What is a stormwater utility?
A stormwater utility is a stand-alone service unit within many city governments, including the City of Orlando, which generates revenues through fees for addressing stormwater.
What does the city do with this revenue?
The stormwater utility is responsible for funding the operation, construction, and maintenance of stormwater management devices, for stormwater system planning, and lake management. The utility generates its revenue through user fees, which are based on the amount of stormwater a particular parcel passes to the stormwater system. The more runoff a parcel contributes, the greater the fee.
When and how do I pay the fee?
To save on administrative costs, the fee is billed annually in the fall as a non-ad valorem assessment on the property tax bill and is collected by the tax collector. The charge is a service fee, not part of property taxes themselves.
Is this a tax?
No. The charge is a service fee and is not a part of your property taxes.
Is this a new fee?
No. In 1989 the city established the dedicated stormwater utility to address the challenges of stormwater runoff and pollution, flooding. The fees collected are dedicated to funding those challenges. The city last adjusted stormwater rates in late 2008, and due to inflation, flooding and growth we now need to reevaluate them to ensure that we can cover those costs and effectively prepare for the future.
What is impervious surface area?
Impervious surface area is any surface area which does not allow water to pass through to the soil. Examples include rooftops, driveways, parking lots and streets. This area is how we determine how much runoff a parcel contributes to the system. This is a different square foot measurement than your home, and is the main factor used in determining the fee for your parcel.
How are the fees calculated?
Single-family parcels will be charged based on their impervious surface area. A typical 7,760 square foot lot with 2,000 square feet of impervious area will pay $161.84 per year. The maximum fee any single-family residence will pay is $202.30 per year, based on 2,500 square feet of impervious area.
Multi-family parcels will be charged based on the number of units in the parcel and the combined impervious area of the parcel as a whole, with a maximum fee per dwelling unit of $186.12 representing the equivalent of 2,300 square foot in impervious area. This means all the units will split the impervious area evenly.
Non-residential developed parcels will be charged based on how much runoff is generated from the parcel, with an example case of 2,000 square feet of impervious area costing $161.84 per year.
Vacant parcels will be charged $84.24 per acre, with a minimum charge of one acre.
What about vacant property and public property like schools and parks?
Since rain falls on all property, all property will be charged. Vacant property will be charged a minimum fee based on acreage. Schools, churches, etc., will be charged just like shopping centers, based on the total number of the impervious surface area in square feet on the site.
What do the minimum and maximums mean?
The minimum and maximum is based on the concept that even if a parcel contributed no runoff to the city system, rain falling on city streets still has to be managed. You will not be charged more than the maximum sq. ft. for your type of parcel.
How does the utility fee help with problems such as street flooding?
The City of Orlando will have more resources to allocate towards projects that relate to flooding. City staff monitors and is aware of drainage problems in some areas, but if a resident knows of others, they can call the Streets and Stormwater Division at 407.246.2370 to report problems. Not every drainage issue can be fixed immediately, but the City of Orlando is committed to working on solutions as quickly as possible.
Who do I contact for additional information related to the proposed stormwater rate fee?
For any questions regarding the Stormwater Utility Fee, please contact the Stormwater Division at 407.246.2370 or email at stormwaterutilityrate@orlando.gov.