Stormwater Utility Fee 

Public Hearing Notice:  Proposed Stormwater Fee Changes (FY24)

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

Table of residential annual stormwater utility fee rates from FY19 to FY23
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.

  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 billing over annual?
  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