, Customers may choose to opt out and temporarily
keep their existing (legacy) Meter by notifying CPAU in writing before a new Advanced
Metering Infrastructure (AMI)-enabled Meter is installed. Failure to notify CPAU in
writing will void the pre-installation opt-out procedure. If Customer contacts the CPAU to
opt out of AMI metering after the AMI Meter is installed, the Customer must be eligible
for and enroll in the Customer Reads Own Meter program, after which the AMI Meter’s
radio transmission communications will be turned off and disabled remotely, and Meters
will be read manually. Water meters are not eligible for opt-out.
Unless Customer specifically opts out in the advertised opt-out period:from AMI
metering (and is eligible to do so):
• All Customers will be upgraded to advanced metering
• New accounts will automatically participate in advanced metering.
1. Eligible Customers
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METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 9
1. ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS
• Customers selecting to opt -out of AMI (either with legacy Meter or inactive
advanced Meter) must participate in the “Customer Reads Own Meter” (CROM)
program.
• Customer must complete and sign a form acknowledging fees, terms, and
conditions of the “Customer Reads Own Meter” program.
• As part of the “Customer Reads Own Meter” program, Customer must provide
access for CPAU to read the Meters for verification on an annual basis. For such
purposes, Customer must provide Meter access to CPAU personnel during regular
business hours.
• Customer must opt out at the Account level, and the opt -out must be completed
by the Account holder.
2. Ineligible Customers
2. INELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS
• Customer will be ineligible to opt out for CROM, or Customer’s prior AMI opt-
out selection will be revoked, if a Customer has a record of violated any of the
followingRules.:
• Equipment tampering or electric/water/gas diversion
• Account is not current, not in good standing, or not in compliance with Utility
applicable CPAU Rules and Regulations.
• Obstructed Meter access for Meter reading and/or Meter maintenance
• A Meter site location that CPAU deemed inaccessible or hazardous for City of
Palo Alto personnel to access.
3. Opt-out Fees
a. Set Up Charge. The set up Charge is per residence, not per Meter. If Customer has
both an electric and gas Meter at their property, only one setup charge will be
added to the Account billing statement. However, if Customer would like to opt
out for other residences on their Account, there is a setup Charge for each
additional location.
• Legacy electric/gas meters: A one-time non-refundable set up Charge in
the amount shown in Rate Schedule C-1 will be billed on the residential
Customer Account. For Customers in the low-income program RAP, a
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METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 10
reduced the one-time non-refundable set up Charge as set forth in Rate
Schedule C-4 will be billed on the residential Customer Account.
b. Monthly Fees. In addition to the applicable monthly Customer Charge for
Service, a non-refundable monthly fee as shown in Rate Schedule C-1 will be
billed to the residential Account. For Customers in the low-income program RAP,
a non-refundable monthly fee in the amount shown in Rate Schedule C-4 will be
billed to the residential Account. The fee will cover the expense of processing
Customer self- reads.
c. There is no fee to opt in to AMI.
4. Opt-out Process:
a. Enrollment in Opt-out program:
OPT-OUT PROCESS
For Customer’s convenience, there are multiple ways to opt out of the advanced
MeterAdvanced Metering Infrastructure program.
• Use the online form on the CPAU Advanced Metering Infrastructure
webpage.
• Submit an opt-out request by visiting the City of Palo Alto Utilities Office,
250 Hamilton Ave. Ground Floor, Palo Alto CA 94301.
• By phone, by calling at (650) 329-2161.
b. Meter Maintenance and Reading for Opt-out Customers
• Customers who opt out of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) can keep
their existing legacy meter until the opt out period expiresMeter requires
replacement.
• If an advanced Meter has been installed or a legacy Meter is not available,
CPAU will disable the advanced Meter’s radio transmission communications.
• Customer will be required to participate in the CPAU “Customer Reads Own
Meter” program. This program allows a Customer to read (or photograph)
their own Meter and submit that information to CPAU on a monthly basis.
Customer must submit reads to any of the following:
Submit Reads:
Email: meter.readings@cityofpaloalto.org
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METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 11
Email: meter.readings@cityofpaloalto.org
Mail preprinted Meter Read Cards:
City of Palo Alto Utilities, Ground Floor
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Online,: through the Meter Reading Form found on CPAU’s website
JI. OPT-OUT FEES
a. Set Up Charge. The set-up Charge is per residence, not per Meter. If Customer
has both an Electric and Gas Meter at their property, only one setup charge will be
added to the Account billing statement. However, if Customer would like to opt
out for other residences (including same-lot Accessory Dwelling Units) on their
Account, there is a setup Charge for each additional residence.
• Legacy electric/gas meters: A one-time non-refundable set up Charge in
the amount shown in Rate Schedule C-1 will be billed on the residential
Customer Account. For Customers in the CPAU Rate Assistance Program
(RAP) a reduced one-time, non-refundable set up Charge as set forth in
Rate Schedule C-4 will be billed on the residential Customer Account.
Monthly Fees. E. METER READING ERRORS
Under certain circumstances, CPAU will adjust a Customer’s bill for reasons of accuracy.
(See CPAU Rule 11 regarding billing adjustments related to error or malfunction.)
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 correction within 30 calendar days.
b. In addition to the applicable monthly Customer Charge for Service, a non-
refundable monthly fee to cover the expense of processing Customer self-reads
will be shown in Rate Schedule C-1 and be billed to the residential Account. For
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METERS AND METER READING
RULE AND REGULATION 10
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 12
RAP Customers, a discounted non-refundable monthly fee in the amount shown
in Rate Schedule C-4 will be billed to the residential Account.
c. There is no fee to opt into AMI.
JK. “CUSTOMER READS OWN METER” (CROM) PROGRAM
The “Customer Reads Own Meter” (CROM) program is restricted to those Customers
having opted-out of participation in the CPAU Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
program, and allows CROM Customers to be responsible for the reading of CPAU Meters
located on their property and the transmittal of the Meter readings to CPAU Customer
Service. 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 participation in this program is at the sole discretion of CPAU.
1. 1. If a Customer’s CROM reading is not received by CPAU in time for billing for two
consecutive months, then estimated read(s) will be made by CPAU. Failure by the
Customer to provide Meter readings shall result in termination of participation in the
CROM program, and installation of AMI meters for the account, if an AMI Meter is
not currently in place.
1.
2. 2. On an annual basis, CPAU will physically read the CROM Meters for verification
of consumption. For such purposes, Meter access by CPAU personnel at
reasonable hours must be provided by the Customer.
(END)
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BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
A. BILLING UNITS
All metered billing units used for billing purposes shallwill be determined to the nearest whole
unit. Such units may include, kW, kWh, kVA, kVar, hp, Therms, and/or ccf.
B. BILLING PERIOD
The average billing period for CPAU Water, Gas, and Electric Meters ranges from 27-33 days for
each Billing Period. Billing periods may occasionally fall outside this range due to specific
circumstances, such as the length of the month, or holiday impacts on bill processing.
B.C. 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.
City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) issues bills to Customers on a regular Billing Period interval.
For the convenience of Customers there are a number of ways to paymake on-time and late payments
for CPAU bills:
1. By enclosingmailing the bill stub (required) and a check and mailing to: CPAU, P.O. Box
1009710250, Palo Alto, CA 94303-0897.
2. By enrolling in auto-pay bank draft. or automated clearing house (ACH) payments.
Payments will be electronically drafted from a Customer’s designated checking or saving
bank account and be automatically applied to the Customer’s Utility Account for eachthe
current Billing Period. Customers maycan enroll by calling Utilities Customer Service at
650-329-2161 or by signing up through the “MyCPAU” on-line portal at
https://mycpau.cityofpaloalto.org/portal/.https://mycpau.cityofpaloalto.org/portal/.
3. By establishing automated clearing house and/or wire transfer payments. To do this,
Customers may call Utilities Customer Service at 650-329-2161.
4. By paying in person at the Civic Center, Revenue Collections (“Customer Service”) or the
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BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
Utilities Customer Service Business counter, counters, located in the Ground Floor, lobby of
the Civic Center at 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
a.3. Credit card payments are accepted at both Monday through Thursday and Friday by
appointment only. These counters accept payments by credit card and check. Only the
Revenue Collections counter accepts cash or check. and the Utilities Customer Service
Business counter. Effective March 1, 2022, Customers are limited to a maximum credit card
payment of $5,000 per account, per monthly invoice, without incurring additional cost
recovery fees. Customers may call Utilities Customer Service at 650-329-2161 for a current
list of acceptable credit cards.
b. Effective March 1, 2022, credit card payments over the $5,000 limit listed in 4(a)
will be assessed a cost recovery fee of up to 2.7 percent1 of the amount over $5,000,
to recover the merchant fees imposed upon CPAU for these payments.
c. Customers can pay delinquent bills with a credit card by phone by calling the
Utilities Customer Service Center during business hours.
5.4. 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.
6.5. By paying online through the “MyCPAU” on-line portal, accessible from the Utilities’
website at https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Utilities. Payment through the
“MyCPAU” on-line portal may be made by credit card or by bank draft.
7.6. By enrolling atmaking an electronic payment to CPAU using the services of a financial
institution or service company that can provide electronic makes third party payments to
CPAU on behalf of the Customer. Note that such payments are considered to have been
made on the date they are received by CPAU. CPAU cannot guarantee that such a payment
will be received by CPAU on the same day that the customer requests that the third -party
make the payment.
7. By making a credit card payment over the telephone by calling the Utilities Customer
Service Center (650-329-2161) during business hours.
8. By completing a “Revert to Owner (RTO) Agreement” in order to maintain Utilities
Service to units during the interim period between tenants (this. This option is available
only to Customers who are property managers and landlords)..
9. By agreeing to an amortization (“payment plan”) that has been offered by CPAU and timely
making all payments required under the plan. A customer may request a payment plan by
calling Utilities Customer Service at 650-329-2161. Payment plans will be offered at the
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BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
sole discretion of CPAU.
Customers are limited to a maximum credit card payment of $5,000 per Account, per Billing
Period invoice. Credit card payments that exceed this limit may be accepted and processed
by CPAU. However, any payment that exceeds this limit will be assessed a cost recovery
fee of up to 2.7 percent1 of the amount over $5,000 to recover the merchant processing fees
incurred by CPAU in connection with the credit card transaction. Customers should call
Utilities Customer Service at 650-329-2161 for the current list of credit cards accepted by
CPAU.
C.D. BUDGET BILLING PAYMENT PROGRAM (BBPP)
The Budget Billing Payment Program establishes equalized(BBPP) permits a Customer to make
monthly payments and isof a fixed amount that will be credited against their actual upcoming Bills
for a twelve-month period. A Customer who makes payments in the BBPP will not be treated as
delinquent during the applicable twelve-month period; however, the Customer is not excused from
paying, at the end of the twelve-month period, any amount billed that exceeds the actual payments
made. The BBPP is available to all Residential Customers who qualify as set forth below:
1. Customers may join the Budget Billing Payment ProgramBBPP at any time providing the
Customer Account balance is zero and the Customer has not been previously removed from
the Budget Billing ProgramBBPP for non-payment.
