Business Rates

Small Commercial Electric Service(PDF, 206KB): This schedule applies to non-demand metered electric service for small commercial customers and master-metered multi-family facilities. Utility Rate Schedule E-2

Small Commercial Green Power Electric Service:(PDF, 198KB) This schedule applies to non-demand metered electric service for small commercial customers and master-metered multi-family facilities receiving retail energy services from the City of Palo Alto Utilities under PaloAltoGreen. Utility Rate Schedule E-2-G

Medium Commercial Electric Service:(PDF, 164KB) This schedule applies to demand metered secondary electric service for commercial customers with a maximum demand below 1,000 kilowatts who have waived electric direct access eligibility. Utility Rate Schedule E-4

Medium Commercial Electric Time of Use Service:(PDF, 172KB)  This schedule applies to demand metered secondary electric service for commercial customers with a demand between 500 and 1,000 kilowatts who have sustained this level of usage for at least three consecutive months during the most recent 12 month period. Utility Rate Schedule E-4 TOU

Medium Commercial Green Power Electric Service(PDF, 212KB): This schedule applies to demand metered secondary electric service for commercial customers with a maximum demand below 1,000 kilowatts who receive power under the Palo Alto Green plan. Utility Rate Schedule E-4-G

Large Commercial Electric Service:(PDF, 191KB)  This schedule applies to demand metered secondary electric service for large commercial customers with a maximum demand of at least 1,000 kilowatts per month per site, who have sustained this demand level at least three consecutive months during the last twelve months. Utility Rate Schedule E-7

Large Commercial Electric Time of Use Service(PDF, 212KB):  This schedule applies to demand metered secondary electric service for commercial customers with a demand of at least 1,000 kilowatts per month per site, who have sustained this demand level at least three consecutive months during the last twelve months. Utility Rate Schedule E-7 TOU

Large Commercial Green Power Electric Service:(PDF, 198KB)  This schedule applies to demand metered electric service for large commercial customers who receive power under PaloAltoGreen. Learn more about changes to the PaloAltoGreen program(PDF, 94KB)  in 2022. Utility Rate Schedule E-7-G

For customers with their own power generation facilities that are not net metered: E-3 Electric Retail Rate for Customer-Owned Generation(PDF, 27KB)

The following rates apply to customer-owned power generating facilities that are not eligible for net metering.

Solar - NEM 2 - Export Electricity Compensation Rate(PDF, 176KB): This schedule applies to Customer-Generators as defined in Rule and Regulation 2 who are either not eligible for Palo Alto’s original Net Energy Metering (NEM 1) program or who are eligible for NEM 1 but elect to take service under this rate schedule. This rate applies to customers who are served by Palo Alto’s Net Energy Metering Successor (NEM 2) program. Utility Rate Schedule EEC-1

Solar - NEM 1 Election A - Net Surplus Electricity Compensation Rate(PDF, 153KB): This schedule applies to eligible residential and small commercial NEM 1 Customers who, at the end of an annual settlement period, as defined by Rule 29, are net surplus customer-generators of electricity and who elect to receive monetary compensation as such preference is indicated on the Net Surplus Electricity election form. Utility Rate Schedule E-NSE-1.

Electric Hydro Rate Adjuster(PDF, 564KB): This schedule applies to all Customers receiving Electric Service from the City of Palo Alto Utilities. The Hydro Rate Adjustment is determined based on the level of funding in the Hydro Stabilization Reserve and on the forecasted amount of annual generation the City of Palo Alto Utilities will receive from its hydroelectric generation resources. Utility Rate Schedule E-HRA

Dark Fiber Licensing Services (For existing accounts prior to 9-18-2006):(PDF, 220KB)  This rate schedule applies to customer accounts established prior to September 18, 2006, unless the customer elects to apply the EDF-3 rate to the entire customer account. This rate applies to Fiber Optic services from the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) pertaining to the City's network (Backbone and associated connections). Utility Rate Schedule EDF-1

Dark Fiber Licensing Services (For all new accounts after 9-18-2006)(PDF, 34KB):  This rate schedule applies to customer created after September 18, 2006, and also may be elected at any time by customers existing prior to this date. This rate schedule applies to Fiber Optic services from the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) pertaining to the City's network (Backbone and associated connections). Utility Rate Schedule EDF-3

Commodity Charge:(PDF, 164KB) Cost of natural gas on a per therm basis: 2016-current.*

Natural Gas - Commercial Natural Gas: (PDF, 196KB) This schedule applies to non-residential customers who use less than 250,000 therms per year at a single address. Utility Rate Schedule G-2

