Garbage Service Billing Process
1. Haulers mail out invoices on the 5th day of the first month of quarterly service (January, April, July, and October). The invoice covers the next three months. Ex. January bill is for service provided January, February, March.
2. Payment is due the 25th of the billing month. In order for your hauler to receive payment, it must clear your bank or financial institution by the due date.
3. Payments not received by the due date, will incur a late fee of 5% and the end of each month of the billing cycle. Up to three late fees are possible per billing cycle.
4. At the end of the quarter, all unpaid bills are turned over to the City for assessment. Your hauler can no longer take payment for that quarter.
Assessment Process Overview
Quarterly Bill Sent to City of Saint Paul for Collection
Approximately 2 weeks after the garbage hauler sends the unpaid bills to the City, It is classified as a pending assessment. Your hauler can no longer take payment for this quarterly bill. The City will send out an “Invoice and Final Notice” to the property owner. The property owner then has 30 days to pay the pending assessment. After 30 days the pending assessment will be sent for approval through the ratification of assessment process to be added to the owner's property taxes. During this time you can pay your bill online or by mail.
Notice of Legislative Hearing
If the City of Saint Paul does not receive payment of the delinquent charges by the due date on the “Invoice and Final Notice,” the City will send out a second notice titled “Public Hearing Notice Ratification of Assessment.” This will include a scheduled date, time, and location for a legislative hearing that residents are able to attend if they wish to contest the assessment. Please note that it is not mandatory to attend these hearings. The notice will include a webform URL to enter your request for a legislative hearing at the assigned date and time. Please call 651-266-6101 if you need assistance.
Legislative Hearing Process
To contest the assessment, submit a request for a legislative hearing online or by phone 651-266-6101 and attend the scheduled hearing date. During your hearing, the legislative hearing officer will make a recommendation about the assessment. This recommendation will be provided to the City Council for their approval of the final assessment roll. If you disagree with the legislative hearing officer’s recommendation, you may attend the City Council hearing to dispute the recommendation.
City Council Votes to Send Assessment to Ramsey County
If the pending assessment is still unpaid at the time of the scheduled City Council Hearing, it will be approved by City Council and the balance will be sent to Ramsey County to be assessed to your property. If a bill is assessed to the property by Ramsey County, it will incur additional administration fees of $2.50. You can pay the bill with Ramsey County Property Taxes.
Additional information available at Public Works - Residential Garbage