New Customers
Welcome to the City of Palo Alto!
Palo Alto is the only city in California that owns and operates full-scale municipal utility services, including electric, fiber optics, natural gas, water and wastewater. We have been providing quality services to the citizens and businesses of Palo Alto since 1896.
Below you will find important customer information, including how to establish utilities services, additional information about Refuse Collection services, Program Services and Engineering for new projects or construction.
Utilities Customer Service
Utilities Customer Service
250 Hamilton Avenue, 2nd Floor
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Office Hours (Excluding Holidays):
Mon - Thu 8am to 5:30pm
Friday 8am to 4:30pm
Phone: (650) 329-2161
Email: utilitiescustomerservice@cityofpaloalto.org
Applying for Service
All new customers, residential or commercial, are required to notify Customer Service at least one business day in advance prior to starting or stopping service. Services can be initiated Monday through Friday, excluding city holidays. You can apply over the phone, online, or in person.
Start, Stop or Change services.
Billing Information
Billing cycles can vary due to our monthly route schedule. Once we acquire monthly meter reads, the bill will be printed and mailed out the following business day. Due dates on your bill will also vary, and will typically be listed 20 days after the print date. For more information on meter reading and route schedules, please visit our Meter Reading Info page.
Meter Reading Information
View a sample of what your utility bill will look like.(PDF, 75KB)
Learn more on ways you can pay your bill.
Learn more about current utility rates.
Sign up for our e-newsletter for important updates on programs, rates, events, and other Utilities news.
Refuse, Recycling and Collection Service
Green Waste of Palo Alto is our contracted hauler and processor. If you have garbage services at your location, you can find out your regular pick up day, schedule your free bi-annual large item pick up, or request change of services.
Green Waste
Office Hours:
Weekdays from 8am to 5pm
Closed on New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Phone: (650) 493-4894
Email: pacustomerservice@greenwaste.com.
Ways to Save Energy and Water
Interested in saving energy, water and money?
Learn about going solar, rebate initiatives, sustainability and more.
Ways to Save
Utilities Program Services
250 Hamilton Avenue, 3rd Floor
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Office Hours (Excluding Holidays):
Mon - Thu 8am to 5:30pm
Friday 8am to 4:30pm
Phone: (650) 329-2241
Email: utilityprograms@cityofpaloalto.org
Engineering
Utilities Engineering
1007 Elwell Court
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Office Hours (Excluding Holidays):
Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm
(Appointment Only)
Electric: (650) 566-4500
Water, Gas, Wastewater: (650) 566-4501
The City of Palo Alto’s Engineering division is responsible for implementing the capital improvement plans for the city’s electric, water, gas and wastewater distribution system and provides assistance to the operating departments.
Learn more about current city projects.
Learn about planned or unplanned outages.
Learn more about utility safety and emergency preparedness.
For any other questions, call Customer Service at (650) 329-2161.