The City of Alexandria is accepting applications for the Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program. Alexandria property owners can apply for reductions, up to 50%, on their Stormwater Utility (SWU) Fee. The application was updated last year with new practices and more reductions. The application window opened on December 1, 2023 and closes on February 15, 2024 to receive a reduction or ‘credit’ to the Fee. 

The SWU Fee, which is paid by all property owners as a separate line item on the real estate tax bill, is based on the amount of impervious area – or hard surfaces – on a property. The fee provides a dedicated funding source for the City’s stormwater management program, including flood mitigation capital projects under Flood Action Alexandria and operational activities like cleaning storm inlets and pipes. Property owners can earn credits to reduce the fee by installing and maintaining eligible stormwater management practices and filing an application with the City. Applications can be submitted by searching for the property on the City’s Real Estate webpage or submitting a hardcopy form. Applications will be accepted through February 15.  
 
In November 2022, City Council approved revisions to the Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program Manual for Residential and Non-Residential Properties to increase participation in the program, by expanding the list of eligible practices to include floodproofing practices and applying credits for applicants to two consecutive calendar years – which means if you applied for the SWU credit last year you do not need to reapply this year. Additionally, applicants can now receive up to a 50% reduction on their SWU Fee.

The complete revised Credit Manual is on the City’s Stormwater Management website. For any questions about your SWU Credit Application, please email stormwater@alexandriava.gov.  

Background: The City of Alexandria adopted the Stormwater Utility Fee effective January 2018 to provide a dedicated funding source for the stormwater management program services and costly new capital stormwater infrastructure projects to address the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup by reducing nutrient and sediment pollution in urban stormwater runoff that enters local waterways. Following recent flooding events and significant progress made to clean up the Bay, the City shifted resources to increase funding for flood mitigation initiatives under Flood Action Alexandria.