Stormwater

Stormwater runoff is precipitation that flows over the ground and into the City’s stormwater system or directly into creeks and streams. As this runoff flows over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waterways.

In 2014, the City adopted a Stormwater Utility Fee to provide a dedicated and stable source of funding for stormwater management activities. The Stormwater Utility Fee is billed twice a year and calculated based on the amount of impervious area on every eligible parcel of improved real estate property in the City, regardless of tax status. 

The Stormwater Utility Fee helps the City meet its state and federal regulatory requirements related to stormwater management.  Fees collected are used to repair and replace public stormwater infrastructure, to  implement capital projects related to water quality and drainage improvement, and to preserve, enhance, and restore the integrity of the City’s water resources.  

To read more about the utility fee and how it’s calculated, please view our flyer (PDF). You can learn more about the Real Estate Taxes on their web page including when these taxes are due each year and how to pay your Real Estate Taxes online. 

For stormwater system details and specifications, please view the Standards and Design Manual (PDF)  

What will the Stormwater Utility Fee pay for?

Services provided will include:

  • Meeting the increasing state and federal regulatory requirements contained in the City’s stormwater permit
  • Repairing and replacing deteriorating stormwater pipes and structures
  • Identifying and implementing capital projects, including the following:
    • Stormwater Retrofits to attain mandated pollution reductions
    • Drainage Improvement projects to address local flooding and drainage issues
    • Major Drainage projects to address needed improvements to the City’s stormwater system
    • Stewardship projects to preserve, enhance, and restore the integrity of the City’s water resources
  • Developing a City-wide Water Resources Master Plan to identify, select, and prioritize capital projects as described above to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Water Resources Protection Program in an efficient, fair, and equitable manner throughout the city.

You can read more about our Stormwater Utility in our Frequently Asked Questions.