FAQs - Stormwater Fee
ANSWERS
Why did Jacksonville institute a stormwater fee?
The stormwater fee funds the Jacksonville Stormwater Utility, which is responsible for maintaining and improving the city's stormwater system and for meeting the city's obligations to improve our natural waterways.
Stormwater management isn't just about flooding anymore. The environmental impacts of stormwater runoff are significant, and those impacts are hurting our natural waterways, including our greatest natural asset: the St. Johns River.
To learn more about the impacts of stormwater runoff, please visit the St. Johns River Water Management District website.
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Who is charged the stormwater fee?
The stormwater fee is billed to all owners of property in the municipal City of Jacksonville limits that contains impervious area.
Impervious area is generally defined as surface that is covered or compacted to an extent as to impede the natural infiltration of water [rain] into the ground.
Owners of property that is void of any development are not charged.
501(c)(3) organizations and those meeting certain income criteria are eligible to be exempt from the stormwater fee.
Other property owners may be eligible for fee credits.
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How did you determine what I owe?
Your fee is based on the total amount of impervious area on your property. For a typical homeowner, that would include not just the house itself, but things like patios, walkways and driveways.
The owner of an average single family house will be charged $5 per month.
Non-residential properties (such as businesses) are analyzed individually to determine the exact amount of impervious area.
To learn more, see: How the Stormwater Fee is Determined
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What is a non-ad valorem assessment, and why are you using this method to collect this fee?
A non-ad valorem assessment is a fee or other charge billed via the property tax bill, but is not based on a property's value like ad valorem taxes. Non-ad valorem assessments are subject to the same benefits, payment deadlines, and penalties as ad valorem taxes.
The City of Jacksonville chose to bill the stormwater and solid waste fees as non-ad valorem assessments for several reasons:
- Customers will receive the same early-payment discounts that are available for ad valorem taxes
- Customers who escrow will be paying the fees on a monthly basis, rather than a lump sum once a year
- Customers who do not escrow and whose taxes and fees total more than $100 may choose to enroll in the Quarterly Installment Plan - click here to learn more
- Customers who sell/buy property will have their fees settled during closing, just like ad valorem taxes
Non-ad valorem assessments are included in the total amount due shown on your property tax bill; you may not elect to pay only your property taxes and not your non-ad valorem assessments. Click here for property tax bill payment information.
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What if I don't pay the stormwater fee?
As a non-ad valorem assessment, the stormwater fee must be paid in full at the same time as the rest of your property tax bill. Failure to pay any part of your property taxes in full by your bill's due date may result in penalties.
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Why do you use impervious area to determine the stormwater fee charges?
Developed property generates more stormwater runoff with a greater amount of pollutants than land in its natural state. The amount of stormwater fee charged to a property correlates directly to the impervious area on that property, thereby ensuring that the fees are charged fairly and equitably.
To learn more about the impacts of stormwater runoff, please visit the St. Johns River Water Management District website.
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Why should I pay for rain falling on my property?
Property owners are not being charged for rain falling on a property, but for the amount of runoff that is discharged into the city's stormwater system when it does rain.
When rain falls on impervious area, it collect all sorts of pollutants, such as oil, grease, fertilizers and sediments. The amount of pollutants contained in stormwater can be correlated to the amount of impervious area on a property.
That stormwater - and all the pollutants it collects - eventually makes its way to the city's stormwater management system, which includes the St. Johns River.
Ultimately, we all have a stake in improving the health of our community's greatest asset. To learn more about the impacts of stormwater runoff, please visit the St. Johns River Water Management District website.
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What is the big deal about stormwater runoff? How harmful can rain really be?
It's not necessarily the rain itself that's harmful. It's the volume of runoff generated by development, and the waste and pollutants that the rain picks up after it hits the roofs, driveways, roads, parking lots, and other impervious area in developed communities.
Even pervious areas like grass lawns or landscaped areas can contribute to the pollutants found in stormwater runoff.
