Are you strugglin’ to figure out how to pay your City of Spokane bills? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! As residents of beautiful Spokane, Washington, we all gotta deal with utility bills and other city payments. Today, I’m gonna walk you through everything you need to know about City of Spokane bill pay options.
What Bills Can You Pay to the City of Spokane?
Before diving into payment methods, let’s quickly review what bills you might need to pay to the City of Spokane:
- Utility bills (water, sewer, garbage)
- Parking tickets
- Business taxes
- Permit fees
- Parks & Recreation class fees
Online Payment Options – The Easiest Way!
The City of Spokane offers several convenient online payment options for residents. The main portal can be found at my.spokanecity.org/payments/.
eBill – Pay Utility Bills Online
This is probably the most common payment most of us make to the city The eBill system lets you
- View your current and past bills
- Set up automatic payments
- Make one-time payments
- Track your usage history
To use the eBill system, you’ll need to ensure your browser has JavaScript enabled and cookies turned on. If you’re having trouble accessing the site, the page will prompt you with a “JavaScript Disabled!” message and a “Continue” button.
Other Online Payment Options
The City of Spokane payment portal also provides links to:
- Parks & Recreation – Sign up and pay for classes
- Parking Tickets – Pay or contest online
- Online Permitting – Check permit status and pay fees
- Business Taxes – Access tax information and make payments
Phone Payment Options
Don’t want to pay online? No problem! You can dial 311 or call 509.755.CITY (2489) to make payments over the phone. The customer service reps are usually pretty helpful and can guide you through the process.
In-Person Payment Options
Some of us still prefer the old-fashioned way of paying bills in person. You can visit the City Hall payment counter at:
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.Spokane, WA 99201The staff there can help you with any payment questions and accept various forms of payment including cash, check, or card.
Mail-In Payments
If you wanna send in a check, you can mail your payment to the City of Spokane at the address above. Just be sure to:
- Include your account number
- Allow enough time for mail delivery
- Write your check to “City of Spokane”
Setting Up Autopay for Spokane Utility Bills
I personally recommend setting up autopay – it’s saved me from late fees more than once! Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the eBill system on the city website
- Create an account or log in
- Navigate to payment options
- Select “Auto Pay”
- Enter your banking or credit card information
- Choose your payment date preference
- Confirm the setup
When Are City Bills Due?
Utility bills in Spokane are typically due within 20 days of issuance. The exact date will be printed on your bill. Remember that garbage, recycling, and food & yard waste services operate on their regular schedule, and carts need to be at the curb by 6 a.m. on your collection day.
What If I’m Having Trouble Paying My Bill?
The City of Spokane understands that sometimes finances get tight. If you’re struggling to pay your utility bill, contact the city before it becomes past due. They often have programs to help, including:
- Payment arrangements
- Utility assistance programs
- Hardship deferrals
Stay Updated on City Services
The city website regularly posts updates about services. For example, currently there’s information about the Indigenous Peoples’ holiday schedule for city services in their news release section.
Tips for Managing Your Spokane City Bills
Here are some handy tips I’ve learned over the years
- Set calendar reminders for bill due dates
- Check your usage patterns to identify ways to save
- Report issues promptly using the MySpokane 311 service at myspokane311.my.site.com/citizen/mbl/servicetypes
- Keep your contact info updated so you receive important notifications
- Review your bills for any unusual charges or usage spikes
Understanding Your Utility Bill
Spokane utility bills include several components
| Service | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Water | Clean water delivery to your home |
| Sewer | Wastewater treatment |
| Garbage | Trash collection services |
| Recycling | Processing of recyclable materials |
| Food & yard waste | Collection of compostable materials |
Your bill will break down the charges for each service, plus any applicable taxes or fees.
Common Questions About Spokane City Bill Pay
Do I need an account to pay online?
For one-time payments, you usually don’t need an account, just your bill information. But creating an account gives you more features like payment history and autopay.
What payment methods are accepted?
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover)
- Debit cards
- Electronic checks (ACH)
- Cash (in-person only)
- Paper checks (mail or in-person)
Is there a fee for online payments?
Sometimes there’s a convenience fee for credit card payments, but e-checks (direct from your bank account) usually don’t have fees.
What if my payment is late?
Late payments may incur additional fees and potentially lead to service disconnection for utilities. Contact the city immediately if you know you’ll be late.
Can I get a paper bill if I sign up for eBill?
Yes, you can typically opt to receive both paper and electronic bills if you prefer.
My Personal Experience with Spokane City Bill Pay
When I first moved to Spokane, I was confused about all the different bills and payment options. I tried mailing checks for a while, but after forgetting one month and getting hit with a late fee, I switched to autopay and haven’t looked back!
The online system is pretty straightforward once you get used to it. Just make sure your browser has JavaScript enabled and cookies turned on, as the site requires these to function properly.
Final Thoughts
Paying your City of Spokane bills doesn’t have to be a headache. With multiple payment options available, you can choose whatever method works best for your lifestyle. The city’s website at my.spokanecity.org/payments/ is your go-to resource for all payment-related questions.
Remember that staying on top of your bills not only avoids late fees but helps our beautiful city continue providing the services we all rely on. From maintaining our parks to keeping our water clean, those bill payments fund the things that make Spokane such a great place to live.
Have you tried the online payment system? What’s been your experience with City of Spokane bill pay? Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out the MySpokane 311 service at myspokane311.my.site.com/citizen/mbl/servicetypes for reporting issues or requesting services from the city. It’s super helpful for everything from pothole reports to missed garbage pickups!
Utility Billing is Getting an Upgrade!
In the nearly 25 years since the City of Spokane last replaced its utility billing system, much has changed with technology, online capabilities, access to data, customer invoice receipt and payment tools, etc. The platform the City has been operating on doesn’t contemplate much of the online transaction features that many customers have become accustomed to in today’s world. The replacement of the aging software platform provides:
- Better customer interaction and communication with utility customers
- Enhanced automatic payment capabilities
- Paperless invoicing
- Future smartphone app support
- Process flow that increases staff efficiencies
- Access to user-based reporting tools and data sets for customer trending and analytics
- Increased efficiencies help better manage rate changes over time
- Water conservation – aquifer health, river health, ordinance compliance
- System efficiencies with water delivery and storage information
