If you are leasing or renting housing, you will owe a deposit when you apply for utility services. Your deposit may be waived if you provide a letter of credit from your previous utility company, and you meet the following requirements:

• Letter written for the immediate prior 12 months of continuous service from a comparable utility company; and
• One or fewer delinquent notices within the previous 12 months; and
• No disconnects for nonpayment of a bill or deposit within the previous 12 months; and
• One or fewer checks returned to the City or prior utility for insufficient funds from your bank within the previous 12 months; and
• No outstanding balances for utilities with the City of Richland within the last five years.

If qualifications are met, the deposit will be applied to your utility account 12 months after the deposit was originally paid.

The timing of your bill depends on the billing cycle for your service address. Most residential and commercial customers are billed monthly and can expect to receive a bill approximately every 30 days.

Bills are due 20 days after the bill is issued (the bill date).

First step is to register in MyAccount.

Once you are logged in:

• Select on "View/Pay Bill" in the upper right hand corner
• In the middle of the screen, select "Bill Delivery"
• Once in the Manage Bill Delivery - select "Enroll in Paperless"

You are set! 

The City of Richland has a new utility portal, MyAccount, is available. There are helpful instructional videos as well as the the MyAccount User Guide for your convenience. 

Here are the two options to sign up for automatic payment on your utility billing account.

1. Sign-in to MyAccount
   • Once logged in - select "View/Pay Bill" located in the upper right-hand corner
   • Select the icon "Auto Pay" located in the middle of the page and complete the steps
     
     
2. Contact our Customer Service office at (509) 942-1104 option 4

Visit our Start or Stop utility Services page to find the correct links for managing your utility service needs. 

For additional questions, please contact Customer Service at 509-942-1104 or via email at CustomerService@ci.richland.wa.us.

To apply for utility services, please complete a Residential or Commercial Utility Services Application.

Please note:

• A $15.00 new account fee will be added to the first bill for all new service locations.
• A copy of your notarized deed of sale or lease agreement is required at the time of application.
• Applications and required documentation must be received a minimum of one (1) business day prior to the requested move date.
• E-forms and additional information can be found on our Customer Service page.

To terminate services, please complete our online Termination form.

Please note:

• If you are an owner and you have sold the property, a copy of the Statutory Warranty Deed showing proof of sale is required before termination can be completed. Once we have received the completed termination request and any applicable documents, we will be able to complete your request.

The City of Richland partners with the Washington State Department of Revenue for business licensing and City Endorsements. City license applications are submitted electronically with the Department of Revenue.

To apply for a temporary or solicitor license, please view our business licensing page for additional information.

To inquire on the status of your Richland endorsement, please contact Customer Service at 509-942-1104, option 4 or email CustomerService@ci.richland.wa.us.

To inquire on the status of your State license, please contact the Washington State Department of Revenue at 360-705-674.

Customer Service can issue a lock and key for your gate, free of charge. The meter readers keep a duplicate key so they can access your yard to read the meter. This allows the meter readers access to your yard to read the meter and will result in an actual read on your bill instead of an estimated one.

To request a lock, please visit the Customer Service Office at Richland City Hall, 625 Swift Boulevard.

The Helping Hands program is designed to assist customers in times of need and is managed by the Benton Franklin Community Action Council. If you'd like to donate to Helping Hands, choose one of the methods below. You may participate, modify or cancel at any time.

• One-Time Payment: On your utility bill, enter the amount you'd like to contribute and add that amount to the "Amount Enclosed" with your regular utility payment.
• Round Up: On your utility bill, check the Sign up for Helping Hands checkbox and complete the back of the bill stub. Each month, the total due will be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The difference between your utility bill amount and the rounded dollar amount will be contributed to the Helping Hands program. This will be displayed on the bill and should be added into the amount enclosed.
• Specified Amount: On your utility bill, check the Sign up for Helping Hands checkbox and complete the back of the bill stub. You may designate the amount you would like to contribute each month. This will be displayed on the bill and should be added in the amount enclosed.

Find more information about the Helping Hands Program.

For utility line locate, please call 800-424-5555 or visit washington811.com.

Budget Billing, or Equalized Billing is a way to keep your utility payment amount the same for twelve consecutive months. This service makes it easier to predict your utility costs each month.

Payment amounts are based off of your previous 12 months of billing. Generally, payment amounts are recalculated every six months to ensure your bill is in alignment with your usage. Any differences will be factored into setting the payment amount of the next 12 payments.

To set up Equalized Billing, please contact Customer Service at 509-942-1104 or via email at CustomerService@richlandwa.gov