Stormwater Utility
What is a Stormwater Utility?
Like utilities for water and sanitary sewer, a Stormwater Utility (SWU) is a fee for providing stormwater management services. Ratepayers are charged a fee based on the stormwater runoff impact their respective properties generate, using impervious surface as the measurement of that impact. A SWU provides a dedicated funding source for existing stormwater management services and new capital projects to reduce sediment and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorous) pollution into our local waterways, the Potomac River, and Chesapeake Bay.
What is Stormwater Runoff?
Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or snow melt flows across land and impervious surfaces, such as roofs, driveways, parking lots, and streets that don't allow stormwater to soak into the ground, so it flows to other areas. Stormwater runoff may cause drainage problems like flooding and erosion. Stormwater runoff can also pick up and carry pollutants like grease, oil, pet waste, fertilizer, and metals to the City's storm drain system that leads directly to local waterways, such as Accotink Creek and ultimately to the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. The storm drain system does not treat runoff for pollutants. Stormwater pollution and drainage problems have impacts on our environment and wildlife and can damage property.
Stormwater Utility FAQs(PDF, 257KB)
A Different Way to Think About Rain
One inch of rain that falls on a 3,000 square foot impervious surface generates 1,028 gallons of runoff.
1,028 gallons is equivalent to... 40 10-minute showers, 40 loads of laundry, 12 car washes on your driveway, or letting a garden hose run wide open for an hour.
Stormwater Utility Property Lookup Tool
This web application is designed to allow City of Fairfax property owners to view the number of Billing Units assigned to all City parcels eligible for billing under the Stormwater Utility.
Stormwater Utility Property Lookup Tool
Stormwater Utility Credit Program
The stormwater utility credit program(PDF, 5MB) was developed in conjunction with the utility ordinance and adopted by the City Council on April 12, 2022(PDF, 90KB).
Credits are available for stormwater management facilities in good condition, regardless of age. Property owners can also earn credits through non-structural activities, including tree expansion, tree preservation, a no-fertilizer pledge, and the Trees, Litter and Creeks Stewardship Program.
The program is designed to provide credit opportunities for all property owners while encouraging public involvement in stormwater management, improving local water quality, and supporting the City's MS4 permit requirements.
Stormwater Utility Appeal Process
Any owner of a parcel subject to the stormwater utility fee may request an adjustment to the fee by submitting an appeal application(PDF, 279KB) within 30 calendar days after the date the bill is mailed or otherwise issued to the owner. Grounds for adjustment of the fee are limited to the items listed in Ordinance 2021-12 Sec. 102-20(PDF, 231KB).
All SWU appeal applications and questions can be submitted by email at stormwaterutility@fairfaxva.gov or in person by visiting the Public Works Department located at City Hall (10455 Armstrong Street Suite 200 Fairfax, VA 22030).
Clarification of Pervious and Impervious Gravel Surfaces
Public Works has identified different uses of gravel throughout the city and has clarified which gravel surfaces are considered impervious for Stormwater Utility (SWU) fee calculations. Gravel associated with travel ways, such as driveways, walkways, and parking areas, will be considered impervious, while landscaping gravel designed to allow stormwater infiltration will be considered pervious.
Full Memorandum and Example Photos(PDF, 1MB)
Documents for Download
Stormwater Utility Credit Program
Other Documents
Questions?
To contact City Staff with general questions or comments about the City's Stormwater Utility, email stormwaterutility@fairfaxva.gov or call 703-385-2578.