Santa Clara Utilities: Bill Pay, Login & Phone 2026
City of Santa Clara Municipal Utilities • California
If you need to pay a City of Santa Clara utilities bill, log in to My Utilities Account, start or stop service, report a power outage or ask about a high water bill, begin with the City’s utility account system rather than PG&E.
Santa Clara is unusual in the Bay Area because the City operates its own electric utility, Silicon Valley Power, along with municipal water and sewer services. A City utility bill can also include garbage and recycling-related charges. PG&E provides natural gas, not Santa Clara’s electric service.
Santa Clara Utilities Quick Answers
The City’s current account-help page says Santa Clara does not charge an additional fee for online utility bill payments.
If the City cannot access a water or electric meter, the bill may use an estimated reading marked with an “E.”
Santa Clara provides municipal electric service through Silicon Valley Power, but PG&E provides natural gas service.
How to Pay a City of Santa Clara Utilities Bill
Santa Clara offers enough payment methods that you usually do not need a third-party bill-pay service. Online payment is free through the City’s system, and automated phone payments are available around the clock.
Pay by credit card, review payment history and manage recurring payments. The City currently says there is no additional online-payment fee.
The automated system accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover payments day or night.
Enroll after signing in to My Utilities Account. The recurring payment is set to pay the utility bill on its due date.
Mail a check or money order payable to the City of Santa Clara. Allow enough delivery time before the bill’s past-due date.
Pay at the Municipal Service counter in City Hall’s west wing. The City accepts cash, check, money order, credit card and debit card.
The drive-up box is in the small City Hall parking lot at the Warburton driveway. The City says it is collected daily at 8:00 a.m.; do not leave cash.
After opening the official payment-options page
- Choose online payment if you want the City’s self-service account tools.
- Sign in to My Utilities Account before entering payment information.
- Use the bill and service address to confirm you are paying the correct account.
- If you want recurring payment, open the Billing area and choose the City’s automated-payment option.
- Review the card or bank information before submitting.
- Keep payment confirmation until the transaction appears in your balance history.
How Long Does an Online Payment Take to Show?
Santa Clara’s current account-help page explains that an online payment made before midnight is normally processed the next business day and appears on the account by the close of the following business day.
Bank ACH Transfers for Business or Multi-Account Payments
The City also publishes a separate ACH enrollment process. Santa Clara posts an ACH payment when it receives bank notification—not necessarily on the date the customer authorizes the transfer.
Because weekends and holidays can delay posting, the City recommends transferring funds 3-4 days before the due date when using this ACH process.
Santa Clara Utilities Login: My Utilities Account
My Utilities Account is the City’s main online utility portal. It supports bill payment, PDF copies of current and prior bills, balance history, usage information, e-Billing, automated payments, linked accounts and online service requests.
Sign in with your registered online credentials, then confirm the service address before paying or changing account settings.
The City’s registration process sends an activation email. The account is not fully registered until you follow the email activation instructions.
After opening the official login page
- Use the existing-account login if you already registered online.
- If you have not registered, return to the My Utilities Account area and choose the City’s account-creation option.
- Complete the requested identity and utility-account verification information.
- Watch for the activation email and follow its confirmation link.
- After login, use Billing for bills and payments or Service Orders for move/start/stop requests.
Multiple Santa Clara Utility Accounts
My Utilities Account can link multiple accounts. This is useful if you have more than one service address. The City’s account-help page allows linked accounts to be switched and paid from one online profile.
Santa Clara Utilities Phone Numbers
Billing, electric outages and water/sewer problems use different City teams. Calling the right number first can save time.
Payments, billing questions, account setup, account closing and general municipal utility customer service.
24-hour Silicon Valley Power outage and electrical-emergency hotline.
Water quality, leaks, meter issues, sewer backups and other Water & Sewer Utility matters during business hours.
Use after hours, on weekends and holidays for water or sewer emergencies.
Mission Trail Waste Systems handles garbage and yard-trimming service questions.
Use for residential recycling questions handled through the City’s recycling service provider.
Start, Stop or Move Santa Clara Utility Service
Santa Clara asks customers to provide at least one business day of advance notice when starting or stopping City utility service. Requests can be handled through My Utilities Account or by calling Utility Customer Service.
Use the City’s start-service page or call 408-615-2300. A one-time connection fee applies for each applicable meter.