2. A Customer electing to utilize the program shallmust agree to make monthlybilling
payments based on CPAU’s forward estimate of the Customers’ Charges for the
subsequentupcoming twelve-month period.
3. CPAU does not guarantee that the total actual Charges will not exceed, or be less than, itsCPAU’s
original estimate. Customers should review their Account on an ongoing basis and request
1 Utilities-related credit card processing fees range between 0.5% and 2.7% of the payment amount, depending on the type of
credit card used by the Customer.
1 Utilities-related credit card processing fees range between 0.5% and 2.7% of the payment amount, depending on the type of
credit card used by the Customer.
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BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 03-01-202207-0111-2026
Sheet No 4
changes to the budget billing amount in response to changes in their household occupancy or
usage. CPAU may require that Customers pay a revised monthly amount as a condition to
continuing participation in the plan,BBPP if CPAU determines that substantial changes in
Customer usage patterns or consumption has occurredoccurs.
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 shallwill remain in effect, subject to review of
the monthly payment amount, and shallwill terminate when:
1. The Customer notifies CPAU, in writing, to terminate their participation in the Budget
Billing Program BBPP;
2.3. CPAU notifies the Customer, in writing, of thetheir termination ofin its Budget Billing
Payment Program BBPP:
3.4. The Customer no longer takes Service at the Premises; (Account closed); or
4.5. The Customer owes an amount ofis in arrears for two or more monthlybilling payments.
However, if the Customer eliminates the delinquency, removal from the program will not
occurthe Account returns to the BBPP in good standing.
6. If the Customer has multiple instances of delinquent payments within the twelve-month
BBPP period, CPAU, at its sole discretion, may terminate the Customer’s participation in
the BBPP.
Upon termination of either Utilities Service or participation in the Budget Billing Payment Program
BBPP, any amount owed by the Customer for actual Charges shallwill immediately become due and
payable, or any amount due to the Customer shallwill be refunded or credited.
E. INSUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR PAYMENT
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BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 03-01-202207-0111-2026
Sheet No 5
1. A ServiceReturned Payment 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 Ratethe Municipal Fee Schedule C-1.
2. Unsuccessful bank drafts (or other electronic payments initiated using CPAU systems) due
to insufficient funds will be subject to late payment fees in accordance with the Municipal
Fee Schedule.Rate Schedule C-1.
2.
3. Each instance of insufficient funds will be deemed to be a delinquent payment to CPAU.
F. PRORATION OF BILLS
1. Bills for Utilities 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
regardlessMetered volumetric consumption of the number of days in the Service period.
Servicesservices on utility bills will be prorated if the number of actual Service days differs of
service differ from the number of days in the applicable Billing Period. Non-volumetric Charges
such as Electric Demand (kW) and Electric Power Factor Charges(PF) 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 should 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.
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BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 03-01-202207-0111-2026
Sheet No 6
2. Bills for CPAU Services are due and payable within 20 calendar days following issuance
of the bill statement. Bills unpaid after the 20-day period are considered delinquent (“Past
Due”).
2.3. 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.
3.4. 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.
4.5. Full or partial payments towards outstanding balances If the amount of a payment is less
than the total amount owed to CPAU as of the date of the payment, the payment will be
first applied to the oldest outstanding Charges. Failure to pay all outstanding balances
willcan result in further accumulation of late fees and in the termination of Service for non-
payment.
5.6. In the event that a Customer who is 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, theThe Customer’s participation in ProjectPLEDGE will be discontinued after
three consecutive Billing Periodsbilling periods in which the Customer has not included
their pledge amount in the billtheir payment.
6.7. Customers whose UtilityCPAU bills include payments of principal and/or interest on loans
from CPAU which are secured by deeds of trust on real property shallwill be charged a late
payment Charge when any current UtilityCPAU bill includes an unpaid installment on such
loan from a prior bill. Nothing in this Rule and Regulation should be construed to alter in
any way the duty of the Customer to pay all installments on a CPAU loan when due, or to
alter the rights of CPAU to enforce the Customer’s obligation to pay such installments.
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 billthe accuracy of a Charge is questioned or disputed by the Customer, the Customers shallmust
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BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 03-01-202207-0111-2026
Sheet No 7
request an explanation from CPAU within the current Billing Period or as soon as reasonably
possible. After reviewing the disputed billCharge, CPAU will do one of the following:
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.
3.2. 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
1.
a. Where a Customer has been undercharged or overcharged for metered Service, the
date and cause of which can be reliably established by CPAU, the retroactive billing
adjustment (back bill or refund) shallwill not exceed three years. The maximum bill
adjustment for undercharges shall be $500 per Account, per incident.
1.b. When, as a result of either a CPAU-initiated or a Customer-initiatedrequested
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. bc. 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 basebased 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.
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BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 03-01-202207-0111-2026
Sheet No 8
2. dc. When, a Customer billing or consumption problem has been investigated
and verified, UtilitiesCPAU will attempt to notify the Customer within 30 working
days orthe same Billing Period or in a reasonable amount of time depending on
the complexity of the error problem.
3.e. When CPAU is the cause of an error that results in an overcharge, CPAU will refund
the full amount of the overcharge, subject to the three -year retroactive billing
adjustment period described above. Back bills for undercharges will be determined
and approved by the General Manager of Utilities, or delegate, and may be waived in
an amount up to $2,500 per Customer Account, per incident, subject to the three year
retroactive billing adjustment period described above.
f. When CPAU is the cause of an undercharge, CPAU will bill the full amount of the
undercharge, subject to the three-year retroactive billing adjustment period described
above. The Director of Utilities, or delegate, may allow the undercharge to be repaid
on an extended schedule basis.
J.3. UNMETERED SERVICE BILLING ERRORS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Where a Customer has been undercharged or overcharged for an unmetered Service, and the
start date and/or cause of which can be reliably established where a customer has been
undercharged or overcharged, the retroactive billing adjustment (back billovercharge or
undercharge) for that Service will not exceed three years.
3. BILLING AND PAYMENT ERRORS
Should CPAU discover other billing discrepancies, such as including charging the wrong
Customer account for Services rendered, CPAU reserves the right to retroactively reassign
the Charges to the correct Customer account at its discretion. This may include retroactively
reallocating charges, issuing refunds, or refund) shallmaking other billing adjustments as
deemed appropriate. The retroactive billing adjustment (overcharge or undercharge) will not
exceed three years.
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BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 03-01-202207-0111-2026
Sheet No 9
K.J. THEFT OF SERVICE
WhereNotwithstanding any other provision of this Rule & Regulation 11, where there is evidence
that meterMeter tampering or theft of Utility Service has occurred, CPAU will 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 shallwill 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 three-year retroactive
billing adjustment period will not apply. The labor and material costs related to investigating the
theft will be calculated in accordance with Municipal Fee ScheduleUtility Rate Schedule C-1
and/or any other applicable Utility Rate schedules. All underpayments or non- payments shallwill
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, customersCustomers 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 managerCity Manager, or
histheir designee shall, will 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 customerCustomer billed for theft of serviceService may offer evidence in person
or in the form of a written statement, setting forth the reasons why the customerCustomer believes
the determination of theft is incorrect. UtilitiesCPAU personnel shallwill also be allowed to offer
whatever evidence they may have as to why they have established the customer engaged in utilities
theft. The city managerCity Manager or histheir designee shallwill make a determination as to
whether the customer is liable for the charges for theft of serviceService.
L.K. WATER LEAK CREDITS BILL ADJUSTMENTS
The General ManagerDirector of Utilities, or delegate, may approve Water leak adjustments for
Customer’s Water and Wastewater Accounts (when Wastewater charges are based on Water
consumption) under the following conditions:
1. Customers having higher-than-average Water consumption for a particular billing
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 03-01-202207-0111-2026
Sheet No 10
period due to leaks may request a Water and/or Wastewater Leak bill adjustment, as
applicable.
1. Customers served with AMI water meters are not eligible for adjustments because
such Customers can receive email notifications based on City-set thresholds to alert
them of unusually high water flows and/or potential leaks.
2. Applications for Water and Wastewater leak bill adjustments must be submitted to the
Utilities Department within 60 days from the bill’s due date, for the bill covering the
period in which the higher-than-average Water consumption occurred.
3. Non-AMI Customers are restricted to one Water and/or Wastewater leak billing adjustment
request (which may cover Water, Wastewater, or both Water and Wastewater) in each 36-
month period.
4. Higher-than-average Water consumption is defined as the volume of water greater than
100% of the Customer’s normal consumption compared to the Customer’s historical
consumption over the prior three years, calculated by CPAU using prior averages for the
relevant billing periodBilling Period(s).
5. Leaking systems must be repaired before the non-AMI Customer receives a Water or
5. Wastewater leak bill adjustment, to ensure future bills are not impacted by the same leak.
Shutting off the source of the leak is not considered a repair. Undetermined or general high
water consumption is not eligible for adjustment.
6. Water leak bill adjustments will be applied to non-AMI Customer bills based on the
higher-than- average water volumes calculated by CPAU. Water leak bill adjustments
will be applied to 50% of the calculated higher -than -average water volume, to a limit of
$2,500, using the Tier 1 Commodity Rate cost of the appropriate residential or
commercial Water Rate Schedule.
7. Wastewater bill adjustments related to Water leaks will be made based upon the
adjusted Water volume, and are not included in the $2,500 Water leak bill adjustment
limit.
8.6. Utility User Tax (UUT) billing adjustments related to Water leaks will be made based upon
the adjusted Water volume and are not included in the $2,500 Water leak bill adjustment
limit.
1.7. Administrative decisions regarding Water and Wastewater leak bill adjustments,
including eligibility, volume calculations, and adjustment costs will be made by the
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
BILLING, ADJUSTMENTS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
RULE AND REGULATION 11
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 03-01-202207-0111-2026
Sheet No 11
General ManagerDirector of Utilities, or delegatetheir designee, and are final.
M.L. REFUSE BILLING ERRORS, DISPUTES AND ADJUSTMENTS
1. Adjustments Requests for adjustments to the Refuse bill shallwill be requestedforwarded
to the City’s Collector. Customers with adjustments adjustment requests unresolved by the
City’s Collector, may dispute theirfile a claim with the City’s Public Works Department,
/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.
2. When an error in Refuse 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 shallperiod will not exceed three years.
3. Refuse billing adjustments may only be approved by the Director of Public Works, or their
designee.
