I. New Water Service

New water service requests, review and processing can be handled in several ways; in each case, specific requirements must be met. Plans must be reviewed and approved by the City.

• Plans must show all existing and proposed utilities.
• Developer must resolve any conflicts that occur with proposed water assets.
• Provide a minimum of five feet of horizontal clearance from City water assets to other underground systems.
• Provide ten feet of horizontal clearance between City water assets and sanitary sewer assets (mains, laterals, etc.), recycled water assets and trees. Additionally, City water assets must be at least one foot above sanitary sewer assets.
• Provide three feet minimum clearance around all above-grade water assets.
• Applications must be filled out for all proposed services: domestic services, irrigation services and fire services.

II. Permitting Fees

Payments must be made for permitting, review and inspection fees for all proposed water improvements. Additional information on land and property development can be found on the Department of Public Works website, by emailing Engineering@SantaClaraCA.gov, or by calling 408-615-3000.

III. Fire Permit Applications

The City Fire Marshal's approval must be obtained for any proposed or modified fire service (such as installation of new backflow prevention devices). Additional information on fire permits can be found on the Fire Department website, by emailing crrd@santaclaraca.gov, or by calling 408-615-4970.

IV. Fire Flow Data Request

Applicants may request fire flow data. The City's hydraulic modeling program analyzes fire flow to find the projected available fire flow capacity and residual pressure from public fire hydrants. Applicants for single family homes (SFH) shall submit a SFH fire flow data request form and pay a hydraulic modeling fee of $959. Applicants for other development, excluding SFH, shall submit a non-SFH fire flow data request form and pay a hydraulic modeling fee of $1,404.

V. Development Impact Analysis (DIA)

Applicants may be required to complete a Development Impact Analysis to analyze the development's impact on the potable water system. The applicant shall submit a hydraulic modeling request form and pay a hydraulic modeling fee of $2,139 through the Accela permitting system to begin the study.

VI. New Sanitary Sewer Service

All new sewer services must have a City sewer cleanout installed at the developer's expense. See the current fee schedule for sewer connection and sewer capacity fees.

Construction

The City uses its own construction crews to install most new public water assets. In some cases, the City may authorize construction by the developer with inspection fees collected by the City. Find standard detail drawings showing various water services under Technical Documents. Developer shall provide Material Submittal for review by the Engineer of Water & Sewer Utilities prior to construction. See the Miscellaneous Water Services and Fees section below. Fees are effective as of July 1st, 2025 and are subject to review and revision.

For more information on rates, fees, charges and other details, contact the Water Engineering Division at 408-615-2000. 

Water Service Connection and Upgrade Fee Schedules

SERVICE SIZE	WATER SERVICE CONNECTION FEE		WATER METER AND BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE FEE		TOTAL WATER DEPT FEE
1"	$23,981		$649		$24,630**
1" (and abandon existing service to SFH)	$29,747		N/A		$29,747
1.5"	N/A		$1,779		N/A
2"	$26,952		$2,149		$29,101
3"	$55,028		$5,427		$60,455
4"	$58,665		$7,165		$65,830
4" (dual meters & RPs)	$64,571		$10,488		$75,059
6"	$58,982		$14,884		$73,866
6" (dual meters & RPs)	$66,541		$13,846		$80,387
8"	$60,415		$20,674		$81,089
8" (dual meters & RPs)	$71,266		$28,762		$100,028
10"	Estimated		Estimated		Estimated

 

SERVICE SIZE	WATER SERVICE UPGRADE FEE		WATER METER AND BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE FEE		TOTAL WATER DEPT FEE
5/8" x 3/4"	$11,486		None		$11,486
1"	$11,486		$649		$12,135**
1.5"	$11,524		$1,779		$13,303
2"	$11,524		$2,149		$13,673
3"	$11,910		$5,427		$17,337
3" (2-2" meters & RPs)	$11,910		N/A		$11,910
4"	Estimated		$7,165		Estimated
4" (dual meters & RPs)	Estimated		$10,488		Estimated
6"	Estimated		$14,884		Estimated
6" (dual meters & RPs)	Estimated		$13,846		Estimated
8"	Estimated		$20,674		Estimated
8" (dual meters & RPs)	Estimated		$28,762		Estimated
10"	Estimated		Estimated		Estimated

** $232 for meter only.

Install new 1" water service and abandon existing service for single family home (does not include meter, backflow or permit fees): $29,747.

