Where to pay your St. Petersburg water and sewer bill
The City of St. Petersburg offers three main ways to pay your water and sewer bill: online through their official website, by phone, or by mail. The online portal is the fastest route and lets you see your balance and payment history immediately. You can also set up automatic payments so the bill comes out of your bank account on a date you choose each month.
To pay online, go to the City of St. Petersburg's utility billing website and log in with your account number (found on your bill). If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one in a few minutes using your service address and account number. The site accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers, though credit and debit card payments may include a small processing fee.
If you prefer not to pay online, you can call the city's utility billing department during business hours to pay by phone with a debit or credit card. The phone number and hours are listed on your bill. Mailing a check is also an option — your bill shows the mailing address where payments should go.
Key Takeaways
- The City of St. Petersburg's online bill pay portal is the quickest way to pay and shows your account balance and payment history right away.
- You can set up automatic monthly payments through the online portal so you never miss a due date.
- Phone payments and mailed checks are available if you do not want to pay online, though online and automatic payments are faster.
- Your account number, which you need to log in or pay by phone, appears on your printed bill or in any email notice from the city.
- Credit and debit card payments online may include a processing fee, so check the fee amount before you confirm payment.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees
Automatic payment is the easiest way to make sure your bill gets paid on time every month. Once you set it up in your online account, the city withdraws the amount due from your bank account on the date you choose. This works best if your bill amount stays roughly the same month to month, though you can adjust the payment date or amount anytime through your account.
To set up automatic payments, log into your online account, find the autopay or recurring payment section, and link a bank account or card. You will need your routing number and account number if you are using a bank account, or your card number if you are using a credit or debit card. The city will send you a confirmation email once the setup is complete.
If your bill varies significantly — for example, if you use much more water in summer — you can still use autopay but set it to pay a fixed amount toward your balance each month, or you can turn it off during months when you expect a lower bill and pay manually instead.
What to do if you cannot pay your full bill
If you are behind on your water bill or cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact the City of St. Petersburg's utility billing office as soon as possible. The city may offer a payment plan that lets you spread what you owe across several months instead of paying it all at once. Payment plans typically require you to pay a portion of the overdue balance plus your current month's bill.
The city can also discuss hardship programs or temporary assistance if you are facing a financial emergency. These programs vary, so calling the billing office directly is the only way to know what options exist for your situation. The sooner you reach out, the more time you have to work out a plan before the city considers shutting off service.
Keep in mind that water service shutoffs in Florida require notice and a chance to pay or set up a plan, but the process can move quickly once it starts. Staying in touch with the billing office shows good faith and often gives you more flexibility than waiting until a shutoff notice arrives.
Understanding your bill and account number
Your St. Petersburg water and sewer bill shows several key pieces of information you will need to pay online or by phone. Your account number is the unique identifier for your service address and appears near the top of the bill, usually in a box or highlighted section. This is what you enter to log into the online portal or give to a customer service representative when you call.
The bill also lists your due date, which is the last day to pay without a late fee. Most bills give you at least 20 days from the date printed on the bill to pay. Your current charges appear in a summary section showing water usage, sewer charges, and any other fees or taxes. If you have questions about why a charge appears on your bill, the billing office can explain it when you call.
Keep your bill in a safe place or take a photo of it for your records. You will need the account number and service address if you ever need to contact the city about your account, report a leak, or set up a new service.
Paying by mail: address and timing
If you send a check or money order by mail, write your account number on the back of the check so the city knows which account to credit. Mail your payment to the address printed on your bill — this address is specifically for payments and is different from the city's main office address. Allow at least 7 to 10 business days for a mailed payment to reach the city and be processed, so send it well before your due date to avoid a late fee.
Include only the payment stub from your bill if the city provides one, or write your account number clearly on a separate note if you are sending a check without a stub. Do not send cash through the mail. If you are paying an overdue balance, the city will apply your payment to the oldest charges first.
If you are unsure whether your payment arrived and was processed, log into your online account a few days after you expect it to arrive, or call the billing office to confirm. This is especially important if you are close to a shutoff date.
Troubleshooting login and payment problems
If you cannot log into your online account, the most common reason is a forgotten password. Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it — the city will send you a reset link to your email address. Make sure you are using the correct account number, which appears on your bill, not your service address or phone number.
If you see an error message when you try to pay online, try a different browser or clear your browser's cache and cookies, then log in again. If the problem continues, call the billing office — they can process a payment over the phone while you troubleshoot the website issue. Some older browsers do not work well with the city's payment system, so switching to Chrome, Firefox, or Edge often solves the problem.
If a payment you made online does not show up in your account within 2 to 3 business days, contact the billing office with the date and amount of your payment. They can look up the transaction and confirm it was received. Keep your confirmation number from the online payment screen in case you need to reference it.
Payment methods and fees
The City of St. Petersburg accepts several payment methods, each with different fees. Bank transfers (ACH payments) from your checking or savings account usually have no fee or a very small fee. Credit and debit card payments typically include a processing fee of 2 to 3 percent of the amount you pay — the exact fee appears on the payment screen before you confirm, so you can see the total cost.
Automatic payments from a bank account usually have no fee, making them the cheapest option if you want to avoid paying every month manually. Phone payments with a card also include the card processing fee. Mailed checks and money orders have no fee beyond the cost of postage and the check itself.
If you are paying a large bill, the fee difference between a bank transfer and a credit card can add up. For example, a 3 percent fee on a $300 bill is $9, so using your bank account instead saves you that amount. Check the fee before you pay so you can choose the method that costs you least.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my account number and where do I find it?
Your account number is a unique code assigned to your service address. It appears on your printed bill, usually near the top in a highlighted box. You can also find it in any email notice the city sends you, or you can call the billing office and provide your service address to get your account number.
Can I pay my bill with a credit card online?
Yes, the online portal accepts credit and debit cards. Be aware that credit card payments include a processing fee of roughly 2 to 3 percent. If you want to avoid the fee, use a bank transfer (ACH) from your checking account instead, which usually has no fee.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up on my account?
Online payments usually show up within 1 to 2 business days. If you pay close to your due date, allow extra time — a payment made on the due date itself may not post until after the deadline, which could result in a late fee. Pay at least 2 to 3 days before your due date to be safe.
What happens if I miss my due date?
Late fees are added to your account if you do not pay by the due date. The amount of the late fee is shown on your bill. If you are behind, contact the billing office to discuss a payment plan or other options before the city considers shutting off service.
Can I change my automatic payment date or amount?
Yes, you can adjust your automatic payment settings anytime through your online account. Log in, find the autopay section, and update the date, amount, or payment method. Changes usually take effect within one billing cycle.