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1. Are there any total exemptions from the Stormwater Fee?

No, all residential and commercial property owners have to pay the fee based on the size of their property.

2. Do I have to pay the stormwater fee on a vacant lot?

If the vacant lot is larger than 12,000 square feet, regardless of classification, you would be billed at 1/2 an ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit), or $46.98 per year.

3. How can I qualify for relief from a percentage of the stormwater fee?

Relief from a percentage of the fee is possible as long as the property owner follows Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their property. These include such things as retention ponds, detention areas, infiltration facilities, 20% green space area, or parking lot sweeping on a regular basis.

4. How can I reach your 3-1-1 Customer Call Center?

If you are calling from the City of Hampton, simply dial 3-1-1 on your touch tone or rotary dial phone. From outside the city of Hampton, please dial (757) 727-8311. The call center is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

5. How do I apply for relief from a percentage of the stormwater fee?

Relief is available for commercial properties only. The process begins in the Public Works office at City Hall. The application is filled out, reviewed by an engineer, and approved or disapproved depending on the application. Application and renewal of the relief is required each year.

6. How is the stormwater bill calculated, or how much is the stormwater fee?

Currently, it is $129.96 per year for a residential property. The average Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) is 2,429 square feet of property space. A commercial property equal to 10 ERUs would pay $1,229.60 per year for their stormwater fee.

7. How is the stormwater fee collected?

The stormwater fee is collected along with your real estate property tax bill due in June and December of each year. The fee is charged to the owner of the property and passed on to renters by the landlord.

8. What is the stormwater fee used for?

The stormwater fee is used to fund many programs related to water quality including environmental education, street sweeping, capital improvements to the system, drainage maintenance, administration, review of permits, inspection, and monitoring activities.

9. When was the stormwater fee implemented?

It was established by City Council during fiscal year 1994.

10. Whom should I call with general questions regarding stormwater billing?

Call the 3-1-1 Customer Call Center. If you are calling from the City of Hampton, simply dial 3-1-1 on your touch tone or rotary dial phone. From outside the City of Hampton please dial (757) 727-8311. The call center is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week to assist you.

11. Why is the stormwater fee necessary?

The stormwater fee is a result of the Clean Water Act of 1987 which requires cities of 100,000 or more to reduce pollution before it gets to the Chesapeake Bay. Because there are no federal or state dollars provided to implement water quality measures, the storm water fee was established.