How to Pay Your Santa Cruz Municipal Utilities Bill Online, By Phone, or By Mail

Santa Cruz Municipal Utilities (SCMU) provides water, wastewater, and garbage services to the residents and businesses of Santa Cruz, California. As a customer, you are responsible for paying your SCMU bill on time each month. SCMU offers convenient online, phone, and mail payment options. This guide will walk through the various ways to pay your SCMU utility bill.

Pay Your SCMU Bill Online

The fastest and most convenient way to pay your SCMU utility bill is online through the MyCityofSantaCruz portal. Here is how to pay online

1. Go to www.mycityofsantacruz.com and click on “Login” in the top right.

2. If you already have an account, enter your username and password to log in. If you don’t have an account click “Register” to create one.

3. Once logged in click on “Utility Bills” from the main menu.

4. Select the utility account you want to make a payment towards.

5. Enter the payment amount and submit your payment.

Online bill pay allows you to store payment methods like credit cards or bank accounts for future use. You can also opt for paperless billing and set up automatic payments.

Pay Your SCMU Bill By Phone

To pay your SCMU bill over the phone:

1. Call (831) 420-5220. This is the SCMU Customer Service phone line.

2. Follow the prompts to make a payment using the automated phone system.

3. Have your account number and credit/debit card ready to enter into the system.

4. Enter your payment information as guided by the automated prompts.

Paying by phone is quick and easy. Just make sure to call during regular business hours, Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm.

Pay Your SCMU Bill By Mail

To pay your SCMU utility bill by mail:

1. Write your account number on your check or money order. Make it payable to “City of Santa Cruz.”

2. Detach the payment stub from the bottom of your paper bill.

3. Put the payment stub and check or money order into an envelope. Include your return address.

4. Mail your payment to:

   City of Santa Cruz Utilities
   P.O. Box 1870
   Santa Cruz, CA 95061

5. Allow 5-7 business days for your mailed payment to reach SCMU and be processed.

Paying by mail takes more time than online or phone payments. Mail your payment at least 5 business days before the due date to ensure on-time delivery.

Avoid Late Fees

To avoid late fees, make sure to pay your SMCU utility bill in full by the due date printed on your statement each month. Mark your due dates on your calendar so you remember to pay on time.

If you cannot pay on time, call SMCU before the due date at (831) 420-5220 to discuss payment plan options. As long as you communicate with SMCU about your situation, you can often avoid late fees.

Financial Assistance Programs

If you are having trouble paying your SMCU utility bills due to financial hardship, there are assistance programs available:

• Bill Discount Program – Offers 30-50% discount on utility bills for income-qualified households

• HEAP – Provides federal energy assistance grants to help pay utility bills

• Project SCOUT – Helps pay past due utility bills for low income households

To apply for these assistance programs, call (831) 831-2129. Discounts and financial aid are available to help Santa Cruz residents maintain essential utility services.

Payment Plans

If you cannot pay your full balance due to temporary financial difficulty, SMCU offers payment plan options including:

• Payment Arrangement – Spread balance over 2-6 installments within the current billing period

• Deferred Payment Plan – Spread balance over 3-12 months to pay over an extended timeframe

To set up a payment plan, call SMCU at (831) 420-5220. Payment plans allow you to pay your outstanding balance over time while avoiding service disruptions.

Service Shutoff

If your SMCU account remains unpaid for 60+ days, your services are subject to shutoff. SMCU will send multiple notices before disconnecting service. To avoid shutoff:

• Pay past due balance in full
• Set up a deferred payment plan
• Apply for financial assistance

Do not ignore disconnect notices from SMCU. Call right away if you receive one so you can make arrangements to avoid service interruptions.

Restoring Disconnected Service

If your utilities have been disconnected by SMCU due to non-payment, you must pay a reconnection fee to restore service:

• During Business Hours: $55 reconnection fee
• After Hours: $150 reconnection fee

Reconnection fees must be paid before your service is restored. Pay immediately to limit the disruption to your household or business.

Summary

• Pay your SMCU utility bill online, by phone, or by mail
• Avoid late fees by paying on time before the due date
• Contact SMCU immediately if you get a disconnect notice
• Payment plans and financial aid programs are available for those in need
• Disconnected service can be restored once past due balances are paid

Staying on top of your SMCU utility account responsibilities allows you to avoid unnecessary fees and service disruptions. Pay on time, communicate with SMCU about any issues, and leverage available bill assistance programs when needed.