Where to pay your Fresno water and utility bills
Fresno residents can pay water and city utility bills through the City of Fresno's official payment portal, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The easiest route for most people is the online portal at fresno.gov/utilities, where you can pay immediately with a bank account or debit card without creating an account. You'll need your account number, which appears on your bill.
If you prefer not to pay online, you can call the Fresno Utilities Customer Service line at (559) 621-7000 to pay by phone with a debit or credit card. There is typically a convenience fee for phone payments. You can also mail a check or money order to the address printed on your bill, though mail payments take longer to process — usually 7 to 10 business days.
For in-person payment, the City of Fresno accepts payments at the Utilities Customer Service office located downtown. Check fresno.gov/utilities for current office hours and locations, as these can change seasonally.
Key Takeaways
- The online payment portal at fresno.gov/utilities is the fastest way to pay and requires only your account number and payment method.
- Phone payments through (559) 621-7000 are available but typically include a convenience fee that online payments do not.
- Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the city, so send them early if you have a due date approaching.
- Your account number appears on your bill and is required for any payment method you choose.
- In-person payment locations exist but are less common than online and phone options for most Fresno residents.
Understanding your Fresno utility bill
Your Fresno water and utility bill shows your account number at the top, your current charges, and your due date. The bill breaks down charges by service type — water, wastewater, stormwater, and city services — so you can see what you're paying for. The due date is typically 20 days from the bill date, though you should check your specific bill to confirm.
The amount you owe includes both fixed charges (a base fee for service) and usage charges (what you pay per unit of water consumed). Usage is measured in hundred-cubic-foot units, or HCF. One HCF equals about 748 gallons. If your bill seems high, check whether your usage increased — this often signals a leak in your home or yard.
Late fees apply if you don't pay by the due date. The city may also shut off service if an account falls significantly behind. Knowing your due date and account number before you sit down to pay prevents mistakes and late charges.
Setting up automatic payments
Fresno allows you to set up automatic monthly payments through the online portal at fresno.gov/utilities. Automatic payments deduct money from your bank account on a date you choose, usually around your bill's due date. This removes the risk of forgetting a payment and incurring late fees.
To enroll, log into the portal, find the autopay or recurring payment option, and enter your bank account details. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through the same portal. If you're unsure whether autopay is active on your account, call (559) 621-7000 to confirm.
What to do if you can't pay on time
If you know you won't be able to pay by the due date, contact Fresno Utilities Customer Service at (559) 621-7000 before your bill becomes late. The city sometimes offers payment arrangements or extensions for customers facing temporary hardship. Calling ahead gives you a better chance of working out a plan than waiting until after the due date passes.
Fresno also has a Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) that may help with water bills if your household income falls below a certain threshold. You can learn more about this program through the city's utilities website or by calling the customer service line.
Avoiding common payment mistakes
The most common mistake is paying the wrong amount or sending payment to the wrong address. Always double-check the due date and amount owed on your bill before paying. If you're mailing a check, use the address printed on your bill itself — don't use a general city address.
Another frequent error is confusing your account number with other numbers on the bill. Your account number is the primary identifier the city uses to match your payment to your account. Write it clearly on any check you mail, and have it ready when you call or pay online.
If you pay online but don't receive a confirmation number or email, take a screenshot of the confirmation page before closing your browser. Keep this record until you see the payment reflected on your next bill. If a payment doesn't appear within the expected timeframe, call customer service with your confirmation number.
Checking your payment history
You can view your payment history and account balance anytime through the online portal at fresno.gov/utilities. This shows all payments received, their dates, and any outstanding balance. Checking your history regularly helps you catch billing errors early and confirm that payments have been processed.
If you notice a payment missing from your history, don't assume it was lost — it may still be processing. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 days to appear, and online payments usually show within 1 to 2 business days. If a payment is more than two weeks old and still hasn't appeared, call (559) 621-7000 with your confirmation number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Fresno water bill without creating an online account?
Yes. The online portal allows one-time payments without requiring you to create an account. You'll enter your account number, the amount, and your payment method, then receive a confirmation number. You don't need to log in or save any information.
Is there a fee for paying online through fresno.gov/utilities?
The city's official online portal does not charge a convenience fee for payments made directly through fresno.gov/utilities. Phone payments typically do include a fee, so online is the most cost-effective option.
What happens if I miss my due date?
Late fees are added to your account after the due date passes. If your account falls significantly behind, the city may issue a notice of intent to shut off service. Contacting customer service before the due date to arrange a payment plan can prevent this.
How long does it take for a mailed check to be processed?
Mailed payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to reach the city and be recorded on your account. If your due date is approaching, mail your payment at least two weeks in advance or use online or phone payment instead.
Can I change my payment due date?
The city sets your due date based on your billing cycle, and you cannot change it. However, you can set up automatic payments to deduct on any date you choose before the due date, which gives you flexibility in managing when money leaves your account.