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1. Why was I sent a notice?

You received an official notification of the public hearing that took place at City Hall on August 23, 2001. At that meeting, City Council adopted a stormwater assessment fee.

The notice was sent to you as the owner of a developed property that will be affected by the fee. It includes the billing information for that specific property and an invitation for you to attend a meeting.

2. How much money will the city collect from this assessment at the $80.00 per year 2023 fiscal year proposed rate?

It is estimated that approximately $3,100,000 will be collected at the $80.00 rate that was proposed during the 2023 fiscal year.

3. How will this money be spent?

The money collected can ONLY be spent on stormwater service programs. These services include maintenance and repair to stormwater facilities, compliance with the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and addressing and correcting the City’s flooding and water quality issues. As a result the service assessment, however, approximately $3.1 million will be available for new stormwater capital projects and equipment to be paid from the General Fund.

4. Is the County involved in this program?

No. This is a city program and the money will only be spent on stormwater problems within the City Limits.

5. What is an ESU? (Equivalent Stormwater Unit)

The ESU is a billing unit (similar to a kilowatt hour that is the billing unit used to measure electric consumption). In Pensacola, each ESU represents 2,998 square feet, which was proposed in the 2012 fiscal year, of impervious surface that is found on the property.

6. What is an impervious surface?

It is the area on a property that is covered by buildings, driveways, parking areas and other hard surfaces that prevent runoff from being absorbed into the soil.

7. How much will each residential property be charged?

Single-family home sites are assessed based on the impervious area range that they are in. The residential ranges are:

Building Sq. Ft.                                                                          2023 Rate

Small: 100-1,100                        = 0.44 ESUs                               $35.20

Small-Med: 1,100-1,600            = 0.68 ESUs                               $54.40

Medium: 1,601-2,500                = 1.00  ESUs                              $80.00

Large: 2,501-5,600                     = 1.53 ESUS                               $122.40

Very Large: over 5,600 sq. ft.                                     Calculated as a general parcel

8. How much will commercial properties pay?

All developed parcels (with over 100 sq. ft. of impervious surfaces) are assessed. Non-residential properties (commercial, industrial, governmental, etc.) are assessed based on the impervious area associated with their property. The calculation considers the total amount of impervious surfaces (building footprint, parking lot, sidewalks and other paved surfaces) divided by the billing unit value of 2,998 and then is multiplied by the adopted rate. In some cases, a reduction to the bill amount can be granted if the property has a privately maintained drainage facility in place. Some non-residential properties that were constructed after 1986 automatically receive a mitigation credit. Additional information on mitigation credits may be obtained by contacting the City’s Public Works Department (850 435-1755)

9. I don't think my parcel should be charged a fee. How can I have it reviewed?

Please contact Customer Service by telephone at (850) 435-1800 and provide your name, address, phone number, the best time for someone to reach you and, most importantly, the Parcel Identification Number found on the Notice of Public Hearing.