What is this Stormwater Notice that I received in the mail?
The Stormwater Notice is NOT A BILL. We have sent this to make sure the information that the
City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has on your property is correct. Please review the information
on your notice to ensure its accuracy. If the information is correct, simply do nothing, you will receive your
Stormwater Utility bill within 60 days. If there is information that is incorrect, you have 60 days in which to
correct or appeal it.
What is a stormwater utility fee?
Just like water, sewer, gas, and other vital utility services, users are charged a fee for the service
of controlling stormwater. The stormwater management fee applies to all developed properties, including homes, businesses,
and non-profit organizations. These fees provide a dedicated revenue stream, which is for use only on stormwater system maintenance,
operations, systems planning, and construction.
What does the stormwater utility fee pay for?
The Stormwater Utility provides funding to implement new programs for preventive maintenance, repair,
and improvements to the City’s storm drain system. With these programs, entire storm drain systems in large areas of
the City are systematically cleaned on a periodic basis before serious problems occur. Funding from the Stormwater
Utility allows for improvements that directly target local flooding problems.
What is stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff is the portion of rain and melting snow that does not soak into the ground. It
runs off driveways, parking lots, roads, and other impervious surfaces that do not allow the water to soak through to
the ground below.
What is an impervious surface?
Impervious areas are surfaces that have been paved or otherwise covered with material that is resistant
to infiltration by water, therefore hindering infiltration of rainwater into the ground. Impervious surfaces are mainly
constructed surfaces - rooftops, sidewalks, roads, and parking lots - covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt,
concrete, brick, and stone. The impervious surface is NOT equal to the inside square footage of a structure.
Are gravel driveways considered an impervious surface?
Yes. Compacted gravel is considered an impervious surface. Any surface covered with gravel where cars
or other equipment drive or park over them is considered impervious.
What causes stormwater runoff?
The continued urban growth within the City has caused an increase in accumulated runoff. This additional
runoff can cause flooding, threats to public safety, and pollutants to enter receiving waters.
What are the environmental benefits of creating a stormwater utility?
- Improvement of water quality by reducing non-point source pollution (NPS).
- Prevention of stream bank erosion.
- Healthier habitats for the James River and associated tributaries.
- Cleaner waterfront and park areas.
- Reduces chance of sewer back-ups.
- Reduces threat of West Nile Virus.
What is non-point source pollution?
Non-point source (NPS) pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many different
sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries
away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground
sources of drinking water. These pollutants include:
- Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural lands and residential areas
- Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production
- Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding stream banks
- Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines
- Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty septic systems
Didn’t the City already have funding in place for Stormwater issues?
No. Historically, money from the City’s General Fund has provided limited funding for stormwater operations.
However, these funds are used for many other city programs and the funds are not adequate for the necessary improvements and
maintenance to the stormwater system and the reduction of potential pollutants into our streams and creeks.
What are the benefits to a stormwater utility?
A dedicated funding source, such as a stormwater utility, provides the city of Richmond with many benefits:
For citizens:
- Improved public health and safety
- Improved customer service and a reduced backlog of customer complaints
- Reduction of long-term capital costs through proactive maintenance
- Protection of property value
- Resources to help mitigate flooding
For business:
- Improved city services
- Cleaner and safer streets, which help improve the business climate
- Support of economic development objectives
- Availability of more property to develop, resulting in increased tax revenue
Overall:
- Resources to meet existing and future regulatory requirements.
- Synergy/cooperation with the CSO program.
Is this being done elsewhere?
Yes, there are approximately 400 stormwater utilities nationwide and several in Virginia, including the cities
of Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Chesapeake, and Newport News. The municipalities that adopted stormwater utilities
selected this approach because it is both fair and equitable.
Who pays the Stormwater Utility fee?
All developed properties are charged a stormwater fee. Properties paying the fee will include residential properties,
commercial and industrial properties, non-profit organizations, schools, colleges/universities, state and federal owned
properties and parking lots*.
*Commercial, industrial, non-profits, schools, colleges/universities, state and federal owned properties
and parking lots that have infrastructure or facilities set up to control the quality and quantity of stormwater run-off from their
property may apply for a full or partial credit, up to 50% of the stormwater fee that is assessed.
