Where to send your Cleveland sewer payment

The City of Cleveland Division of Water collects sewer charges on your property tax bill. You do not receive a separate sewer invoice — the sewer fee appears as a line item on the bill you get from the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer, usually four times per year.

To pay your sewer portion, you pay the entire property tax bill to Cuyahoga County. You can pay online through the county's website, by mail, in person at the county auditor's office, or through an automatic bank draft. The sewer charge goes to the city as part of that payment; you cannot isolate it or pay it separately.

If you rent and your landlord pays the property tax bill, the sewer charge is already included in what they owe. If you own your home outright or have a mortgage, you are responsible for the full bill including the sewer portion.

Key Takeaways

  • Your sewer bill is not a separate invoice — it appears as a line on your Cuyahoga County property tax bill four times per year.
  • You pay the sewer charge by paying your entire property tax bill to Cuyahoga County through their website, by mail, or in person.
  • The City of Cleveland Division of Water sets the sewer rate, but Cuyahoga County collects the payment on their behalf.
  • If you miss a sewer payment, the city can place a lien on your property, so paying on time protects your ownership.

How to find your sewer charge on your property tax bill

Open your property tax bill from Cuyahoga County and look for the line labeled "Sewer" or "Sewer Charges." The bill breaks down charges by category: real estate tax, school district tax, library tax, and sewer. Your sewer amount will be listed separately with its own dollar figure.

The sewer charge is based on your property's water meter reading or, if you do not have a meter, on the square footage of your building. Residential properties in Cleveland typically see sewer charges between $20 and $60 per quarter, though this varies by water usage and property size. The City of Cleveland adjusts sewer rates periodically, so your charge may change from one bill to the next.

If you cannot locate the sewer line on your bill, call the Cuyahoga County Auditor's office at 216-443-7000. They can tell you the exact amount due and explain how it was calculated.

Online payment through Cuyahoga County

The fastest way to pay is through the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer's online portal. Go to the county auditor's website, select the property tax payment option, and enter your property address or parcel number. The system will show your bill, including the sewer charge, and let you pay by debit card or bank transfer.

Online payments typically process within one to two business days. The county charges a small fee for credit card payments but not for bank transfers. If you pay by the due date shown on your bill, you avoid late fees and penalties.

You can also set up automatic payments through the county's website so the full bill (including sewer) is paid on schedule each quarter without you having to log in each time.

Mailing a check or paying in person

If you prefer to mail a check, write it to "Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer" and send it to the address printed on your property tax bill. Include your parcel number on the check so the payment is credited to the correct property. Mail payments should arrive at least one week before the due date to ensure they are recorded on time.

You can also pay in person at the Cuyahoga County Auditor's office, located at 314 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office accepts cash, check, and debit card payments. Bring your property tax bill or parcel number so staff can process the payment correctly.

What happens if you miss a sewer payment

If your property tax bill (including the sewer charge) is not paid by the due date, the county adds a late fee, usually 10 percent of the unpaid amount. Interest also begins to accrue at a rate set by Ohio law, currently around 8 percent per year on the unpaid balance.

If the bill remains unpaid for several months, the City of Cleveland can place a lien on your property. This lien means the city has a legal claim against your home and can force a sale to recover the debt. A lien makes it difficult to sell or refinance your home until the sewer debt is paid off.

If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer immediately to discuss a payment plan. The county sometimes works with property owners to spread payments over time rather than allow a lien to be filed.

Understanding your sewer rate and how it changes

The City of Cleveland Division of Water sets the sewer rate each year based on the cost of operating and maintaining the city's sewer system. The rate is expressed as a charge per 100 cubic feet of water used (or per square foot of property if you do not have a meter). When the city increases the rate, your quarterly bill goes up even if your water usage stays the same.

The city publishes rate changes in advance, usually in the spring. You can find information about current sewer rates and any planned increases on the City of Cleveland's water department website or by calling 216-664-3060. Knowing when rates are changing helps you budget for higher bills in the coming quarters.

Renters do not pay sewer charges directly — the landlord includes the sewer cost in the rent or passes it through as a separate utility charge. If your lease does not specify who pays utilities, Ohio law typically makes the landlord responsible for sewer as part of the property's operating costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay just the sewer portion of my bill separately?

No. The sewer charge is part of your property tax bill, and you must pay the entire bill to Cuyahoga County. You cannot isolate the sewer amount and pay only that portion. If you have questions about the sewer charge specifically, the City of Cleveland Division of Water can explain how it was calculated, but payment goes through the county.

What if I think my sewer charge is wrong?

Contact the City of Cleveland Division of Water at 216-664-3060 to dispute the charge. They will review your meter reading or property size calculation. If an error is found, they will notify the county, and your bill will be corrected on the next quarter's statement. Keep records of your dispute in case you need to reference it later.

Do I have to pay sewer if I do not use city water?

If your property is connected to the city sewer system, you owe the sewer charge regardless of whether you use city water. Some properties have private wells but are still connected to the sewer. If your property is not connected to the city sewer, you should not see a sewer charge on your bill. Contact the county auditor if you believe you are being charged in error.

How often do I receive a sewer bill?

Sewer charges appear on your property tax bill four times per year, usually in March, June, September, and December. The exact due dates are printed on each bill. If you set up automatic payments, they will be processed on or before each due date.

What if I own the property but someone else lives there?

As the property owner, you are responsible for paying the sewer bill, even if a tenant lives in the home. You can pass the cost to the tenant through rent or a separate utility charge, but the legal obligation to pay the city falls on you. If the bill is not paid, the lien is placed on your property, not the tenant's.