Application for Stormwater Utility Credit

Public Works Department - Stormwater Management

Stormwater Utility Fee

Stormwater management is a state and federally mandated program that requires the City to regulate stormwater in an effort to reduce pollution. Federal or state governments; however, do not provide funding. Consequently, the revenues needed to support this mandated program are provided through a Stormwater Utility fee.

Owners of developed property, that is, property that contains impervious area (a building, a paved area), both residential and non-residential, are billed this fee. Residential property owners are billed a flat rate.

Residential properties include single family homes, mobile homes, multi-family dwellings and condominiums. The formula for determining non-residential property fees is as follows: An Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) is equal to the average impervious area (areas covered with residences, buildings, driveways, etc.) determined from all residential units in the City. That average impervious area for Chesapeake has been determined to be 2,112 square feet. Therefore, divide the total impervious area of a non-residential property by one ERU (2,112 SF) to obtain the number of ERUs, and multiply that by the flat residential rate. The minimum utility fee for any property shall be no less than one ERU.

Currently owners of nonresidential property can qualify for a credit on their utility fee by utilizing Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs are devices used for on-site control of stormwater runoff and to provide water quality improvements (i.e., detention lakes, retention ponds, vegetated buffer strips, grassed swales, etc.).

However, Public Works has established a Stormwater Utility Credit Criteria in accordance with City Code. In order to qualify for credit, applications for the new credit must be submitted and approved. Copies of the Stormwater Utility Credit Criteria and applications are available from Public Works by calling 382-3330, or can be downloaded here. Public Works will review the credit request within 60 days upon receipt of a completed application, calculations and all necessary supporting plans, drainage area maps and drainage summaries. Prior to receiving a credit, the landowner shall also enter into a City standard agreement ensuring proper maintenance of the facility and permitting inspection by Public Works personnel.