Stormwater Utility and Fees
In 1989, the Texas State Legislature authorized political subdivisions like the City of Southlake to create a Storm Water Utility System dedicated to the management of its storm water (drainage) infrastructure. The legislation allows for the levying of a dedicated fee to fund the utility. Most cities in North Texas have established a Storm Water Utility System for their cities.
On October 17th, 2006, the City of Southlake's City Council established a Storm Water Utility System for the purposes of funding City projects to manage storm water runoff safely and effectively. This Storm Water Utility includes a monthly fee for all of Southlake's developed properties. The utility fees paid to the Storm Water Utility provide a funding source for maintenance, repair, and construction of public storm water facilities. The Storm Water Utility allows the City to alleviate potential flooding situations and correct areas that may cause a negative impact on the water quality in the streams and lakes in the area. Storm water utility fees may only be spent on storm water related activities for the general welfare of the Southlake community, not to remedy flooding concerns on private property.
The monthly storm water fee is the same for all residential dwelling units. The residential storm water fee cannot be adjusted. The fee for non-residential properties including commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-family is calculated individually in proportion to each property's storm water runoff potential. The storm water utility fee is included with the monthly water bill mailed by the Utility Billing Office.
The monthly Storm Water Utility Fee is as follows:
• For residential properties, the storm water utility fee is a flat $8 per month per dwelling unit.
• For all non-residential properties, the storm water utility fee is $1.25 per 1000 sq. ft. of impervious area on the property including building foundations, driveways, parking lots, or any other compacted surface as determined from aerial photos and/or site plans provided to the City with the building permit application.
Appeals for Non-Residential Properties:
The non-residential monthly fee may be reviewed for accuracy by the Public Works Director. If you feel your non-residential storm water utility fee has been calculated incorrectly, please make a written request to the Public Works Department at the following address. A current site plan showing the square footage of impervious area must be included with the written appeal.
For seniors over the age of 65 and disabled residents:
You may be eligible for a hardship exemption if your annual household income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as published annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. If your household income is less than 200% of the Federal Guidelines for the number of persons in your household, please complete a Hardship Exemption Application. If you qualify, you may make a written request to the Public Works Department at the following address. You must include a copy of your prior year's IRS tax return and a copy of your driver's license or birth certificate. Please return the completed form and supporting documentation to:
City of Southlake
Utility Billing Department
1400 Main Street, Suite 200
Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 748-8051
For questions about your bill, please contact the Utility Billing Department.
Learn More:
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Ordinance No. 900 - Establishing a Storm Water Utility
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Ordinance No. 901 - Establishing a Storm Water Monthly Fee
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