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Utility Services

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

A Water & Sewer Service Application and a $180.00 deposit (cash, check, or credit card) must be filled out and submitted to the Finance Office at City Hall. We also require a copy of your photo ID. Please choose:

Owner application:

http://pismobeach.org/DocumentCenter/View/6688

Tenant application:

http://pismobeach.org/DocumentCenter/View/6689

Apply in person: Apply at the Finance Office, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach.

Mail: Mail the application for service along with the appropriate fees to: Finance Office, 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?

A Request to Discontinue Services Form must be received 24 hours prior to having your account closed. The Request to Discontinue Services Form can be faxed to (805) 773-7065, emailed to ub@pismobeach.org, or dropped off in the Administrative Services Department at City Hall. Please note, closing of utility accounts CANNOT be back dated, once the completed Request to Discontinue Services Form has been received, closing of the utility account can take place as soon as the next business day or any week day in the future. It is owner and tenant responsibility to make sure that their account has been or will be closed on the proper date – prorations/refunds will not be processed for accounts that have not been closed on the end of lease date or escrow closing date due to non-notification to the Administrative Services Department. Request To Discontinue Services Form

3. When is my utility bill due?

Payment for your utility bill is due on the 15th of the month after your utility bill has been processed. Should the 15th fall on a weekend, payment is due the following Monday. Delinquents will be the following business day after the due date once the drop box payments have been picked up at 7:30am and entered. Please note, mail received on the business day following the due date is not considered on time, post marks are not taken into effect.

4. How can I pay my bill?

MAIL your payment to: City of Pismo Beach, Finance Office, 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, check or payments made by Visa, Mastercard, or Discover are accepted in the Finance Office at no additional charge.

AUTOMATIC PAYMENT SERVICE- Utility bill is paid automatically from your credit card or checking account on the due date stated on the bill. Please sign up and register your account on

https://pismobeach.merchanttransact.com/Default.aspx

PAY ON-LINE -

https://pismobeach.merchanttransact.com/Bills/

PAY BY PHONE - Call us at (805) 773-4655.

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

Yes, you can pay with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check on our online billing site

https://pismobeach.merchanttransact.com/

Or by calling us at (805) 773-4655.

Credit Cards Accepted:
Discover®, Master Card®, and Visa® credit and debit cards are accepted.

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

Yes, please register or sign into your account at

https://pismobeach.merchanttransact.com/

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.

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

All utility bills include flat rate charges based on meter size as well as water/sewer consumption charges. Rates vary by classification and meter size. For detailed rate information please see Comprehensive Water & Sewer Fee Schedule*. For further explanation of flat rate/consumption charges, please contact Utility Billing at (805) 773-7009.

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

The Water Service Charge and Sewer Service Charge based on meter size 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. Water & Sewer Fee Schedule*

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

A $39.00 returned payment fee will be added to the account on the first occurrence. There will be a $39.00 returned payment fee added to the account for each subsequent occurrence. The City of Pismo Beach Administrative Services Department will contact you regarding the returned payment. You can then choose to have the original payment re-deposited at no additional charge, or reversed in which case another payment must be received in the Administrative Services Department in order to avoid delinquent fees or disconnection of services. If contact attempts are made with no response, the payment will be reversed and the account will become subject to delinquent fees and/or disconnection of services.

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 routine bill. The Delinquent Notice includes penalty and interest charges and will show a new due date – approximately 10-14 days from the original billing due date. If the bill remains unpaid the Administrative Services Department will call to remind you of the amount still due the Friday before the new listed due date. If contact cannot be made, a 48 hour notice will be placed on the front door of the property and a $36.00 fee will be applied to your account. Should the bill still remain unpaid, an $86.00 Shut Off Fee will be added to your account prior to services being locked out at the meter 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. Two collection notice letters would have been mailed to the mailing address listed on the closed utility account in the month prior to sending your account to the collection agency.

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?

In order to have services restored on a non business day, an after-hours turn on fee of $199.00 will be added to your utility account. Otherwise, you must wait until the next business day then pay your past due balance plus the $86.00 shut off fee, plus the $36.00 48 hour notice fee – services will then be restored within one to two hours of payment being received.

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 Office 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?

Applicants must check with the Building Division for authorization to receive a hydrant meter. Please call (805) 773-7040. A Hydrant Meter Application along with the $1,197.00 refundable deposit, and the $216.00 one-time non refundable rental fee must be received in the Administrative Services Department at least 24 hours prior to hydrant meter being set. The refundable deposit will be put towards any closing charges on your utility account. A refund check, or utility bill showing the remaining balance due will be sent to you within 30 days of the hydrant meter being pulled.

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 San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) at (805) 782-8530

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.”