Glendale Water & Power Proposed Water Rate Increases: What You Need to Know and How to Formally Oppose Them.
Did you know Glendale Water & Power is proposing significant water-rate changes beginning January 1, 2027? Under the proposal, the monthly fixed charge for a standard 5/8-inch water meter would increase from $19.37 to $42.00, more than double its current amount.
What will these changes mean for your water bill, and what can you do if you oppose the proposal?
This article explains why Glendale is proposing higher rates, how the changes could affect your bill, and what Proposition 218 means. You’ll learn who can submit a written protest, what information is required, and how to ensure the City receives it before the November 3, 2026 public hearing concludes.
You’re not voting on a new ballot measure. Proposition 218 establishes the legal process Glendale must follow when proposing water-rate increases. Review the proposed changes, understand your options, and decide whether to submit a formal protest.
Where Can You Find a Protest Form and Local Drop-Off Locations?
The City of Glendale is not required to provide a preprinted protest form. To make the process easier, community members have created sample forms for property owners and tenants. You can print and use either form or write your own protest. These are sample forms, not official City of Glendale forms.
Download the Property Owner Protest Form (PDF)
Download the Tenant Protest Form (PDF)
Glendale and La Crescenta residents who prefer not to mail their protests or travel to the City of Glendale can use community drop-off locations set up by the independent volunteer group Save Glendale Water to collect and deliver signed protests. The group opposes the proposed rate increases and can also help residents obtain preprinted protest forms.
Before submitting your protest, read the information below about who can file, what your form must include, and the important submission deadlines. These requirements apply whether you use a sample form, obtain a preprinted form from volunteers, or write your own.
What Is Glendale Water & Power Proposing, and Why?
Glendale Water & Power proposes annual water-rate adjustments beginning January 1, 2027, and continuing through 2031. The City says the increases are necessary to address rising costs for imported water, replace aging infrastructure, and maintain reliable water service.
The proposal also changes how customers are charged, including monthly meter charges, water-usage tiers, and additional pumping charges based on elevation. You can review the City’s explanation, proposed pricing structure, and supporting information on its website.
Read the City’s complete proposal: Glendale Water & Power Proposed Water Rates.
How Much Could Your Glendale Water Bill Increase?
The impact depends on your meter size, water usage, and location. For example, the proposed monthly fixed charge for a 5/8-inch meter would increase from $19.37 to $42.00 in 2027. By 2031, the proposed charge would reach $60.36. These figures apply to the fixed meter charge, not your entire water bill.
The proposal also changes water-usage tiers and adds pumping-related charges, depending on where you live. If you live in La Crescenta 91214 and receive water from Glendale Water & Power, your pump zone could affect your bill. Homes higher on the hillside may face greater pumping charges because more energy is required to deliver water uphill.
Before deciding whether you support or oppose the proposal, review the City’s rate tables and estimate the effect on your own bill.
Calculate your potential increase: Glendale’s Official Water Rate Information and Calculator.
What Is Proposition 218, and What Does a Written Protest Mean?
Proposition 218 is part of the California Constitution. It establishes requirements for certain property-related charges, including water rates, and provides a formal process for opposing proposed increases.
A written protest is simply a signed statement saying you oppose Glendale’s proposed water-rate adjustments. It is not an election ballot, online petition, or verbal objection. To count, submit your protest on paper, include specific information, and add an original handwritten signature.
Who Can Submit a Glendale Proposition 218 Protest?
Property owners: If you own a property affected by Glendale Water & Power’s proposed water rates, you can submit a protest whether you pay the water bill yourself or your tenant pays it.
If the GWP water account is in your name, you can use your account information. The person named on the water account must sign the protest. If your tenant pays the water bill, you can submit as the owner of record using your property address or Assessor’s Identification Number (AIN/APN). The name and signature must identify the property owner shown on title. If you own multiple affected properties, you may submit a separate protest for each parcel. Download the Sample Property Owner Protest Form (PDF)
Tenants: If you’re responsible for paying the Glendale Water & Power water bill, the tenant named on the account must sign the protest. Include the water account number and service address. Download the Sample Tenant Protest Form (PDF)
These are sample forms, not official City forms. You can print and use the appropriate form or prepare your own written protest.
Only one valid protest per affected parcel counts. If both the property owner and tenant submit protests for the same property, the City will count only one.
Need to find your AIN/APN? Visit the Los Angeles County Assessor Property Search. You can also find the parcel number on your property-tax bill.
What Must Your Written Proposition 218 Protest Include?
If you prefer to write your own protest rather than use one of the sample forms, you may do so. You can include your own reasons for opposing the proposal, but the City requires certain information for your protest to count:
- A clear statement opposing the proposed Glendale water-rate adjustments.
