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1. What is a stormwater utility fee?

A stormwater utility fee is a legally authorized public enterprise fund, adopted by ordinance, and is similar to a water or sewer utility. It is a dedicated funding source for Town stormwater management program activities with a focus on water quality.

2. When will the stormwater fee go into effect?

The Town of Apex will start collecting the stormwater utility fee on January 1, 2022. The fee will appear in the Apex utility customer’s monthly bill alongside water, sewer, electricity and solid waste services.

3. Will my tax rate be reduced to offset this fee?

Yes. The tax rate for the current fiscal year (21-22) was reduced by 0.5 cent in response to removing the stormwater program from the general fund. It will decrease by another half-cent in fiscal year 22-23, which begins July 1, 2022. 

However, a 1.5 cent increase was already scheduled for FY21-22 pay for the 2017 Parks Bond (this is the final increase for the Parks Bond). So while this year’s tax rate is not a lower number than last year, it is lower than it would have been if the stormwater utility fee had not been created.

4. How often are customers billed?

Customers are billed monthly. This fee is on the same bill for water, sewer, electric, and solid waste services. If you do not receive a monthly utility bill from the Town, you will receive a separate bill on a quarterly basis for the stormwater fee.

5. Who pays the stormwater fee?

All owners or tenants of property within Town limits pay the fee. Tax exempt organizations also pay the fee since their property contains impervious surface. Properties with 400 square feet (sf) or less of impervious surface are not subject to the fee. Properties outside of the Town’s corporate limits are also not subject to the fee.

6. What is impervious surface?

Impervious surface is a hard surface on a property that does not allow rain to soak into the ground. This includes, but is not limited to, rooftops, carports, driveways, garages, walkways, storage sheds, parking lots, and patios.

7. Why is the fee based on a property’s impervious surface?

Impervious surface is the most accurate way to estimate the amount of polluted water (stormwater) that flows off a property and into our pipes and streams during a rain event. The more hard surface area on a property, the more stormwater runoff that is produced. Because of this, the fee is higher for properties with larger impervious surfaces.

8. What does the fee pay for?

The fee provides a dedicated funding source for Town stormwater operations, including:

• NPDES Phase II permit compliance
• Plan review for new development
• Town-owned (public) drainage system maintenance / improvements

This new fee will not cover drainage issues or flooding on private property.

9. How does the Town determine your impervious surface?

The amount of impervious area on your property is determined through the use of a geographic information system (GIS), aerial photos, and satellite imagery. To view impervious area on your property, please visit the Stormwater Utility Fee Map.

10. What is the Equivalent Residential Unit?

All developed non-residential parcels (including commercial, office/institutional, churches, apartment complexes, etc.) will be charged a fee based on the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). The ERU is the average impervious surface on residential properties in Apex. Through a GIS analysis, the average impervious surface is 2,700 square feet. This unit is a baseline for monthly rates for non-residential properties.

11. How do I know what my impervious surface is if I live in a new development?

Take a look at the construction permit for your property. The permit will list the impervious surface.

12. What happens if I don't pay my bill?

Stormwater, drinking water, sewer, electric and solid waste services are all on the same utility bill. If you do not pay this bill, the Town of Apex may shut off other utilities like drinking water or electricity.

13. Can I appeal or dispute my stormwater utility fee charge?

The stormwater utility fee is assessed on all properties within Apex corporate limits regardless of tax status.  However, you may appeal your charge if you feel one of the following applies:

1. Incorrect ownership – The property does not belong to you.
2. Incorrect impervious surface – The delineated amount of impervious surface on the parcel is incorrect.
3. Incorrect property designation – The property is designated as non-residential but is actually residential or vice versa.
4. Incorrect tier – A residential property is being billed at the wrong tier.

Click here to access the online appeal form

14. Isn't this essentially a tax on rain water?

The stormwater utility fee is not charged by the amount of rain that falls or property tax value. The fee is based on the amount of runoff potentially created by impervious surface on the property. It is similar to fees paid for water/sewer service, trash collection, or electricity.

15. What if I have other questions?

Please contact Apex stormwater staff at stormwaterfee@apexnc.org, or call (919) 362-8166 for any further questions you may have on the fee.