Where and how to pay your Los Angeles Department of Water and Power bill

You can pay your LADWP bill through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The fastest way is online at ladwp.com — you can pay immediately with a bank account or debit card, and the payment posts within one business day. If you prefer not to use the internet, you have several other options, each with different timing and fees.

LADWP does not charge a fee for online payments made directly through their website. Phone payments and in-person payments are also free. If you use a third-party payment service or pay through a bill-pay app, that service may charge its own fee — check before you confirm the payment.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through ladwp.com is free and the fastest option, posting within one business day.
  • Phone payments to LADWP are free and available 24/7 at 1-800-342-5397, though you will need your account number and a bank account or card ready.
  • Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach LADWP, so send them early if your due date is near.
  • In-person payment centers are located throughout Los Angeles and accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card with no fee.
  • Setting up automatic payments through your bank or LADWP's autopay service prevents late payments and gives you control over the payment date.

Paying online through the LADWP website

Go to ladwp.com and click the "Pay My Bill" button on the homepage. You will need your account number (found on your bill) and either a bank account or debit card. Credit cards are not accepted for online payments through the LADWP website, though some third-party payment apps may accept them.

Enter your account number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or a specific dollar figure. Review the payment details, then submit. LADWP will send you a confirmation number by email or text — save this for your records. The payment typically posts to your account within one business day, though it may take up to two business days during high-volume periods.

Paying by phone

Call LADWP's automated payment line at 1-800-342-5397. This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your account number ready, along with a bank account or debit card. The system will walk you through the payment step by step and give you a confirmation number when the payment is complete.

If you prefer to speak with a representative, you can call the same number and select the option to speak with a customer service agent. Wait times vary depending on the time of day and call volume. Payments made by phone post within one to two business days.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to "LADWP" and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on your bill — this address changes depending on which payment processing center handles your account, so always use the address on your current bill, not a previous one.

Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and be processed. If your due date is within two weeks, do not rely on mail payment — use online or phone payment instead to avoid a late fee. Keep a copy of your check or the confirmation number from your bank's bill-pay service as proof of payment.

Paying in person at LADWP payment centers

LADWP operates payment centers throughout Los Angeles where you can pay in cash, check, debit card, or credit card. No fee is charged for in-person payments. Payment centers are typically open Monday through Friday during business hours; some locations have extended hours on certain days. Find the nearest center and its hours at ladwp.com/locations.

Bring your bill or account number and your payment method. You will receive a receipt immediately. The payment posts to your account within one business day. In-person payment is useful if you prefer to pay in cash or need a receipt on the spot.

Setting up automatic payments

You can set up automatic payments through LADWP's website or through your own bank's bill-pay service. With LADWP's autopay, you authorize them to withdraw a set amount from your bank account on a date you choose — usually around your due date. You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your LADWP account.

Automatic payments prevent late fees because the payment is sent before the due date. If your bill amount varies month to month, you can set autopay to pay a fixed amount (useful if your bill is usually similar) or you can pay manually when the bill arrives and use autopay only as a backup. Check your account settings to confirm autopay is active and the payment date is correct.

What to do if your payment is late

LADWP charges a late fee if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. The late fee is a percentage of your bill amount — the exact percentage is listed on your bill. If you miss the due date, pay as soon as possible to stop additional charges from accruing.

If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact LADWP customer service at 1-800-342-5397 to ask about payment plans or hardship programs. LADWP offers extended payment arrangements for customers facing financial difficulty, and they may be able to waive or reduce a late fee in certain situations. Call before your account is disconnected to discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my LADWP bill with a credit card online?

No, LADWP's website does not accept credit cards for online payments. You can use a debit card or bank account instead. Some third-party bill-pay apps may accept credit cards, but they typically charge a fee for that service.

How do I know if my payment went through?

You will receive a confirmation number immediately after paying online or by phone. Check your LADWP account online within one to two business days — your payment should appear there. You can also call 1-800-342-5397 to confirm a payment was received.

What happens if I pay after the due date?

LADWP will charge a late fee, which is a percentage of your bill. The exact percentage is shown on your bill. Pay as soon as possible to stop additional charges. If you are unable to pay in full, contact LADWP to discuss a payment plan.

Can I set up autopay and still pay manually some months?

Yes. You can keep autopay active and pay manually whenever you want. If you pay manually before the autopay date, you can cancel that month's automatic payment through your account to avoid a duplicate charge. Check your account settings to manage this.

Is there a fee for paying by phone or in person?

No. LADWP does not charge a fee for phone or in-person payments. Online payments through ladwp.com are also free. Third-party payment services may charge their own fees, so check before you use them.