What is the transportation user fee?

The Transportation User Fee (TUF) is a fee assessed to residents and businesses based on the traffic levels generated by each dwelling unit or business. View the City of Austin Ordinance regarding the fee. 

This monthly fee funds street maintenance and repair, annual street overlay and striping, and other activities necessary for keeping Austin's roadways in good condition. City of Austin residents pay the mandatory fee to help prolong the life of city infrastructure and assets. By managing and maintaining public right of way infrastructure, the City of Austin is able to save taxpayer money by intervening before full reconstruction is needed. Full street reconstruction can be costly and time-consuming, therefore preventative maintenance provided by the fee helps reduce these costs.

Commercial customers may be eligible for an exemption while the property is vacant. Commercial properties must notify the City when the property is no longer vacant, or every 6 months, whichever occurs first. The Transportation User Fee will begin billing the commercial property after 6 months if a new form is not received.

Fill out the form online (Preferred), or download and complete the form below and email to TUFVacancy@AustinTexas.Gov
Download the Vacant Commercial Property Exemption form

Vacant properties are exempt from the fee including both residential and commercial properties.

Residential customers may be eligible for an exemption if the person who is responsible for paying the utility bill meets one of the following criteria

• Age 65 or older or 
• Does not own or regularly use a private motor vehicle
• Property is vacant (determined automatically each month based on electric and water usage)

If you believe you are eligible for this exemption, click here to fill out the form online or download and complete the forms below and then email the form to TUFexemptions@austintexas.gov.

Click here to download the fee exemption application.                               

For residential customers, the fee is a variable monthly rate. See residential rates below. 

For commercial customers the rate is $74.85 per developed acre and then multiplied by the usage category which is based on the type of business. 

For additional billing information, please call (512) 974-7696 or Austin Energy Customer Care at 512-494-9400.