What the City of Burlington bill pay system offers
The City of Burlington allows you to pay water, sewer, stormwater, and property tax bills through their online portal or by mail. You can set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account. The city does not charge a fee for paying online through their system, though your bank may charge you for using bill pay services on their end.
The online portal is run by the city directly — you create an account with your account number and property address, then link a bank account or debit card. Payments typically post within one to three business days. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can mail a check or money order to the city's billing office, though mail payments take longer to process and you should send them at least a week before your due date to avoid late fees.
Key Takeaways
- The City of Burlington's online bill pay system is free and lets you pay water, sewer, stormwater, and property tax bills from your bank account or debit card.
- You will need your account number and property address to create an online account and make your first payment.
- Online payments usually post within one to three business days, while mailed checks take longer and should be sent at least a week before the due date.
- The city does not charge fees for online payments, but your bank may charge you for using their bill pay feature.
- Late payments result in penalties and may eventually lead to service shutoff or a lien on your property.
Setting up an online account with the city
Visit the City of Burlington's official website and look for the bill pay or utilities section. You will be asked to create a login using your email address and a password you choose. Have your account number ready — it appears on your paper bill or in any email notice the city has sent you.
Once you log in, you will enter your property address to confirm the account. The system will show your current balance and due date. If you have multiple properties in Burlington, you can add them all to one login. After your account is set up, you can make a payment immediately or schedule one for a future date.
How to make a one-time payment online
Log into your account and select the bill you want to pay. The system will show your current balance and the due date. Choose whether to pay the full amount or a partial amount. Enter the bank account or debit card information you want to use — the city's system is encrypted, meaning your financial information is scrambled so it cannot be read if intercepted.
Review the payment amount and date one more time before confirming. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down or save the confirmation number in case you need to contact the city about the payment later. The payment will leave your bank account within one to three business days, though the city may not show it as received until the next business day.
Setting up automatic monthly payments
If you want the same amount withdrawn from your bank account every month, log into your account and look for the "autopay" or "automatic payment" option. You will choose the day of the month you want the payment to come out — many people choose the day after they get paid. The city will deduct the amount on that day each month until you cancel the arrangement.
Automatic payments are useful if your bill stays roughly the same each month, but they can cause problems if your balance changes significantly. For example, if you pay off part of your bill manually and then autopay withdraws the full amount, you will overpay. You can pause or cancel autopay at any time through your online account, or call the city's billing office to make changes over the phone.
Paying by mail or in person
If you do not have internet access or prefer to pay by check, write your account number on the check or money order. Mail it to the address listed on your bill — this address is usually the City of Burlington's Finance Department or Utilities Department. Do not mail cash, as it can be lost or stolen.
Mail payments take five to ten business days to arrive and be processed, so send your payment at least a week before the due date to avoid a late fee. Some cities allow you to pay in person at a city office during business hours — check the city's website or call the billing office to confirm locations and hours. Payments made in person are usually processed the same day.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your payment is not received by the due date, the city will charge a late fee. The amount varies by city and bill type, but it is typically a percentage of the bill or a flat fee — check your bill or the city's website for the exact amount. After a late fee is added, your balance grows and becomes harder to catch up on.
If you fall behind by 30 to 60 days, the city may send a notice warning that service will be shut off if you do not pay. Water and sewer service shutoff means you will have no running water until you pay the full amount owed plus any shutoff fees. If you do not pay for several months, the city can place a lien on your property, which means they have a legal claim against your home and can force a sale to collect the debt. If you cannot pay your full bill, contact the city's billing office immediately to discuss a payment plan.
Troubleshooting common payment problems
If you see a payment you made but the city's website still shows it as unpaid, wait one to two business days for the system to update. If more than two business days have passed, log into your bank account and confirm the payment actually left your account — sometimes a payment is cancelled or rejected without notice. Check your email for any rejection messages from the city.
If a payment was rejected, the most common reasons are a closed bank account, insufficient funds, or a typo in your account number. Try making the payment again with a different payment method, or call the city's billing office to confirm your account number and ask them to check whether the payment arrived. If you are having trouble accessing your online account, use the "forgot password" link on the login page, or call the city to request a password reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Burlington water bill with a credit card?
Most cities do not accept credit cards for utility bills because the processing fees are high. Check the City of Burlington's bill pay page to see what payment methods are listed — usually it is bank account, debit card, or check. If you want to use a credit card, you may be able to pay through a third-party bill pay service, though you will likely pay a fee for that convenience.
What if I overpay my bill by accident?
If you pay more than you owe, the city will credit the extra amount to your next bill. You can also request a refund by contacting the billing office, though some cities take several weeks to process refunds. Check your next bill to see if the overpayment was applied automatically.
Can I set up autopay and still make manual payments?
Yes. You can have autopay running and also make additional manual payments whenever you want. Just be careful not to overpay — if autopay withdraws money on the same day you make a manual payment, you could pay more than you owe. You can pause autopay for a month if you plan to make a large manual payment.
How do I know if my payment was received?
You will get a confirmation number immediately after making an online payment. Check your email for a receipt from the city. Your online account will also show a history of all payments you have made. If you paid by mail, wait at least five business days, then log in to see if the payment appears in your account history.
What should I do if I cannot afford my bill?
Contact the City of Burlington's billing office directly and explain your situation. Many cities offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months, or they may have hardship programs for low-income households. The city would rather work out a plan than shut off your service, so call before you fall behind.