How to Pay Your City of Fresno Utility Bills Online and by Mail

Where to pay your Fresno water, sewer, and trash bills

The City of Fresno operates a bill pay system through its website at fresno.gov. You can pay your water, sewer, and solid waste bills online using a bank account or debit card, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The city does not charge an extra fee for online payments made directly through their website.

Payments made online through fresno.gov are processed when ready if you pay before 5 p.m. Pacific time on a business day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays are processed the next business day. If you need your payment to reach the city by a specific date, plan for at least one business day of processing time.

You will need your account number to pay online. Your account number appears on your bill, usually near the top or in the upper right corner. If you cannot find it, you can look it up on the city's website using your service address.

Key Takeaways

• Pay online at fresno.gov with a bank account or debit card, with no extra fee charged by the city.
• Phone payments are accepted at (559) 621-7900, and you can also pay by mail or at in-person locations listed on the city website.
• Online payments submitted before 5 p.m. on a business day process the same day; after-hours submissions process the next business day.
• Your account number appears on your bill and is required to pay online or by phone.
• The city accepts partial payments, so you can pay part of your bill now and the rest later without penalty.

Online payment through the city website

To pay online, go to fresno.gov and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Utilities" section. Enter your account number and the amount you want to pay. You will then enter payment details: either your bank account information (routing number and account number) or a debit card number.

The city's payment system is encrypted, meaning your financial information is protected during transmission. However, you should only enter this information on the official city website, not through a link in an email or text message, even if the message appears to come from the city.

After you submit your payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Save this number in case you need to look up the payment later. The city recommends taking a screenshot or printing the confirmation page.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call the City of Fresno Utilities Department at (559) 621-7900. Have your account number and payment method ready. Phone payments are processed during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to "City of Fresno" and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address listed on your bill. Payments sent by mail typically take 7 to 10 business days to be received and processed, so send your payment early if your bill is due soon.

Do not send cash by mail. If you need to pay in cash, use an in-person payment location or call the city to ask about cash payment options.

In-person payment locations

You can pay in person at the City of Fresno Utilities Department office, located at 2220 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. Payments made in person are processed when ready during business hours.

Some Fresno area grocery stores and payment centers also accept utility bill payments. Check the city website for a current list of authorized payment locations near you, as these locations change.

What to do if your payment is late

If your bill is not paid by the due date shown on your bill, the city will add a late fee. The amount of the late fee depends on your bill amount and is shown in the city's utility billing rules. After a certain number of days past due, the city may shut off your water service.

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact the City of Fresno Utilities Department at (559) 621-7900 to discuss a payment plan. The city may be able to set up a schedule that lets you pay in smaller amounts over time. This must be arranged before your service is shut off.

Setting up automatic payments

You can set up automatic payments through the city website so that your bill is paid on the same date each month without you having to submit a payment each time. To enroll, log into your account on fresno.gov and select the automatic payment option. You will need to provide your bank account or debit card information.

With automatic payments, you can choose to pay your full bill or a set amount each month. You can change or stop automatic payments at any time through your account on the city website. The city will send you a reminder before each automatic payment is processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's Fresno utility bill?

Yes. You can pay online using their account number, or you can call (559) 621-7900 and provide the account number. In-person payments can also be made for another person's account. You will need the account number but not the account holder's permission to make a payment.

What if I pay online but my payment doesn't show up on my bill?

Check your confirmation number first. If you received a confirmation, the payment was submitted. It may take one to two business days to appear on your online account, depending on when you submitted it. If more than two business days have passed and the payment still does not show, call (559) 621-7900 with your confirmation number.

Does the city charge a fee for online payments?

No. The City of Fresno does not charge an extra fee when you pay online through fresno.gov. Some third-party payment processors may charge a fee, but the city's official website does not.

Can I set up a payment plan if I owe back bills?

Yes. Contact the City of Fresno Utilities Department at (559) 621-7900 to discuss a payment arrangement for past-due amounts. The city works with customers to set up schedules before service is shut off. You will need to make at least a partial payment to start a plan.