Hey there! If you’ve been searching for information on how to pay your City of Montclair bills, you’ve landed in the right place I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you understand all your payment options and make the process as smooth as possible Let’s dive into the details of Montclair bill payment systems and save you some time and headaches!
Which Montclair Are We Talking About?
Before we jump in, it’s important to clarify something that might be confusing – there are actually TWO different cities named Montclair in the United States
- Montclair, California (City of Montclair, CA)
- Montclair, New Jersey (Township of Montclair, NJ)
Each city has different bill payment systems, so I’ll cover both to make sure you get the information you need regardless of which Montclair you live in.
City of Montclair, California: Bill Payment Guide
What Bills Can You Pay?
In Montclair, CA, the main utilities managed by the city are:
- Trash collection services
- Sewer services
Billing Cycle Information
If you live in Montclair. California here’s what you should know about your billing
- Bills are sent every other month (bi-monthly)
- Billing occurs on the 1st of the month
- If the 1st falls on a weekend, billing happens the following Monday
- When billed, you’re paying for the previous two months of service
Current Rates for Montclair, CA (2025)
For single-family residential properties, the bi-monthly charges are:
| Service Type | Cost (Every 2 Months) |
|---|---|
| Trash | $77.42 |
| Senior Trash Rate (65+) | $61.94 |
| Sewer | $72.96 |
| Extra Black Trash Container | $13.58 |
| Extra Green Greenwaste Container | $8.62 |
| Extra Blue Recycling Container | $3.06 |
Multi-family property owners are charged $81.50 per unit for trash and $72.96 per unit for sewer for two months of service.
For commercial customers, sewer charges are based on water usage.
Payment Options for Montclair, CA
1. Pay In Person
- Location: City Hall, 5111 Benito Street
- Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Payment Methods: Cash, check, money order, or credit card
2. Payment Drop Box
- Located at City Hall
- Accepts checks and money orders only (NO CASH)
- Payments received by 7:00 a.m. get same-day credit
3. Online Bill Pay
Their online bill pay system lets you:
- Pay your current bill online
- Receive email notifications when statements are available
- View previous and current bill statements
- Pay anytime, 7 days a week
- Make one-time credit/debit card payments
- Set up recurring payments
- Pay with electronic checks
You can access the online payment portal through the City of Montclair website.
Important Payment Timing Note: Payments made up to 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time will be reflected on your account the same day. Payments after 7:00 p.m. will be processed the next business day.
4. Automatic Payment Plan
- Have payments automatically deducted from your checking account
- Payments are processed on the 10th of the month
- If the 10th falls on a weekend, the payment processes the following Monday
- To enroll, you need to complete an application form (available in English and Spanish)
- You’ll need to provide a voided check and your signature
To get started, you can:
- Contact Customer Service at (909) 625-9472
- Download the application form from the city website
- Mail your completed form to:
City of Montclair
Attention Finance
5111 Benito Street
Montclair, CA 91763
Important Policies to Know (Montclair, CA)
Late Fees
- 10% charge on any unpaid balance if payment isn’t received by 6:00 p.m. on the due date
- Payment window hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday
- MAILING PAYMENT ON THE DUE DATE IS NOT RECOMMENDED
- Postmarks aren’t accepted as proof of timely payment
Lien Policy
Since January 2002, Montclair CA passed Ordinance No. 02-815 that:
- Allows liens to be placed on properties with past due trash and sewer bills
- Makes property owners ultimately responsible for trash and sewer bills, even those generated by tenants
- Places liens on properties once accounts become 90 days delinquent
- Adds a $50 lien fee and a $20 release of lien fee to any lien amount
If you’re selling or refinancing your home with a lien, ask your mortgage company to email a request for a demand letter to the Lien Desk at [email protected].
Senior Discount
If you’re 65 or older, you can qualify for the senior discount rate of $61.94 (instead of $77.42) for bi-monthly trash service. To apply:
- Visit City Hall and fill out a Senior discount card
- Or download the application online
- Provide proof of age
- The account must be in your name
- You must live at the service address
Customer Service
For questions about your bill, contact Customer Service at (909) 625-9472.
Township of Montclair, New Jersey: Bill Payment Guide
If you live in Montclair, New Jersey, your bill payment process is different. Here’s what you need to know:
What Bills Can You Pay?
