# Article 27 – Stormwater Remediation Fees

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## Subtitle 1 – Definitions; General Provisions

### § 1-1 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 1-1 (2026)

(a) In <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(b) “City stormwater management system” includes:

  (1) the City’s conveyance or system of conveyances designed or used to collect or convey stormwater through infrastructure, such as gutters, swales, inlets, pipes, manholes, pumping stations, culverts and other man-made channels, and outfalls;

  (2) City practices that retain, filter, or infiltrate stormwater for the purpose of reducing pollutant loadings; and

  (3) the City’s system of receiving waters, such as streams, wetlands, rivers, and harbors.

(c) “Director of Public Works” or “Director” means the Director of Public Works or the Director’s designee.

(d) “Enabling Law” means <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gen|4-202">State Environment Article § 4-202</cite>.1 {“Watershed protection and restoration programs”}, which mandates that the City adopt and impose a stormwater management fee.

(e)

  (1) “Impervious surface” means any surface that does not allow stormwater to infiltrate into the ground.

  (2) “Impervious surface” includes rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, or pavement.

  (3) “Impervious surface” does not include ballasted railroad tracks.

(f)

  (1) “Person” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(a)">§ 1-107(a) {“Person: In general”}</cite> of the City Code’s <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>.

  (2) Notwithstanding <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107|(b)">§ 1-107(b) {“Person: Exclusion”}</cite> of the <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>, in <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite> “person”also  includes, except as otherwise provided in <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite> or by other applicable law,  a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.

(h) “Professional engineer” means a person licensed to practice engineering under State Code Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 14 {“Professional Engineers”}.

(i) “Professional land surveyor” means a person licensed to practice land surveying under State Code Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 15 {“Professional Land Surveyors”}.

(j)

  (1) “Single-family property” means a developed lot that contains but 1 dwelling unit and is used exclusively as a single-family dwelling.

  (2) In this subsection, “dwelling”, “dwelling unit”, “lot”, and “single-family dwelling” have the meanings stated in the Baltimore City Zoning Code.

(k) “Stormwater remediation fee” or “fee” means the stormwater remediation fee imposed under <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>.

(l) “Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund” or “Fund” means the stormwater enterprise fund established under <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VI|§18">City Charter Article VI, § 18</cite> {“Water, sanitary wastewater, and stormwater utilities”}.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

*History: Ord. 16-581*

*History: Ord. 22-125*

### § 1-2 Rules and regulations.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 1-2 (2026)

(a) Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Director of Public Works shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>.

(b) A copy of all rules and regulations adopted by the Director of Public Works under this subtitle must be filed with the Department of Legislative Reference at least 30 days before they take effect.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 1-3

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 1-3 (2026)

Reserved

## Subtitle 2 – Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund

### § 2-1 Purpose of fund.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 2-1 (2026)

The Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund is established pursuant to the Enabling Law for the purpose of financing the costs of improving the City stormwater management system, including its watershed protection and restoration program.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

*History: Ord. 13-175*

### § 2-2 Required deposits into Fund.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 2-2 (2026)

The City shall deposit in the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund the following receipts:

(1) all proceeds received from stormwater remediation fees;

(2) all interest or other income earned on the investment of money in the Fund; and

(3) any additional money made available from other sources for the purposes for which the Fund has been established.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 2-3 Permitted uses of Fund.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 2-3 (2026)

Money in the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund may be used for the following purposes only:

(1) capital improvements for stormwater management, including stream and wetland restoration projects;

(2) operation and maintenance of the City stormwater management system and facilities;

(3) public education and outreach relating to stormwater management or stream and wetland restoration;

(4) stormwater management planning, including:

  (i) mapping and assessment of impervious surfaces; and

  (ii) monitoring, inspection, and enforcement activities to carry out the purposes of the Fund;

(5) to the extent that fees imposed under the authority of <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gen|4-204">State Environment Article § 4-204 </cite>are deposited into the Fund, review of stormwater management plans and permit applications for future development;

(6) grants to nonprofit organizations for up to 100% of a project’s costs for watershed restoration and rehabilitation projects relating to:

  (i) planning, design, and construction of stormwater management practices;

  (ii) stream and wetland restoration; and

  (iii) public education and outreach related to stormwater management or stream and wetland restoration;

(7) reasonable costs necessary to administer the Fund; and

(8) any other use authorized by the Enabling Law.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

## Subtitle 3 – Fee Imposition and Collection

### § 3-1 Fee imposed.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 3-1 (2026)

(a) A stormwater remediation fee is imposed on all properties located in Baltimore City and the owners of those properties.

