Montecito Sanitary District sewer service charges are collected annually through the County of Santa Barbara property tax roll.  These rates are based on customer class and reflect the cost of providing service. 

How Sewer Rates Work

Residential customers pay a fixed annual sewer charge based on the type of connection (Single Family Dwelling or Condo/Second Dwelling Unit). 

Commercial customers are charged based on water use and wastewater strength. The total annual commercial sewer service charge includes two components: 

• A Fixed Capacity Allocation Charge, based on the customer’s historical maximum water use
• A Variable Charge, based on actual water use from the prior calendar year

Both charges are calculated per hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water and vary by wastewater strength category (low, medium, or high). 

Wastewater strength refers to the concentration of organic and dissolved material in the wastewater. Higher-strength wastewater requires more intensive treatment, resulting in higher costs.

Click the links below for copies of the District fees and the resolutions establishing them.

Sewer Service Charges

Click the links below to view the District’s sewer service charges and supporting documents:

Sewer Service ChargesResolution No. 2016-8972016 Wastewater Rate Study Report

Current Fees

Click the links below for a copy of District fees and resolutions establishing current fees:

Fee ScheduleResolution 2022-944 Fee SchedulesMSD Connection Fees Background - 2010 Memo

2026 Sewer Rate Update

On June 10, 2026, the Montecito Sanitary District adopted new sewer rates and charges for the next five years, starting July 1, 2026. The new rates will take effect on July 1 of each year, subject to Board review and approval.

The new rates were determined based on a sewer rate study. This was the first comprehensive sewer rate study conducted by the District in nearly 10 years. During this time, operating costs have increased, and the District’s infrastructure needs have grown. 

Since late 2025, the District has conducted a comprehensive evaluation of its wastewater system and long-term financial needs, including updates to its Sewer System Management Plan and the development of a five-year Capital Improvement Plan.

An independent financial consultant conducted the study, assessing system needs, costs, and long-term financial planning. The goal of the study was to establish reasonable rates that would ensure the District can responsibly make critical upgrades and investments into its existing infrastructure to ensure the community has safe, reliable wastewater service well into the future. 

At a public hearing held on June 10, 2026, the District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution adopting the proposed rate adjustments. Prior to the hearing, the District mailed a formal Proposition 218 Notice to all ratepayers outlining the proposed changes and process for participation. 

Rate adjustments were proposed by the District to address several key needs:  

• Rates are outdated and have not kept pace with costs: Sewer rates have not been adjusted since 2019, while the cost of operating and maintaining the wastewater system has steadily increased, including expenses for electricity, treatment chemicals, staffing, consultants, and regulatory compliance.
   
• Infrastructure is aging and at risk: Much of the District’s system was constructed in the 1960s and is now nearing the end of its useful life. Key components are increasingly difficult to repair or replace. Concrete structures at the wastewater treatment plant are deteriorating, and critical equipment is experiencing operational challenges. The system’s clay pipelines also require ongoing rehabilitation to prevent failures. Approximately $60 million in capital improvements are planned in the coming years.  
   
• Action is needed to maintain service and protect public health: Updating rates and proactive investment is necessary to maintain reliable wastewater service and protect public health and the environment. Addressing infrastructure needs now reduces the risk of system failures, sewer spills, and service disruptions, while ensuring the District can continue to operate safely and effectively.

Learn More
For additional information about the 2026 Sewer Rate Update, please review the following resources:

2026 Sewer Rate Study - Approved on April 8, 20262026 Sewer Rate Update Proposition 218 NoticePress Release Announcing 2026 Rate StudyPress Release Announcing Adoption of New RatesWritten Protest FormLegal Objection Form2025 Sewer System Management Plan

Stay tuned for additional information regarding ways to participate. Sign up to receive email notifications and updates from the District.