HomeMy Public PortalAboutExhibit MSD 37E - Baltimore Single Family Property Credits Guidance Document
MARYLAND STORMWATER FEE REDUCTIONS
Baltimore City Customer Guidance Document:
Single Family Property
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I. Overview
In 2012, the Maryland Legislature passed a law mandating that the 10
largest jurisdictions in the state, including Baltimore City, establish a
Maryland stormwater fee. The fee will provide a sustainable,
dedicated revenue source for maintaining, operating, and improving
the City’s stormwater management system, with the ultimate goal of
reducing flooding and erosion, and keeping our waterways cleaner.
The City’s stormwater fees are based on the amount of impervious
area on a property. Impervious surfaces, like sidewalks and
driveways, block water from infiltrating the ground. They cause
increased runoff, overload the drainage system, and transport
pollutants and nutrients to bodies of water. Maintaining the
stormwater management system and reducing the nutrients and
other pollutants are the primary expenses of the program.
II.Fee Calculation
Impervious and Pervious Surfaces
Impervious surfaces do not allow water to infiltrate the
ground and cause flooding and pollution in our waterways.
Pervious surfaces allow water to penetrate the ground
which prevents flooding and contamination of our
waterways.
Single family properties (SFPs) are charged one of three flat fees, based on the amount of impervious area on the
property.
Customers who feel they have been placed in the wrong tier should contact the Customer Service and Support Division at
(410)396-5398.
III. Credits Available
Single family property customers are able to reduce their fees through credits. A credit is a reduction in a
stormwater service charge that is granted to a customer for measures that reduce demand upon the City’s drainage
system or reduce the City’s cost of stormwater management.
This document is based on the “Rules and Regulations” for Stormwater
Utility which is available on http://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/
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The purpose of establishing a Maryland Stormwater Fee credit program is to provide a way for ratepayers to reduce
their fees, and an incentive for them to implement stormwater management measures. A credit system aims to
protect water quality, create equity in the payment system, reduce public expenditures on stormwater management,
and promote private sector stormwater management. For details on senior and low income discounts and exemptions
please visit http://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/Water-Billing-Programs-to-Assist-Residents or call the Customer
Support and Services Division at (410) 396-5398.
The following chart is a quick guide to customers’ eligibility for credits.
Chart 1: Stormwater Fee Credit Overview
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A.Participation
Single family property customers are eligible for credit based on participation in a public project within the City
specifically targeted at improving water quality, such as trash clean-up, tree planting, and de-paving. These activi-
ties provide direct water quality benefits and increase awareness.
Customers seeking participation credit should be aware of the following parameters.
•For every 4 hours, you can get a credit of $10/year for a maximum of $30 within a 12-month time frame.
Customers who exceed the $30/year maximum can donate certificates to another person.
•Multiple residents of the same SFP may all receive participation credit towards their stormwater remediation
fee, up to the 12-hour maximum.
•The credit for a customer’s participation in an event may only be applied to one property.
•The credit is good for 12 months. Only events in which the organizers have received certification from the
City are eligible for participation credits.
Example 1: Participation Event Credits
A mother learns from their community
association about a community clean-up. She
and son spend four hours collecting litter as
directed by the event organizer. When
finished, having volunteered for a combined
8 hours, the mother takes the Stormwater
Participation Event certificates provided by
the organizer and submits a credit
application to the City. Since every 4 hours
of participation qualifies for $10 in credit,
they are eligible for a $20 credit.
Photo courtesy of Mark Dennis.
They like working outdoors and decide to
participate in an organized tree planting
event. Their next 8 hours of participation
brings them to 16 hours. That’s over the $30
annual maximum for these credits, so they
give one of their certificates to an elderly
neighbor who can apply for a $10 credit.
If you have any questions, contact the Customer Support and Services Division at 410-396-5398.
