Agenda Item: 2
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: May 26, 2026
SUBJECT: ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT OF FEES AND AMENDMENTS TO THE
FEE SCHEDULE
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
PRESENTER: Brittany Houston
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Conduct the public hearing on the proposed fee adjustments.
2. Adopt a resolution establishing a schedule of fees and charges for City services.
BACKGROUND
In 1990, the City Council directed staff to prepare a study identifying the full cost of providing services. The result of this effort was the adoption of City Council policy establishing cost- recovery standards, adoption of the City's first full-cost-based fee schedule, and an ongoing mechanism to assess the cost of City of Santa Clarita (City) services and to adjust fees accordingly.
Propositions 4 and 13 establish the "costs reasonably borne" philosophy. The philosophy necessitates the determination of the full business cost of each City-provided service, the identification of the beneficiary of each service, and the evaluation of services to determine an appropriate level of cost recovery for each. "Costs reasonably borne" implies a direct relationship between payment of fees and charges and receipts of services.
As a best practice, the City conducts a comprehensive fee study every five years to ascertain and recover the costs associated with providing services to the public. Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 was the last time the comprehensive fee study was conducted. Annually, thereafter, staff examines the fees to ensure accuracy of cost for providing such services and applies the Consumer Price Index (CPI) percentage to those fees reasonably determined necessary.
Proposed Fees and Charges for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Development-Related Fees:
For FY 2026-27, staff recommends the majority of development-related fees and charges be increased by the December 2025 year-end CPI for the urban consumers of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area. The percentage increase, as reported by the United States Department of Labor, is 3.01 percent. Several fees are restricted by state legislation or City Council resolutions, and will be adjusted in accordance with those restrictions. Examples include the Photovoltaic Plan Check fee as well as certain Impact fees such as Bridge and Thoroughfare fees.
Other Miscellaneous Non-Development Related Fees:
Like development-related fees, the City’s fee schedule identifies other miscellaneous non- development related fees, including the Vehicle Impound Release, False Alarm Response, Noise Disturbance Response, Handicap Parking Citation Process, and Marriage Services needing to be adjusted by CPI (3.01 percent). Film Permits, Tourism Bureau Membership, Library Services, and Parking Violation fees will remain unchanged.
Transit Fees:
Commuter route fare capping was adopted with an effective date of January 1, 2026, but has not yet gone into effect due to a delay in the necessary technology from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Commuter pass fares remain unchanged from FY 2023-
24. Once the technology is available, the commuter monthly passes would be eliminated and weekly fare capping would be introduced for riders paying with their TAP card. The weekly fare cap for commuter service varies by route, ranging between $30 and $45 per week. Once those levels are reached, additional trips would be free within the corresponding weekly timeframe.
The greatest advantage of fare capping for riders is the ability for them to “pay as they go,” rather than paying for a monthly pass upfront.
Recreation, Community Services, Facility Rentals and Events Fees:
Most recreation fees will be increased by CPI (3.01 percent), including Aquatics, City Sports, and Camp Clarita. The Community Teen Diversion Program has been restructured and the Teen Choices Class is recommended to increase to recover actual class costs. Additionally, increases are recommended for Adult Enrichment/Fitness classes, the After School Program and Full Day Camp Program, bringing resident fees to $25 per 8-week session, $75 per semester and $50 per week, respectively. New fees for Kitchen (Warming) and Kitchen (Full Service) have also been added to the fee schedule.
Most facility rental fees will be increased by CPI (3.01 percent), including Park Field Use, Santa Clarita Sports Complex, Newhall Community Center, and Canyon Country Community Center.
Additional fees for Hart Park, including deposits and Ancillary/Passive Area rentals, have been added to the schedule. Special Event fees will increase by CPI (3.01 percent), while City Event fees will remain unchanged. The Main fee structure has been updated, replacing the Ticket Sales Split Model with fees for City-Solicited Productions (three and four performances per weekend).
For The Cube, most facility rental and program rates will increase by CPI (3.01 percent), with Public Admission increasing by $2.00 across the board. Select fees, such as Holiday Show ticket prices, Figure Skating Shows, Figure Skating, and Hockey are recommended to increase more than CPI (3.01 percent), but remain at or below market rates. New fees have also been added for the anticipated opening of The Rink Sports Pavilion.
Effective Dates:
This resolution shall go into full force and shall be effective immediately, subject to the terms and conditions of Chapter 3.32 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code. Development-related and Impact fees will go into effect August 24, 2026; The Cube’s fees will go into effect across two dates: July 1 and September 1, 2026; The Rink's fees will go into effect on July 1, 2026; Recreation fees will go into effect October 1, 2026; Aquatics and Special Events fees will go into effect January 1, 2027; while Transit and all other fees will go into effect on July 1, 2026.
The Building Industry Association, Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, and Valley Industry Association were directly contacted regarding the proposed development-related fees and industrial waste fees. The California Government Code Section 66017(a) requires a development-related fee to be effective no sooner than 60 days following adoption of the fee, charge, or increase. The City historically has allowed for a 90-day waiting period between fee adoption and implementation; therefore, development-related fees will have an effective date of August 24, 2026.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council
FISCAL IMPACT
It is estimated that if adopted and implemented, the proposed schedule of fees and charges for service will result in additional annual revenue to the General Fund of approximately $463,000.
Revenues will be reviewed at mid-year, and adjustments deemed appropriate will be recommended at such time.
ATTACHMENTS
Notice of Public Hearing
Resolution