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Stormwater Utility Fee
Stormwater Utility Fee Rates
Effective July 1, 2022
Stormwater utility fees are based on the total amount of impervious surface on an individual lot or parcel.
Starting July 1, 2022, stormwater utility fee rates will increase according to Ordinance 15937. The fee for residential property owners will increase between $0.45 and $1.87 per month and the fee for non-residential property owners will increase $0.94 per Equivalent Residential Unit or ERU (one unit equals 2,400 square feet of impervious area).
The stormwater utility fee pays for repair, operation, and maintenance of the public drainage system. It also funds programs that improve water quality in streams and lakes. The increase supports funding of projects that help the City comply with the Falls Lake Nutrient Management Strategy and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) pollution reduction requirements. This includes funding for the South Ellerbe Creek restoration, algae floway project, and TMDL projects for bacteria in Northeast Creek and sediment in Third Fork Creek.
Annual Residential Rates
Tier (total impervious surface) | FY19 | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier 1 (< 2,000 sq. ft.) | $39.12 | $39.12 | $42.00 | $45.00 | $50.40 |
Tier 2 (2,000 sq. ft. - 3,999 sq. ft.) | $81.00 | $81.00 | $87.00 | $93.12 | $104.40 |
Tier 3 (> 3,999 sq. ft.) | $162.24 | $162.24 | $174.24 | $186.60 | $209.04 |
Detached single-family homes, a duplex, or a manufactured home on an individual lot or parcel
Other Residential Rates - $50.40 annually
Individually owned townhomes and condominiums are billed at the residential tier 1 rate, $50.40 annually.
Non-Residential Rates - $8.70 monthly per ERU (2,400 square feet of impervious area)
Parcels that contain more than two residential units, public/private institutional buildings, commercial buildings, parking lots, churches, etc.
- Stormwater fees for properties in Durham County, OUTSIDE of City of Durham limits.
- What services do I get from paying stormwater utility fees?
- Do you prefer monthly billing over annual?
- How can I find out if there is a limit on the amount of impervious surface on my lot?
- I disagree with my billing tier or ERU calculation...
- Pay Online - Online Payment Portal
- Pay By Phone - Call 919.560.1200, Option 1
- At City Hall
- Cashiering Counter at City Hall accepts cash, check, credit card, or electronic draft
- Drop Box on Mangum Street side of City Hall
- By Mail - City of Durham, PO Box 30041, Durham NC, 27702-3041
Please have 12-digit account number for payments made online and by phone. Include invoice stubs with payments submitted by mail.
See Your Impervious Area
The Public Works GIS Billing Data Group maintains over 1/2 billion square feet of impervious surface area within Durham city limits. An average of 2.5 million square feet of impervious area is added each year as a result of construction and redevelopment.
The amount of impervious surface area on a property is the single most important factor affecting the amount of water, including pollutants, flowing off a property.
For Questions about your Stormwater Utility Fee
Contact Durham One Call at 919-560-1200 or submit a request online
Service request:
Click or call 919-560-1200