Politics
Long Beach City Council 2026 Utility Rate Adjustment and Household Budget Pressures
The measure changes monthly utility payments for Long Beach residents through phased increases in water and electricity charges beginning this fall.
How we reported this
The Long Beach City Council approved the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget on July 7 that includes a utility rate adjustment raising residential water and electricity charges by an average of 4.8 percent over 12 months.
City budget documents tie the adjustment to higher wholesale energy costs and infrastructure maintenance needs identified in the Department of Public Works reports. The change applies to all single-family homes and multi-unit buildings served by Long Beach utilities, with the first billing cycle set for September 2026.
Monthly Costs for Long Beach Households
Policy analysts note that the adjustment adds roughly $12 to the typical monthly combined bill for a three-person household in the 90804 ZIP code. Residents who qualify for the existing Low Income Household Water Assistance Program will see the increase offset by an expanded rebate pool funded at $2.1 million in the new budget.
Local advocates note that renters in apartment complexes may experience the change indirectly when landlords pass through a portion of higher common-area utility charges under existing lease terms. Fixed-income households in North Long Beach face the largest share of the increase relative to total monthly expenses, according to city demographic data used in the budget preparation.
Next Steps in Implementation
The city will mail notices to all residential accounts by August 15 detailing the new rate schedule and rebate application process. Public workshops on enrollment in assistance programs are scheduled for the first week of September at the Long Beach Main Library and three satellite community centers.
City staff will report back to the council in January 2027 on actual revenue collected and any adjustments needed for the following fiscal year.