(END)
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
UTILITY SERVICE AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER PREMISES
RULE AND REGULATION 18
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No. 1
A. GENERAL
Rule and Regulation 18 outlines the general requirements governing Utility Services and
Facilities on Customer Premises in the City of Palo Alto. In addition, fFor information and
Rules specific to each type of Utility Service, please refer to the City’s following Special
complete Utility Rules and Regulations which are published on the City’s website:
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 and Recycling Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 25 – Special Storm and Surface Water Drainage Utility
Regulations
Rule and Regulation 26 – Special Fiber Optics Utility Regulation
B. SERVICE CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS
CPAU will connect Utility Service Lines of suitable capacity to CPAU infrastructure at a
Point of Service designated by CPAU, provided that:
1. The property to be connected or upgraded fronts on a public street, highway, alley,
lane, or right-of-way along which CPAU has or will install the appropriate
infrastructure;; or the property has a contiguous Easement or right-of-way along
which CPAU has or will install Utility infrastructurewhich has been provided
without cost or condemnation by the City, . along which CPAU may install the
appropriate infrastructure. Easements dedicated to the City must be obtained
without cost to the City, including any costs related to obtaining and recording the
Easement, or the requirement of condemnation by the City.
2. CPAU has approved, as applicable, the Customer’s Utility Service Application and
plans, Meter locations, Electric switchboard design and location, Water backflow
prevention device and Sewer backwater valve type and location, and any other plan
deemed necessary by CPAU to complete the connection and/or upgrade.
3. The Applicant has complied with CPAU and Building Department permit and
inspection requirements for the project and completed all installations of required
Service equipment and/or facilities in accordance with CPAU-approved plans
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
UTILITY SERVICE AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER PREMISES
RULE AND REGULATION 18
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No. 2
submitted by the Applicant, the Special Utility Regulations listed in section A
above, and any applicable Utility standards.
4. The Applicant has paid in full all required connection Charges and fees.
5. The City’s Building Inspector has approved the installation authorizing Service to
be activated and has issued Meter release tags.
C. OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR SERVICE LINES , FACILITIES,
AND EQUIPMENT
1. General
a. Unless otherwise noted in other City of Palo Alto Utilities Rules and
Regulations or CPAU Standards, all materials, facilities, and equipment
installed or used by CPAU, its agents, and employees on Customer
Premises will at all times be and remain the sole property of CPAU.
Customers must provide CPAU with immediate and unhindered access to
Customer Premises for any purpose connected with providing Utility
Service, including, but not limited to access, repair, replacement,
modification or removal of Utility facilities, equipment or material, at any
time. CPAU will attempt to notify and coordinate material and equipment
modifications with Customers when possible and in non-emergency
situations.
b. Customers must exercise reasonable care to prevent CPAU equipment on
Customer Premises from being damaged or destroyed and must refrain from
interfering with same. Customers must immediately notify CPAU upon the
discovery of any defect in CPAU equipment.
c. No rent or other Charge whatsoever is permitted to be charged by the
Customer against CPAU for placing, maintaining or accessing any Meters,
equipment, substations or other facilities on the Customer’s Premises that
are required to install, maintain, upgrade or otherwise provide Utility
Service.
D. INSTALLATION OF SERVICE CONNECTION:
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
UTILITY SERVICE AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER PREMISES
RULE AND REGULATION 18
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-01-2026
Sheet No. 3
1. Only authorized employees or agents of CPAU are allowed to connect Customers’
Electric, Gas, or Fiber Optic Service to, or disconnect those Services from, CPAU’s
infrastructure.
2. If the City allows Customers to connect or disconnect the Customer’s Water or
Wastewater Service from the City’s distribution/collection system, then the work
shall be observed by and the installation must be approved by a CPAU Water,
Gas, and Wastewater Utilities Inspector.
E. RELOCATION OR MODIFICATION OF SERVICE CONNECTIONS
1. The Customer is responsible for all costs associated with relocation or modification of
Utility facilities or equipment initiated at the Customer’s request, or to provide Utility
Service to new load. Under the City’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program, a credit
may be available towards costs for Utility equipment modifications required by the
installation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment at single family or multi-family
residential sites, as described in Rate Schedule E-15.
2. CPAU may, at its discretion, relocate or modify Utility Service Lines or Points of
Service for the purpose of meeting quality control standards, updating outdated
equipment, or otherwise improving the functionality of Utility Services.
(END)
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 1
A. GENERAL
In addition to the general requirements outlined in Rule and Regulation 18 for Utility Services and
Facilities on Customers’ Premises, the following is required:
B. ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS
1. FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER PREMISESNEW DEVELOPMENTS,
EXISTING SERVICES OR RELOCATION OF EXISTING SERVICES
a. The Customer is responsible for the installation of all equipment from the facility
to the designated Point-of-Service. For underground systems, this includes conduit
and conductors. For overhead systems, because the Point-of-Service is the
weatherhead or point of attachment to the facility, this includes the mast or riser
and all conductors therein.
,
b. The Customer is responsible for installing and maintaining all substructures
(including, but not limited to, conduits, underground vaults or boxes, and covers)
on the Customer’s Premises that are reasonably required for CPAU to provide
Electric Service, at the Customer’s expense and in accordance with CPAU
requirements,current City standards, and specifications and at the Customer’s
expense, to install or caused to be installed, all substructure including trenching,
backfill, resurfacing, landscaping, conduit, junction boxes, vaults, switchgear,
panels, ground rods and wire, equipment pads, subsurface housing, and other
facilities required to receive Electric Service from CPAU.
b. . Substructures are owned and maintained by the Customer, for Upon CPAU’s
exclusive use. The Customer is responsible for repairing or replacing the
substructure for any reason deemed necessary by CPAU, including deterioration to
the extent that the existing conductors/cables cannot be removed.
c. 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 2
d. Upon approval by CPAU of the substructuresubstructures installed on the
Customer’s Premises, by or for the Customer, CPAU will, at the Customer’s
expense, procure and install Primary Electric Service conductors and a transformer,
if needed.conductors, switches, transformers, metering equipment, splices, and
other equipment as required to serve the Customer’s load. The Applicant/Customer
is responsible for all costs necessary to procure, install, upgrade, relocate, or
rearrange the full cost of installationCustomer’s Electric Service in accordance with
theall applicable sections of CPAU’s Electric Service Connection Charges (CPAU
standards and specifications, Rules and Regulations, Rate Schedule E-
15),Schedules, Municipal Fee Schedule and/or any applicable Special Facilities
Charges. CPAU will determine the type and size of the conductors required.
ec. CPAU will assume ownership and responsibility for maintenance of Customer-
installed underground Electric Service lateral conductors, as defined in the
California Electric Code, only if the Service meets CPAU specifications and it has
been approved and accepted by the CPAU 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 transformerutility
transformer’s secondary terminals. The bus duct or extra flexible cable iswill be
considered to be the Service entrance conductor for which CPAU assumes no
responsibility.
f. All Serviced. The Customer’s service panel (service switches, fuses, Metermeter
sockets, Metermeter and instrument transformer housing and similar
devices,housings, etc.), irrespective of voltage, required in connection with Service
and Meter installation on the Customer’s Premises, will be furnished, installed,
owned and maintained by the Customer at the Customer’s expense and in
accordance with CPAU and building code requirements.
ge. The Customer must 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 Customer. Such seals may be broken only
by CPAU or its authorized agents.
h. CPAU will furnish and install necessary instrument transformers, test facilities and
Metering Equipment.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 3
i.f. Notwithstanding the above subsections (a) through (ehf), CPAU may, at its
discretion and cost, furnish and install additional equipment for the purpose of
meeting quality controlindustry standards, updating outdated equipment, or
otherwise improving, as determined by CPAU, the functionalitysafety, reliability
and efficient operation of its Utility Servicesthe City’s Electric Distribution system.
C. SERVICE CONFIGURATIONS
1. OVERHEAD OR UNDERGROUND
a. The standard Service to single family Residential homes in existing overhead areas
is overhead. However, in areas atwith elevated threat of wildfire, as determined by
CPAU, all new, relocated, or modified Services will be underground. The Director
of Utilities or his/hertheir designee canmay also require an underground Service
and pad-mounted equipment for single family Residential Service in areas where
prudent system design requires underground Service or would otherwise require
the addition ofan extension of overhead conductors or additional utility poles to the
system.
b. All new Electric Utility Services to Commercial/ Industrial Customers and new
subdivisions will be provided by underground facilitiescable and pad-mounted
equipment within dedicated easements on the Customer’s Premises. The on-site
underground Electric Utility linesService Conductors will be provided by the
Customer at the Customer’s expense and must meet CPAU specifications.
2. NUMBER OF SERVICES PER BUILDINGLOT
Only one Electric Point-of-Service line is allowed for a building or other Premises, except
for commercial properties, under the following conditions:
a. Two or more Electricper lot and only one Metered Service Drops or laterals may
be extended to a single building provided all wiring supplied for each per address.
In certain cases, when one Point-of-Service, other than Metering conductors, has
no common raceway, connection, or service area with wiring supplied by any other
such Service. Approval is not feasible, CPAU may allow additional Point(s)-of-
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 4
Service per lot at CPAU’s sole discretion. Under these conditions, approval by the
Director of Utilities, or his/her designee, is required, and additional costs, including
Special Facilities Charges 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 Chargescharges may apply.
3. SERVICES FOR TWO OR MORE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ON ONE PARCEL
4.
3. NUMBER OF SERVICES FOR SEPARATE CONVEYANCES
Notwithstanding Rule and Regulation 20 section C(2), CPAU, at its discretion and at the
Customer’s expense, may require a Customer to install a separate Electric Service line and
grant Utility Easements for an Accessory Dwelling Unit when an Accessory Dwelling Unit
is sold or conveyed separately from the primary residence.
4. NUMBER OF ELECTRIC SERVICE PERISCOPES PER SERVICE DROP
Not more than two serviceService periscopes may be served from a single overhead Service
Drop. Overhead Service connections will not be installed where the Customer’s main
switchboard is larger than 400 amps.
D. PROTECTIVE DEVICES
1. The Customer 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 Customer’s
facility. CPAU is not responsible for any loss or damage occasioned or caused by the
negligence or wrongful act of the Customer, 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 5
2. The Customer is responsible for locating, 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 or power quality
issues.
3. Applicants or Customers who request Primary voltage Service must install, at a minimum,
circuit breakers with three-phase over-current and ground fault protection relays.
acceptable to CPAU. Applicants must submit their planned protection scheme to the City’s
Building and Utilities Departments for approval prior to installing any equipment.
4. The Customer is responsible for equipping three-phase motorequipment installations with
appropriate protective devices, or for using motorsequipment with inherent protective
features, to completely disconnect each motordevice from its power supply. Appropriate
protective devices must include the following:
a. Protection infor 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
phaseor more phases.
d. Reverse-phase protection 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.
