The Stormwater Utility Fee is billed to property owners as a separate line item on their real estate tax bills, half in May and half in October. Properties who do not pay tax receive a bill for just the Stormwater Utility fee. The fee is based on a property’s impervious area, or hard surfaces like roofs and driveways that don't let rain runoff soak into the ground. 

To view the Stormwater Utility Fee for any property: use the property search or Stormwater Utility Fee Viewer and enter the property address.

Residential properties are billed using a tiered method that is based on the primary land use classification.

• Condo tier includes garden-style and hi-rise condos
• Townhouse tier includes townhouse-style condos, row townhouses, and semi-detached houses
• Typical and large single-family tiers include detached houses

The stormwater utility fee has increased to accelerate capital stormwater projects and maintenance to mitigate flooding impacts from more intense rainfall events that have occurred over the last three years. City Council voted on an increase for FY22 via revision to the ordinance at the Jan. 26, 2021, Legislative Session and adopted on second reading at the Feb. 20, 2021 Public Hearing. The City Manager proposed a 5% increase to the SWU fee for FY23 that was adopted on May 4, 2022. For FY24, an increase of 5% was proposed by the City Manager and adopted by Council on May 3, 2023. For FY25, an increase of 5% was proposed by the City Manager and adopted by Council on May 1, 2024. The stormwater utility is billed twice a year in May and October and each billing is based on half (½) the billing rate. The October 2024 billing rate will be $324.10 and billed at $162.05 (half of $324.10).

Most customers receive the bill as a line item on their real estate tax bill that is received directly or through their mortgage company in May and October each year. Properties who do not pay real estate tax, receive a bill for just the stormwater utility fee. Contact the Finance department for assistance or to pay a bill.

On November 9th, 2022, the City Council approved the latest Stormwater Utility Credit Manual. The manual provides a menu of credit options per property type. Please read through your property type menu to see what current and new credits are available for you to implement and apply for during the credit application window which starts December 1st and ends February 15th. 

Combine eligible credits can reduce fees by up to 50 percent! Check out Section 6 of the Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Manual for more information on each practice for residential properties. 

Combine eligible credits can reduce fees by up to 50 percent! Check out Section 7 of the Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Manual for more information on each practice for condo association properties. A condo association must apply on behalf of the property owners if the applicable credit affects more than one property. For instance, the stormwater detention pond is maintained yearly and some of the property drains to the practice, then all property owners in the association could receive a credit. For one condo owner who installs a floodgate at their front door, the condo owner would need to apply for the credit since it only affects their property. Please see the manual for example calculations.

From December 1st through February 15th, you can apply for credit towards your 2024-2025 SWU fees! To learn more about the different practices that are eligible for a SWU fee credit, view the updated SWU Credit Manual. 

To apply online for credits, please follow these steps: 

1.) Go to the real estate assessment website here: Real Estate Assessment Search

2.) Type in your property details and click search.

3.) Click "Tax and Fee Info" button. This will take you to a new page. 

4.) Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page. It will look like the below screenshot.

5.) Click "Apply for Stormwater Utility Credit" and fill out the application. Our team will be in correspondence with you to let you know the status of your application.  

If paper forms are preferred they can be accessed here: Residential Property, Condo Associations, Non-residential property

For a list of native trees and plants, please review the following list: City of Alexandria Plant List

You may request an adjustment to the fee if there is an error on your bill. Appeals are due June 15th within 30 days of billing.  

Pay your stormwater utility fee even if you’ve submitted an appeal, because payments are applied first to fees, then to any prior period outstanding balance. This may cause late payment penalty and interest to the assessed on the current tax and fees, if the total due is not paid by the respective due date of the real estate property tax bill.

Once you’ve submitted an appeal, the City will review and make a determination upon the receipt of a complete application, including any additional information requested by the City. If a petition to adjust your fee is approved, you will receive a revised bill or payment credit.  There are two ways to apply for a appeal. 

• Submit an appeal through the Real Estate Website. 

• Download the printable appeal form. 

If you have any questions, please contact Stormwater@alexandriava.gov