Stormwater Utility Rates

Annual stormwater program costs were divided by total impervious area. A statistical sampling was taken of representative properties in Raleigh. Each property was measured and a median impervious surface area was determined to be 2,260 square feet. Therefore, 2,260 sq. ft. equals one Single-Family Equivalent Unit (SFEU).

The monthly stormwater utility fee is calculated based on the amount of impervious surface on a developed parcel. Impervious surface is any hard surface that does not readily absorb water and impedes the natural infiltration of water into the soil. Common examples of impervious surfaces are roofs, driveways, parking areas, sidewalks, patios, decks, tennis courts, concrete or asphalt streets, and compacted gravel surfaces. In addition to single-family homes, the stormwater utility fee is assessed on multifamily, commercial and industrial properties. Fees fall into one of two rate categories; single-family or commercial. The bill rates below begin July of 2008.

While the stormwater program is in place to manage the pollution and runoff carried by rainwater, the fee is in no way related to the amount of rain that falls. The fee is in place to fund the ongoing maintenance and capital improvements to the entire storm drainage infrastructure, as well as other water quality improvement and flood hazard mitigation programs.

Because stormwater charges are not based upon the frequency or amount of rainfall received, the stormwater fee is administered regardless of rainfall. Whether the city is experiencing drought conditions or torrential rains, ongoing efforts to maintain and implement capital improvements to the entire storm drainage infrastructure continue while the stormwater fee remains the same.

A property's value does not affect runoff, so property taxes are not the most equitable way to pay for stormwater services. For example, a high-rise building and a shopping mall may have similar value and pay similar property taxes. However, the shopping center produces more runoff because of the amount of parking and rooftops. The fee system ensures the shopping center pays a higher stormwater fee than the high rise.

The City has had storm drains for a long time. However, recent federal regulations requiring a comprehensive stormwater quality management program necessitate that the City take a more active role in managing stormwater. The utility fee enables the City to meet its responsibilities to manage the storm drainage system more closely, study the contents of stormwater, seek out and eliminate illicit connections and illegal discharges, enforce codes more strictly, and facilitate public awareness.

Responsibility for utility services is assigned by the City to the user of the property. At some times, that user is the owner and, at others, it is a renter. You should contact your landlord with any concerns regarding any responsibility of fee payment.

You risk having all of your City services stopped, including water if you are a water customer. In addition, the City could file civil charges to collect. The stormwater fee is paid first, then the solid waste, and finally water and sewer fees. Any partial payment of your water and sewer payment could result in having all of your City services stopped.

Gravel is an impervious surface. Like concrete or asphalt, it functions as a barrier to absorption and places a demand on the storm drainage infrastructure. This demand on the system is what the stormwater fee pays for. Anyone who drives a car on any city-maintained street contributes to stormwater runoff problems that results in pollution from cars, such as brake dust, gasoline and oil leaks and the stormwater runoff from the impervious area of the street.

All properties within Raleigh, including Federal, State and City owned properties that have impervious surface must pay regardless of ownership or tax status. All impervious surfaces contribute to pollution and flooding problems and, therefore, all property owners should pay their share of the costs.

The only properties exempt from stormwater service charges are those that have less than 400 square feet of total impervious surface. All other property owners cannot be exempted unless they remove all structures and other impervious materials from the property, and re-seed and re-plant it, returning a parcel to its natural state.