Impervious surfaces are hard surfaces (such as rooftops, streets, parking lots, driveways, patios, asphalt, concrete, compacted gravel, and other paved areas).  When stormwater hits an impervious surface, it runs off and does not soak into the ground.

A stormwater utility is a fair, equitable, and stable way to collect revenue to pay for these compliance costs.  A stormwater utility will provide a dedicated revenue source for stormwater management. A fee is charged to property owners in order to ensure continued use and upkeep of stormwater management systems.  A fee is charged to all property owners with impervious surfaces no matter their tax status due to their potential contribution to stormwater pollution.

Currently, the County has no designated way to pay for the mandated requirements of the State’s Nutrient Management Rules, which require jurisdictions to complete and pay for certain activities to protect water quality. Meeting these requirements will require significant effort and funding by Durham County.

 It is estimated that the County stormwater program, including costs associated with compliance with the State’s Nutrient Management Rules, will be $1.7 Million annually.

The amount of the fee is determined for each property owner based on the amount of their land that is covered by buildings, concrete or other surfaces that prevent water from soaking into the ground. The County is proposing separate rates for residential properties and commercial/industrial properties.  Residential properties will be divided into three proposed tiers based on their impervious surface area and then charged a flat rate depending upon the tier into which they fall.  Commercial and industrial properties will be charged for the actual amount of impervious surface area on the property.

Property owners will see the utility fee on their annual tax bill and will know the amount prior to receiving the bill in August.

 No, City of Durham properties are not under the County’s requirements.  The City of Durham has its own Stormwater Utility Fee for properties inside city limits.

All properties with impervious surface area within the unincorporated areas of Durham County are subject to the utility. 

 The fees will be used to pay for new stormwater control measures, retrofits to existing systems, identifying land conservation opportunities and assisting landowners with implementing measures that will reduce stormwater runoff.  They will fund the compliance measures of the State's Nutrient Management Strategies and protect Durham County’s waterways.