1. Charges for other sizes shall be based on the cost of materials and labor expended for each installation. 
2. Where not applicable, deduct itemized costs from total fee.
3. Where the City or entity with jurisdiction prohibits the open trenching of a public street, there will be additional charges for the necessary boring.
4. Water upgrade fees shall be based on cost of material and labor expended for each installation.

Water Mains

Public Works Department Encroachment Permit fees are calculated separately by Land and Property Development Division and are not included.

Fire Service Connections

 

Utility Engineering Inspection Fees

Project Cost	INSPECTION FEE
$0 - $15,000	$648
$15,001 - $25,000	$1,298+ 13.73% of cost above $15k
$25,001 - $50,000	$2,848 + 11.87% of cost above $25k
$50,001 - $100,000	$6,197 + 2.22% of cost above $50k
$100,001 - $200,000	$7,449 + 4.22% of cost above $100k
$200,001 - $500,000	$12,208 + 3.03% of cost above $200k
$500,001 - $1,000,000	$22,478 + 0.67% of cost above $500k
Greater than $1,000,000 and for every additional $500k or fraction of $500k	$26,235 + $8,076 for each additional $500k or fraction of $500k

Public Works Department Encroachment Permit fees are calculated separately by Property and Land Development Division and are not included.

Utility Engineering Plan Review Fees 

• Utility Engineering Plan Check for Single Family Home (SFH) Remodel (per plan set); includes three checks -- $687. Additional $746 per plan set or sheet based on construction cost for fourth review and each review after that.
• Utility Engineering Plan Check for Projects up to $25k (per plan set); includes three checks -- $1,220. Additional $746 per plan set for fourth review and each review after that.
• Utility Engineering Plan Check for Projects over $25k (per sheet); includes three checks -- $2,949. Additional $746 per sheet for fourth review and each review after that.

INSERTION VALVE INSTALLATION	FEE
4" Valve	$16,612
6" Valve	$17,530
8" Valve	$18,333
10" Valve	$21,931
12" Valve	$23,703

INSERTION VALVE INSTALLATION (EXCAVATION INCLUDED)	FEE
4" Valve	$28,970
6" Valve	$29,887
8" Valve	$30,690
10" Valve	$34,289
12" Valve	$36,061

Miscellaneous Water Services and Fees

• Water meter testing (aside from regular testing for accuracy) -- $517 deposit. The deposit can be refunded if the meter falls outside of the accepted range. 
• Portable hydrant meter -- $4,032 deposit; $655 is not able to be refunded. Includes cost of RP backflow. Minimum monthly charges apply, same as a permanent meter.
• Recycled hydrant meter -- $4,032 deposit; $655 is not able to be refunded. Includes cost of RP backflow. Minimum monthly charges apply, same as a permanent meter.
• Small Water Service (2 inches and smaller) abandonment -- $10,594.
• Large Water Service (3 inches and larger) abandonment -- $22,646.
• Water Service relocation -- $8,101.
• Hot tap (2" and smaller) -- $1,201. Contractor to provide all required tapping materials.
• Hot tap (4", 6", 8") -- $1,345. Contractor to provide all required tapping materials.
• Hot tap (10", 12") -- $1,806. Contractor to provide all required tapping materials.
• Water Supply Assessment Preparation fee for development with water use equivalent greater than 499 dwelling units -- $15,421.
• Supplemental Assessment Preparation -- $9,869.
• Water Utility Field Marking -- $307 for up to 50 feet, $125 for each additional 50 feet or fraction of 50 feet. 
• Recycled Water Utility Field Marking -- $307 for up to 50 feet, $125 for each additional 50 feet or fraction of 50 feet. 
• Project Clearance Committee/Subcommittee Review -- $1,438.
• Hold Harmless Agreement -- $1,076.
• Fire Flow (Hydraulic Model) -- Single Family Homes (SFH) $959; Others, Excluding SFH -- $1,404.
• Field Fire Hydrant Flow Test -- $2,136.
• Development Impact Analysis -- $2.139.
• Water Efficiency Review -- $252.
• Water Reconnection Fee -- $277.
• Water meter repair and reconnection fee -- $505 per account. Fee to fix meter plus two (2) times the estimated cost of services used.
• Developers are required to pay for engineering and inspection services provided by Water & Sewer Utilities that relate to public water improvements that are installed by developer. 

