The fee is based on how much hard surface is on your property.

Those who use the storm drainage system the most pay the most.  All Charlotte-Mecklenburg property owners who have impervious surfaces (such as roofs, driveways, parking lots) pay the storm water fee.  Impervious surfaces do not absorb rainfall.  The more impervious surface, the more storm water runoff flows from that property into our culverts and streams.  The more runoff, the more demand on our drainage system.

Why isn't the fee based on tax value?

A high rise building may have the same property tax value as a shopping mall.  However, the shopping center produces more storm water runoff because of the size of its parking lots and rooftops.  So the shopping center will pay a higher storm water fee than the high rise.

Your storm water fee is not based on whether you have water or sewer service, or whether you have storm water pipes on your property.  It is based on the amount of impervious surface on your property.

The Storm Water fee is included in your monthly Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility bill (water bill.)  Residents who have their own well or septic system, or whose water service is not provided by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities are considered "storm water only" accounts and are billed twice a year.

See the current Storm Water Services fees.