How to Pay Your Utilities Bill for the City of Riverside

Paying your monthly utility bill to the City of Riverside is easy and convenient with several options to choose from. The city offers online payments, phone payments, payment by mail, and in-person payments at two customer service centers. Customers can pay with credit/debit cards, checking accounts, or cash. Read on to learn the details about each payment method and how to avoid late fees.

Pay Online

The fastest and most popular way to pay a Riverside utility bill is online through the city’s website. Simply go to riversideca.gov/utilities and click on “Pay Your Bill”. You can make quick one-time payments or set up recurring automatic payments.

To pay online, you’ll need your Riverside Public Utilities account number and the amount due Have a credit/debit card or checking account ready Payments post instantly so you don’t have to worry about mailing delays.

The city accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and electronic checks. All you need is an email address to create an online profile and link your payment sources.

Online payments can be made 24/7 for convenience. It’s the easiest way to avoid late fees and keep your utilities on.

Pay with the 311 App

The 311 mobile app allows Riverside utility customers to pay their bill conveniently on their smartphone. Simply download the free 311 app and log in with your account number and street address.

You can pay one-time or set up recurring payments through the app. It will store your payment information securely under your account. The 311 app also provides other city services like reporting issues and requesting bulky item pickup.

Pay by Phone

To pay your Riverside utility bill by phone, call (951) 826-5311 and speak to an automated system. Have your account number ready to input along with your payment info.

You can pay with a credit/debit card by following the payment prompts. The automated system is available 24 hours a day so you can pay at your convenience. Just make sure to call by the due date to avoid late fees.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer to mail in your payment, simply send a check or money order made out to Riverside Public Utilities to:

Riverside Public Utilities
3900 Main St
Riverside, CA 92522-0144

Be sure to include your remittance stub in the envelope provided with your bill. Allow 5-7 days for delivery to ensure your payment arrives by the due date. Going paperless can eliminate the need to mail payments.

Pay In-Person

The City of Riverside has two customer service centers where you can pay your utility bill in person with cash, check, credit/debit, or money order.

The Downtown Customer Service Center is located at 3901 Orange Street. It’s open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-12:30pm.

The other location is the Customer Resource Center at 3025 Madison Street. Its hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

When paying in person, be sure to bring your utility bill or know your account number. In-person payments allow you to get assistance from customer service representatives if needed.

Avoid Late Fees

The due date for Riverside utility bills is typically 20-25 days after the statement date. A 10% late penalty will be assessed if payment is received after the due date.

Failure to pay your bill on time can eventually lead to service disconnection. Make sure to pay by the due date through any of the methods above to avoid penalties. Setting up automatic payments online can prevent you from ever being late.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are having trouble paying your Riverside utility bill, the city offers programs that may help including:

• Payment Arrangements – Set up a payment plan to pay past due balances over time while keeping services on.

• Utilicare – Offers a 25% discount on electric bills for seniors and disabled customers meeting income guidelines.

• Energy Savings Assistance Program – Provides no-cost home improvements like air sealing, insulation, and heating/cooling unit repairs to qualified low-income residents to help reduce energy bills.

• LIHEAP – Provides one-time assistance grants applied directly to utility bills for households below 60% of state median income.

Contact Riverside Public Utilities at (951) 782-0330 to learn more and apply for these assistance programs if needed.

Understanding Your Utility Charges

Riverside utility bills consist of charges for electric, water, sewer, trash collection and other city services. Here are some key charges explained:

• Water Usage – Based on hundred cubic feet (CCF) registered by your meter. Billed at increasing rates based on usage tier.

• Electric Usage – Based on kilowatt-hours (kWh) registered by your meter. Billed at increasing rates based on usage tier.

• Reliability Charge – Fixed monthly charge based on your electric panel capacity to maintain and improve the city’s electrical infrastructure.

• Customer Charge – Fixed monthly fee covering the costs of billing, metering, and providing service. Varies by your rate schedule.

• State Energy Charge – Special state assessment on electricity use to fund energy programs.

• Network Access Charge – Charge based on average electric use to maintain the distribution system.

• Utility User Tax – 5-11.5% tax on utility services to fund city projects and services.

• Public Benefits Charges – Small monthly surcharges on electric and water to assist low-income customers and fund conservation initiatives.

• Sewer – Monthly sewer service charges based on customer type/size.

• Trash – Charges for trash, recycling, and green waste collection.

Check your monthly utility bill carefully and contact Riverside Public Utilities at (951) 782-0330 if you have any questions about specific charges. Being aware of what you’re billed for can help you control costs.

Compare Riverside Utility Rates

Riverside offers different electric and water rate schedules depending on your customer class and usage profile. Comparing your current rate plan to other available options can potentially lower your monthly utility costs.

Major rate schedules for Riverside residential customers include:

Electric

• Domestic Service (DS) – Basic fixed rate for general household electric use.

• Time-of-Use (TOU-DS) – Lower rates during off-peak hours incentivize shifting usage to those times.

• Net Energy Metering (NEM) – Special rates for homes with solar panels that generate excess power sent back to the grid.

Water

• Standard – Increasing block rates based on usage tiers.

• Suburban – Slightly lower rates than Standard for customers outside city center.

• Low Income – Discounted water rates for qualified low-income households.

Use the Riverside Public Utilities rate comparison tool to see if another rate schedule could save you money before your rates change each July 1st.

Go Paperless

You can eliminate mailed paper bills by signing up for paperless billing through Riverside’s online payment portal. Instead of receiving a bill in the mail, you’ll get an email notification when your new statement is ready to view and pay online.

Going paperless saves trees, postage costs, and clutter. You’ll have instant access to your bill without waiting for delivery. Paperless billing also makes automated payments easier since statements are digital.

Start using the City of Riverside’s convenient online and paperless utilities account management tools. Pay your bill quickly online, on your phone, or at one of two local customer service centers. Learn about available utility assistance programs and optimize your rate plan. And go paperless to simplify bill payment. Contact Riverside Public Utilities at (951) 782-0330 for any account help.