Deposits
Call (253) 502-8606 to discuss your account
Deposits may be required from commercial customers for electric, water and/or solid waste services. Deposits may be waived by meeting one of the following criteria:
- You own the property (not just own the business).
- You have satisfactory commercial payment history with Tacoma Public Utilities in the same business name and the same legal entity for 12 consecutive months in the past two years.
- You can provide a commercial letter of credit from another electric, gas or water utility for 12 consecutive months in the past two years — the letter must be for the same business name as your TPU accounts.
- You can obtain a signed owner guarantee from the property owner stating they will be financially responsible for their tenants billing. The property owner must contact the Business Solutions Office at 253-502-8606 to obtain a blank owner guarantee form.
How long do I have to pay my deposit?
Commercial deposits are due within 30 days of notification. If you need additional time to pay your deposit, please contact the Business Solutions Office at 253-502-8606.
How much is my commercial deposit going to be?
Deposits for electricity and water are equivalent to the highest two months’ estimated billing for the business location or the highest two months billing within the first six months of service. The solid waste deposit is four times the monthly rate.
Will I get my commercial deposit back?
Commercial deposits will be applied to your utility account after 12 consecutive months of good payment history. For accounts with poor payment history, Tacoma Public Utilities may retain the deposit longer for good cause.
How can I pay my commercial deposit?
For your convenience, we offer several secure ways to pay your deposit:
- MyAccount
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Manage and pay your bill online using MyAccount. This tool, available to all residential and commercial customers, allows you to pay your bill online using a credit or debit card with the Visa, MasterCard or Discover logo, or by transferring money directly from your checking or savings account. Register or login to MyAccount.
- Phone
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You can pay by phone using your American Express, Visa, MasterCard or Discover. To pay, you will need the last four digits of the primary account holder’s Social Security Number. Call 253-502-8606 to pay over the phone.
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Mail a check or money order to:
Tacoma Public Utilities
P.O. Box 11007
Tacoma, WA 98411-0007
- TPU Pay Box
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It is easy to pay any utility bill at a TPU Pay Box using cash, a personal check or an American Express, Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Our Pay Boxes are located at select grocery stores throughout Pierce County and at our Administration Building at 3628 S. 35th St.
Please note we cannot accept money orders, cashier’s checks, traveler’s checks or foreign checks at Pay Boxes.
Some locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and all locations offer English and Spanish prompts. View a map of all Pay Box locations.
- In Person
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Payments are accepted at our Customer Services department located in the lobby of the Tacoma Public Utilities Administration Building at 3628 S. 35th St. in Tacoma.
Accepted forms of payment include cash, check, cashier’s check, American Express, Visa, MasterCard or Discover debit and credit cards and money orders.
- Drop Box
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Payments by check or money order can be placed in one of the drop box locations at our offices at 3628 S. 35th St. in Tacoma.
The drive-up box is in the parking lot directly across the street from the main entrance. Walk-up drop boxes are available at the front and west entrances of the building.