Seattle Utilities: Pay Bill, MyUtilities Login, Phone & SPU/SCL Help 2026
Seattle, Washington • Seattle Public Utilities + Seattle City Light
Seattle utility billing is split between two City departments. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) handles water, sewer, garbage, recycling and food/yard waste, while Seattle City Light (SCL) handles electricity.
Both can be managed through the City of Seattle Utility Services website, so you can use the same online system to pay a bill, review account activity, set up AutoPay, start or stop service, or arrange a short-term payment plan.
Seattle Utilities Quick Answers
Use City Light for electric rates, power outages, electric service and electrical billing questions.
SPU manages water, sewer, solid waste and related utility-account services.
Seattle drainage charges are generally collected through the King County property-tax statement rather than the regular SPU utility bill.
How to Pay a Seattle Utilities Bill
Seattle accepts online one-time payments without an account, online payments after login, automated phone payments, mail and in-person payments. The City says it does not add a convenience fee for its listed utility payment methods.
Pay an SPU or City Light bill without creating an online profile.
Best for payment history, AutoPay, saved payment methods, usage and payment plans.
Seattle’s Bills & Payments page lists this as the 24/7 automated payment number.
Make the check payable to City of Seattle and include the City Light account number in the memo line.
Make the check payable to City of Seattle and include the SPU account number in the memo line.
After opening the one-time payment page
- Find the account number on the SPU or Seattle City Light bill.
- Enter that account number together with the mailing-address ZIP code.
- Confirm that the account being shown is the one you intend to pay.
- Choose the available credit card or checking-account payment method.
- Submit the payment once and save the confirmation.
- Do not assume the visible account balance will update immediately; Seattle warns that same-day payments may not appear on the balance right away.
After opening Seattle’s Bills & Payments page
- Choose one-time payment if you do not need full account access.
- Choose online billing if you want recurring payments, paperless billing or account history.
- Use the phone-payment section for the current automated payment number.
- If the bill is already past due, move to the payment-plan or bill-assistance section before assuming a normal payment is enough to protect service.
Seattle MyUtilities Login: What You Can Manage
Seattle’s Utility Services website is more useful than guest payment when you need to understand an account, not merely pay it. It covers both SPU and Seattle City Light.
Review account status, previous bills, payment history and available usage information before calling about a high bill.
Use the signed-in account for recurring payments, saved payment methods and eligible payment-plan features.
After opening the Utility Services website
- Select login if you already have a City utility profile.
- Choose registration if this is your first time creating online access.
- After signing in, confirm whether you are viewing the Seattle Public Utilities account or Seattle City Light account.
- Check payment history before repeating a payment that may already be processing.
- Use AutoPay, billing history or payment-plan tools only after verifying the correct account.
Seattle Utility Phone Numbers: Which One Should You Call?
Billing, accounts, payment plans, service changes and general SPU/City Light account help. Weekdays, 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
24/7 automated utility payment number listed on Seattle’s Bills & Payments page.
Useful for disconnected water service, outstanding balances, leak-adjustment questions and collection-related issues.
SPU’s 24-hour emergency operations number.
Toll-free SPU customer-service option for callers outside the local area.
Washington Relay can be used by customers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Past-Due Seattle Utility Bill: Payment Plans and Assistance
If a Seattle utility bill is already past due, paying whatever amount is convenient is not always the best first move. Check whether you qualify for a payment arrangement or bill assistance before an urgent notice becomes a shutoff problem.
Seattle offers short-term payment plans directly through the Utility Services website or Customer Service.
Residential SPU customers with at least $100 past due may qualify for a longer payment schedule through PromisePay.
Income-eligible households can receive 60% off future City Light bills and 50% off future SPU bills.
2026 Utility Discount Program Income Examples
These are the City’s 2026 gross-income limits for the Utility Discount Program. Larger-household limits are published on the official UDP page.
Official Seattle Utility Discount ProgramAfter opening the Utility Discount Program page
- Check the 2026 household-size income limit.
- Confirm that the utility account is in an eligible household member’s name.
- Open the City’s Utility Assistance Program application.
- Prepare identity and income documents if the application requests them.
- Submit the application and respond to any follow-up request from the program.
After opening the payment-plan page
- Use a short-term plan if the balance can be paid within 60 days.
- Residential SPU customers needing more time should review PromisePay eligibility.
- Check whether your account is still active and whether a minimum past-due balance applies.
- If you have an urgent or final shutoff notice, call Customer Service rather than relying only on an online application.