Existing online customers can log in, create a Service Order and choose the move-within-Santa-Clara option.
If you do not want to create an online account, the City says you can use its contact form or call 408-615-2300.
Current Utility Turn-On Fees
The City’s current Municipal Fee Schedule lists a $49 service turn-on fee for electric service and $49 for water service. The Finance FAQ says connection fees are charged for each meter at each location and appear on the first bill.
After opening the start-service page
- Choose the new-service route if you are moving into Santa Clara.
- If you already have City service and are moving locally, use the move-within-Santa-Clara process instead.
- Keep the new service address and requested start date ready.
- Complete the identity and account information requested by the City’s service form.
- Submit the request at least one business day before the date you need service.
- Review the first bill for applicable meter connection fees and any required deposit.
Late Santa Clara Utility Bill: Fees and Shutoff Notice
Santa Clara’s current Municipal Fee Schedule lists a residential, commercial and industrial late-payment charge of $15 or 1.5% of the account amount, whichever is greater.
If the account progresses to a delinquent 48-hour notice, the current Municipal Fee Schedule lists an additional $56 notice charge per account.
The fee applies under the City’s current Municipal Services fee schedule.
Contact Utility Customer Service promptly if the account has reached a shutoff-notice stage.
Payment Not Showing?
If enough business time has passed and your payment is not visible in the account, call Utility Customer Service at 408-615-2300. Keep the payment date, amount and any confirmation or bank transaction information ready.
Santa Clara Utility Bill Assistance
Santa Clara has unusually useful combined assistance because qualifying electric customers can also receive help with water and sewer charges.
SVP’s Rate Assistance Program offers qualifying Santa Clara residents a discount on the electric portion of the municipal utility bill.
The Water & Sewer Rate Assistance Program discounts qualifying water usage up to the first 12 HCF and applies a fixed sewer discount.
Customers enrolled in SVP’s qualifying payment-assistance program are automatically enrolled in the City’s water and sewer assistance program. The current SVP program also provides a $10 garbage-collection discount for eligible households that do not share garbage service.
Official Silicon Valley Power Payment AssistanceAfter opening the SVP assistance page
- Determine whether you may qualify through financial or medical criteria.
- Choose the financial or medical Rate Assistance Program route that applies to your household.
- Review the eligibility and document requirements before submitting private information.
- Follow the application processor specified by Silicon Valley Power.
- If approved for qualifying electric assistance, check the same municipal bill for related water, sewer or garbage discounts that may apply.
Silicon Valley Power Outage and Water/Sewer Emergencies
Santa Clara’s electric outage service is provided by Silicon Valley Power, not PG&E. The 24-hour SVP outage and electrical-emergency number is 408-615-5640.
If your home is the only one without power, first check the main breaker or fuses. Otherwise use SVP’s outage reporting tools.
Call 408-615-2000 during weekday business hours or 408-615-5640 after hours, weekends and holidays.
After opening the SVP outage page
- Check the current outage information or outage map for your area.
- If your outage is not already reflected, use SVP’s self-service reporting option or call 408-615-5640.
- Keep away from downed wires or damaged electrical equipment.
- For a water or sewer problem rather than an electrical outage, use the Water & Sewer contact numbers instead.
Santa Clara Utility Rates in 2026
A Santa Clara municipal bill can contain several services, so there is no single “utility rate.” Electric service uses Silicon Valley Power rates, while water and sewer rates are adopted separately by the City.
SVP’s current comparison page lists its estimated average D-1 residential rate effective January 1, 2026 at about 18.2 cents per kWh, including applicable surcharges.
The rate adopted June 9, 2026 applies to general potable-water customers. One HCF equals approximately 748 gallons.
The residential single-family sewer charge became effective July 1, 2026.
Water Minimum Charge
For a standard 5/8-inch × 3/4-inch meter, the City’s current minimum monthly water charge is $29.78. Santa Clara explains that the minimum and volumetric charge are not added together: when calculated usage exceeds the minimum, the customer is charged the volumetric amount instead.
Santa Clara 2026 Water + Sewer Estimate
This simplified estimator is for a single-family residential account with a 5/8-inch × 3/4-inch water meter. It estimates the current water charge and optional flat single-family sewer charge only.
