Questions & Answers
Why am I being charged this fee?
The Federal Clean Water Act requires every city with more than 10,000 residents to develop a program to monitor discharge of storm water runoff. This fee is the result of the City of Chattanooga's plan to fund that program.
When did the fee start?
The first fee was included on the 1993 City property tax bill.
Who is responsible for the fee?
The owner of the property on July 1 of the tax year is responsible for the full amount of the stormwater fee.
If I think my fee is wrong, how do I appeal?
Submit in writing, the reason that you think the fee is wrong. Submit documentation to support your claim. Be certain to sign your request. There is a form available for use, but it is not required.
Can the bill be prorated?
No.
Is anyone exempt for paying this fee?
The only exemption is if the parcel does not use what is considered to be the City's Storm System.
What is considered to be the City's Storm System?
Any runoff that is not directly into the Tennessee River, or Chickamauga Lake, or major tributaries that are not maintained by the City of Chattanooga. Exemption requests must be submitted
Are churches exempt?
No. Not even the City's own properties are exempt, except by the above qualification.
I have vacant properties. One is charged a small fee, and the others are not charged this fee at all? Why? Any calculated fee that falls below $5.00 is not charged. These under $5 fees do not accumulate from year to year.
How is my fee calculated?
The stormwater fee is calculated using a formula based on the land use and property type codes in the Hamilton County property assessor's database. Assumptions were made about the amount of impervious surface and the amount of potential polluting for each property type. That determined rate is applied to square footage of the entire parcel, as is provided in the same data set.
Standard Fee Calculations:
Commercial Properties: Parcel Square Footage X $0.00816/Sq Ft
Industrial Properties: Parcel Square Footage X $0.0072/Sq Ft
Religious & Institutional, incl. City & County Properties: Parcel Square Footage X $0.0048/Sq Ft
Single Family and Duplex Residential with Parcel greater than 10,000 Sq Ft: $36.00
Single Family and Duplex Residential with Parcel of 10,000 Sq Ft or less: $24.00
Multi Family Residential Properties: Parcel Square Footage X $0.00576
Vacant land (not vacant buildings): Parcel Square Footage X $0.000192
For information about waiving interest and penalties on past due fees, please contact the City Attorney's Office. SWM assesses the fee. Collection of delinquent fees are handled by the City Attorney and the Treasurer's office.
