Plan Review Process & Fees

Plan Review & Inspection Fees

Fee Deposit for Plan Review for Improvement Plans

When master development plans for the proposed water, sewer and nondomestic water facilities are submitted to the District for review, the applicant shall make a nonrefundable plan review fee of $50 per proposed equivalent dwelling. If the proposed facilities are for areas not being subdivided (i.e., commercial development, recreational development, and street improvements), the plan review fee deposit will be based on 3.3% of the estimated construction cost of the water and sewer facilities. A minimum deposit of $300 will be required on all projects. The required amount of deposit may be changed periodically without prior notice to applicants.

Final Plan Review & Inspection Fees

Prior to approval of the improvement plans by the District, the applicant shall pay the final plan review and inspection fee, which will be based on a 6.9 percentage of the water and sewer bonds amounts calculated per the SMWD Bond Sheet (XLS). The minimum plan check and inspection fee shall be $600. The applicant will be given credit for the plan review fee deposit. The percentage and minimum fee may be revised without prior notice to the applicant. Fee shall be paid prior to approval of plans by District.

Review & Inspection Fee for On-site Recycled Water Irrigation Improvement Plans

  • At the time of plan submittal to the District, the applicant shall make a nonrefundable plan review fee deposit based on 2.0% of the estimated construction cost of the recycled irrigation facilities. A minimum deposit of $200 will be required on all projects. Prior to approval of the irrigation plans by the District, the applicant shall pay the final plan review and inspection fee, which will be based on 4.0% of the estimated construction cost of the system. The estimated cost will be prepared by the applicant and submitted for review by the District. The minimum fee shall be $400. The applicant will be given credit for the plan review fee deposit. The percentage and/or minimum fee may be revised by the District without prior notice to the applicant. Fees shall be paid prior to the approval of plans.
  • All Recycled Water Irrigation Plans must be include the District's Recycled Water Use (RWU) Exhibit. The RWU Exhibit is to provide a simplified map of the irrigation system to identify pertinent site, irrigation, and civil improvement information to aid the submittal and review by the State of California and Orange County Department of Environmental Health.

Meter Charges

Charges for meters supplied by the District shall be paid prior to the release of the meter.  Prices are for standard sized meters for new development within the District.  Current costs for meters can be viewed here.

Authorized Unmetered Water During Construction

The applicant shall pay a fee of $20 per lot for unmetered water use during construction for flushing and testing. Fee shall be paid prior to approval of plans and is subject to change without prior notification.