5. The Applicant and/or Customer is responsible for installing and maintaining Service
equipment rated for the available short-circuit current at the Point-of-DeliveryService. This
value varies from one location to another, and can change over time. The Applicant must
consult CPAU for the short-circuit current at each Point-of-Delivery.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 6
6. Any non-CPAU-owned Emergency standby generation equipment must be installed by the
Applicant and/or Customer 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
California Electrical Code section 230-70, concerning the location of the disconnect
switch, and section 230-6, defining 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, arc welders, saw millsawmill 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 may 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, Service to other 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
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 7
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 CPAU-approved permanent and operational solution is provided
by the Customer, at the Customer’s expense.
4. MOTOR STARTING CURRENT LIMITATIONS
a. The starting of motors must 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 or other Customer-owned equipment 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 can the Load on one side of a three-wire single-phase service
be greater than twice that on the other. In no case can the Load on any one phase of a
polyphasethree-phase service be greater than twice that of any other.
G. POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 8
The Customer ismay be 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 California Electrical Code (NEC), must be installed adjacent to the CPAU
Electric Meter(s). A “Service-disconnecting means”, as defined in the California Electrical
Code (CEC), must be installed adjacent to the CPAU Electric Meter(s). Metering
equipment must be located on the exterior of the building, and accessible to utility
personnel at all times of the day unless otherwise approved by the CPAU 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. Customer owned switchgear and metering housings must comply with CPAU
approved Electric Utility Service Equipment Requirements Committee (EUSERC)
drawings.
I. SPECIAL POWER SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
1. GENERAL
Where a Customer requests voltage control with less variance than what is specified in
Rule and Regulation 3 (Description of Utility Services), the Customer must reimburse
CPAU for its cost to provide, at CPAU’s sole option and discretion, any special or
additional equipment to meet the Customer’s special needs.
2. NONSTANDARD OR EXCESSIVE CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 9
a. In order to prevent damage to CPAU’s equipment and impairment of its Service,
the Customer must 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 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 by CPAU 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 and/or inCustomer
as a substitution for standard facilities which CPAU would normally provide. Standard
facilities are for delivery of Service at one point, through one Meter, at oneCPAU’s
designated voltage class under CPAU Rate Schedules.
2. CPAU normally installs only those standard facilities which it deems are necessary to
provide regular Service in accordance with applicable CPAU Rules and Utility Standards.
Where the Applicant requests that CPAU install Special Facilities and CPAU agrees to
make such an installation, the additional costs thereofassociated with the installation of all
such Special Facilities, including transformers and switches, as estimated by CPAU, will
be borne by the Applicant, including . If applicable, the Special Facilities costs will include
an estimate of such continuing ownership costs as may be applicable. These. The
estimated costs will be calculated by CPAU based on the net present value, and must 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 applicable Rules and Utility Standards, Special
Facilities will be installed, owned and maintained by CPAU as an accommodation to the
Applicant only if acceptable for operation by CPAU and if the reliability of Service to
CPAU’s other Customers is not impaired.
4. Installation of Special Facilities willmay require a contract between the Applicant and the
City of Palo Alto, as determined by the Director of Utilities in their sole discretion.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 10
K. NEIGHBORHOOD FUNDING OF SUBSURFACE EQUIPMENT
1. REPLACEMENT OF SUBSURFACE EQUIPMENT
a. Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule and Regulation 3(B)(3), in Underground Utility
Districts in which the existing equipment required to provide Electric Service to
Customers is subsurface, the Utilities Director, or his/her designee, may, at the end of the
service life of such equipment vaults or equipment, authorize their replacement with new
subsurface equipment if the following conditions are met:
(i) The Utilities Director, or his/her designee, determines that the installation of
subsurface equipment is practicable; and
(ii) Such installation has been requested by property owners in the manner set forth in
this subdivision K; and
(iii) The City receives funding for the subsurface installation as set forth in this
subdivision K.
b. For purposes of this subdivision K, “Neighborhood-Funded Subsurface Installation”
means all vaults and equipment the installation of which has been funded pursuant to this
subdivision K.
c. CPAU operates its utilities in accordance with Prudent Utility Practice.prudent utility
practice and industry standards. As is always the case with CPAU’s Electric Distribution
System and any CPAU-operated equipment, CPAU reserves the right to operate,
maintain, rehabilitate, and replace equipment at such time and in such manner as it
determines is necessary or useful for the safe and effective operation of the Electric
Distribution System. Consequently, nothing in this subdivision K should be interpreted
to:
(i) Require that CPAU, at the end of the useful life of a Neighborhood-Funded
Subsurface Installation, replace that equipment with a subsurface installation; or
(ii) Prohibit CPAU, subsequent to the installation of a Neighborhood-Funded Subsurface
Installation, from installing pad-mounted equipment in the territory served by that
Neighborhood-Funded Subsurface Installation if the Utilities Director determines
that such installation is necessary or prudent; or
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SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 11
(iii) At any time prohibit CPAU from replacing all or part of a Neighborhood -Funded
Subsurface Installation with pad-mounted equipment if CPAU is required to do so by
Law or if the Utilities Director determines that the continued operation of all or part
of the Neighborhood-Funded Subsurface Installation presents an unacceptable hazard
to public health &and safety, employee safety, or system reliability, or is contrary to
Prudent Utility Practiceprudent utility practice.
2. REQUEST FOR PETITION FORM
a. Upon receiving a timely written request signed by owners of at least five parcels of real
property in an area served by a subsurface installation, CPAU will prepare the petition
form described in subdivision (3)(c) of this subdivision (K).
b. A request will be considered timely only if (i) it is submitted to the Utilities Director, or
his/her designee no later than 30 days following the distribution of the first courtesy
notice regarding the planned replacement of a subsurface installation or (ii) the Utilities
Director determines that the work schedule for such replacement will permit the time
necessary for the process described in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subdivision (K).
c. Nothing in this subdivision (K) will be interpreted to require the preparation of a petition
form or the provision of time for circulation of a petition if the Utilities Director
determines that either the work schedule for a project or operational requirements will
not make it practicable to allow time for preparation and circulation of the petition and
collection of funding by proponents.
3. REQUEST FOR SUBSURFACE EQUIPMENT
a. The owners of real property located in a Underground Utility District may request the
replacement of existing vaults and equipment with new subsurface equipment by
submitting a petition to the Utilities Director, or his/her designee.
b. The petition must be signed by the owners of not less than 60% of the parcels in the
Underground Utility District.
c. The petition must be on the form prepared by CPAU pursuant to subdivision (2) of this
subdivision (K). The form must include a map or description of the area to be served by
the Neighborhood-Funded Subsurface Installation; a summary of this procedure for
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SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 04/03/2306-010-2026
Sheet No. 12
Neighborhood Funding of Subsurface Equipment; as well as any additional information
deemed necessary or useful by the Utilities Director, or his/her designee.
d. The form must indicate the name and contact information of one property owner who
will serve as proponent for the project and must indicate the date on which the form was
issued to that proponent and the amount of the payment required by subdivision (f) of
this subdivision (3).
e. To be valid, the signed petition must be returned to the Utilities Director, or his/her
designee, no later than 45 days after the form is issued to the proponent.
f. The signed petition must be accompanied by a payment to cover the cost of developing
a cost-estimate for the proposed subsurface replacement. The amount of this payment,
as determined by the Utilities Director or his/her designee, will be indicated on the form.
4. FUNDING OF SUBSURFACE EQUIPMENT
a. Upon receipt of a valid petition, the Utilities Director, or his/her designee, will provide
the proponent with either (i) a written estimate of the cost of a subsurface installation
(including the net present value of any unusual continuing ownership costs associated
with such installation) or (ii) a finding that such installation is not practicable. The
proponent will also be provided with an estimate of the cost of a standard installation.
b. The City will proceed with the subsurface installation if and only if within 90 days of the
date upon which the Utilities Director, or his/her designee, provides a written estimate
pursuant to subdivision (a) of this subdivision (4), the City receives payment in full for
the estimated cost difference between the subsurface and the standard installation.
c. It is the responsibility of the proponent to raise the funding required by this Section and
the entire cost must be paid to the City at one time. The City will not collect funds from
property owners or community members nor will it require any person or property owner
to pay any portion of the costs.
d. The Utilities Director, or his/her designee, may extend the payment deadline set forth in
this subdivision.
(END)
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 1
A. GENERAL
In addition to the general requirements outlined in Rule and Regulation 18 for Utility Services Facilities
on Customers’ Premises, the following is required:
B. SERVICE CONFIGURATIONS
1. NUMBER OF SERVICES PER BUILDINGLOT
Only one Water Service Line is allowed per building (or other Customer Premises),lot,
except additional Water Services may be provided for commercial properties at CPAU’s
discretion, if any of the following conditions apply:
a. space is not available in the Public Right-of-Way at any one location for the number of
Water Meters required to serve the property.
b. additional Water Services are needed for irrigation and fire Water Services.
c. a single Water Service location is not practical, due to parcellot configuration or size.
2. NUMBER OF SERVICES FOR SEPARATE CONVEYANCES
Notwithstanding Rule and Regulation 21 section B(1), CPAU may, at its discretion and at
the Customer’s expense, require a separate Water Service line for an Accessory Dwelling
Unit when an Accessory Dwelling Unit is sold or conveyed separately from the primary
residence .
C. DEDICATED FIRE SERVICES, INCLUDING AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS
1. PURPOSE
CPAU will furnish a dedicated fire Service connection in 2-inch to 10-inch size only if
CPAU confirms that Customer has made adequate provisions to prevent the use of Water
for purposes other than fire suppression.
2. APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 2
The Customer/Applicant will be required to sign an Application for CPAU connection and
an Agreement to operate the fire Service in accordance with these Rules and Regulations.
The Applicant, at the Applicant’s expense, will be required to install an approved backflow
protection assembly in accordance with Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations,
Article 2, Protection of Water System, Sections 7601-7605, as well asCalifornia Health
and Safety Code Section 116555 (a)(2), the latest Cross-Connection Control Policy
Handbook (CCCPH) adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board, , Section E of
this Rule and Regulation, and all other applicable City standards and requirements.
3. INSTALLATION CHARGES
The Applicant will be required to make payment in advance of construction in accordance
with CPAU’s the City’s applicable Connection Fee Rate Municipal Fee Schedule.
4. QUANTITATIVE CHARGES
Water provided via a dedicated fire Service connection as authorized under subsection C
of this Rule and used for fire suppression and suppression system testing is billed according
to Rate Schedule W-3 (Fire Service Connections). Unauthorized Water use will be subject
to the same penalties as set forth in Section D.2 below.
6. PRESSURE AND SUPPLY
CPAU assumes no responsibility for loss or damage because of lack of Water or pressure.
CPAU furnishes such quantities and pressures as are available in its general Distribution
System. Water Service is subject to shutdowns and variations required by CPAU’s
operation of the Water system and system Demands. Customers must comply with
applicable Fire Department requirements at all times, including whenever fire protection
systems are out of service.
