Proposition 218 and AB 2257

Prop 218

In November 1996, California voters approved Proposition 218, amending the California Constitution as it relates to local governments, fees and charges, including for water and sewer. Pursuant to Proposition 218, the Long Beach Utilities Department will host a public hearing to consider public protest on the proposed increases to the City’s water and sewer rates below.

Proposed Water and Sewer Rates

The Department held three separate budget planning sessions in person May 14, May 28, and June 4, 2026 where the Board approved for City Council consideration: a 6% increase for water rates and an 8% increase for sewer rates effective October 1, 2026. The average monthly water bill for a single-family residence would increase by approximately $4.64 per month. The average sewer bill for a single-family residence would increase by approximately $1.10 per month. To see a cost-of-service study outlining the basis upon which the rates are calculated, it is available on our Budget webpage.

For the full list of proposed water rates, please click here. 
For the full list of proposed sewer rates, please click here.

Proposition 218 Hearing Information

Hearing information will be mailed to all water and sewer account owners and posted online at least 45 days prior to the hearing date, with an enclosed Prop 218 Written Protest form. If you would like a replacement form or need another Prop 218 Written Protest form, you can download your preferred translation of the PDF forms below. (Please keep in mind that only one protest will be counted per identified account.)

PROPOSITION 218 WRITTEN PROTEST FORM.pdf (English)(PDF, 294KB)
PROPOSITION 218 WRITTEN PROTEST FORM.pdf (Spanish)(PDF, 323KB)
PROPOSITION 218 WRITTEN PROTEST FORM.pdf (Khmer)(PDF, 380KB)

We encourage you to attend the public hearing, at which the Board will hear and consider all testimony, protests, and public comment on the proposed rate increases. Immediately at the close of the public hearing, the Board's Executive Assistant will tabulate the protests and report the results to the Board. If a majority of affected ratepayers submit valid written protests, the Board cannot adopt the proposed rate increases.

The Proposition 218 public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM. For more information on the public hearing event, it can be found at our FY 27 Proposition 218 Hearing event page.

Please note: Public comment does not count as a PROTEST unless you submit a written and signed PROTEST form. You may complete and sign a PROTEST form at the Public Hearing event.

To submit a written protest

  1. All protests must be physically signed by the account holder and include your name and street address.
  2. Only one protest will be counted per identified account toward a majority protest.
  3. Please send email protests to Commission@lbutilities.org or mail or hand deliver your written protest to:

     Attn: Executive Assistant to the Board
    1800 East Wardlow Road
    Long Beach, CA 90807

 

AB 2257

State law, established September 24, 2024 (Cal. Gov’t Code § 53759.1), allows any owner of record of any parcel upon which water or sewer rates are proposed for imposition, or a customer of record who is not the property owner (e.g., a tenant), to submit a written objection ("Objection") to the Long Beach Board of Utilities Commissioners.

To have a valid Objection, it must address:

  • Specify the grounds for alleging noncompliance with Proposition 218;
  • Provide the location of the identified parcel (street address or assessor's parcel);
  • Include the name and signature of the party submitting the Objection; and
  • Indicate that the submission is an Objection

To submit an Objection to the proposed water and/or sewer rates:

An enclosed AB 2257 Objection form will be mailed to all water and sewer account owners with the Prop 218 Hearing information at least 45 days prior to the scheduled Prop 218 Hearing date. If you would like a replacement form or need another AB 2257 Written Objection form, you can download your preferred translation of the PDF form below.

AB 2257 WRITTEN OBJECTION FORM.pdf (English)(PDF, 363KB)
AB 2257 WRITTEN OBJECTION FORM.pdf (Spanish)(PDF, 390KB)
AB 2257 WRITTEN OBJECTION FORM.pdf (Khmer)(PDF, 417KB)

AB 2257 Objections must be received by 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Failure to submit a timely or complete Objection will bar any right to challenge the proposed water and/or sewer rates through a legal proceeding. We ask that the AB 2257 Objection form be completed and sent as follows:

Mail or Personal Delivery

Long Beach Board of Public Utilities Commissioners
Attn: Executive Assistant to the Board - AB 2257 OBJECTION
1800 East Wardlow Road
Long Beach, CA 90807

Email

Complete, scan, and email to Commission@lbutilities.org

Statute of Limitations on Challenging Rates
Please note that pursuant to California Government Code section 53759, there is a 120-day statute of limitations for judicially challenging all rates that runs from the effective date or the date of the final passage, adoption, or approval of the resolution or motion approving the rates, whichever is later.

Back to top