Have you ever found yourself scrambling at the last minute to pay your City of Sarasota utilities bill? I’ve been there too! As a long-time Sarasota resident, I’ve learned all the ins and outs of handling utility payments in our beautiful city. Whether you’re new to the area or just looking for more convenient ways to pay your bill, this guide has got you covered.
Understanding Your City of Sarasota Utilities Bill
Before diving into payment methods, let’s understand what makes up your utility bill. The City of Sarasota provides several essential services that appear on your monthly statement:
- Water service
- Sewer service
- Solid waste collection (trash & recycling)
Your bill includes both the consumption charges and monthly service availability fees Even if you’re away and not using any water, you’ll still be charged service availability fees as long as your account is active for 5 or more days in a billing cycle
Multiple Ways to Pay Your Sarasota Utilities Bill
The City of Sarasota offers several convenient methods to pay your utilities bill Let me walk you through each option
1. Pay Online
The quickest and most convenient way is to pay online through the City’s official payment portal.
To pay online
- Visit https://sarasotafl.selectpaytoday.com/
- Enter your account information
- Follow the prompts to complete your payment
Online payments can be made 24/7 using credit cards, debit cards, or electronic checks. This is my personal favorite method since I can pay anytime, even at 2 AM in my pajamas!
2. Pay in Person
If you prefer face-to-face transactions or need to pay with cash, you can visit:
Customer Service Counter at the Utility Billing Office
- Address: 1575 2nd Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm (except holidays)
- Payment methods accepted: Cash, check, credit cards, and money orders
I’ve found the staff at the counter to be super helpful when I had questions about my bill. Just be prepared for possible wait times during peak hours!
3. Use the Dropbox Locations
Can’t make it during business hours? No worries! The City offers convenient dropbox options:
Check or Money Order Dropbox:
- Location: Utility Billing Office Parking Lot
- Available: 24/7
- Payment methods: Checks or money orders only
- Note: No receipts provided, accounts credited next business day
Cash Only Dropboxes:
- Location: Amscot (All Locations)
- Payment method: Cash only
- Additional fee: $1.50 convenience fee (paid to Amscot)
- Requirements: Bring a copy of your utility bill
- Note: Accounts credited next business day
I’ve used the parking lot dropbox many times when paying at the last minute outside regular business hours!
4. Pay by Mail
For those who prefer traditional methods, you can always mail your payment:
- Return the removable portion of your bill with your payment
- Include your Account # on your check or money order
- Use the envelope provided in your bill
- Mail to: City of Sarasota, PO Box 31510, Tampa, FL 33631-3510
Pro tip: Allow at least five days from postmark date to ensure payment arrives before the due date. I learned this the hard way after a late payment fee!
Opening a New Utility Account
New to Sarasota? Here’s what you’ll need to set up your utilities:
For Homeowners:
- Visit the Utility Billing Office at 1575 2nd St.
- Bring two forms of ID (one must be government-issued with photo)
- Proof of ownership (recent closing documents if purchased within 7 days)
- $199.55 for deposit and first month’s solid waste fee
For Renters:
- Visit the Utility Billing Office
- Two forms of ID (including government-issued photo ID)
- Copy of your rental lease signed by both owner and occupant
- $199.55 for deposit and first month’s solid waste fee
For Commercial/Business Accounts:
- Visit the Utility Billing Office
- Bring corporation and tax ID documents (businesses must be incorporated in Florida)
Reinstating Service After Nonpayment
If your service was disconnected due to nonpayment, here’s how to get it turned back on:
- Pay your full account balance (cash or credit only)
- Contact Utility Billing (in person or by calling 941-263-6260)
- Request reactivation of services
Common Questions About City of Sarasota Utility Bills
Why is my bill so high? Do I have a leak?
Unexpected high usage is often caused by leaks. The City provides water leak detection kits to help identify problems. You can:
- Request a water leak detection kit
- Learn to read your meter to monitor usage
- Request a billing adjustment after repairing a leak
Are there watering restrictions?
