Stormwater Utility Fee 

Stormwater Utility Fee Rates

Effective July 1, 2023

Stormwater utility fees are based on the total amount of impervious surface on an individual lot or parcel. 

Most stormwater utility fees billed on water and sewer accounts will be changed from annual to monthly billing. Residents will receive 12 smaller stormwater utility fee charges instead of one large fee each year. Monthly billing should make it easier for property owners to plan monthly household budgets and less fluctuation in utility bill amounts. There are no additional fees for paying monthly or annually.

Starting July 1, 2023, stormwater utility fee rates will increase according to Ordinance 16149. The fee for residential property owners will increase between $0.75 and $3.11 per month and the fee for non-residential property owners will increase $1.55 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.

Monthly Residential Rates

Table of residential monthly stormwater utility fee rates from FY20 to FY24
Tier (total impervious surface) FY24 FY23 FY22 FY21 FY20
Tier 1 (less than 2,000 sq. ft.) $4.95 $4.20 $3.75 $3.50 $3.26
Tier 2 (2,000 sq. ft. - 3,999 sq. ft.) $10.25 $8.70 $7.76 $7.25 $6.75
Tier 3 (more than 3,999 sq. ft.) $20.53 $17.42 $15.55 $14.52 $13.52

Detached single-family homes, a duplex, or a manufactured home on an individual lot or parcel

Other Residential Rates - $4.95 monthly

Individually owned townhomes and condominiums are billed at the residential tier 1 rate, $59.40 annually. 

Non-Residential Rates - $10.25 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.

  1. FAQ
  2. Pay Bill
  3. forms
  1. Stormwater fees for properties in Durham County, OUTSIDE of City of Durham limits.
  2. What services do I get from paying stormwater utility fees?
  3. Do you prefer monthly or annual billing?
  4. How can I find out if there is a limit on the amount of impervious surface on my lot?
  5. I disagree with my billing tier or ERU calculation...
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Stormwater Utility Fee Map

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