Frequently Asked Questions

The following documents are needed: 

• A copy of your lease or settlement statement;
• A photo ID issued by a government authority; and 
• A fully completed City of Oakland Park application for service.

You will be required to pay the appropriate deposit based on the utility service.

All applicants for water and solid waste services are required to make a deposit based on the meter size (per meter) and dumpster size & frequency of service  for both commercial and residential accounts:

 Water Deposits are per meter

Owner/Tenant
$170.00       5/8 - 1" Meter
 $640.00    1 1/2" Meter
 $1020.00   2" Meter
 $1,680.00  Hydrant meter

Dumpster Deposits

Owner                      1-2 pickups     3-5 pickups         Tenants            1-2 pickups      3-5 pickups  
2 Cubic Yards        $270                $540                2 Cubic Yards        $540              $1,080
3 Cubic Yards        $270                $540                3 Cubic Yards        $540              $1,080
4 Cubic Yards       $450                $900                4 Cubic Yards        $540              $1,080
6 Cubic Yards       $450                $900                6 Cubic Yards        $900              $1,800
8 Cubic Yards        $450               $900                  8 Cubic Yards       $900             $1,800

Cart Deposits
                                        Owner      Tenants     Additional Cart      Owner               Tenant      
Residential             $60         $120                                             $17                   $34                              
Commercial          $60         $200                                           $60                  $200
 Multi-Family         $60          $120                                            $17                   $34

An administrative fee of $50 shall be charged to open a new water service account, and a $50 administrative fee shall be charged to open new dumpster service in accordance with our municipal ordinance. This one-time fee is assessed to offset the cost of establishing new utility service.

Yes. You may arrange or set up payment through your financial institution's online bill pay service. 

Yes. You will need to fill out the EZ Pay Form which is available by clicking here and providing a copy of your voided check to enroll. You can also sign up for ACH Payment via our customer self-service portal. You must register for access to Citizen self-service by clicking here: https://oaklandpark.munisselfservice.com/citizens/default.aspx

It will take about two (2) to three (3) billing cycles before the bank can start taking the payments from your account.  Until that happens, payment has to be done by either paying cash, writing a check, or using a credit card or e-check.  Please continue making your cash/check or credit card payment until your see “BANK DRAFT DO NOT PAY” in green font on the message area of your bill which means that ACH payment for your account is already active in the system.

Yes, Electronic bills (e-bills) are available. Customers may sign up for e-billing by emailing Utilityand  Billing Services to sign up for e-bills.

The City partners with Wells Fargo Bank which provides payment processing through a lockbox service in Atlanta, Georgia.

Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover at the Utility Billing window. Please note that American Express is not accepted. For your convenience, we strongly encourage using the City’s online payment portal to manage your payments quickly and securely

Yes. You can make a payment using a credit card, debit card, or e-check by calling our automated system at (877) 422-7876. This service is available 24/7 for your convenience.

In addition to paying online with credit cards, customers can also pay using E-Checks, Phone Payments, or any Amscot location. Have your account number and customer number handy

An E-check is a secure way to pay your bill online directly from your bank account. Instead of using a credit card, you simply enter your bank routing and account numbers. To use this method, select the "pay-by-check" option on the online payment portal.   

You may view your account payment, billing, and charges history by registering with Citizen Self-Service on the Utility Billing webpage. To register, you will need your utility account customer number.

Several factors can lead to an unusually high water bill. Billing cycles often fluctuate between 27 and 34 days, and any discrepancies caused by estimated readings are automatically corrected during the next actual meter read. 

Higher costs may also stem from leaks in the service line or faulty indoor fixtures, such as toilets. While defective meters are rare and typically under-report usage, you may request a meter test for a fee. This fee is only waived if the meter is found to be over-registering by more than 2%.

Base charges for water, sprinkler, and solid waste are a fixed rate according to the fiscal year and do not fluctuate from month to month. Consumption charges for water and sewer are determined by the amount of water used and may vary each month. The utility statement will also include a 10% utility tax on water charges.

Utility bills are issued monthly and are due upon receipt. To avoid being considered past due, payment must be received by the Utility Billing office within 25 days of the invoice date.

Any charges remaining unpaid 25 days after the invoice date will incur a late penalty. This fee is calculated as 1.5% of the outstanding balance or $10.00, whichever amount is greater.

Yes, a notice is provided on your monthly utility statement if your account is in arrears. If your previous charges remain unpaid by the time the next month’s bill is generated, the statement will include a disconnection date advising you when service may be interrupted

If your service cannot be restored during standard business hours, you may request an after-hours reconnection. To do so, please call the emergency number listed on your utility statement or the Utility Billing webpage. An after-hours fee of $275.00 applies, and you must provide proof of payment before service is restored.

Increased water usage is often caused by leaks or seasonal activities such as lawn irrigation, filling swimming pools, washing vehicles, or increased laundry. To investigate a potential leak, you can perform a simple meter test:   

Turn off all water: Ensure all indoor and outdoor faucets and water-using appliances are off.  Record the reading: Open your meter box, write down the numbers from left to right, and note the position of the sweep hand.  Wait: Do not use any water for at least 15 minutes.  Re-check: If the numbers have changed or the hand has moved, a leak is likely present.

If you are experiencing temporary financial hardship or have received an unexpectedly high bill, payment arrangements are available. To qualify, customers must meet specific eligibility requirements. Please contact our office to discuss a plan that allows you to pay your balance over time.

Stormwater fees are assessed to every property within the City as their equitable portion of the fees needed to pay for the stormwater drainage system and the infrastructure that maintains it. Please call 954-630-4280 to find out more.

If your trash cart or recycling bin is damaged or missing, the Public Works Solid Waste Division will provide a replacement. To schedule a delivery, please contact the division directly at 954-630-4452.