Frequently Asked Questions

A deposit may be required to establish service with the City of Modesto. Based on guidelines provided by the State of California, a deposit is not to exceed three times the average monthly bill for the property address. A deposit will also be added to active utility accounts if service is disconnected for non-payment. The deposit shall be applied to the closing bill upon the discontinuation of services and any remaining credit will be refunded. Deposit amounts vary and are based on average monthly billing for service provided at the location.

Bills are due and payable upon receipt and become delinquent at the end of each billing cycle in which they are issued. If not received in our office by payment due date, bills are delinquent and subject to additional fees and disconnection. If services are turned off for non-payment, payment of all balances owing plus fees will be required to restore service. Checks are not accepted for accounts once a final notice has been mailed. Payments received after 2 p.m. on accounts that are disconnected, will not have the service restored until the following business day. Only City personnel are authorized to disconnect and/or reconnect service. Unauthorized tampering/damage could delay restoration of services up to one week and result in additional fees.

All premises within the City of Modesto service area are required to have garbage service for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare pursuant to Modesto Municipal Code 5-5.101. For service issues, please contact your garbage company directly.

To learn more about Groundwater Sustainability view our Frequently Asked Questions.

Delinquent notices will be mailed on past due accounts allowing 30 days for payment to be received to avoid disconnection. Checks are not accepted for accounts once a final notice has been mailed. The entire balance as stated on the final notice is required to avoid disconnection. 

Note: Water, sewer, and storm drain charges are considered "ready to use" and will continue to be billed monthly as long as the utility account is open. Only water consumption is based on usage. Services where the water is off for non-payment are still connected to City systems and the charges will continue to be billed. Garbage service is not discontinued when water is turned off for non-payment, and the charges will continue to be billed.

Accounts should be paid under written protest prior to delinquency to ensure that additional fees are not assessed or service is disconnected. A formal Request for Review form must be completed and submitted within 30 days from the date the disputed charges are billed. This form can be obtained by speaking to a Revenue Collections and Compliance (Customer Service) Representative at 209-577-5395 or visiting our office located at 1010 10th Street, Suite 2100, Modesto, CA 95354. Completed written dispute forms can be delivered in person at our office, or addressed to: City of Modesto - Collections Division, P.O. Box 767, Modesto, CA, 95353

A return payment fee of $25 will be imposed for all items returned by the bank unpaid and the service may be subject to immediate disconnection.

Your garbage company is determined by which street you live on. 

View the map to find your address and contact your company for more information.  Gilton Solid Waste can be reached at 209-527-3781 or Bertolotti Disposal 209-537-6911. 

If services are turned off for non-payment, payment of all balances owing plus fees will be required to restore service. Checks are not accepted for accounts once a final notice has been mailed. 

• Payments must be made before 2 p.m. and verified with a Revenue Collections and Compliance (Customer Service) Clerk for same day reconnect.
• Payments received after 2 p.m. on accounts that are disconnected, will not have the service restored until the following business day.
• Only City personnel are authorized to disconnect and/or reconnect service. Unauthorized tampering/damage could delay restoration of services up to one week and result in additional fees.

***Payments MUST be made before 2 p.m. and verified with a Revenue Collections and Compliance (Customer Service) Clerk for same day reconnect.*** ***Payments received AFTER 2 p.m. on accounts that are disconnected, will not have the service restored until the following business day.***

The City of Modesto offers its residential garbage service customers a convenient way to dispose of large bulky household items via the Bulky Item Collection Program. Each residential garbage service customer may have two pick-ups per calendar year. Residents must contact their garbage company to set a collection appointment. Items should be placed out the evening before the scheduled collection day. Gilton Solid Waste can be reached at 209-527-3781 or Bertolotti Disposal 209-537-6911.

Metered: If your location is charged a metered water or sewer rate the service period appearing on your bill is from reading date to reading date. Any flat rate service charge also appearing on the bill will differ from these dates. 

Non-Metered Flat Rate: If your location is billed on a flat rate, the service period appearing on your bill is from billing date to billing date.

No, your Water, sewer, and storm drain charges are considered "ready to use" and will continue to be billed monthly as long as the utility account is open. Only water consumption is based on usage. Services where the water is off for non-payment are still connected to City systems and the charges will continue to be billed. Garbage service is not discontinued when water is turned off for non-payment, and the charges will continue to be billed.

You may contact our office in person or by phone at 209-577-5395 to request termination of service and to provide a forwarding address for your final bill.

The mailing address can be updated by the account holder or an authorized party on the utility account. To change the mailing address on your utility account, please contact our office at 209-577-5395.