- The name of the property owner of record or water customer submitting the protest.
- The affected property’s street address or AIN/APN, or the water-account number for the customer of record.
- The submitting person’s legibly printed name and original handwritten signature.
If you’re submitting as the water customer, the name and signature must match the customer of record. If you’re submitting as the property owner, the name must match the owner of record, with the appropriate signature.
Emailed protests, faxes, typed signatures, and verbal objections do not count.
When Must Glendale Receive Your Written Protest?
Glendale must receive your original signed protest before the November 3, 2026 water-rate public hearing concludes.
If you’re mailing your protest, mail it as soon as possible. This is not like mailing an election ballot, where a qualifying postmark can matter. For a Proposition 218 protest, the postmark does not count. The City must actually receive your signed document before the deadline.
For example, if you mail your protest on November 2 and it arrives November 4, it will not count.
Unfortunately, the water-rate hearing falls on Election Day because the timing can create confusion. Proposition 218 is a separate process and has nothing to do with the November 3 election ballot.
You can mail your protest to the City Clerk, hand-deliver it during office hours, or bring it directly to the City Council meeting. If you choose to deliver it at the meeting, arrive before the 6 p.m. start time. The water-rate hearing may occur early on the agenda, and the City cannot accept protests once that hearing concludes.
Where Do I Mail or Hand-Deliver My Protest?
Mail or deliver your original signed protest to:
City Clerk
City of Glendale
613 E. Broadway, Suite 110
Glendale, CA 91206
Phone: (818) 548-4000
You may also hand-deliver your protest at the public hearing:
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, beginning at 6 p.m.
Glendale City Council Chambers
613 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor
Glendale, CA 91206
If you don’t want to mail your protest or travel to City Hall, local businesses are also collecting signed protests for delivery.
Community collection locations: Save Glendale Water.
Save Glendale Water is an independent volunteer group opposing the proposed increase. Its website provides information about collection locations and additional protest resources.
Volunteers are working to make it easier for residents to submit a protest if they oppose the proposal. Check the collection deadline and confirm that the City receives your original signed form on time.
How Can I Confirm Glendale Received My Protest?
I asked the City directly whether residents could verify receipt of their written protests. The answer was yes.
Contact the City Clerk’s Office at (818) 548-4000. According to the City’s written response, the Clerk logs submissions and forwards electronic copies to the City Attorney’s Office for validation.
The City also confirmed that it does not count incomplete or duplicate protests. Do not assume the City will contact you if information is missing. You can confirm receipt and ask whether the City can provide your protest’s validation status.
How Many Proposition 218 Protests Are Needed to Stop the Increase?
Under Proposition 218, a majority protest is based on the number of affected parcels, not the number of water customers or notices mailed. Only one valid written protest per affected parcel counts, even if both the property owner and tenant submit one.
Glendale has provided several different figures, including 102,163 notices mailed and 34,745 water customers. However, neither number establishes how many parcels are subject to the proposed water-rate increases.
We now have an updated count from title-company research using the latest County Assessor tax records. The research identifies 42,382 parcels within the City of Glendale, broken down as follows:
- Single-family homes: 23,336
- Condos and townhomes: 9,444
- Multifamily: 5,848
- Commercial and industrial: 2,705
- Vacant land: 659
- All other parcels: 390
Based on 42,382 parcels, 21,192 valid written protests would constitute a majority. This represents more than half of the parcels.
One important distinction: the 42,382 figure represents parcels within Glendale city limits. Proposition 218’s majority threshold is based on parcels subject to the proposed water rates, which may not be identical to the citywide parcel count. The City has not yet confirmed the official total number of affected parcels.
Until that number is confirmed, 21,192 is our updated estimated threshold, not the City’s officially established requirement.
How Will Glendale Determine the Final Outcome?
The City says written protests are logged and reviewed for validity. Incomplete and duplicate protests are excluded, and only one valid protest per affected parcel counts.
The outcome depends on the number of affected parcels and the number of valid protests received before the public hearing concludes. Glendale has said it reports protest counts to the City Council, with updates as additional submissions arrive.
The final report should identify the number of affected parcels, valid protests, and the majority threshold so residents can understand how the result was determined.
Where Can You Learn More Before Making a Decision?
Glendale’s proposed water-rate changes will affect customers differently depending on their water usage, meter size, and location. Reviewing the projected cost for your own property is a useful place to start.
The City of Glendale’s official water-rate proposal includes the proposed rate tables and information on how to calculate your bill.
Whether you support or oppose the proposal, review the information and make your own decision. If you choose to protest, make sure your original signed document meets the requirements and reaches the City before the November 3 public hearing concludes.