Estimate only. It does not include electricity, garbage/recycling, taxes, surcharges, prior balances, special fees, different meter sizes or non-residential charges.
After opening the water and sewer rate page
- Confirm whether you are checking potable water, sewer or recycled water.
- For water, note your meter size and the number of HCF shown on the bill.
- Compare the calculated volumetric water charge with the applicable monthly minimum.
- For residential sewer, choose single-family or multi-family as applicable.
- Use the rate effective date that matches the billing period you are reviewing.
After opening the SVP rates page
- Open the Domestic Service D-1 information for standard residential electric service.
- Check the effective date before comparing it with an older utility bill.
- Remember that the published average cents-per-kWh comparison is a reference figure, not necessarily your exact effective rate.
- Use your actual kWh consumption and bill line items when checking a specific month’s electric cost.
Santa Clara Utility Scam Warning
The City posted an active scam warning in 2026 after residents received calls demanding utility payments by cash, card or gift card and, in some cases, requests for personal information such as Social Security numbers.
The City legitimately offers automated phone payment at 408-615-2300. The difference is that you initiate the call to the verified City number rather than paying an unsolicited caller who pressures you.
Santa Clara Utility Billing Office, Mailing Address and Map
1500 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Public counter: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
San Jose, CA 95161-9067
Make checks or money orders payable to the City of Santa Clara.
Related City Utility Guides
If you are moving elsewhere or comparing another municipal utility account, these previously published guides cover related California billing systems and other city-owned electric/water combinations.
Santa Clara Utilities FAQs
1. What is the City of Santa Clara Utilities phone number?
Utility Billing Customer Service is 408-615-2300. Use it for billing, payments, account setup, start or stop service and general municipal utility account questions.
2. Does Santa Clara charge a fee to pay a utility bill online?
No additional City fee is currently charged for online utility bill payment. Santa Clara’s My Utilities Account help page specifically states that paying the utility bill online is free.
3. Can I pay a Santa Clara utility bill by phone?
Yes. Call 408-615-2300 and use the City’s automated payment system. The current payment page lists Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover for automated phone payments available day or night.
4. What can I do after logging in to My Utilities Account?
You can pay bills, view current and previous bills, review balance and usage information, enroll in automated payment or e-Billing, link multiple accounts and submit certain service requests.
5. Which utilities does the City of Santa Clara provide?
The City provides electric service through Silicon Valley Power and also provides water, sewer, garbage and recycling-related municipal utility services. PG&E provides natural gas service in Santa Clara.
6. How early should I request new Santa Clara utility service?
The City asks customers to request starting or stopping service at least one business day in advance. Existing customers moving within Santa Clara can submit a move request through My Utilities Account.
7. How much is the Santa Clara utility service turn-on fee?
The current City Municipal Fee Schedule lists a $49 turn-on fee for electric service and $49 for water service. Connection charges are associated with applicable meters, and a separate account deposit may also be required.
8. What happens if my Santa Clara utility bill is late?
The current Municipal Fee Schedule lists a late-payment charge of $15 or 1.5% of the account amount, whichever is greater. If delinquency progresses to a 48-hour notice, the current notice charge is $56 per account.
9. What number do I call for a Silicon Valley Power outage?
Call the 24-hour Silicon Valley Power outage and electrical-emergency hotline at 408-615-5640. For water or sewer issues during weekday business hours, use 408-615-2000; the same 408-615-5640 number handles water/sewer emergencies after hours.
10. What are Santa Clara’s 2026 residential utility rates?
SVP’s 2026 comparison page lists an estimated average residential D-1 electric rate of about $0.182 per kWh. Current potable water is $11.09 per HCF, with a $29.78 minimum for a 5/8-inch × 3/4-inch meter, and single-family residential sewer service is $64.46 per month.
Official-Source and Accuracy Note
This page is an independent customer-help guide. Important information was checked against current City of Santa Clara Utility Billing, My Utilities Account, Bill Payment Options, Finance FAQ, Municipal Fee Schedule, Water & Sewer Utilities, Silicon Valley Power outage, rate and assistance resources.
Rates, fees, assistance requirements, portal screens and service policies can change. For an active shutoff notice, payment-posting problem, outage or account-specific decision, follow the current instruction displayed by the City or call the appropriate official department.
Editorial verification date: September 12, 2026.