D. FIRE HYDRANTS
1. USE AND DAMAGE OF FIRE HYDRANTS
No Person(s), other than those designated and authorized by the proper authority or by
CPAU, may open any fire hydrant, attempt to draw Water from it, or in any manner damage
or tamper with it.
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 3
a. The process for approval to withdraw Water from a public fire hydrant is as follows:
i. Prior to use at a construction site or for any other purpose, a Fire Hydrantfire
hydrant Meter Permitpermit from CPAU must be validly obtained, and
Water use is subject to all permit restrictions and requirements. Potable
water for consolidation of backfill and other nondomestic uses in
construction is not permitted if other water sources, such as reclaimed water,
are available.
ii. The permittee must pay in full to CPAU the Hydranthydrant Meter deposit
and all related Charges as stated on the applicable Water Service Rate
Schedule for Water Service from Fire Hydrants (W-2).
iii. All Water taken from the fire hydrant must be registered on the hydrant
Meter. It is illegal to draw Water from a hydrant without the hydrant Meter
attached to record the volumes. Meter reading is performed by CPAU
Utilities Operations Department at a 6-month interval when the permittee
brings in the Meter for renewal, or at the end of the rental period if less than
6 months.
2. PENALTIES FOR IMPROPER USE
i.a. Tampering with fire hydrants and improperly using Water from fire Services is
prohibited. CPAU may, at its option, levy a fine, discontinue and remove a Service in
addition to charging for the Water illegally used, and pursue all available civil and
criminal remedies, including, but not limited to, prosecution under Palo Alto Municipal
Code Section 1.08.
ii.b. If the Customer removes a fire Service, the Customer will be responsible for all
related expenses, including installation of a new fire Service, before any new fire
Service is re-installed and activated.
iii.c. Failure to submit timely Meter reading may result in forfeiture of all or part of the
Customer Fire Hydranthydrant Meter permit deposit.
iv.d. Failure to return the hydrant Meter at the end of the appropriate period may result
in additional Charges, as described in the applicable Water Service Rate Schedule for
Water Service from Fire Hydrants (W-2).
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 4
v.e. Anyone violating Section D of this Rule on more than one occasion in a three -year
period may be denied any use of fire hydrant Water Service. Such Customers may use
reclaimed Water if available.
3. MOVING OF FIRE HYDRANTS
When a fire hydrant has been installed in the location specified and approved by CPAU,
CPAU has fulfilled its obligation. If a property owner or other party desires a change in
the size, type, or location of the hydrant, the requester is responsible for the cost of such
changes, without refund. Any change in the location of a fire hydrant must be approved
by the City of Palo Alto Fire Department and the Utilities Department. The cost of
relocation will be as estimated by the CPAU Engineering Manager for Water, Gas, and
Wastewater (WGW). This cost estimate must be paid by the requesting party before CPAU
will begin relocation.
E. WATER SYSTEM PROTECTION
1. CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
The purpose of the Cross Connection Control Program is to protect the City’s potable
Water from contamination. The connection of unprotected actual or potential connections
between the potable Water system and any source or system containing unapproved Water,
or any substance that presents a potential danger is prohibited. This program is operated in
accordance with the current State Department of Public Health Regulations contained in
Title 17 of the California Health and Safety Code of Regulations, Division 1, Chapter 5,
Subchapter 1, Group 4, Sections 7583 through 7605, as amended (hereafter “State
Regulations”). The Section 116555 (a)(2) and the latest Cross -Connection Control Program
documentPolicy Handbook (CCCPH) adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board.. The
City’s Cross Connection Control Plan, drafted in accordance with State Regulations, is
available on the City’s website and on file with the City Clerk.
The Utilities Director is authorized to terminate Water Service to any Customer who fails
to comply with this Rule, CPAU’s Cross Connection Control Plan, or with any other City
Cross Connection Control Program requirements, after notice is given.
2. BACKFLOW PROTECTION
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 5
a. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
i. All Backflow protection assembliesPrevention Assemblies and components
installed in the City of Palo Alto must be lead-free and of a type, make,
model, and size approved by the University of Southern California’s (USC)
California Foundation for Cross -Connection Control. and Hydraulic
Research. A list of approved assemblies and other backgroundadditional
information can be found at the assembly manufacturer’s website and the
Foundation’s website.
ii. The Customer must install the required Water backflow prevention
assembliesBackflow Prevention Assemblies in accordance with CPAU and
State of California requirements.
iii. The backflow prevention assembliesThe Backflow Prevention Assemblies
are owned and maintained by the Customer.
iv. The Customer is responsible for annual testing of the backflow prevention
assembliesBackflow Prevention Assemblies and any required repair or
replacement. Additional information about annual testing requirements is
provided in section E(2)(e) of this Rule.
v. As a protection to the Customer's plumbing system, the Customer must
install a suitable pressure relief valve and pressure expansion tank between
a backflow assemblyBackflow Prevention Assembly and any natural gas,
electric or solar water heater on the Customer’s Water system.
vi. The backflow prevention assemblyBackflow Prevention Assembly must be
installed before any branches or connections to the service line, and within
5 feet of the Point of Service (meter) in a Utility-approved location on
private property at a location within 5 feet of the Point of Service (property
line/Meter) unless a different location is specified elsewhere in this Rule or
an written exception has been granted by the CPAU WGW Engineering
Manager.
b. EXISTING SERVICES
Customers are required to install Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly (RPPA)
backflow prevention assemblies on Existing Water connections (commercial,
industrial or domestic) at the Customer’s expense within 90 days of notification
by CPAU, when any of the following conditions occur:
i. Salt water, or water otherwise polluted, is available for industrial or fire
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 6
protection purposes, or where fresh water hydrants are or may be installed on
piers or docks;
ii. Processes which produce industrial wastes, Wastewater or any other dangerous
substances are occurring on the Premises;
iii. Gray water, stored rain water, well water, reclaimed water or other unapproved
source of water is present on the premise for irrigation or other uses.
iv. An approved Water supply line terminates at a pier head outlet which is used to
supply vessels at piers or water fronts. These installations must be located
where they will prevent the return of any water from a vessel or any other source
into the approved Water supply line.
v. The Customer is engaged in the handling of dangerous or corrosive liquids, or
industrial or process water.
vi. Circumstances are such that there is danger of backflow of wastewater or other
contaminated liquids through plumbing fixtures of water-using or treating
equipment, or storage tanks and reservoirs. Such circumstances include, but are
not limited to, dangers present at the following types of facilities or caused by
the following types of activities:
a) Non-single family home swimming pools;
b) Sewage ejector pumps;
c) Boilers, hydronic or solar heating systems;
d) Animal veterinary or grooming facility;
e) Automotive maintenance, washing, painting or fueling facility;
f) Oil, gas, radioactive material or chemical storage, transmission or
production facilities;
g) Barber / beauty shop or nail salon;
h) Restaurant, bar, or brewery;
i) Printer copy/reprographic service or film processing/developing;
j) Dental, medical facility, nursing home, sanitarium or hospital;
k) Manufacturing or processing plant;
l) Dry cleaning or laundry facility;
m) Portable cleaning/spray equipment;
n) Steam cleaning facilities;
o) Swamp cooler, cooling tower or water chillers;
p) Water booster pump;
q) Tanker truck yards or water storage tanks;
r) Florist or plant nursery;
s) Non-single family home fountain or lagoon;
t) Rain barrel
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 7
t)u) Grocery store;
u)v) Gym, hot tub or spa facility;
v)w) Concrete, asphalt, sand or gravel plant;
w)x) Laboratory, school or college;
x)y) Metal manufacturing, processing, plating, cleaning or fabrication;
y)z) Morgue, mortuary, graveyard, crematorium or funeral home;
z)aa) The CPAU WGW Operations Manager has determined that the
Service connection poses a contamination risk to the Water
Distribution System.
c. SPECIAL CONDITIONS – EXISTING SERVICES
When a Customer is required to install a backflow prevention assembly
(BPA)Backflow Prevention Assembly in the University Avenue or California
Avenue Business Districts, the Customer may, at the discretion of the Director of
Utilities and the Chief Building Official, be allowed to install backflow prevention
assembliesBackflow Prevention Assemblies in the Public Right-of-Way (PROW)
where no feasible placement alternative exists outside of the PROW. The
customerCustomer must obtain an Encroachment Permit, at the discretion of the
Director of Public Works, from the City of Palo Alto prior to the installation of the
backflow prevention assembly. InstallationsBackflow Prevention Assembly. In
addition to all Encroachment Permit conditions, installations in the PROW are
subject to the following conditions:
i. Existing building structure must contain a vertical wall at the edge of the
PROW.
ii. The Customer must obtain insurance with minimum liability coverage of
$1,000,000 each for personal injury and property damage, and must
indemnify and hold the City harmless via a contractual liability
endorsement.
iii. The backflow prevention assembliesBackflow Prevention Assemblies are
limited to sizes rated as 2 inches or smaller.
iv. BPAsBackflow Prevention Assemblies located in the PROW must encroach
the minimum distance necessary for compliance. In no event will right-of-
way sidewalk access be restricted to less than five (5) feet of clearance.
v. Any BPABackflow Prevention Assembly proposed in the PROW may, at
the discretion of the Director of Planning and Community Environment,
require mitigation to paint the equipment to match the building, provide for
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 8
a screening cage, or other techniques to minimize visual impacts along the
streetscape.
vi. Any BPABackflow Prevention Assembly proposed in the PROW to be
located on the exterior of a designated historic building requires review and
approval by the Department of Planning and Community Environment, in
addition to other approvals.
vii. In the event of a future building improvement, the Encroachment Permit
will be revoked as a component of development approval, and the Applicant
will be required to move the backflow prevention assemblyBackflow
Prevention Assembly off of the PROW and onto the Applicant or building
owner’s property.
d. NEW OR UPGRADED SERVICES
The installation of a backflow prevention assemblyBackflow Prevention Assembly
is required before the connection of a new or upgraded Service under any of the
following conditions:
i. For single family Residential Customers, an approved Reduced Pressure
Principle Assembly (RPPA) backflow prevention assemblyBackflow
Prevention Assembly is required when an unapproved freshalternative
Water supply is available from a well, spring, reservoir, or other source.
This condition applies even if the unapprovedalternate source is not
connected to the CPAU Water System. If the Customer agrees to abandon
the other supply, agrees to remove all pumps and piping necessary for the
utilization of this supply, and properly abandons the alternate supply source,
and after a site hazard survey assessment from a California certified Cross-
Connection Control Specialist is performed, submitted, reviewed, and
approved by the Cross-Connection Control Program Coordinator, the
installation of a backflow protective assemblyBackflow Prevention
Assembly may not be required.
ii. For commercial or industrial fire services, a RPPA backflow prevention
assemblyBackflow Prevention Assembly must be installed for any existing
or new Water Service connections. Alternative backflow prevention
assembliesBackflow Prevention Assemblies may be substituted after
approval by the CPAU WGW Engineering Manager.
iii. Single and multi-family residences that have fire sprinklers that are
connected to the domestic Water Service must have, at a minimum, an
approved Double Check Valve backflow prevention assembly Backflow
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 9
Prevention Assembly installed on the main Water Service connection.
