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Utility Services

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1. How do I establish water & sewer utility services?

A Water & Sewer Service Application must be filled out and can be submitted in various ways to establish utility services.

In Person: Apply at the Finance Department, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach.

Mail: Mail the application for service along with the appropriate fees to: Finance Department, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449.

Drop Box: The City's night drop box is located in the parking lot at City Hall.

The City requires 24-hours advance notice to establish service. The City does not conduct business on Saturdays, Sundays, or major holidays. All requests for service must be received by close of business on Thursday for service to be available for the weekend. [Additional Information]

2. How do I close my account for water & sewer utility services?

Utility services can be terminated by contacting the Finance Department at (805) 773-4655 and requesting the date that service is to be terminated. There is also a 24-hour advance notice required for the termination service.

3. When is my utility bill due?

Payment is due for your utility bill for water and sewer 30 days from the billing date shown on your regular bill. If payment is not made by this date, the bill becomes delinquent and a Delinquent Notice including penalties and interest is generated and mailed.

4. How can I pay my bill?

MAIL your payment to: City of Pismo Beach, Finance Department, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

NIGHT DROP BOX: Deposit payment in the Night Drop Box located in the City Hall parking lot.

PAY IN PERSON - Cash and check payments are accepted in the Finance Department.

AUTOMATIC PAYMENT SERVICE- Utility bill is paid automatically from your checking account on the due date stated on the bill. Please call (805) 773-4655 to receive an application to sign up for City of Pismo Beach Automatic Payment Service.

PAY ON-LINE - The City of Pismo Beach has partnered with Official Payments to offer payment of utility services over the Internet using the on-line payment service.

PAY BY PHONE - Official Payments also offers a convenient payment service via telephone. If you prefer to make your payment using your touch-tone telephone, please call toll-free at 1-800-2PAY-TAXsm (1-800-272-9829). At the prompt, enter Jurisdiction Code 1567.
Additional Information

5. Can I pay my utility bill with a credit card?

Yes, as part of our commitment to provide citizens with efficient, convenient service, the City of Pismo Beach has partnered with Official Payments to offer payment of utility services over the Internet using the on-line payment service and by telephone by calling 1-800-2PAY-TAXsm (1-800-272-9829).

Credit Cards Accepted:
American Express®, Discover®, Master Card®, and Visa® credit and debit cards are accepted. A small Convenience Fee applies On-line Payment Service Information

6. Can I pay my utility bill or check my account history on the City's website?

The City of Pismo Beach has partnered with Official Payments to offer payment of utility services over the Internet. Unfortunately viewing your utility bill on-line is not available at this time. On-line Payment Service

7. Does the City have a program that would allow me to authorize an automatic debit from my bank account to pay my water-sewer bill?

Yes. The City offers a service called "Auto-Pay". You may sign up for Auto Pay at the time or anytime after you establish service. Auto Pay is an automatic withdrawal program for your bi-monthly utility bill. You receive a copy of the bill, but your bank pays it for you with funds in your checking account. Payments are made on the due date shown on your bill. It will take at least two billing cycles to initiate the withdrawal of funds from your bank.

8. What are the various charges that make up my utility bill?

Water meters are read bi-monthly, for an average billing cycle of approximately 60 days. The utility bill includes fixed charges and charges for water consumption. The fixed charges include the following:

Water Meter Service Charge (by Meter Size) $29.20
Sewer Charge (Flat Rate) $68.28
Water Usage Fee (Varies per amount used—this example is 10 HCF of usage) $19.40
Total Bill: $116.88

Meter sizes have been determined by either a contractor or the building department and cannot be reduced to a smaller size.

Sewer commercial: According to classification. Call the Building Department at (805) 773-7040 for details.

The Water Meter Service Charge is charged upon all City water users to help pay for the cost of maintenance of the water mains, pump stations, equipment and water reservoir systems.

9. What occurs when the City receives a non-sufficient funds notice from a customer's bank?

See “What is a Delinquent Notice?”. The returned check and a $25.00 returned check fee must be paid in cash or money order only. Failure to pay for the NSF check and returned check fee will result in water service being terminated. The amount of the returned check and the returned check fee must be paid before service is restored. The service will be restored on the date the fees are paid if payment is received by 3:00 P.M., otherwise service cannot be restored until the next day.

10. Can I request my water bill for a specific date or cycle?

No. The City reads the water meters according to a route-reading schedule – currently . This schedule fixes the time the meters are read and the utility bill is prepared and sent to the customer.

11. What is a Delinquent Notice?

A Delinquent Notice is issued if payment has not been received by the due date originally shown on the regular bill. The Delinquent Notice includes penalty and interest charges and will show a new due date -approximately 10 days from the original billing due date. If the bill remains unpaid a shut-off notice will be hung on your door with a deadline for payment. If the bill remains unpaid after the deadline the water will be shut off. There is a $30.00 shut-off fee if your account is locked out due to non-payment.

12. Why was my account sent to collections?

Your account was closed with an unpaid balance and sent to a collection agency to pursue collection of payment of the debt.

13. What do I do if I go on vacation, return home on a non-business day, and find that my utility service has been terminated due to non-payment?

You must wait until the next business day. Pay your past due balance, plus a Lock Out Fee of $30.00, and your service will be restored.

14. Can my account be transferred if I move from one home to another within the City?

No. Because a deposit is required for each location, any deposit you have on your account will be applied to your balance when you close your account.

15. How is the meter reading performed?

Meter reading is performed by a contract meter reading company. Meters are read approximately the same date bi-monthly in accordance with a route reading schedule. The date can vary between 3 and 5 days depending on City Holidays or unforeseen circumstances.

16. Can the water meter be re-read if there is a question as to a reading error?

Yes. The Finance Department will have the meter read and re-checked for any errors. At that time, the meter will also be checked for malfunctions and leaks.

17. Since I pay a bi-monthly service charge that is based on the size of my water meter, do I own the water meter?

No, the City owns the meter. The service charge based upon water meter size is based upon all City water users to help pay for the cost of maintenance of the water mains, pump stations, equipment, and water reservoir systems.

18. How do I get a hydrant meter?

You can request a hydrant meter by calling or coming into the office. You must obtain a permit and complete an application for water service. There is a $1,000.00 refundable fee and a $65.00 non-refundable fee, for a total of $1,065.00. Contact the Building Department at (805) 773-7040 for more information. Hydrant Meter Service Application

19. Who do I call for Trash customer service?

Trash services are not provided by the City of Pismo Beach. Please contact South County Sanitation District at (805) 489-4246 to establish trash services.

20. Does the City pick up hazardous waste?

No. Please call South County Sanitation at (805) 489-4246 or Eco Solutions at (805) 481-9213.

21. Why am I required to sign up for trash if I don't want to?

City of Pismo Beach Municipal Code 8.12.100, Collection Mandatory reads as follows:

“A. Solid waste disposal service, subject to the limitations noted in this chapter will be provided by the city through its contract agent and it shall be mandatory for all places and premises in the city through its contract agent and it shall be mandatory for all places and premises in the city in or on which garbage or other solid waste is created, accumulated or produced to use the city’s collection service; provided, however, that there may be joint or multiple used of solid waste containers, subject to conditions established by the city.”