Stormwater Service Rates

Section 1. Definitions:

(1) “Equivalent Residential Unit” (ERU) means 3,000 square feet of impervious surface area, or a major fraction thereof.

(2) “Major fraction thereof” means 1,501 square feet or more.

(3) “Base Rate” means the monthly stormwater utility charge per ERU, which shall be $19.96.

Section 2. Rates for Single-Family Residential, Duplexes and Triplexes:

(1) Single Family Parcels or Single Family Dwellings:

The monthly stormwater utility charge for a single-family parcel or single-family dwelling shall be the Base Rate for one ERU.

(2) Residential Duplexes and Triplexes:

The monthly stormwater utility charge for duplexes, triplexes and other multiple-family parcels with up to three dwelling units shall be the Base Rate multiplied by the number of dwelling units.

Section 3. Rates for Other Properties:

The monthly stormwater utility charge for all developed parcels not included in Section 2, including multiple-family dwellings of four or more dwelling units, mobile home parks, trailer parks and mixed-use residential/commercial parcels, shall be determined by dividing the total measured impervious surface area by 3,000 square feet to determine the number of ERUs, and multiplying the resulting number of ERUs by the Base Rate.

Section 4. Streets, Roads and Alleys:

Streets, Roads and Alleys, open to public travel, shall not be subject to stormwater utility fees and charges.

Section 5. Undeveloped Parcels:

Undeveloped parcels without impervious surfaces shall not be subject to stormwater utility fees and charges.

Section 6. Rate Adjustments:

A reduction in the Stormwater Utility rates described herein may be granted for the following reasons and purposes:

(1) Non-residential customers in full compliance with a Washington State NPDES Industrial Stormwater General Permit may receive a twenty-five percent (25%) rate reduction. In order to be eligible for such reduction, the customer must submit an application along with the following documentation to the Stormwater Division of the Public Works Department:

(a) A copy of the approved Washington State NPDES Industrial Stormwater General Permit applicable to such customer.

(b) Additional permit-related materials such as the facility’s stormwater pollution prevent plan, discharge monitoring reports, spill response reports, or other similar documentation as requested to demonstrate full compliance with the permit.

(2) Public and Private Schools serving any combination of grades from kindergarten through 12th grade, may receive a twenty-five percent (25%) reduction for developing and administering a water quality education curriculum program. The program must include, but is not limited to, environmental educational instruction on water quality related topics. To qualify for the rate reduction, the education program is subject to approval by the Stormwater Division of the Public Works Department. The program must be administered annually to all students at the grade levels specified in the approved program to remain eligible for a rate adjustment.

(3) Non-residential customers may receive a ninety percent (90%) rate reduction for discharging stormwater from the urban watershed.

(4) The City may periodically request updated documentation to ascertain continued full compliance with the above rate reduction eligibility requirements. Lack of full compliance shall result in restoration of the full stormwater utility charge.

Section 7. Adjustment of Charges and Appeals:

Any customer who believes the charges established for their parcel are in error or is eligible for stormwater rate reductions identified in Section 6 above, may apply in writing using an application form provided by the Stormwater Division of the Public Works Department. Said form shall be completed by the customer and submitted to the Stormwater Division, which shall review said form, shall determine if adjustments are justified or applicable, and shall respond to the customer in writing, setting forth its findings and decision.

Section 8. Exemptions for low income senior citizens and low income disabled citizens:

Low-income senior citizens and low-income disabled citizens, as defined by Resolution of the City Council, shall be exempt from stormwater utility charges.

Section 9. Stormwater-Only Accounts – Delinquent Payments:

For customers with stormwater charges without water and sewer service, all stormwater utility fees shall be due and payable within fifteen (15) days of the billing date shown on each bill, and if not paid within fifteen days thereafter, shall be deemed delinquent. In the event that the account remains delinquent beyond the thirtieth (30th) day after the bill date, a penalty charge of 5% of the outstanding delinquent balance shall be assessed. An additional penalty charge of 5% shall be assessed for each successive 30-day period during which such bill, or any portion thereof, remains unpaid.

Section 10. Severability:

If any provision of this Resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is found to be invalid, the remainder of this Resolution or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. If Section 10 of this Resolution is found invalid, the effective date of this Resolution and the rates established herein and all the provisions hereof shall be the date of adoption of this Resolution by the City Council of the City of Longview. (Res. 2584, 2025; Res. 2515, 2024; Res. 2054, 2012; Res. 1943, 2009; Res. 1801, 2004).