Stormwater Utility Ordinance And Credit Application

In 2011, the City established a comprehensive Stormwater Management Program to ensure the future usefulness and operational function of the existing stormwater management systems and facilities while providing for additions and improvements to the system. The Stormwater Utility user fee has been established to provide an adequate and stable funding source for implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Stormwater Management Program and drainage-related capital improvement needs. Stormwater Utility user fees charged based on the area of impervious surface located on each improved property is the most appropriate and equitable means of allocating the cost of stormwater management services throughout the City.

On July 11, 2022, City Council approved a change to the Stormwater Utility Fee rates. The new annual rate is $75/ERU with the Equivalent Residential Unit remaining at 2,997 square feet of impervious surface area.

Most single family residential properties will be charged $75.00/year.
Most townhomes and condos will be charged $37.50/year.
All other properties will be charged $75.00 per 2,997 square feet of impervious surface area on the property.

Stormwater Utility (SW Utility) user fee credits are made available to private and public entities that undertake specific stormwater management activities to reduce their impact/demand on the City’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) and the associated costs that would otherwise be expended by the City SWMP.  If a customer enacts a specific credit activity that is approved by the City, then the customer will receive a credit on their monthly stormwater user fee bill.  Credits will be periodically reviewed by the City for compliance with the applicable standards in the City of Duluth  SW Utility Credit Manual (the Manual).  Credits are given for both structural and non-structural stormwater management activities and include, but are not limited to, the following: detention ponds, stormwater controls, best management practices (BMPs), education programs, watershed stewardship and other approved activities as determined/defined by the City.  The City is currently accepting stormwater fee credit applications that will be applied toward the 2023 Stormwater Fee.  These credit applications must be received by June 30, 2023.  If we receive any stormwater fee credit applications after the June 30th deadline and the application is approved, we will apply the credit to the following year's stormwater fee.

Additional materials, including the ordinance and the User Fee Credit Manual, can be found below.
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Stormwater Utility Information & Credit Manual5 documents

  • Stormwater Utility (Amended 7/11/2022)
    document date 12-07-2022
  • 2015 Stormwater Utility User Fee Credit Manual
    document date 09-22-2022
  • Appendix A Residential User Fee Credit Application
    document date 09-22-2022
  • Appendix B Non-Residential User Fee Credit Application
    document date 09-22-2022
  • Right of Entry Agreement for Stormwater User Fee Credit Evaluation
    document date 09-22-2022