Do tax exempt properties have to pay?
Yes, because it is a fee, not a property tax. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of the property.
The Stormwater Utility Fee is based on the amount of impervious surface area a property has which contributes to the amount of
stormwater runoff from the property.
Are there any properties that are excluded from this fee?
Full waivers of the charges are granted for the following: Undeveloped properties, public streets and roadways, cemeteries
and City of Richmond owned properties* are excluded from paying the stormwater fee.
*Richmond Public Schools and properties owned by Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA) are not
owned by the City of Richmond and are therefore required to pay the stormwater utility fee.
Do I have to pay for any unoccupied developed properties that I own?
Yes, because that property contains impervious area.
Why do I have to pay when I do not have any drainage problems?
Everyone in the City benefits from the Stormwater maintenance program. If stormwater runs off your property,
the City must have a program and funding to manage the increase in runoff and pollutants.
Direct benefits include protecting your property from upstream runoff, protecting properties downstream from
your runoff, and improving water quality in the James River.
How is the fee calculated and how much do I have to pay?
Richmond has a three-tiered rate structure for single family residential (SFR) parcels based on the
amount of impervious surface area that a parcel contains.
Residential Stormwater Rates
| Rates per Single Family Residential (SFR) parcel |
Annual Fee |
| SFR parcels less than or equal to 1,000 sq. ft |
$25/yr. |
| SFR parcels between 1,001 - 2,399 sq. ft. |
$45/yr. |
| SFR parcels greater than 2,400 sq. ft. |
$70/yr. |
Non-Residential Stormwater Rates
| Rates per Equivalent Residential Unit* (ERU) |
Annual Fee |
| Multi-family |
$45/ERU |
| Non-Residential** |
$45/ERU |
*Equivalent Residential Unit = 1,425 sq. ft
**Includes but is not limited to commercial, residential, non-profits, churches, schools, colleges/universities
Minimum fee for all property classes is $25
EXAMPLE: The fee for a Non-Residential property with 14,250 sq. feet of impervious area would be $450.
See the following calculation: 14,250 sq. feet/1,425 sq. feet = 10 ERU's, 10 ERUs x $45 = $450 per year.
How was the Equivalent Residential Unit determined for Richmond, VA?
The City of Richmond’s ERU was derived utilizing property classification data from the City Assessor’s Office
and impervious area calculations from the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS). The base unit ERU is the median impervious
surface area for all single family residential units within the city of Richmond. This calculation for the City of Richmond is
1,425 square feet.
How is the fee billed to me?
The stormwater utility fee will be sent as a separate bill mailed directly to the property owner on an
annual basis.
Are residential properties eligible for credits or reductions based on income?
No. Partial credits or waivers are based soley on methods implemented to reduce the quantity or
improve the quality of stormwater run-off.
Are there any other credits or reductions available to residential property owners?
Residential properties will be able to apply for partial credits in December 2010. Approved credits
are in 2010 will be retroactive to July 1, 2010.
Are non-residential properties eligible for credits?
Yes. Non–residential properties may apply for partial credits up to a maximum allowable credit of 50% of
the proposed fee providing they meet defined criteria. Examples of this would be implementation or construction of low-impact
development (LID) methods or techniques.
What is Low Impact Development (LID)?
The practice of using techniques in building and construction that minimize the effect that development
will have on the quality of the surrounding environment. Low Impact Development emphasizes conservation and use of on-site
natural features to protect water quality.
(Examples of LID techniques include permeable pavers, green roofs, green alleys,
rain barrels and rain gardens.)
Has the City of Richmond implemented any LID techniques?
Yes. The City of Richmond is currently working on a Green Alley initiative that will utilize permeable pavers in two
locations - the 5th Street alley that runs north/south located between Main and Cary Streets and 4th and 5th streets. The
second location is the 12th Street alley that runs east /west located parallel between 12th and 13th streets and perpendicular
between Main and Cary Streets.
The city also assisted the Second Presbyterian Church with creating a rain garden.
The City continues to look for opportunities to partner with other organizations interested in improving the
environment by using LID techniques.
What is funded under this program?
The main components of the program are:
- Regulatory Compliance including water quality monitoring, floodplain management, and meeting the requirements
of the city stormwater permit.
