Paying your bills to the City of Winston-Salem just got a whole lot easier thanks to the various online payment options now available As a resident of this city, you likely have to pay water bills, business license fees, parking tickets, and more to the city government In the past, this meant writing checks or money orders and mailing them in or visiting city offices in person. But with the city’s new online payment systems, you can take care of all these payments quickly and conveniently from your computer or mobile device.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the different online payment options offered by the City of Winston-Salem and provide step-by-step instructions for using each one. I’ll also highlight key benefits of paying your city bills online. My goal is to make the bill payment process as easy and stress-free as possible for Winston-Salem residents like myself. Let’s get started!
Benefits of Paying City Bills Online
Before we talk about the different online payment systems, let’s talk about some of the best reasons to pay your City of Winston-Salem bills online:
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Comfort—You can pay at any time of day or night and from anywhere. No need to go downtown or wait in line during business hours.
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Speed – Online payments post to your account almost instantly Much faster than mailing in a check,
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Payment History – Your payment history is recorded and accessible in your online account. Easy to look up past payments if needed.
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Auto-Pay: Some systems let you set up regular payments to be taken out of a bank account or credit card. One less thing to remember each month.
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Account Management – View your balance, see upcoming charges, change payment methods, and more in your online account.
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Environmentally Friendly – Going paperless reduces waste and carbon emissions from mailing paper checks and bills.
Paying Your City Water/Sewer Bill Online
Let’s start with the city utility bill that every residence and business receives – your monthly water and sewer bill.
The City of Winston-Salem offers an online customer portal where you can review your account, make a one-time payment, or set up recurring automatic payments.
Here are the step-by-step instructions for paying your water/sewer bill online:
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Go to the City of Winston-Salem Water Billing webpage.
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Click on “Pay Water Bill Online.” This will redirect you to a secure third-party payment system.
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On your first visit, click “New Users Register Here” to create an account. Enter your contact and billing information.
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Check your email for a verification link and click to activate your account.
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Log into your account on the payment portal. Locate your water/sewer account and click “Pay Bill.”
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Enter your payment amount and select a payment method such as credit card or e-check.
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Review the payment details and complete the transaction.
Your payment will post to your water/sewer account usually within an hour, so no more waiting days for a check to clear! To set up automatic recurring payments, just access the “Auto Pay” feature once logged into your account.
Paying Parking Tickets Online
If you’ve been issued a parking ticket within the Winston-Salem city limits, you can now pay the fine online instead of by mail or in-person.
Here is how to pay a Winston-Salem parking ticket online:
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Go to the City of Winston-Salem Payments page.
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Under the “I Want To…” menu, click on “Pay parking tickets received within city limits.”
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On the Parking Ticket Payments page, click the “Online Payments” button.
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You will be redirected to a secure third-party payment system. Click “Pay Parking Ticket.”
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Enter your ticket number and license plate details. The system will pull up your ticket.
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Select a payment method and submit the payment to satisfy your parking fine.
Be sure to make note of the confirmation number for your records. Online payment will update your parking ticket status with the city courts quickly so your license or vehicle registration is not affected.
Paying for City Business Licenses Online
Operating a business within the Winston-Salem city limits requires an annual privilege license for which there is a fee. The good news is that now business owners can pay their license fees electronically.
Follow these instructions to renew or apply for a new Winston-Salem business license online:
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Go to City of Winston-Salem Payments and click on “Make payments on fire permits and fines” from the “I Want To…” menu.
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On the Business License Fees page, click the “Online Payments” button.
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In the online payment portal, select the “Business Licenses” department.
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Choose the type of business license you need and enter your business details.
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The system will calculate the license fee amount automatically based on business type, location, number of employees, etc.
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Enter payment information securely and receive a confirmation email with your electronic license.
City officials receive your business license application instantly so you can get your permit approval faster than waiting for a mailed check. Renewals are also quicker than filling out paperwork and checks by hand each year.
Other Online Payment Options
Beyond water bills, parking tickets, and business licenses, the City of Winston-Salem offers online payments for these additional services:
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Trash collection – Pay your personal solid waste collection bill online by accessing your sanitation account. Set up auto-pay here too.
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False alarm fees – If your home or business security alarm triggered a false police call, pay the fine online.
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Recreation program fees – Browse upcoming rec programs and events and pay for them securely online.
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Shelter pet adoption – When adopting a dog or cat from the Forsyth Humane Society, pay adoption fees online.
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Fire inspection fees – Businesses can pay fire inspection and prevention fees online after inspection.
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Public records requests – Pay for document and records requests online and then access them electronically.
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Room and venue rental – Reserve and pay for city meeting rooms, event venues, clubs and more online.
Option 2: Use Your Bank’s Online Bill Pay Service
Go to your bank’s website and log into your account to set up recurring electronic payments. Directions and policies vary by bank, so contact your bank if you need any help.
- Find the windowed envelope included with your bill.
- Place a check or money order, along with the bottom portion of your bill, in the envelope. No cash is accepted.
- Drop the envelope in any mailbox.
If you cannot locate the windowed envelope, you may mail the bottom portion of your bill and your payment to the following address:
City of Winston-Salem Revenue Collections PO Box 2756 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-2756
Option 1: Fill Out Automatic Draft Authorization Form (PDF)
Include the printed, completed form and a voided check with your bill payment. Your next new bill will be processed for draft payment ten days after the bill date. You will continue to receive statements by mail.
If you cannot print this form, you can request a copy by calling 336-727-8000 or stopping by the City of Winston-Salem Revenue Office, Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 East First Street, Suite 121, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Pay it Easy – City Savvy
FAQ
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