News
November 6, 2008
Council Wants To Change Stormwater Escrow Fund Policy
The City of Raleigh will seek approval from the North Carolina General Assembly to assess property owners for the cost of repairing stormwater facilities on private property. The City Council unanimously approved the move at its meeting on Nov. 4.
Legislative approval is needed for the change because the City currently can only assess property owners for public improvements and not private improvements. For private stormwater facilities (i.e detention ponds, rain gardens) that serve multiple lots in a development, an escrow account must now be set up to pay for repairs. Payments to the account are made over a 10-year period. Escrow accounts are not required for private stormwater devices serving single lots.
Under the change sought by the City of Raleigh, property owners would still be responsible for the maintenance and repair of private stormwater facilities on their land. The owner or the appropriate homeowners association could use their own funds to pay for the repair. If the repairs are not made, the City of Raleigh would have the option of assessing the property owners for the cost, provided the General Assembly grants the City this authority.
Prepared by:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Danny Bowden
Stormwater Program Manager
Public Works Department
222 West Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-4011
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