How to pay your Los Angeles Department of Water and Power bill

You can pay your LADWP bill online through your account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The fastest way is online at ladwp.com — you can log into your account and pay immediately with a bank account or debit card. If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, calling 1-800-342-5397 takes about five minutes and lets you pay over the phone with a card or bank account.

Payment is due by the date printed on your bill. If you miss that date, LADWP adds a late charge, usually 1.5% of the unpaid balance. If your bill stays unpaid for 30 days past the due date, the department can shut off your water and power without further notice.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment at ladwp.com is the fastest method and takes effect the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. Pacific time on a business day.
  • Phone payment at 1-800-342-5397 works with a debit card or bank account and does not charge a fee.
  • Mail payments should be sent to the address on your bill at least 10 days before the due date to arrive on time.
  • In-person payment at a LADWP payment center or authorized retailer (like some grocery stores) avoids online and phone fees.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact LADWP before the bill is late to discuss a payment plan.

Paying online through your LADWP account

Go to ladwp.com and click "Pay My Bill" at the top of the page. You will need your account number (on your bill) and a password. If you have not set up an online account yet, click "Create Account" and follow the prompts — this takes about five minutes and uses your service address and account number to verify your identity.

Once you are logged in, your current bill amount appears on the dashboard. Click "Make a Payment" and choose your payment method: bank account (ACH transfer) or debit/credit card. Bank account payments are free and usually post within one business day. Card payments may carry a small fee — LADWP shows this before you confirm. Payments made before 5 p.m. Pacific time on a business day post the same day.

You can also set up automatic payments through your account so the same amount withdraws on the same day each month. This prevents late payments if you forget, though you should still check your bill each month to make sure the amount is correct.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call 1-800-342-5397 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time, or Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. Have your account number and a debit card or bank account number ready. There is no fee for phone payments. The representative will confirm the amount, your account, and the payment method before processing it.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to "LADWP" and mail it to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post, so send your payment at least 10 days before the due date to avoid a late charge. Do not send cash by mail.

Paying in person at a payment center

LADWP operates payment centers in Los Angeles where you can pay cash, check, or card in person. The main payment center is at 111 North Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. You can also pay at authorized retailers — many Ralphs, Vons, and Albertsons locations accept LADWP payments at their customer service desks.

Bring your bill or account number and your payment method. In-person payments post the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. on a business day. There is no fee for paying at a LADWP center, though some retailers may charge a small convenience fee.

What to do if you cannot pay on time

If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact LADWP before the bill becomes late. Call 1-800-342-5397 or log into your account and use the "Contact Us" option. Explain your situation and ask about a payment plan. LADWP can sometimes extend the due date or split your bill into two or three smaller payments spread over a few weeks.

If you have already missed the due date, you can still set up a payment plan to avoid service disconnection. The sooner you contact LADWP, the more options you have. A payment plan does not erase the late charge, but it stops LADWP from shutting off your water and power while you catch up.

Understanding your bill due date and late charges

Your bill due date is printed on the front of your bill, usually 20 to 30 days after the bill is issued. LADWP considers a payment late if it arrives after this date. A late charge of 1.5% of the unpaid balance is added to your next bill.

If your bill remains unpaid 30 days past the due date, LADWP sends a disconnection notice. This notice gives you a final deadline — usually 5 to 10 days — to pay or contact the department. If you do not pay or make arrangements by that deadline, LADWP can shut off your water and power without further warning. Reconnection requires paying the full unpaid balance plus a reconnection fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my LADWP bill online?

No fee if you pay from a bank account (ACH transfer). If you use a debit or credit card, LADWP may charge a small fee — usually $2 to $4 — which appears on the payment screen before you confirm. Phone and in-person payments at LADWP centers are also free.

Can I pay someone else's LADWP bill?

Yes, if you have their account number. You can pay online, by phone, or in person using their account number. The payment will post to their account. You do not need to be the account holder, but you will need the account number to process the payment.

What happens if I pay late?

A late charge of 1.5% of the unpaid balance is added to your next bill. If your bill stays unpaid 30 days past the due date, LADWP sends a disconnection notice. If you do not pay or contact them within the timeframe on that notice, your water and power will be shut off.

How long does it take for my payment to show up?

Online and phone payments post the same day if made before 5 p.m. Pacific time on a business day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days. In-person payments post the same day if made before 5 p.m. on a business day.

Can I set up automatic payments so I do not have to pay every month?

Yes. Log into your LADWP account, go to "Billing & Payments," and select "Autopay." Choose the amount and the day of the month you want it to withdraw. You can change or cancel autopay anytime. Check your bill each month to make sure the amount is correct, since your usage may vary.