Here are some common pollutants found in or carried by stormwater runoff:
- Sediments (sand, silt, dirt)
- Vegetation (leaves, grass clippings)
- Litter
- Fertilizers
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Animal/pet waste
- Oil
- Fuel
- Phosphates (i.e., from soap used in car or pet washing)
We have found all sorts of things in our ditches and outfalls - basketballs, inflatable pools, 'For Sale' signs, tires, shopping carts...you name it! Vegetative debris like grass clippings and leaves can clog pipes and inlets.
It is AGAINST THE LAW to use storm drains or ditches for dumping! What goes into our storm drains and ditch eventually impacts our entire stormwater system and our environment. So remember, 'ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN.'
To learn more about the impacts of stormwater runoff, please visit the St. Johns River Water Management District website.
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Why should I pay if there is no stormwater inlet/ ditch/curb in front of my property and/or I'm on a private road?
Properties on private roads - whether they are dirt roads or behind gates - are still subject to the city's stormwater fee. According to state statute, maintenance of private roads is the responsibility of the abutting property owners, and the city assumes that property owners are aware of this when they purchase a property on a private road.
The city is, however, responsible for the pollutants in the runoff that comes from private roads into the city's system.
To learn more about the impacts of stormwater runoff, please visit the St. Johns River Water Management District website.
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My property retains water/doesn't discharge to the city's system. Why should I pay?
The stormwater fee is based on the impervious area on a property, because that impervious area is what generates the runoff that carries pollutants and that has to be managed by the city's stormwater system.
Rain and runoff may be absorbed by bare ground during light rain events, but generally, properties will discharge runoff off of the property during heavier events.
Charging the fee according to impervious area ensures that everyone who is contributing to the stormwater system pays their fair share to support it. It is also important to keep in mind that the city is also responsible for the runoff from commonly used public areas, like streets and highways.
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Will I get discount or refund if it doesn't rain?
The stormwater fee isn't just about a singular rain event. Maintenance and improvements to the city's stormwater system happen all year-round, rain or shine. It is vitally important that we continually work to keep our system functioning so that when it does rain, our streets and homes don't flood.
Protecting our environment is a year-round effort, too. Treating stormwater runoff after it rains is just one component of a broader program to improve the health of our natural waterways. To learn more about the impacts of stormwater runoff, please visit the St. Johns River Water Management District website.
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Is there any way to get my stormwater fee discounted or reduced?
There are a few ways to have your stormwater fee changed:
- Adjustments based on incorrect fee charges/calculations
- Exemptions based on income level or IRS tax status
- Credits for providing facilities or services that support or enhance the city's stormwater system
Visit the Adjustments, Exemptions and Credits page to learn more.
Everyone in Jacksonville benefits from the city's stormwater system. Proper maintenance ensures the system keeps public roads and rights of way passable, and improvements to the system will help in the effort to improve the health of the St. Johns River and other natural waterways.
To learn more about the impacts of stormwater runoff, please visit the St. Johns River Water Management District website.
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I pay my Homeowners Association to maintain our stormwater system. Why do I have to pay the city for the same service?
The fee you pay to your Homeowners (or Business) Association is to maintain the facilities that are solely the HOA's responsibility by plat and/or permit.
The city is responsible for ensuring that the runoff that comes from developments and off of public roads and other properties is appropriately treated, controlled and transported in a safe, effective manner.
The Jacksonville Stormwater Utility recognizes the benefits of privately-maintained systems, and has established a credit policy that allows property owners to seek discounts for structures (such as ponds), programs and/or services that help to improve the city's stormwater management system.
For more information, visit the Adjustments, Exemptions and Credits page.
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Why am I getting charged for stormwater when I'm (not) on city sewer (septic)?
The stormwater fee has nothing to do with potable (drinking) water or wastewater, or whether you're on sewer or have a septic tank.
Stormwater is rain. The stormwater fee is being charged for the service the city provides in controlling, storing and/or treating the community's stormwater runoff, which is greater coming from developed properties.
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