Stormwater Fees FAQs
The Stormwater program began in 1990.
A good stormwater management program ensures that the environment, quality of life, and property values are protected. The monies collected from the stormwater fees are used to improve the City’s drainage system and perform canal dredging/maintenance. Some of the benefits that have been realized are clean water in our canals, estuaries, and bays; reduced erosion and sedimentation in canals; and less street ponding/flooding.
Both vacant and improved properties are billed as part of the City’s stormwater management system. The stormwater fee is based on the square footage of the property and is equated to an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), multiplied by the rate set each year by Council. An ERU is 10,000 sq. ft and is the standard unit used to calculate a property’s fees. The stormwater fee is billed once a year as a non-ad valorem tax on the annual property tax bill that covers October 1st through September 30th.
When there is any improvement done to the property such a building, a house, or adding on to a commercial building, the area of the parcel that allows water to enter directly into the ground is reduced. This results in a new stormwater fee calculation that charges more for an area that causes stormwater runoff due to buildings, driveways, sidewalks, etc.
Stormwater was originally paper billed to the property owners. In 2002, it began billing on the annual property taxes. Prior to annual tax billing, all delinquent stormwater liens were released and those amounts were collected as part of the annual tax bill. To view the release of lien, click here.