About Us

About Our Utility

The South Burlington Stormwater Utility was formed by an ordinance of the city council and planned by an advisory committee comprising local professionals, residents, and city officials. The Utility provides an efficient avenue for upgrading and implementing new and effective stormwater treatment measures, designed to improve water quality and water quantity control. The Utility employs full-time staff dedicated to stormwater management and working to develop a comprehensive stormwater program and plan for needed capital improvements.

The Utility provides a stable and adequate source of revenue to complete required maintenance and manage stormwater-related activities. The entire City of South Burlington shares the costs and receives services from the Stormwater Utility including maintenance and improvement of city- and state-owned roads, culverts, and parking lots.

Stormwater Utility Fees

The Stormwater Utility bill is comparable to other utility bills, such as wastewater and water, in that a fee is paid in exchange for use of a service. The Stormwater Utility User Fee is listed on city sewer and water bills. A fee-based utility reduces pressure on property taxes.

Single-family homes are assessed $4.50 per month based on the average 2,700 square feet of impervious surface (such as rooftops, driveways, and walkways) for a single-family home.
Duplexes with fee-simple ownership are assessed $2.25 each per month.
Triplexes with fee-simple ownership are assessed $1.50 each per month.

Fees were calculated using a careful analysis of impervious surface area on properties throughout South Burlington and are billed quarterly. The annual cost is $54 for single-family homes, $27 for duplexes, and $18 for triplexes.

All other property owners (includes condominium ownership properties, businesses, institutions, and government) are assessed a fee based on the actual amount of impervious surface on the property.

Benefits of a Utility

The Stormwater Utility:

Manages and upgrades the city's stormwater infrastructure, such as culverts, storm drains, and stormwater detention ponds so that systems continue to meet current regulations and will receive state permits.
Provides technical assistance to South Burlington property owners who want to bring their stormwater system up to current (2002) Vermont standards. A valid stormwater permit is part of the value of your home and property. Contact the stormwater superintendent for more information.

Your Job, My Job

The City is responsible for parts of the stormwater system that are in the public right of way and located on public property. This includes storm drains, culverts, conveyance piping, catch basins, and stormwater outfalls.

Property owners are responsible for everything on their property. This includes cleaning leaves out of rain gutters and removing gravel from driveways.