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Submetering in California

Last reviewed by NES Editorial · September 2026

New multifamily construction in California must be submetered. See the cities NES serves and what owners recover.

Submetering pays for itself at most California properties. Residents are billed for what their unit uses, consumption drops, and the owner stops absorbing the master-meter bill. New multifamily construction has to be submetered, and NES handles that end to end. NES has done the installs, daily reads, and resident billing in-house since 1968.

36%
lower water use
2,000 gal
saved per unit each year
~$30/mo
lower water bill per unit

From an NES case study at a 337-unit apartment community once about half of residents were submetered. Results vary by property.

Coverage

Local submetering guides in California

NES serves communities across California. These areas have a local guide to start with.

Read the full California submetering laws guide

Properties NES submeters in California

  • Apartment communities
  • Condominiums
  • Townhomes
  • Mobile home parks
  • Student housing
Common questions

Submetering in California

Yes. California water submetering and billing are governed by Civil Code Chapter 2.5 (Section 1954.201), effective January 1, 2018, and new multifamily buildings permitted on or after that date must submeter water for each unit under SB 7. Residents are billed for measured use, with a billing fee capped at the lesser of $4.75 per unit or 25% of the water usage charge. Electric and gas submetering falls under the California Public Utilities Commission and Public Utilities Code Section 739.5, where residents are charged the utility's own rate. NES tracks every requirement so your property stays compliant.

See what your California property can recover.

Send us your master-meter bills and unit count. We’ll run the numbers on your actual property and reply within one business day with a clear, no-obligation estimate.

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