Billing: Is the drainage charge assessed on vacant properties?

In general, the answer is yes. Stormwater runoff generated by impervious cover continues to occur whether or not the property is vacant. In addition, the City is striving to keep uncollected charges from vacant properties to a minimum to keep the rates as low as possible for everyone.

The process is different depending on whether the owner or the tenant(s) are paying for utility services. Tenants may be paying for utilities in single-family residences, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and some commercial properties.

If the owner of the property is paying for utilities, and shuts utilities off for vacancy reasons, the drainage charge will remain as a charge to that owner.

If tenants on a property are paying the drainage charge and call to shut down their utility account, then the charge will be transferred to the owner of the property, whenever possible. There may be situations where the property is vacant for only a short period of time and we are not able to bill the owner in the limited time.