- Capital Improvements including storm sewer installation, culvert and ditch upgrades, stream restoration, water
quality retrofits, and storm drainage master planning and engineering
- Operation and Maintenance including inspection and maintenance of catch basins, drainage ditches, detention
ponds, and other stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) facilities
- Asset Renewal including catch basin and storm drain rehabilitation and replacement
- Example: Battery Park & Shockoe Bottom projects.
Why is the stormwater utility the best solution?
- A more equitable system: All the contributors to stormwater runoff share the costs of maintaining and
improving the storm drainage system.
- A stable level of funding: Ensures that stormwater management receives adequate support, independent
of the City's tax rate and General Fund.
- A dedicated fund: Revenues are used solely for stormwater management.
As with any new program, it will take time for the full effect of the stormwater utility to show,
however, you should be able to see the effects of ongoing improvements in drainage and maintenance.
Why do I pay a stormwater utility fee when I don't have ditches or drain inlets on or near my property?
The water that leaves your property (runoff), either from irrigation or rainfall, ultimately drains
into a city maintained drainage facility. You are assessed a fee because this runoff contributes to the need for
maintenance.
Does the stormwater utility maintain ditches that cross private property?
No. The responsibility for maintaining the ditch, pipe or channel falls on the property owner.
Stormwater Utility crews can only maintain ditches or other drainage facilities on private property if the facility
is within the drainage easement granted to the City and if the facility carries runoff from upstream property.
Without an easement, the responsibility for maintaining the ditch, pipe or channel falls on the property owner.
For more information about easements call DPU’s Customer Care Center at (804)644-3000.
What restrictions are there for activities within a drainage easement?
Drainage easements must be accessible to maintenance crews at all times. Any owner-initiated obstruction
of an easement (such as a shed, fence, patio or other structure) is subject to removal at the owner's expense.
When are storm drains cleaned?
The Department of Public Utilities Stormwater Utility will regularly clean and clear the storm drain system
by following a bi-yearly cleaning schedule for more than 178 miles of City maintained drainage pipes. Some pipes will be cleaned
monthly. Storm drain inlets may not have debris on or around them, but the pipes underground may be clogged, causing a water backup.
The Stormwater Utility welcomes calls from the public notifying us of problem storm drains and encourages residents to help by
keeping storm drains near their homes and businesses clear of debris.
How did the City obtain information about my property in order for stormwater classification?
The information was obtained from base mapping that is maintained in the City Assessor’s office and
verified using aerial photos.
How often is this information updated?
The most recent aerial photos were updated in 2009. Subsequent photos will be updated every 2-3 years;
however the City updates GIS information regularly based upon permits for construction and demolition, property changes, etc.
What if I do not agree with the Stormwater Notice that I receive from the City?
Customers who do not agree with the Stormwater Notice they receive should first contact DPU’s Customer Care Center
at 644-3000. DPU’s customer service representatives can anwer your stormwater questions. If after contacting the Customer Care Center
you still feel your Stormwater Notice is incorrect, you may appeal the Notice. Customers who wish to appeal the Stormwater Notice have
60 days to do so.
The Stormwater Utility Appeal Form can
be found online at the city of Richmond Department of Public Utilities. A DPU customer
service representative can also mail or fax this form to a property owner.
What can be appealed?
Owners who wish to appeal their Stormwater Notice may do so to dispute the following:
- Parcel ownership
- Amount of impervious area
- Stormwater classification
Note: Onus of proving the above appeals is on the property owner. A dispute of impervious area must be
proven using drawings and measurements certified by a licensed engineer.
Is there any recourse if AFTER the 60-day appeals process I still do not agree with the Notice?
Yes. Customers who do not agree with the decision of the City’s review committee may file for a hearing.
A hearing request should be in writing and include the necessary documentation which supports the need for the hearing.
The hearing request can be mailed to:
DPU’s Stormwater Team
730 E. Broad St.
5th Fl.
Richmond, VA 23219
Hearing Requests can also be emailed to
Stormwater Utility.
More information about the
Stormwater Utility
is available on the DPU site.
Questions about the Stormwater Utility may also be emailed to
Stormwater Utility at RichmondGov