Seattle City Light Power Outages and SPU Water Outages
Electricity and water outages use different systems. A Seattle City Light outage is not handled through the SPU water-outage map, and a water outage is not an electric outage report.
Have the City Light account number or the phone number associated with the account available.
The map shows both planned and emergency water outages and supports address-based searching.
After opening the City Light outage page
- Check whether the outage is already shown on the map.
- Call 206-684-3000 to report your outage.
- Keep your City Light account number or account phone number available.
- If there is a downed line, stay at least 30 feet away and call 911.
After opening the SPU water-outage map
- Enter the affected Seattle address.
- Review outages reported within the surrounding area.
- Open the outage details if one is listed near the property.
- If you have a water, sewer or drainage emergency that is not explained by the map, call SPU at 206-386-1800.
Discolored Water After an Outage
After water service returns, SPU advises customers with discolored cold water to run cold water for a few minutes. If it does not clear, let the water sit for one to two hours and try cold water again.
Avoid running hot water while the cold water is discolored because that can draw sediment into the water heater. If the problem continues, contact SPU Operations Response at 206-386-1800.
High Seattle Utility Bill: What to Check Before Calling
A Seattle utility bill can rise for several unrelated reasons. Separate the charge that changed before assuming the whole account is wrong.
A water leak can increase both the water charge and the sewer charge because residential sewer billing is tied to water use.
Seattle garbage rates depend heavily on container size. Extra bags and overfilled carts can add additional charges.
Seattle City Light now offers both flat and Time of Use residential rate structures, so price can depend on the selected rate plan.
After opening the leak-adjustment page
- Determine whether the high bill is connected to a confirmed leak.
- Complete the repair within the required period.
- For an underground leak between the meter and building, contact SPU before covering the repair area.
- Keep repair photos, receipts, invoices or a written repair explanation.
- Call Utility Account Services at 206-684-5800 for adjustment guidance.
Disputing an SPU Bill
If the problem is not a leak and you believe a charge or decision is wrong, SPU has a formal dispute process. Explain exactly what amount or decision you dispute, why you believe it is incorrect and what result you are requesting.
SPU says its normal dispute process begins with utility-staff review and can escalate to supervisor/lead and hearing-officer review. The standard processing target is about 20 business days, although complex cases can take longer.
Start, Stop or Move Seattle Utility Service
Seattle now allows customers to request start or stop service online for water, sewer, electricity, garbage, recycling and food/yard waste through the Utility Services website.
- Service address and unit number
- Legal account-holder name
- Requested start or stop date
- Phone number and email
- Existing account number when applicable
- Forwarding address when closing service
SPU Opening and Closing Fees
Seattle lists this fee when closing a water account.
Seattle lists this account setup charge when opening these services.
SPU’s current start/stop page lists no sewer fee in this specific fee table.
After opening Seattle’s start/stop page
- Log in to the Utility Services website or create a profile.
- Select the service-start or service-stop request.
- Enter the service address and effective date.
- If selling a property, prepare the buyer’s name when required to close the SPU account.
- When stopping service, provide a forwarding address for the final bill.
- Review any account-opening or closing fee before submitting the request.
Seattle City Light New-Service Details
City Light requires identity verification for new residential service. The verification uses security questions and the utility says it does not affect your credit score.
City Light does not require a deposit to establish service, but a one-time administrative setup fee applies and can vary by account type. Residential customers can call 206-684-3000 for the current amount.
After opening City Light’s start/stop page
- Confirm whether you are the renter, property owner or authorized property manager.
- Prepare the service address, legal name, contact details and requested date.
- Complete identity verification when starting residential service.
- Save the confirmation page and account number if one is issued.
- After the account becomes active, register it for online billing, AutoPay or other account services if desired.
Seattle Utility Rates: Useful 2026 Residential Snapshot
Seattle utility charges are not one single rate. Electric, water, sewer, garbage, food/yard waste and drainage are priced differently. These examples are useful for checking whether a line item is roughly consistent with the current published schedule.
Seattle City Light Residential Electricity
Time of Use customers pay different prices depending on when electricity is used. Peak hours are generally 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, except City-observed holidays.
Official Seattle City Light Residential RatesAfter opening City Light’s rate page
- Confirm that the service address is inside Seattle rather than another City Light service area.
- Check whether the account uses Flat Rate or Time of Use pricing.
- Compare the bill’s kWh with the published energy rate.
- If using Time of Use, review peak, mid-peak and off-peak periods separately.
