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Stormwater Utility Credit
This page outlines the processes for applying for Stormwater Utility Credits. The Stormwater Utility Credit program provides reductions in the Stormwater Utility Fee based on practices the property owner maintains to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and pollution. All property owners must demonstrate to the city that there Best Management Practice is functioning as intended.
Residential applications apply only to single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings. Residential property owners can receive up to a fifty percent credit on their stormwater utility fee.
Commercial applications apply to commercial, industrial, institutional, and multifamily residential properties. Property owners can receive up to 100% credit on their stormwater utility fee. The deadline for submission of any application is December 31 for credits to be effective the following October.
Residential applications apply only to single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings. Residential property owners can receive up to a fifty percent credit on their stormwater utility fee.
Commercial applications apply to commercial, industrial, institutional, and multifamily residential properties. Property owners can receive up to 100% credit on their stormwater utility fee. The deadline for submission of any application is December 31 for credits to be effective the following October.
Application Requirements
- Completed Residential Credit Application, signed by the property owner
- Photographs, if claiming credit for a rain barrel, roof drain disconnection, waste and refuse management, grass channel, or vegetative filter strip
- Sketch of property with location and type of each tree, if claiming credit for tree canopy
- Certification from the Virginia Health Department, if claiming credit for sewage system maintenance
- Photographs and verification of proper installation, if claiming credit for any Level II BMP
- Plan and properly executed Stormwater Maintenance Agreement on file, if claiming credit for Regional BMP
- Property owners must show that they contribute to the maintenance of the BMP either physically or financially by affidavit signed by the Home Owners Association president
Review Process
All applications for stormwater utility credit are reviewed by Karl Kleinhenz, City Planner II, within 30 days of receipt.Residential applicants can receive up to 50% credit. There are 2 levels of credit:
- Level I BMPs are worth 10 credits each, and include rain barrels, vegetative filter strips, grass channels, roof drain disconnection, tree canopy, waster and refuse management, septic system maintenance, and various lawn maintenance practices
- Level II BMPs are work 25 credits each and include previous pavement, rain gardens, infiltration practices, green roofs, and cisterns. Level II BMPs involve more effort and require design and verification installation
Revocation
All BMPs are subject to inspection by City inspectors; by virtue of signing the application to receive a credit. Should an inspector find that the applicant has failed to properly maintain his/her BMP, the City may exercise its option to revoke any credits awarded. The applicant may re-apply for credits once he/she has shown that the BMP has been restored.
Submission Requirements
All applications for stormwater utility credit are reviewed by Karl Kleinhenz, City Planner II, within 30 days of receipt.
Commercial credits are awarded based on the actual impervious area served by each BMP. The BMP must be listed in the Virginia BMP Clearinghouse to qualify. Commercial applicants may receive up to 100% credit. Credits are awarded based on the following:
Revocation
All BMPs are subject to inspection by City inspectors; by virtue of signing the application to receive a credit. Should an inspector find that the applicant has failed to properly maintain his/her BMP, the City may exercise its option to revoke any credits awarded. The applicant may re-apply for credits once he/she has shown that the BMP has been restored.
- Completed Commercial Credit Application (PDF), signed by the property owner.
- As-Built drawings
- Photos of each BMP
- Maintenance sharing agreement, if applicable
- Stormwater calculations
- Maintenance agreement with the City, signed and recorded with the land records
- VPDES permit, if applicable
All applications for stormwater utility credit are reviewed by Karl Kleinhenz, City Planner II, within 30 days of receipt.
Commercial credits are awarded based on the actual impervious area served by each BMP. The BMP must be listed in the Virginia BMP Clearinghouse to qualify. Commercial applicants may receive up to 100% credit. Credits are awarded based on the following:
- Quantity: BMPs such as detention ponds and underground storage facilities.
- Quality: BMPs such as extended detention ponds, infiltration, filtration, and pretreatment facilities.
- Voluntary: BMPs that were installed but not required under the regulations in force at the time of development.
- Above and Beyond: BMPs that exceed the current regulations in detention or pollutant removal.
- Off-site control or treatment: If the BMP on 1 property accepts runoff from another site, the applicant may claim credits for off-site control.
Revocation
All BMPs are subject to inspection by City inspectors; by virtue of signing the application to receive a credit. Should an inspector find that the applicant has failed to properly maintain his/her BMP, the City may exercise its option to revoke any credits awarded. The applicant may re-apply for credits once he/she has shown that the BMP has been restored.