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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 1Pt. 1Ch. 9Art. 1§ 1702 Utility Complaint Procedures

§ 1702 Utility Complaint Procedures

Public Utilities Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1702 Utility Complaint Procedures

Key Takeaways

  • •Anyone can complain to the commission if a public utility (like gas, water, or phone companies) breaks the rules or charges unfair prices.
  • •The complaint must be in writing and explain what the utility did wrong.
  • •If the complaint is about unfair prices for gas, water, phone, or electricity, it must be signed by either a city leader or at least 25 customers.

Example

Your water bill suddenly goes up a lot, and you think the water company is charging too much.

You can’t just call and complain alone. You need to get at least 24 other neighbors to sign a written complaint with you, or get the mayor to sign it, before the commission will look into it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1702 Utility Complaint Procedures

Complaint may be made by the commission of its own motion or by any corporation or person, chamber of commerce, board of trade, labor organization, or any civic, commercial, mercantile, traffic, agricultural, or manufacturing association or organization, or any body politic or municipal corporation, by written petition or complaint, setting forth any act or thing done or omitted to be done by any public utility, including any rule or charge heretofore established or fixed by or for any public utility, in violation or claimed to be in violation, of any provision of law or of any order or rule of the commission. No complaint shall be entertained by the commission, except upon its own motion, as to the reasonableness of any rates or charges of any gas, electrical, water, or telephone corporation, unless it is signed by the mayor or the president or chairman of the board of trustees or a majority of the council, commission, or other legislative body of the city or city and county within which the alleged violation occurred, or by not less than 25 actual or prospective consumers or purchasers of such gas, electricity, water, or telephone service. (Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

complaintpublic utilityreasonableness of rates or chargesgas, electrical, water, or telephone corporation

Related Statutes

  • § 1703 Complaint Joinder Rules
  • § 1704 Complaint Service And Hearing
  • § 1707 Public Utility Complaint Procedure
  • § 1710 Evidence Certification Requirement
  • § 1006 Utility Construction Halt Orders

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 1702.
View Official Source