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Customers may receive credit for installing and maintaining stormwater treatment practices that limit nutrient
loading and decrease the quantity of stormwater entering the City’s drainage system. Single family property
customers can take advantage of simple structural Best Management Practice options as well as more sophisticated
structures.
These practices are eligible for stormwater fee credit: Rain Garden
A rain garden is a depressed area of the ground planted
with vegetation, allowing runoff from impervious surfaces
such as parking lots and roofs the opportunity to be
collected and infiltrated into the groundwater supply or
evaporated. This credit is available in two categories:
•A small rain garden has a minimum size of 50 square feetwith a minimum drainage area of 500 square feet. It iseligible for a credit of $8 per year.
•A large rain garden must have a minimum size of 100square feet and a minimum drainage area of 1,000square feet. It is eligible for a credit of $16 per year.
Tree Planting
Trees reduce stormwater runoff in addition to
decreasing energy needs. Trees planted after 2010
are eligible for credit. The planted tree must be 1
inch or greater in diameter. Tree plantings must
conform to City landscaping guidelines. A minimum of 2 trees must be planted to be eligible for this credit. Each tree planted is eligible for $5 of credit per year.
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Each of these credits lasts for three years. To be eligible for the simple residential Best Management Practice credit,
the property owner or designated representative must execute a simple right-of-entry agreement with the
Department. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that all treatment practices are properly maintained.
Improper maintenance, as discovered by routine inspection, may be grounds for rescinding a credit.
For initial simple residential Best Management Practice credit application, photo documentation is required along with
the completed application form. Renewal applications require photo documentation as well as other applicable
maintenance documentation. Additional information and help is available through public and private agencies
including:
•Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
•Blue Water Baltimore
•Center for Watershed Protection
•TreeBaltimore
B.Other Residential Best Management Practices
Customers may also receive credit for installing and maintaining other, more sophisticated on-site Best Management
Practices that limit nutrient loading and decrease the quantity of water entering the City’s stormwater system. Each
will be subject to an inspection via a simple Right of Entry agreement, and must meet the standards outlined in the
Maryland Stormwater Design Manual. In addition, technical review of the application by the City is required. The
maximum credit is 45% of the stormwater fee for treatment of all of a parcel’s impervious area.
IV.Application Process
Customers are able to reduce their base fees through a number of legislated fee reductions and credits. All
reductions must be applied for and are good for the renewal period.
Rain Barrels
A rain barrel system collects and temporarily stores
rainwater from roofs for use to water gardens, lawns,
and trees. A minimum 50 gallons of storage is
required to be eligible for this credit. The property
owner must demonstrate that the rain barrel is
properly installed and the water will be used to
irrigate green space. One-time credit of $25 / rain
barrel.
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A. How to Apply
Applications and this guidance document are available at http://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/stormwater-fee and
at the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, or by calling the Customer Support and Services Division at (410) 396-5398.
Applications and supporting materials should be submitted to the Customer Support and Services Division at the
addresses below, or faxed to (410) 396-5531.
Department of Public Works
c/o Customer Support and Services Division
200 Holliday Street
Abel Wolman Municipal Building
Baltimore, MD 21202
or
pu bl ic works@baltimorecity.gov
Include “STORMWATER CREDIT APPLICATION” in email subject line
Customers will receive a letter when their application materials have been received and are under review. After the
review, another letter will follow with the application decision. At any time, customers may call the Department’s
Customer Support and Services Division at (410) 396-5398.
The customer is still obligated to pay the full fee during the credit application review.
B. Timing of Review
Credit applications are to be reviewed and decided on within 30 days of receipt of a complete application package.
Participation, simple residential treatment practices, and other simple credits or fee reductions may be complete in a
shorter time frame. When a 30 day review period would have allowed a property to receive credit or a fee reduction
on a subsequent monthly bill and the Department is unable to complete the review within that period, the credit will
be applied retroactively for any months that are billed after the 30 day review period.