However, by 2040, all existing fire service Water connections must be
equipped with no less than an approved double check detector backflow
prevention assembly for premises with fire protection systems.
iv. Commercial, industrial, retail, and multi-unit housing (more than 4 units in
a building) Water Service Applicants must install a RPPA backflow
prevention assemblyBackflow Prevention Assembly for all Water Services.
v. Whenever the CPAU WGW Operations Manager has determined that the
connection poses a contamination risk to the Water Distribution System.
e. INSPECTION AND TESTING OF BACKFLOW PREVENTION
ASSEMBLIES
i. The ownerCustomer of any Premises with required backflow prevention
assembliesBackflow Prevention Assemblies must have them inspected at
least once annually by a Backflow Protection Assembly Tester certified by
the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association
and certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester registered with CPAU.
ii. Backflow prevention assembliesPrevention Assemblies must be inspected
and tested before a Service is connectedprior to continuous service
connection and the test report must be submitted to backflow@paloalto.gov,
within five business days of the test date.
iii. Customer must provide proof that the backflow prevention assembly that
they have installed is on USC’sBackflow Prevention Assembly is certified
lead-free and approved by the by the University of Southern California
Foundation for Cross Connection Control approved listand Hydraulic
Research .
iv. Backflow prevention assembliesPrevention Assemblies must be tested
annually, and repaired or replaced within 30 calendar days of whenever they
are defective the device fails the field test or upon notice from CPAU.
v. The CPAU annual testing certificatestest report must be sent to the Water
Transmission Supervisor/Cross Connection Control OfficerProgram, City
of Palo Alto, P.O. Box 10250, Palo Alto, CA 94301, or emailed to
backflow@paloalto.gov each year on the anniversary of the device’s initial
testing.
v.vi. If the required backflow testing certificatetest report is not received within
90 days of notification by the Cityannual testing due date , the City may
either contractarrange for theinspection and testing of the delinquent
Backflow Prevention Assembly device and hold the Customer responsible
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 10
for any costs incurred for inspection and testing and charge the Customer
for the expense,. Alternatively, CPAU may curtail or terminate Water
Service. to any Customer who fails to comply with this Rule and
Regulation, or with any other CPAU Cross-Connection Control Program
requirements.
vi.vii. All expenses for repair and maintenance of backflow prevention
assembliesBackflow Prevention Assemblies will be borne by the
Customer. All costs associated with the inspection and testing of a
delinquent Backflow Prevention Assembly are the responsibility of the
Customer.
viii. CPAU reserves the right to perform additional inspection or testing of any
required backflow prevention assemblyBackflow Prevention Assembly as
it deems necessary to protect the Water Distribution System. CPAU may
at its sole discretion provide Backflow Prevention Assembly testing
services to Customers, at the Customer’s expense.
vii.
f. PLUMBING CHANGES REQUIRED IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
In special circumstances, where the Customer is engaged in the handling of
dangerous or corrosive liquids, or industrial or process water, CPAU may require
the Customer to eliminate certain plumbing or piping connections as an additional
precaution and as a protection to the backflow preventive assemblies. In making
plumbing connections beyond the backflow prevention assemblyBackflow
Prevention Assembly to the Service, the Customer must comply with local and state
plumbing ordinances and regulations.
g. BACKFLOW PROTECTION ON ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY LINES
Whenever CPAU or state regulations require backflow protection on a Water
supply line entering a Customer's Premises, any and all Water supply lines from
CPAU mains entering such Premises, buildings, or structures must be protected by
a City-approved backflow prevention assemblyBackflow Prevention Assembly in
conformance with state regulations, regardless of the use of the additional Water
supply lines.
h. PROTECTION AGAINST FLOWS BETWEEN DIFFERENT MAINS
Two or more Services supplying Water from different mains to the same building
structure or Premises through which Water may flow between mains must have an
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SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 11
approved backflow prevention assemblyBackflow Prevention Assembly on each
Water Service installed at locations defined in this Rule.
i. DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE
CPAU, at its discretion, may immediately discontinueterminate or curtail Water
Service to any Premises if the backflow prevention assembliesBackflow Prevention
Assemblies have not met the conditions outlined in this Rule or if the WGW
Operations Manager has determined that situation could cause contamination of the
Water Distribution System. Service will not be restored until the WGW Operations
Manager has determined that any conditions that compromise the safety of the
Water system have been corrected.
F. IRRIGATION METERS
CPAU will install a dedicated irrigation meter for new and rehabilitated landscaping greater than
1,000 square feet, as required by the Palo Alto Municipal Code section 16.14.220 for industrial,
commercial, institutional, and multi-family common areas. The separate Meter will be designated
as an irrigation Account and no other Utilities will be billed on such Account. The Customer must
pay for the additional Service according to Rate Schedule W-5Municipal Fee Schedule.
G. WASTE OF WATER
In the event that CPAU discovers Water waste, due to leaking, defective, or wasteful equipment,
CPAU will notify the Customer. If the Customer does not take reasonable steps to curb this waste,
CPAU retains the right, after giving 30 day notice, to discontinue Service to the Customer until
the repairs have been completed on the Customer’s equipment. CPAU will restore Service when
it inspects and determines that the physical cause for discontinuance has been rectified, safe
operating conditions have been restored, and the engineering and operations requirements for
Service have been met.follow the steps outlined in Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 12.32.010.
HH. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 12
Upon application for the construction of a new building, remodel, or addition of an existing
structure, CPAU may require the Applicant to provide a water capacity and fire flow report, to
determine domestic, irrigation, and fire flow requirements required by the proposed development,
and to quantify the impact of the proposed development on CPAU’s Water Distribution System.
Fire flow requirements are determined by the City’s Fire Department. If CPAU determines that
Water Distribution System improvements will be required as a result of the proposed construction,
Applicant will be responsible for paying Applicant’s proportional share of such improvements, as
well as all associated permitting and design costs, and the cost of the City’s review and inspection
of plans and improvements. Design and construction must conform to current CPAU Water Gas
& Wastewater (WGW) Utility Standards, and CPAU’s approval of the completed installation is
required before occupancy.
CPAU reserves the right to solicit an additional water capacity and fire flow report in the event
of modifications to the development scope prior to construction.
I. MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
1. CPAU RESPONSIBILITY
CPAU is responsible for the maintenance of the Water Service from, and including, the
Water Meter located near the street curb, up to and including the Water main and the
remainder of the City’s water distribution systemWater Distribution System, except under
the following conditions:
a. Expenses resulting from Customer’s violation of the Municipal Code or applicable
Rules and Regulations are the responsibility of the violator, and must be paid to
CPAU before CPAU performs any maintenance required as a result of the violation.
b. In Easements, private streets, and subdivisions, CPAU’s responsibility is limited to
the Water mains and Water Meters in the Public Utility Easement (PUE). If the
City’s reasonable use of the PUE to provide Service results in any damage to
common areas, it is the responsibility of the owner or Home Owner’s Association,
not the City, to restore the affected portions of the common areas.
2. 2. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 13
a. The Customer is responsible for replacing small (2” or less) Services that are not
polyethylene or copper when building a new structure or constructing
additions/remodels that have a value greater than $200,000 for residential projects
or greater than $300,000 for commercial projects, as stated on the project’s building
permit application. Reconnection to the CPAU Water Services will only be allowed
on current standard Services. All other Services must be replaced, per the CPAU
WGW Utility Standards and applicable CPAU Rules and Regulations, from the
main up to and including the Water Meter box, including all applicable Charges in
Utility Rate Schedule W-5.
b. The Customer is responsible for maintenance of the on-site Water Distribution
System downstream of the Water Meter in accordance with the Palo Alto Municipal
Code Chapter 16.08, including the Water Meter vaults and boxes as shown on
Diagram A below.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 21
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-010-2026
Sheet No 14
(END)
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL GAS UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 22
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-2019 06-01-2026
Sheet No 1
A. GENERAL
In addition to the general requirements outlined in Rule and Regulation 18 for Utility Services
and facilities on Customers’ Premises, the following is required:
B. GAS METER LOCATION
1. Each Gas Meter and Service regulator must be installed at a location that provides protection
from damage due to vehicular traffic, corrosion and extreme temperatures, and from
exposure to pool chemicals, dryer vents, lawn sprinklers, and other potentially damaging
items.
2. Each Meter must be located in a ventilated area in accordance with CPAU Water, Gas, and
Wastewater (WGW) Utility Standards and Federal Department of Transportation (DOT)
regulations, including 49 CFR 192.353, Customer Meters and Regulators: Location.
3. CPAU reserves the right to require Gas Meter rooms for multiple-occupancy buildings
where the building takes up the whole property (and there is no onsite location for Gas
Meters) and more than 10 (ten) Gas Meters are required to provide Service. The Gas Meter
room must conform to Federal DOT Codes and the California Plumbing Code. The Gas
Meter room can only open to the exterior of the building and no perforations from the Gas
Meter room to the interior of the building will be allowed. All electrical equipment (lights,
switches, etc.) must be explosion proof suitable for Class I, Div.1 hazard areas. The Gas
Meter room must be adequately vented to the exterior from the top and bottom of the room.
The Gas regulator must be located exterior to any structure or enclosure except an approved
underground vault. Only low or medium pressure (less than 5 PSIG) Gas may enter the
building/Gas Meter room. Service pressures above 7” WC (0.25 PSI) must have prior
CPAU approval. The Gas Meter installation must conform to standard details GD- 01A,
GD-02A or GD-02B of the CPAU WGW Utility Standards, Appendix C.
4. Deviations from these standards and regulations must be approved by CPAU Engineering
prior to any work being performed.
C. MAINTENANCE OF GAS SERVICE FACILITIES
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL GAS UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 22
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-2019 06-01-2026
Sheet No 2
1. It is the Customer’s responsibility to ensure existing Gas facilities on the Customer’s
property are capable of being maintained, which includes repair, modification, or
replacement by CPAU.
2. If Gas Service facilities cannot be maintained due to existing site conditions, CPAU will
notify the Customer, and coordinate with the Customer to the extent feasible, to relocate the
Gas facilities to a suitable location, as determined by CPAU. Failure to relocate such
facilities as directed by CPAU may result in termination of Service. Customers
will be responsible for the cost of rerouting Gas Services from the Gas main in the street to
the new, approved Meter location. Customers will also be responsible for securing necessary
permits, rerouting, pressure testing and inspection of their houseline to the new Meter location.
