Beverly Hills : Late Fees for Water Bills

Residents who are slow in paying their water bills will be charged a late fee under an ordinance approved by the City Council.

A 1 1/2% interest charge will be added to utility bills not paid within 30 days of the billing date. The charge becomes effective Dec. 1.

The interest fee replaces a 10% penalty charge that a city staff report described as “onerous and excessive” and which was never applied.

The new fee “is more in line with industry standards for delinquent account billings,” the report said. The charge is needed to encourage residents to pay their bill in a timely fashion and to reimburse the city for the investment earnings it lost because of late payments.