Water From Fire Hydrants

Customers can rent a portable hydrant meter (including backflow device) for a $4,032 deposit. $655 is kept and not refunded. A minimum monthly charge applies. The application for a hydrant meter must be submitted to Water & Sewer Utilities: Authorization For Use of Hydrant Water Meter (PDF).

Getting a Portable Fire Hydrant Meter

• Keep the meter and equipment in good condition. Customers will be charged full cost to replace the meter and equipment if they are lost or damaged. 
• Always use the correct wrench for using the hydrant. If the wrench is lost, the customer must get another wrench from Water & Sewer Utilities for a small fee. The fee is less than the cost to repair the fire hydrant if it became damaged because it was used in the wrong way. 
• The basic reason for a fire hydrant is fire protection! Customers must remove the meter after each use. The Fire Department must be able to use the fire hydrant at all times. 
• Cross-connection control: The California Code of Regulations, Title 17, requires the use of cross-connection control when there is any risk that backflow could contaminate the public water system. To prevent contamination, City policy requires all portable water meters to include a backflow prevention assembly. 
  

  The customer renting the hydrant meter must let the City know how they plan to use the hydrant meter, especially if the hydrant meter will be connected to any onsite equipment that uses water.

• When the meter is rented with a backflow prevention assembly, the customer agrees to keep the backflow prevention assembly supported properly. The backflow prevention assembly must not be set up in a way that is a danger to public safety.

Payment for Water Used

The customer must read the portable water meter carefully each month. The reading must be reported to Water & Sewer Utilities by day 20 of each month. The customer will be billed for the amount of water that they report to Water & Sewer Utilities. Record every number on the dial including any zeros at the beginning or end. Email the company name, meter number and reading to water@santaclaraca.gov

Note: Each year, the customer must return the meter and backflow assembly to Water & Sewer Utilities at 1705 Martin Avenue for inspection and repair. If the assembly is leaking at any time, the customer must contact Water & Sewer Utilities. A technician will inspect the meter and backflow assembly.

• Customers who do not provide their meter reading each month will be charged a monthly minimum charge for each month that they have the meter. The minimum monthly charge can’t be used to pay for water that has been used and reported later.
• The City's regular water rates only apply to water used in Santa Clara City limits. Water used outside of Santa Clara will be billed at 1.5 times the regular rate. It’s illegal to get water from a Santa Clara hydrant to use outside of Santa Clara without paying for that water at 1.5 times the regular rate, according to the current water rate schedule.
• When the customer doesn’t need water anymore, they must return the meter promptly to Water & Sewer Utilities to avoid the monthly minimum charge.
• Charges below will be applied to a customer’s deposit when they return the meter:
  • $655 stated above, according to the current fee schedule
  • the cost to repair any damage to the meter, backflow prevention assembly or hydrant
  • the final charge for water use

  The amount remaining from the deposit will be returned to the customer in about 60 days.

• For more information, call Water & Sewer Utilities at 408-615-2000.

It is unlawful to take water from any City fire hydrant without a meter. Using water without a meter is subject to an administrative penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day, excluding inspection costs or cleanup costs. When a person violates any provision of the City Code, the Water & Sewer Utilities Director or designee may require a security deposit in an amount determined by the Director. (Chapter 13.15.220, City Code).

It is unlawful to take water from a City fire hydrant for purposes prohibited under a Water Conservation Plan or any Code or Ordinance of the City (Chapter 13.15 Article III, City Code).