C. Appeals
If a customer applies for credit and it is denied after review, the customer may submit an appeal in writing within 30
days of receiving his decision letter. The appeal letter should be sent to the Customer Support and Services Division via
the mailing address, email address, or fax number listed above. The letter must contain:
• The customer’s name;
• Account number;
• Basis of appeal; and
• Evidence to support the customer’s contention, such as:
Measurements from an approved as-built engineering drawing;
A land survey that shows the total parcel area and the impervious area; Proof of ownership or
proof of sale; or
Other reliable documentation that proves the customer’s contention.
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The Director of Public Works is the final authority for the Department on all appeals. If the customer is aggrieved by
the Director’s final decision on an appeal, the customer may seek review by the Board of Municipal Zoning Appeals
(BMZA) according to that entity’s appeals process. Finally, the customer may seek judicial review of that decision in
the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
D. Credit Renewal Process
1. Notification
Stormwater customers are responsible for maintaining an active credit status. If the renewal application is not
received within 30 days before the end of the credit period, the credit may not be reflected on the subsequent
water bill.
2. How to Renew
For each credit or fee reduction type, the application for renewals is the same form as the initial application.
Please include the original documentation as well as documentation describing maintenance where applicable.
3. Timing of Renewal
No credit will be provided in perpetuity. Approval periods are established for each credit type to encourage
maintenance of the practice and verify that the practice provides the intended water quality treatment.
Approval periods are listed in Chart 1 (above) for each of the credit types. Credit may be rescinded within the
approval period based on Department inspection. The Department will notify the customer by mail of any
decisions to rescind the credit within the approval period.
E. Transference of Credit
Once credits or fee reductions are established, they become a characteristic of the property, rather than the customer.
If a property changes ownership in the middle of its approval period, the new owner will inherit the active credit status,
receive a discounted bill for the remainder of the approval period, and receive a notification letter about credit renewal.
Credits will not be transferred with the customer (including Participation credits).
F. Application
Refer to this guidance document for information on the required documents that should be submitted with your
application. Please retain the following Single Family Property Credit Application for future use.
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CUSTOMER NAME:
Last First
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER: EMAIL:
(Optional)
MAILING ADDRESS:
If different from property address
PARCEL ID (BLOCK/LOT): _____________ APPLICATION DATE:
(Optional)
(Visit http://cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/realproperty/ to search your Block/Lot) ACCOUNT NO.:
This application is for the renewal of credits.
* One-time credit Total Approved Reduction:
To my knowledge, all the information included in the application is correct.
*For official use only
BALTIMORE CITY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
MARYLAND STORMWATER FEE CREDIT
SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTY CREDIT APPLICATION
Credit Type Brief Description of Events or BMP Fee Reduction
* For official use only
Participation ($10/4hrs/year)
Tree Planting ($5/year)
Rain Barrels ($25 / 50 gallons
or larger)*
Small Rain Garden ($8/year)
Large Rain Garden ($16/year)
Other BMP Types (Up to 45%)
$
1
Customer Service Rep: Date Approved:
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Please note enclosed documentation as applicable:
Photo of BMP
Sketch showing the location of BMP in relation to lot lines, house
and other impervious area such as sidewalks or driveways
Executed right-of-entry agreement
Maintenance documentation (for renewal application)
Certificate(s) of event participation
Other
THE CUSTOMER IS STILL OBLIGATED TO PAY THE FULL FEE DURING THE CREDIT APPLICATION REVIEW
BALTIMORE CITY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
MARYLAND STORWATER FEE CREDIT
SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTY CREDIT APPLICATION (CONTINUED)
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the Single Family Property Maryland Stormwater Fee Reductions
Customer Guidance Document for instructions and additional information.
Please send this completed application and required attachments to:
Bureau of Water and Wastewater
Abel Wolman Municipal Building
200 Holliday Street, Room 404
Attn: Customer Support and Services Division
Baltimore, MD 21202
or
Email publicworks@baltimorecity.gov
Include in subject line STORMWATER CREDIT APPLICATION