Yes, Sarasota does implement water restrictions. For current information, visit the Water Restrictions section on the Utilities Department webpage.
Why am I charged when no one is using water?
According to City of Sarasota Code of Ordinances (Chapter 37, Article II, Sec. 37-15), all connected properties are subject to monthly service availability charges even when there’s no water consumption. This covers the cost of maintaining the infrastructure that provides your service.
I received a full month’s bill but my account wasn’t active the entire month!
The City charges the full monthly service fee if your account is active for 5 or more days in the billing cycle. However, if you’ve used 1,000+ gallons of water, you’ll be charged regardless of how many days your account was active.
Contact Information
Need to reach the Utility Billing department? Here’s how:
- Phone: (941) 263-6260
- Emergency/After Hours: (941) 263-6884
- Fax: (941) 316-1890
- Email: [email protected]
- Location: 1575 2nd Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
Tips for Managing Your Sarasota Utility Bill
After years of dealing with my own utility bills, I’ve gathered some helpful tips:
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Set up calendar reminders – Mark your bill’s due date on your calendar to avoid late fees.
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Monitor your water usage – Learn to read your meter and check it regularly to catch leaks early.
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Consider water-saving fixtures – Low-flow showerheads and toilets can significantly reduce your water consumption.
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Check for toilet leaks – Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, you’ve got a leak!
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Use the City’s online resources – The City website offers valuable information on water conservation and utility services.
Going Green with Electronic Billing
Wanna reduce paper waste? The City of Sarasota offers paperless billing options. Just contact the Utility Billing office to enroll in e-billing. You’ll receive your bill via email instead of regular mail. This is better for the environment AND ensures you never miss a bill due to mail delays.
Understanding Water Quality in Sarasota
The City of Sarasota takes pride in providing high-quality drinking water. They publish an annual Water Quality Report that details the excellent resources available to customers. You can find this report on the City website, and it’s worth reading to understand what’s in your tap water.
What to Do During Extended Absences
Many Sarasota residents are seasonal, spending only part of the year in Florida. If you plan to be away for an extended period:
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DON’T shut off your service – You’ll still be charged monthly service fees, and reactivation can be a hassle.
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DO turn off your water at the main valve – This prevents potential leaks while you’re away.
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DO have someone check on your property – Arrange for a trusted friend or property manager to periodically check for leaks or issues.
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DO set up automatic payments – Ensure your bills are paid on time even when you’re away.
Final Thoughts
Managing your City of Sarasota utilities bill doesn’t have to be complicated. With multiple payment options and helpful resources, staying on top of your utility payments has never been easier.
Whether you prefer the convenience of online payments or the personal touch of in-person service, the City of Sarasota has you covered. And remember, if you ever have questions about your bill or service, don’t hesitate to contact the Utility Billing department – they’re there to help!
Have you found a better way to manage your utilities? What’s your preferred payment method? Whatever works for you, just make sure you pay on time to avoid those pesky late fees and service interruptions!
Additional Resources
For more information about City of Sarasota utilities and services, check out these resources:
- City of Sarasota Utilities Billing Services
- Online Bill Payment Portal
- Sarasota County Public Utilities Payment Options
By staying informed and utilizing the payment options that work best for your lifestyle, you can make managing your City of Sarasota utilities bill a breeze!
How to enroll and make a payment
- Log in to our website, or if you are new, register now. (You’ll need your FPL account number and the last four digits of the Social Security number associated with the account.)
- Enter your bank account and routing numbers, your email address and click “Enroll Now.” You will only need to do this the first time.
- Select Pay Now or Schedule Future Payment (if available) and make your payment.
Which region would you like to access today?
Pay Online is a free, secure way to pay your bill right away using your bank account. You will receive an immediate confirmation online followed by a confirmation email.
- Pay a bill due today and it will post today
- Save time and money by using fewer paper checks, envelopes and stamps
- Schedule future payments
- It’s free!