Seattle Public Utilities Water, Sewer and Waste
2026 inside-Seattle base charge for the common 3/4-inch-or-smaller residential meter.
2026 published sewer rate. One CCF equals 748 gallons.
Weekly curb/alley rate effective April 1, 2026.
Weekly curb/alley rate effective April 1, 2026.
SPU says recycling itself is not separately charged to residential garbage customers.
Seattle drainage fees normally appear on the King County property-tax statement rather than the utility bill.
2026 Seattle Residential Water Usage Rates
Seattle water uses seasonal pricing. One CCF equals 748 gallons.
$5.82 per CCF for inside-Seattle residential use.
$5.98 per CCF during May 16-Sept. 15.
$7.39 per CCF during the peak season.
$11.80 per CCF during the peak season.
After opening the SPU rate page
- Select water, sewer, garbage or food/yard waste.
- Choose the residential rate applicable to the property.
- For water, confirm whether the bill falls in the peak or off-peak season.
- For garbage, match the actual cart size to the current monthly rate.
- Remember that drainage is generally handled through the property-tax statement instead.
Seattle Utility Customer Service Office
For face-to-face account assistance, the main downtown customer-service counter is in Seattle Municipal Tower.
Seattle, WA 98104
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Use the counter when you need in-person assistance with utility payments, account questions or documents that are difficult to resolve online.
After opening Seattle’s utility-help page
- Find the customer-service and payment-location section.
- Confirm the downtown counter hours or choose a neighborhood location.
- Check whether the location offers full account help or payment-only service.
- Bring the utility bill or account number and any documentation needed for your issue.
Related City Utility Guides
If you are comparing utility systems before a move, these existing guides cover similar municipal billing, water, waste, electric or account-service tasks.
Seattle Utilities FAQs
1. Are Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light the same utility?
No. Seattle Public Utilities handles water, sewer, garbage, recycling and related services, while Seattle City Light provides electricity. Both can use the City’s Utility Services website for account and payment functions.
2. How do I pay a Seattle utility bill without logging in?
Use the City’s official one-time payment page. Enter the Seattle Public Utilities or Seattle City Light account number and the mailing-address ZIP code shown on the account, then choose the available payment method and save the confirmation.
3. Does Seattle charge a convenience fee for utility payments?
Seattle’s official Bills & Payments page says the City does not charge an additional convenience fee for its listed utility payment methods.
4. What is the main Seattle utility customer-service phone number?
Call 206-684-3000 for general Seattle utility billing, account, payment-plan and service help. Published phone hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
5. How do I report a Seattle City Light power outage?
Call 206-684-3000 and have the City Light account number or account phone number available. You can also check the City Light outage map. Stay at least 30 feet from a downed power line and call 911.
6. What should I do if my Seattle utility bill is past due?
Seattle offers short-term payment plans of up to 60 days, and eligible residential SPU customers with at least $100 past due can review longer PromisePay plans. Income-qualified customers may also qualify for the Utility Discount Program or emergency assistance.
7. Can I get a Seattle water-bill adjustment after a leak?
Possibly. SPU offers adjustments for many leak types. Repairs generally must be completed within 60 days of the initial high bill, and underground service-line repairs may need SPU inspection before the repair is covered or backfilled.
8. How much is a 32-gallon Seattle garbage cart in 2026?
The weekly curb or alley rate for a 32-gallon residential garbage cart is $46.55 per month effective April 1, 2026. Recycling service is included in the garbage rate.
9. Does Seattle City Light require a deposit to start electricity service?
No. Seattle City Light states that it does not require a deposit when establishing service. A one-time administrative setup fee applies, and residential customers can call 206-684-3000 for the current amount.
10. Where can I get in-person Seattle utility account help?
The downtown utility service counter is in Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor Lobby, Seattle, WA 98104. Published hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Official Source & Accuracy Note
This page is an independent utility-information guide. Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light control account balances, payment posting, rates, assistance eligibility, service restoration, outage response and official customer records.
Current information was checked against official City of Seattle Utility Services, SPU Bills & Payments, Payment Plans, Utility Discount Program, Start or Stop Services, SPU rates, leak-adjustment guidance, City Light residential-rate, outage and start/stop service pages available in September 2026.
Utility rates, payment systems, assistance limits, office hours and account procedures can change. For a shutoff notice, outage, payment deadline or account-specific issue, follow the latest instructions displayed by the City of Seattle.
Editorial verification date: September 12, 2026.