D. INSTALLATION OF NEW GAS SERVICE PIPESSERVICES
Gas Services will be installed, to the extent possible, perpendicular from the Gas main in the street
in a straight line to the Gas Meter. Property owners or Service Applicants who wish to install
new Gas Service by directional boring must have a Wastewater cleanout located at the front of
the building where the Wastewater lateral exits the building. This cleanout is required so the
Wastewater lateral can be inspected by CPAU to verify that it was not damaged by the Gas Service
installation. If there is no Wastewater cleanout at the front of the building and the
owner/Applicant will not install one before contacting the City to install a new Gas Service,
CPAU will install a Gas Service by open cut method and the owner/Applicant will be responsible
for the additional expense.
(END)
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL GAS UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 22
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-2019 06-01-2026
Sheet No 3
E. UNAUTHORIZED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY NEAR SERVICE LINES AND
METERS PROHIBITED
Unauthorized construction, demolition, or excavation activities within 10 feet of Service Lines and
Meters can create emergency or unsafe conditions. CPAU’s permission is required before
commencing any such activities, and Customers must contact Underground Service Alert (USA)
by calling 811 at least 48 hours before starting the project. Failure to secure CPAU’s permission
before commencing any construction, demolition or excavation within 10 feet of Service Lines
and Meters may result in Service disconnection, and the responsible party will be responsible for
disconnection and/or removal fees and penalties, in accordance with Utility Rate Schedule C-1the
Municipal Fee Schedule.
F. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Upon application for the construction of a new building, remodel, or addition to an existing
structure, CPAU will require the Applicant to provide a total connected load to quantify the impact
of the new load on CPAU’s Gas Distribution System. If CPAU determines that Gas Distribution
System improvements will be required as a result of the proposed construction, Applicant will be
responsible for Applicant’s share of such improvements, as well as all associated permitting and
design costs, and the cost of the City’s review and inspection of plans and improvements. Design
and construction must conform to current CPAU Water Gas & Wastewater (WGW) Utility
Standards, and CPAU’s approval of the completed installation is required before occupancy.
CPAU reserves the right to solicit an additional capacity report in the event of modifications to the
development scope prior to construction.
(END)
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 1
A. GENERAL
In addition to the general requirements outlined in Rule and Regulation 18 for Utility Service
and Facilities on Customers’ Premises, the following is required:
B. LATERAL CONFIGURATIONS
1. NUMBER OF LATERALS PER LOT
a. Each lot is permitted only one (1) Sewer Lateral Connection to the City’s Wastewater
Main. Lots with Accessory Dwelling Units must connect the Accessory Dwelling
Unit’s Sewer Lateral to the lot’s existing Upper Sewer Lateral.
b. Notwithstanding Rule and Regulation 23 section B(1)(a), CPAU may, at its discretion
and in accordance with Rule and Regulation 5, approve additional Sewer Lateral
Connections for Accessory Dwelling Units, commercial lots, and lots with non-
single-family housing. Upon submission of a request, lot owners must provide flow
calculations to CPAU demonstrating the infeasibility of connection to the existing
Upper Sewer Lateral.
2. NUMBER OF LATERALS FOR SEPARATE CONVEYANCES
Notwithstanding Rule and Regulation 23 section B(1), CPAU may, at its discretion and at the
Customer’s expense, require a separate lateral for an Accessory Dwelling Unit when an Accessory
Dwelling Unit is sold or conveyed separately from the primary residence, in accordance with
State law.
B.C. MAINTENANCE OF AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WASTEWATER COLLECTION
SYSTEM
Responsibility for various parts of the Wastewater Collection system depends on the location of the
City’s Wastewater Main, and whether a City Sewer Cleanout is present and accessible.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 2
Diagram A
Standard Sewer Lateral Configuration within the Public Right-of-Way
1. WHEN THE CITY WASTEWATER MAIN IS LOCATED IN THE PUBLIC
RIGHT-OF-WAY
a. Responsibility when City Sewer Cleanout is present and accessible:
The standard configuration of a Sewer Lateral within the Public Right-of-Way is shown
in Diagram A, above. When a City Sewer Cleanout is present, the City owns and is
responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, and upgrade of the lower portion
of the Sewer Lateral (also known as Lower Sewer Lateral or City Lateral) from the
Wastewater Main up to and including the first City Sewer Cleanout. The Customer
owns and is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, and upgrade of the
upper portion of the Sewer Lateral (also known as Upper Sewer Lateral or Private
Lateral) from the City Sewer Cleanout to the building being served on the Premises.
The standard location of the City Sewer Cleanout is within the planting strip, per City
Water, Gas, and Wastewater (WGW) Utility Standards. If the City Sewer Cleanout
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 3
cannot feasibly be placed in the planting strip, the City may allow the City Sewer
Cleanout to be installed in another location within the public right-of-way or within 5
feet of the property line, as indicated in Diagram B, below.
Diagram B
Sewer Lateral responsibility when City Sewer Cleanout is present
b. Responsibility when City Sewer Cleanout is not present or is inaccessible:
The configuration of a Sewer Lateral without a City Sewer Cleanout is shown in
Diagram C, below. If there is no City Sewer Cleanout, if the City Sewer Cleanout is
inaccessible, or if the Customer’s Sewer Cleanout is more than 5 feet behind the
property line, then the Customer owns and is responsible for the inspection, maintenance,
repair, and upgrade of the entire Sewer Lateral between the City’s Wastewater Main and
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 4
the building being served on the Premises. This means that the Customer is responsible
for maintaining the entire Sewer Lateral and keeping it free from blockages, and the
City is not responsible for damage resulting from sewage backups caused by lack of
Sewer Lateral maintenance.
If there is no City Sewer Cleanout along the Sewer Lateral, the City, at its
convenience, and only when the pipe is not under sewage surcharged conditions,
may install a City Sewer Cleanout in one of the following locations:
i) the planting strip (standard location per WGW Utility Standards),
ii) sidewalk, o r
iii) in the back of the sidewalk before the property line.
Once a new City Sewer Cleanout is installed and operational, the City will own the
Lower Sewer Lateral between the Wastewater Main and the new City Sewer
Cleanout, as described in Section C(1)(a). If there is no feasible location or the
Customer (or the property owner, if the Customer is not the owner of the property)
refuses to allow the installation of a new City Sewer C leanout, then the
Customer will remain solely responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, and
upgrade of the entire Sewer Lateral from the City’s Wastewater Main to the building or
structure being served on the Premises, as described in section C(1)(b).
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 5
Diagram C
Sewer Lateral responsibility when City Sewer Cleanout is not present or is inaccessible
c. Responsibility for Sewer Lateral that branches off the Lower Sewer Lateral:
If the Customer’s Sewer Lateral branches off the City Lateral (or Lower Sewer
Lateral), the Customer is solely responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair,
and upgrade of the tee or wye connection to the City Lateral, and for the branched-off
lateral pipe between the tee or wye connection and the building being served on the
Premises, as shown in Diagram D, below.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 6
Diagram D
Sewer Lateral responsibility when the sewer pipe branches off City Lateral
2. WHEN THE CITY WASTEWATER MAIN IS LOCATED IN A PUBLIC UTILITY
EASEMENT
If the City’s Wastewater Main is located within a Public Utility Easement on private
property, the City is only responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, and
upgrade of the Wastewater Main located within the Easement. The Customer owns and is
responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, and upgrade of the entire Sewer Lateral starting at the
City’s Wastewater Main connection and continuing onto the building or structure on private
property, as shown in Diagram E, below.
Structures, whether temporary or permanent, as well as trees, bushes and other large
vegetation, are not permitted to be placed in the Easement area, to ensure CPAU crews can
access the Wastewater Collection system, and to prevent tree roots from damaging the
system. Periodically, City crews will need to open the sewer manhole lid and enter into the
manhole in an Easement for routine maintenance. Customers can contact CPAU at (650)
566-4501 to review Easement/parcel maps.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 7
Customers will be responsible for the City’s costs to remove unauthorized items from
Easements, as well as for the costs of any damage resulting from unauthorized structures,
materials, or improvements on land encroaching into an Easement. In the event of an
emergency, City crews may remove any obstructions, without prior notification or
permission, to gain access with equipment to the Wastewater Collection system.
Diagram E
Sewer Lateral responsibility when Wastewater Main is within a Public Utility Easement
3. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDLESS OF LOCATION OF CITY
WASTEWATER MAIN
These requirements apply to all Customers receiving Wastewater Service from the City of Palo Alto,
regardless of the location of the City’s Wastewater Main.
a. Customers are responsible for clearing stoppages within Laterals for which they are
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 8
responsible, including clean-up costs related to stoppages which cause sewer backups.
If maintenance or repair of the City’s Wastewater Main or City Lateral is required as
a result of a Customer’s violation of the Municipal Code, these Regulations, or other
applicable Law, the Customer is responsible for completing any necessary
maintenance and repair at the Customer’s sole expense. All replacements and repairs
must be constructed pursuant to the City’s current WGW Utility Standards, will
require City inspection and approval, and the Customer will be responsible for all
applicable charges in Utilities RateMunicipal Fee Schedule S-5.
b. When a Customer is building a new structure or constructing additions or renovations
on Premises to be served or currently being served by CPAU, and as a result of the
construction project, the Lower Sewer Lateral must be realigned and reconnected to
the Wastewater Main at a new location, the Customer will be responsible for the cost
of replacing the Lower Sewer Lateral from the Wastewater Main up to and including
the City’s Sewer Cleanout, and for installing a City Sewer Cleanout if one was not
present. All construction must meet current WGW Utility Standards, will require
City inspection and approval, and the Customer will be responsible for all applicable
charges in Utilities RateMunicipal Fee Schedule S-5.
c. The City and CPAU personnel have the right to access the entire Sewer Lateral serving
the Customer’s Premises as needed for the City to implement the City’s Cross Bore
Inspection Program and Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program,
and generally to provide safe and reliable Service. Such access may include City
inspection, maintenance, or repair of the Sewer Lateral as determined by the City in
its sole discretion.
d. The Customer is responsible for the on-site Wastewater Collection System in
accordance with the Municipal Code, including:
i) Preventing stormwater, roof or yard drainage, basement, foundation or under-
drainage from being discharged into the Wastewater Collection System, unless
a permit is granted by the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP).
In addition, any plumbing or piping that is connected or could be connected
that would allow the future discharge of stormwater or groundwater into the
Wastewater Collection System is prohibited.
ii) Maintaining the condition of the on-site Wastewater Collection System so that it
is watertight and does not allow the infiltration of groundwater.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 9
iii) Keeping the Sewer Cleanout boxes visible and accessible.
iv) Installing, maintaining, and ensuring proper usage of Grease Control Devices
and oil/sand separators in accordance with Chapter 16 of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code. If the City determines that the source of grease, oil, or debris
contamination and/or buildup in the Wastewater Collection System is 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:
(a) The pump(s) output capacity may not exceed 100 GPM.
