The fastest way to pay LADWP is online through their website or mobile app, which takes a few minutes and posts to your account immediately

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) gives you several payment methods, and the one you choose depends on how quickly you need the payment recorded and whether you prefer digital or in-person service. Online payment through the LADWP website or their mobile app is the quickest option — your payment shows up the same day you submit it. If you prefer to pay by mail or in person, those options exist but take longer to process.

Your bill arrives monthly and shows your account number, the amount due, and the due date. You can pay anytime before the due date without penalty. If you miss the due date, LADWP charges a late fee and may eventually shut off service, so knowing your due date and having a payment method ready matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through the LADWP website or mobile app posts the same day and requires only your account number and a debit or credit card.
  • Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach LADWP and post to your account, so send them at least two weeks before your due date.
  • In-person payment at an LADWP payment center or authorized retailer like a grocery store or check-cashing service is immediate but requires you to travel to a location.
  • Setting up automatic payments through your bank or LADWP's autopay program removes the risk of forgetting a due date.
  • Late fees apply if payment does not reach LADWP by the due date, and service disconnection can follow if you fall more than 60 days behind.

Paying online through the LADWP website or app

Go to the LADWP website (ladwp.com) and look for the "Pay My Bill" button, usually on the homepage. You will need your account number, which appears on your bill, and either a debit card or credit card. Enter the amount you want to pay, confirm the payment details, and submit. The payment posts the same day.

The LADWP mobile app works the same way and is available on both iOS and Android. Search for "LADWP" in your phone's app store, download it, and log in with your account number or email address. The app also lets you view your bill history, see your current balance, and check your water and power usage.

Online payment is free — LADWP does not charge a fee for paying through their website or app. If you use a third-party payment service or pay through your bank's bill-pay feature, check whether that service charges a fee, because some do.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order for the amount due and mail it to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive, and LADWP needs a few more days to process it, so your payment may not post for up to two weeks. Send your payment at least two weeks before the due date to avoid a late fee.

Do not send cash by mail. If you do not have a checking account or prefer not to write a check, use a money order instead, which you can buy at a post office, grocery store, or check-cashing service for a small fee (usually $1 to $3).

Paying in person at LADWP payment centers and authorized retailers

LADWP operates payment centers in Los Angeles where you can pay in person with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Payment posts immediately. Find the nearest center on the LADWP website under "Payment Centers" — locations include downtown Los Angeles and several neighborhood offices. Hours vary by location, so check before you go.

You can also pay at authorized retailers throughout Los Angeles, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing services. These locations accept cash and sometimes cards. Ask the cashier whether they accept LADWP payments and what forms of payment they take. Payment posts within one business day.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payment removes the risk of missing a due date. You can set it up through the LADWP website by going to "Autopay" and linking a bank account or debit card. Choose whether you want LADWP to charge you the full bill amount each month or a fixed amount you set yourself. The payment comes out on a date you choose, usually a few days before the due date.

You can also set up automatic payments through your own bank's bill-pay service. Log into your bank's website or app, add LADWP as a payee, and schedule a payment for the due date or earlier. Your bank sends the payment, and it arrives as a check, so allow 7 to 10 days for delivery.

Automatic payment is free through LADWP's system. If your bank charges a fee for bill-pay, that fee comes from your bank account, not from LADWP.

What happens if you miss the due date

If your payment does not reach LADWP by the due date shown on your bill, a late fee is added to your account. The fee amount varies but is typically a percentage of your bill or a flat amount — check your bill or the LADWP website for the current late fee. You still owe the original bill amount plus the late fee.

If you fall 60 or more days behind on your bill, LADWP may shut off your water or power service. Before disconnection, LADWP sends notices to give you time to pay or set up a payment plan. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact LADWP to discuss options — they may offer a payment plan that lets you pay over several months instead of all at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does LADWP charge a fee to pay online?

No, LADWP does not charge a fee for online payment through their website or mobile app. If you pay through a third-party service like your bank's bill-pay system, that service may charge a fee — check with your bank first.

Can I pay my LADWP bill with a credit card?

Yes, you can use a credit card to pay online through the LADWP website or app, or in person at an LADWP payment center or authorized retailer. Some retailers may charge a small fee for credit card payments, so ask before you pay.

How long does it take for a mailed payment to show up on my account?

Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive, and LADWP needs a few more days to process it, so expect 10 to 14 days total. Send your payment at least two weeks before the due date to be safe.

What should I do if I cannot pay my full bill by the due date?

Contact LADWP before the due date to ask about a payment plan. You can call their customer service line or visit a payment center. A payment plan lets you spread the cost over several months and may prevent late fees or service disconnection.

Can I change or cancel an automatic payment after I set it up?

Yes, log into your LADWP account on their website and go to "Autopay" to change the payment amount, the payment date, or cancel the service entirely. Changes take effect on your next scheduled payment date.