Natural Gas - Large Commercial Gas Service Market-based Commodity:(PDF, 200KB)  This schedule applies to service for large commercial customers who use at least 250,000 therms per year at one site and have retained gas direct access eligibility. Utility Rate Schedule G-3

*On September 15, 2014, Council adopted Resolution #9451(PDF, 5MB) authorizing the City’s participation in a natural gas purchase from Municipal Gas Acquisition and Supply Corporation (MuniGas) for the City’s entire retail gas load for a period of at least 10 years. The MuniGas transaction includes a mechanism for municipal utilities to utilize their tax-exempt status to achieve a discount on the market price of gas. On November 1, 2018, gas will begin flowing under this program reducing the City’s gas commodity cost by about $1 Million per year and saving gas customers approximately $0.30 per million British Thermal Units (MMBtu) on the commodity portion of their bills.

Water - Residential Master-Metered and General Non-Residential Water Service(PDF, 192KB): This schedule applies to non-residential water service in the City of Palo Alto and its distribution area. This schedule is also applicable to multi-family residential customers served through a master meter. Utility Rate Schedule W-4

Water - Non-Residential Irrigation Water Service:(PDF, 190KB)  This schedule applies to non-residential water service supplying dedicate irrigation meters in the City of Palo Alto and its distribution area. Utility Rate Schedule W-7

Wastewater - Commercial Wastewater Collection and Disposal:(PDF, 175KB) This schedule applies to all establishments other than domestic dwelling units, restaurants and large dischargers. Utility Rate Schedule S-2

Wastewater - Restaurant Wastewater Collection and Disposal:(PDF, 157KB)  This schedule applies to all restaurants. Utility Rate Schedule S-6

Wastewater - Commercial Wastewater Collection and Disposal - Industrial Discharger:(PDF, 165KB) This schedule applies to all large dischargers. Utility Rate S-7

Storm Drain - General Storm Drain and Surface Water Drainage:(PDF, 98KB) This schedule applies to all storm and surface water drainage service, excepting only those users and to the extent that they are constitutionally exempt under the Constitution of the State of California or who are determined to be exempt pursuant to Rule and Regulation 25. Utility Rate Schedule D-1

Refuse - Commercial Refuse Collection:(PDF, 59KB) This schedule applies to all occupied establishments, commercial establishments and multi-unit apartment dwellings other than domestic dwelling as required by City ordinance. Utility Rate Schedule R-C

Compressed Natural Gas Service:(PDF, 177KB) This schedule applies to the sale of compressed natural gas (CNG) at the City-owned natural gas fueling stations to customers who use CNG for fueling CNG vehicles. Utility Rate Schedule G-10

Street Lights:(PDF, 151KB) This schedule applies to street and highway lighting installations owned by any governmental agency other than the City of Palo Alto. Utility Rate Schedule E-14

Unmetered Electrical Service(PDF, 41KB): This schedule applies to unmetered service and other miscellaneous Electric Utility fees to various public agencies and private entities. Utility Rate Schedule E-16

Utilities rates schedules for items not covered under other groupings:

Fire Service Connections(PDF, 166KB): This schedule applies to all public fire hydrants and private fire service connections. Utility Rate Schedule W-3

Water Service from Fire Hydrants:(PDF, 197KB) This schedule applies to all water taken from fire hydrants for construction, maintenance, and other uses in conformance with provisions of a Hydrant Meter Permit. Utility Rate Schedule W-2

Utility Service Calls:(PDF, 33KB) Service calls and other service work rates. Utility Rate Schedule C-1

Customer Deposits(PDF, 20KB): This schedule applies to customers within the City limits of Palo Alto who are required to provide a deposit to the Utility. Utility Rate Schedule C-2

Electric Service Connection Fees(PDF, 52KB): Connecting electric service inside the City of Palo Alto and applies to all connections, expansions, and upgrades to the City's electric distribution system except those that serve street lighting or traffic signals. Utility Rate Schedule E-15

Commercial Fiber Optic Service Connection Fees(PDF, 185KB): Commercial Fiber Optic Fees. Utility Rate Schedule EDF-2

Gas Service Connection Fees(PDF, 48KB): Connecting natural gas service inside the incorporated limits of the City of Palo Alto and on land owned or leased by the City of Palo Alto. Utility Rate Schedule G-5

Sewer Service Connection Fees(PDF, 46KB): Connecting up to sewer service inside the incorporated limits of the City of Palo Alto and on land owned or leased by the City of Palo Alto. Utility Rate Schedule S-5

Water Service Connection Fees(PDF, 49KB): Connecting water service inside the incorporated limits of the City of Palo Alto and on land owned or leased by the City of Palo Alto. Utility Rate Schedule W-5