In Montclair, NJ, you can pay:
- Property Tax
- Water Bureau bills
- Sewer Utility bills
Online Payment Portal
Montclair, NJ residents can pay their bills online using:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Discover
- American Express
To access the payment portal, visit the Township of Montclair website and look for the “Pay Taxes, Water or Sewer Bill” option under Online Services.
Important Fee Information (Montclair, NJ)
- There are convenience fees associated with debit or credit card payments
- NO CHARGE for payment by e-check (the Finance Department eliminated the $1.05 online transaction fee)
- Returned E-Check Fee: $20 fee will appear on your next bill for any returned payment (per Township Ordinance 05-38)
Verification Process for Online Payments
When paying online, you’ll need to:
- Enter your Account Number (format example: 111111-111)
- Enter your Billing Zip Code
- Agree to the Terms of Use & Privacy Policy
- Click Continue to proceed with your payment
After completing your transaction, you’ll receive a “payment confirmation” email from the processing company. Your payment will then be routed to a clearing house where your account information will be verified.
Common Questions About Montclair Bill Payments
Q: How do I know which Montclair my bill is from?
A: Check the letterhead or website URL. Montclair, California will have references to “City of Montclair” while New Jersey will show “Township of Montclair, NJ.”
Q: What if I miss my payment due date?
A:
- In Montclair, CA: You’ll be charged a 10% late fee on any unpaid balance.
- In Montclair, NJ: Late payment policies vary by bill type; check with the specific department.
Q: Can someone else pay my bill for me?
A: Yes, another person can make a payment on your behalf, but they’ll need your account information.
Q: What if I’m having financial difficulties?
A: Contact the customer service department as soon as possible:
- Montclair, CA: (909) 625-9472
- Montclair, NJ: (973) 744-1400
They may be able to work out a payment plan or direct you to assistance programs.
Tips for Hassle-Free Bill Payments
-
Set calendar reminders for your bill due dates to avoid late fees
-
Sign up for automatic payments if you have consistent income and want to “set it and forget it”
-
Keep your account number handy – you’ll need it for all payment methods
-
Pay a few days early if using mail or online systems to account for processing time
-
Keep payment confirmations until you see the payment reflected on your next bill
-
Update your contact information if you move or change phone numbers to ensure you receive bill notifications
-
Check your bills for accuracy – if something looks wrong, contact customer service right away
Final Thoughts
Remember that the most important thing is to pay on time to avoid those pesky late fees and potential liens. If you ever have questions about your bill, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local customer service team – they’re there to help!
Do you have any other questions about paying your Montclair bills? Drop me a comment below, and I’d be happy to help find the answer for you. And if you found this guide useful, please share it with your neighbors!
Stay organized with those bills, and see ya next time!
Check or Money Order
Checks and money orders must be in US dollars, drawn on a US bank and must be made payable to “Montclair State University.” Payment must include the student’s CWID number to ensure credit to the student’s account. Post-dated checks (checks with future dates) cannot be accepted.
- You can drop a check or money order off to a One-Stop / Red Hawk Central representative sitting at the front counter within the College Hall atrium. Ensure your CWID is in the memo field.
- You may also mail your check or money order payment to the Cashier’s Office at:
- Montclair State University Attn: Cole Hall/Cashier’s Office 1 Normal Avenue Montclair, NJ 07043
All returned/rejected check (both paper and e-check) payments due to incorrect information (i.e. invalid account number, bank’s inability to locate account due to invalid routing/account number, non-sufficient funds, stop payments, etc.) will be will be assessed a $60.00 return check fee. Your initial payment will be reversed and holds will placed on the student account.
A subsequent payment must be made immediately by cash, certified check or credit card to avoid an interruption in your studies. Should payment not be made, you will be subject to late fees and financial holds.
Montclair State University reserves the right to deny accepting a check payment from a student who has numerous returned/rejected checks.
Credit/Debit Card (Processing Fee Applies)
- When paying by credit card there is a non-refundable convenience fee charged by our credit card servicer of 3% of your payment (there is a minimum payment of $.50 with a $3.00 fee when using a credit card).
- Prior to submitting your payment, a window will pop up showing the amount of the convenience fee; at this point you can cancel the payment. Once payment is submitted the fee is non-refundable.
- Credit/debit card and payment plan payments are accepted on NEST at any time of the day.
In-person Payments &lparCashiers Window&rpar
Stop at the One Stop Shop counter (Red Hawk Central), located in the Cole Hall 2nd Floor Atrium, to inform a staff member you want to make a payment. A One-Stop Shop representative will reach out to the cashier. View Red Hawk Central Hours of Operation.