(b) The Sewer Lateral must change to a 4” gravity flow Sewer Lateral at least 20’
from the City Sewer Cleanout.
(c) The velocity in the 4” gravity flow Sewer Lateral must not exceed 3 feet per
second.
(d) The tank and float must be set up such that the pump run time does not
exceed 20 seconds or 33 gallons pumped during each cycle.
vii) Installing an approved backwater valve in accordance with the latest adopted
version of the California Plumbing Code, to protect from backflow of
sewage f ixtures installed on floor levels that are considered ground level or
lower.
viii) Ensuring no construction material/debris and other obstructions are being
discharged into the sewer system per Palo Alto Municipal Code Section
16.09.035. Any violation is subject to penalty per Section 16.09.260.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 10
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 owned and maintained
by CPAU or by 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
owned and maintained by CPAU. The Customer is responsible for clearing stoppages that
occur in the Upper/Private Lateral.
C.D. INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES IN EXCESS OF 25,000 GALLONS PER DAY
CPAU adopts the following as a fair and equitable method of determining the necessary cost-
apportionment criteria for industrial or commercial users.
FLOW
The Quantity Charge shall be based upon the metered water served to the industrial or
commercial user being billed, with the following exceptions:
1. Cooling Towers
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
requirements:
i) Inflow Water data:
(a) Customer must have inflow Water Meter(s) on all cooling tower inlet(s);
(b) Meter(s) must be annually certified by the County Department of Weights and
Measures;
(c) Proof of Certification(s) must be submitted to CPAU along with annual Meter
Reads.
ii) Outflow water data:
(a) Five (5) cycles of concentration will be assumed for outflow calculations;
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 11
(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 the County Department of Weights and Measures;
(d) Proof of Certification(s) must be submitted to CPAU along with annual Meter
Reads.
iii) Data acquisition and submittal:
(a) Customer is responsible for reading and recording each inflow Meterflow (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 CPAU’s
Customer Service Division annually by May for consideration in calculations
for July (the start of the City's fiscal year).
2. Extensive Landscaping
In cases where the Customer has extensive landscape irrigation and summer monthly
consumption exceeds the average monthly consumption of January, February, and 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.
3. Outflow Meters
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 12
If an outflow Meter has been installed, such metered outflow will be used to determine flow
in lieu of recorded Water meter consumption.
4. High Strength Wastewater
Users that discharge high strength wastewater, as determined by the CPAU, will be billed
as follows:
a. Measurements of the concentration of ammonia, COD, and suspended solids will be
taken from 24-hour composite samples collected periodically for each high strength
discharger being billed.
i) The constituent concentrations found in these samples and previous samples
plus the flow will be averaged to provide the basis for establishing the
Wastewater Treatment Charge to be levied to the discharger being sampled.
ii) All samples will be analyzed at the laboratory of the Palo Alto Regional Water
Quality Control Plant. The Wastewater Treatment Charge will be based upon
the quantity and concentrations found in the waste stream monitored.
b. If an establishment’s piping configuration, or other physical considerations, render
representative sampling prohibitively complex or infeasible, then CPAU will 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 will not exceed 25 percent. The 25 percent
limitation is independent of any change in rates or Charges to Rate Schedule S-2.
E. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 10-21-201906-011-2026
Sheet No 13
Upon application for the construction of a new building, remodel, or addition to an existing
structure, CPAU may require the Applicant to provide a sewer capacity and flow monitoring report
to quantify the impact of the proposed development on CPAU’s Wastewater Collection System. If
CPAU determines that Wastewater Collection System improvements will be required as a result of
the proposed construction, Applicant will be responsible for Applicant’s proportional share of such
improvements, as well as all associated permitting and design costs, and the cost of the City’s
review and inspection of plans and improvements. Design and construction must conform to
current CPAU Water Gas & Wastewater (WGW) Utility Standards, and CPAU’s approval of the
completed installation is required before occupancy.
CPAU reserves the right to solicit an additional sewer capacity and flow monitoring report in the
event of modifications to the development scope prior to construction.
If the development requires a pumping facility to drain into the City’s Wastewater Collection
System, the Applicant is responsible for the cost of construction of the pumping facility and the
ongoing pumping facility plant operation and maintenance costs.
{END}
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
RESIDENTIAL RATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE C-4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
Issued by the City Council
Effective 072-012-2026
Supercedes Sheet No.C-4-1 dated 04-23-23 Sheet No. 1
A. APPLICABILITY:
This Rate Schedule applies to 1) Customers with metered Electric and Gas Service Accounts
thatwho qualify for income-based or medical needs participation in the CPAU Residential Rate
Assistance Program (RAP), and which are served either by an individual Meter or a Master-Meter
in a qualifying residential housing community, and 2) Homekey Housing Facilities that are
formally recognized by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and
which have metered Electric and Gas Service Accounts. Residents: Customers may qualify for
participation in the RAP for either medical necessity or economic reasons.
This scheduleRate Schedule applies to residential premisesmetered Service Accounts that qualify
for income-based or medical needs participation in the UtilitiesCPAU Residential Rate Assistance
Program.
This Rate Schedule also applies to Homekey Housing Facilities that are formally recognized by
the California Department of Housing and Community Development may be eligible for RAP
discounts.
B. RATES:
The Rate Assistance ProgramRAP provides residential customersqualifying Accounts with a
discount of twenty-five percent (25%)35% on electricElectric Service and natural gas rates, and
twenty percent (20%)25% on storm drainage charges listed in the applicable City of Palo Alto
Utilities Electric, Natural Gas and Storm Drain Rate SchedulesService.
C. ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI) PROGRAM OPT-OUT FEES
FOR RAP ACCOUNTS:
1. Set Up Charge $50.00
2. Monthly
$10.00
D. SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
1. Customers applying for RAP due to medical reasons, a residentnecessity must annually
provide a physician's letter certifying the medical condition of the resident and the their medical
necessity as a result of that condition of either (i) and the resulting medical necessity for special
medical equipment requiring substantial electricity or gas,Electric or Gas Service.
2. (ii) special environmental temperature needs.
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
RESIDENTIAL RATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE C-4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
Issued by the City Council
Effective 072-012-2026
Supercedes Sheet No.C-4-1 dated 04-23-23 Sheet No. 2
3.
2. To quaCustomers applying for income-based RAP for economic reasons, residents must
meet current guidelines for "Low Income" based on the California Department of Housing
and Community Development (HCD) “low income” guidelinesState Income Limits1low
income and provide either: a) proof of annual household income, or b) proof of current
participation in a qualifying local, state, or federal income-based program for low-income
households.
4.3. Application for participation in the Rate Assistance Program (RAP) must be made annually,
although there is no maximum length-of-term. Customers with a permanent medical
condition andor Homekey Housing Facilities may apply for program
participation.exemption from the annual renewal application process by contacting
Utilities Customer Service via the following ways:
a. In person at the Utilities counter located in the Ground Floor lobby of the Civic Center
at 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 pm Monday
through Thursday and Friday by appointment only.
b. Over the phone by calling Utilities Customer Service at 650-319-2161.
c. By emailing UtilitiesCustomerService@PaloAlto.gov
5.
program, the City requires that a resident provide proof of annual household income. Residents participating
in RAP based on economic reasons will be eligible to receive a 25 percent discount on gas and electric, and
20 percent discount on storm drainage charges. Residents participating in RAP based on medical reasons will
be eligible to receive a 2 5 percent discount on the applicable gas, and/or electric
charges.
6. As a condition of participating in RAP, Residential Ccustomers must enroll and participate
in the Utilities Department “Residential Energy Assistance Program (REAP)”. REAP
provides free customer educational materials, efficiency assessments of the residence,
installation of eligible weatherization measures, repair or replacement of eligible
appliances, and a Nnatural Ggas leak safety inspections. FCustomer failure to participate
in REAP will disqualify current and future participation in the Rate Assistance Program.
4. Participation in the RAP participation is limited to the residential Customer’s primary
residence of the customer, with one qualifying residence per individual Ccustomer.
1 HCD uses United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Guidelines as the basis for its calculations of
state income limits. These guidelines are updated annually and available at: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/funding/income-
limits/state-federal-income-limits/state
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
RESIDENTIAL RATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE C-4
CITY OF PALO ALTO
Issued by the City Council
Effective 072-012-2026
Supercedes Sheet No.C-4-1 dated 04-23-23 Sheet No. 3
7.
The 25 percent discount in
Homekey facilities are responsible for verifying that the total gross annual income of the
facility’s residents and/or households (but not employees or contractors), at any given time,
meet the current RAP income guidelines and make a certification to that effect.
8.5. The Utility Users Tax. Such tax (UUT) for RAP participants will be computed based on
the gross utility chargesUtility Charges before the application of the discount.
9.6. Participation in the RAP does not relieve the customerCustomers from the
obligationsobligation to pay utility chargesCPAU Charges when due, or to meet the
requirements of anycomply with all applicable Utilities Department Rules and Regulations.
10.7. It is unlawful to knowingly provide incorrect information in connection with a RAP
application. Such violation could result in a $1,000 fine or six months in jail, or both.
E. The procedures for qualificationRate Assistance Program qualifications and interpretation of the
provisions of this Rate Schedule, or otherall applicable RAP rates, Rules and Regulations applicable to
the Rate Assistance Program shallwill be made by the City Manager orDirector of Utilities, or their
designee, whose determination shall be final.
{End}
Docusign Envelope ID: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584
Certificate Of Completion
Envelope Id: F5FD254D-6311-89D5-813D-1ED53DCC8584 Status: Completed
Subject: RESO 10290.pdf - Utilities Rule and Regulation 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, C-4, 15
Source Envelope:
Document Pages: 137 Signatures: 6 Envelope Originator:
Certificate Pages: 5 Initials: 0 Christine Prior
AutoNav: Enabled
EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled
Time Zone: (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto , CA 94301
Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov
IP Address: 165.225.242.85
Record Tracking
Status: Original
6/17/2026 4:41:07 PM
Holder: Christine Prior
Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov
Location: DocuSign
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Amy Bartell
Amy.Bartell@paloalto.gov
Assistant City Attorney
City of Palo Alto
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Lauren Lai
Lauren.Lai@paloalto.gov
Director Administrative Services/CFO
COPA
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Alan Kurotori
Alan.Kurotori@paloalto.gov
Director of Utilities
City of Palo Alto
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Ed Shikada
Ed.Shikada@paloalto.gov
City Manager
City of Palo Alto
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Vicki Veenker
Vicki.Veenker@paloalto.gov
City of Palo Alto
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Mahealani Ah Yun
Mahealani.AhYun@paloalto.gov
City Clerk
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Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure created on: 10/1/2013 8:33:53 AM
Parties agreed to: Amy Bartell
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