Burlington offers three main ways to pay: online through their website, by phone, or by mail

Burlington Electric Department, Burlington Water Department, and Burlington Gas Department each operate separate billing systems, so the payment method depends on which utility you use. The fastest route is their online portal at burlingtonvt.gov, where you can pay when ready with a bank account or debit card. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can call the department directly or send a check by mail — both take longer but work just as well.

Payment is due by the date printed on your bill. If you miss that date, the utility will typically charge a late fee and may eventually shut off service, so knowing your due date and having a backup payment method matters. The sections below walk through each option step by step, what to expect at each stage, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through burlingtonvt.gov is the fastest method and lets you pay when ready from a bank account or debit card without a fee.
  • Phone payment is available during business hours and works the same way as online, but requires speaking to a representative.
  • Mailed checks must arrive by the due date on your bill, so sending them at least five business days early reduces the risk of a late fee.
  • Late payments trigger a fee and can lead to service disconnection, so setting up automatic payments or a calendar reminder helps you stay on time.
  • Each Burlington utility — electric, water, and gas — has its own account number and billing cycle, so you may need to pay multiple bills in a single month.

Paying online through the Burlington utilities website

The online portal is available 24 hours a day and is the method most utilities recommend because it is when ready and leaves a record. Go to burlingtonvt.gov, find the utility you need to pay (Electric, Water, or Gas), and look for a "Pay My Bill" or "Online Bill Pay" link. You will need your account number, which appears on your bill, and either a checking account or debit card.

The payment posts to your account the same day you submit it. There is no fee for paying online with a bank account; some utilities charge a small fee if you use a credit card, so check before you confirm. If you set up an account on the portal, you can also view your bill history, see your usage, and set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date again.

If you run into trouble logging in or the payment does not go through, call the utility's customer service line — the number is on your bill. They can troubleshoot the issue or process the payment over the phone instead.

Paying by phone during business hours

Each Burlington utility has a customer service phone line where you can pay by speaking to a representative. The number appears on your bill. Have your account number and a debit card or bank account information ready when you call. The representative will walk you through the payment, confirm the amount, and give you a confirmation number.

Phone lines are typically open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though hours vary by utility. If you call outside those hours, you may hear an automated system that lets you leave a message, but your payment will not process until someone calls you back or you reach a representative. For this reason, calling early in the week is usually faster than calling on Friday or Monday.

Paying by mail with a check or money order

Write a check or money order to the utility you are paying — Burlington Electric Department, Burlington Water Department, or Burlington Gas Department — and include your account number on the memo line. Mail it to the address shown on your bill. The utility will not receive it for several days, and processing takes additional time, so mail your payment at least five to seven business days before the due date to avoid a late fee.

Keep a copy of the check or the money order receipt for your records. If you are concerned the payment did not arrive, you can call customer service after ten business days and ask them to check whether they received it. Do not mail cash.

Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees

Both the online portal and phone payment allow you to set up automatic payments, where the utility withdraws the amount due from your bank account on a date you choose — usually a few days before the due date. This removes the risk of forgetting to pay and means you will never incur a late fee due to a missed important date.

To set up automatic payments online, log into your account on burlingtonvt.gov and look for an "Autopay" or "Recurring Payment" option. You will need to provide your bank account information once, and the utility will store it securely. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through the same portal, or by calling customer service.

Automatic payments work best if your bill amount is roughly the same each month. If your usage varies widely — for example, if your electric bill is much higher in winter — you may prefer to review each bill before paying so you can spot unusual charges or usage.

What happens if you miss the due date

If your payment does not arrive by the due date on your bill, the utility will charge a late fee, usually between 1 and 1.5 percent of the amount owed. This fee is added to your next bill. If you remain unpaid for 30 to 45 days after the due date, the utility will typically send a disconnection notice warning that service will be shut off on a specific date if payment is not received.

If service is disconnected, you will need to pay the full overdue amount plus a reconnection fee to restore it. Reconnection can take one to three business days depending on the utility and the reason for the disconnection. To avoid this, pay as soon as you realize you are late, or call the utility to discuss a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once.

Paying multiple Burlington utilities in one month

If you receive bills from more than one Burlington utility — for example, electric and water — each has its own account number, billing cycle, and due date. You will need to pay each one separately, either online or by phone. The online portal usually lets you select which utility to pay when you log in, so you can handle all three in one session if needed.

Billing cycles often do not line up, so you may have one bill due on the 15th and another on the 25th. Keeping a calendar or setting phone reminders for each due date helps you stay organized. Automatic payments can be set up for each utility independently, so you could have the electric bill deducted on the 10th and the water bill on the 20th, for example.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my bill in person at a Burlington utility office?

Some utilities accept in-person payments at their offices during business hours, though this is becoming less common. Call the utility's customer service line to ask whether they accept walk-in payments and where the office is located. Online and phone payment are faster and do not require you to travel.

What if I pay online but the payment does not show up on my bill?

Online payments usually post within one business day. If more than two business days have passed and the payment still does not appear, call customer service with your confirmation number. They can look up the transaction and confirm whether it was received and processed.

Can I set up automatic payments if I do not have a bank account?

Automatic payments require a checking or savings account. If you do not have one, you can pay by phone with a debit card, or mail a check or money order. Some community banks and credit unions offer low-cost or free checking accounts if you want to set up automatic payments.

What if I cannot pay my full bill by the due date?

Call the utility's customer service line and explain your situation. Many utilities offer payment plans that let you spread the amount owed over several months, which stops them from disconnecting service while you catch up. The sooner you call, the more options they can offer.

Do I need to pay each Burlington utility separately, or can I combine them into one bill?

Each utility operates independently, so you receive separate bills and must pay each one separately. There is no option to combine them into a single bill or payment. However, you can set up automatic payments for all three utilities on the same day if you want them to come out of your account at the same time.