Stormwater User Fee

Stormwater Revenue Source

To meet NPDES Permit requirements, avoid costly fines, and complete drainage improvements the City of Lafayette established a dedicated stormwater revenue source, which became effective July 1, 2010.

Approved by the Lafayette Common Council May 3, 2010, the stormwater user fee will allow the city to fund drainage and stormwater quality improvements throughout the community.

• Residential: Starting in 2011, developed residential property owners will be assessed a flat $5 monthly user fee or $60 per year. The fee is based on the average impervious surface for the average residential parcel size, or an equivalent residential unit (ERU). Note that 1 ERU equals 3,200 square feet.
• Nonresidential: For developed nonresidential property owners, the city calculates user fees based on actual measured impervious surface for a parcel. The minimum bill will be 1 ERU or $5. An alternate rate class also has been established for nonresidential users that have an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit and discharge directly to a watercourse. The city will work closely with alternate applicants to ensure that they meet qualifications for this rate class.

Fee Statements & Property Owners

Customers that have water service will be billed monthly for the stormwater user fee on their existing water utility statement. Those property owners without water service will be billed semi-annually, or twice per year and will have the option to pay the user fee in installments.

The stormwater program is a service that benefits all properties contributing stormwater to the sewer conveyance system, so all property owners, including tax exempt properties, will be assessed a fee. An appeals process exists for those questioning the city's user fee calculations.