(b) This subtitle does not apply to any property that is expressly exempted by the Enabling Law.

(c) The stormwater remediation fee is in addition to any other fee or charge that the City has the right to charge under any other law, rule, or regulation.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 3-2 Assessment of base fee – Single-family properties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 3-2 (2026)

(a) The fee for a single-family property is the flat rate determined by:

  (1) the applicable tier category within which the property falls, as determined under subsection (b) of this section;

  (2) the number of equivalent residential units (or “ERUs”) assigned to that tier; and

  (3) the rate per  ERU set in accordance with § 3-4 {“Initial rates”} or <cite data-path="|27|§3-5">§ 3-5 {“Subsequent rates”} of this subtitle</cite>.

(b)

  (1) The tier categories for single-family properties are based on a property’s impervious surface area, as determined by the Department of Public Works.

  (2) The tier categories are as follows:

    (i) Tier 1 – property with impervious surface area less than or equal to 820 square feet.

    (ii) Tier 2 – property with impervious surface area greater than 820 square feet and less than or equal to 1,500 square feet.

    (iii) Tier 3 – property with impervious surface area greater than 1,500 square feet.

(c) If a property owner contests the property’s tier assignment and presents plat information, non-aerial photography, or non-aerial videography to support a claim that the property belongs in a lower tier, the Department must:

  (1) demonstrate that the higher tier is correct; or

  (2) failing to so demonstrate, make the requested correction.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 3-3 Assessment of base fee – All other properties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 3-3 (2026)

(a) This section applies to all properties in the City that are not single-family properties subject to § 3-2{“Assessment of base fee – Single-family properties”} of this subtitle.

(b)

  (1) The fee for properties subject to this section is the rate per Equivalent Residential Unit (or “ERU”) set in accordance with § 3-4 {“Initial rates”} or <cite data-path="|27|§3-5">§ 3-5 {“Subsequent rates”} of this subtitle</cite> times the number of ERUs on the property.

  (2) For this purpose, 1 ERU comprises 1,050 square feet of impervious surface area.

(c)

  (1) For properties subject to this section, the following methods may be used, at the sole discretion of the Director of Public Works, to determine the impervious surface measurement of a property:

    (i) geographic information systems analysis of aerial photographs;

    (ii) measurement from approved as-built engineering drawings that are signed and sealed by a professional engineer;

    (iii) field surveys that are signed and sealed by a professional engineer or professional land surveyor; and

    (iv) the use of any additional information that can reliably supplement the data derived from the other measures.

  (2) The resultant ERU count shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.

  (3) The computations and back-up materials for all resultant ERU counts shall be maintained by the Department of Public Works and made available to the public, in the Department’s main office and on the Department’s website.

(d) The minimum assessed stormwater fee for all properties subject to this section shall be equal to the fee for 1 ERU.

(e)

  (1) The maximums set by paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection do not apply to any property or portion of a property for which a credit or exemption has been applied for under <cite data-path="|27|§3-6">§ 3-6 {“Credits; Exemptions”} of this article</cite>.

  (2)

    (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the fee for any property that is subject to property tax and is subject to assessment under this section may not exceed an amount equal to 20% of the total of all State and local real property taxes levied on the property.

    (ii) This paragraph (2) applies only to properties for which each of the following exceeds $1,000:

      (A) the net State and local real property taxes levied on the property; and

      (B) the storm water remediation fee otherwise assessable under <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>.

  (3) Notwithstanding § 3-4 {“Initial rates”} and § 3-5 {“Subsequent rates”}, the fee for structures located on property owned by religious groups or organizations is $12 per ERU per year if:

    (1) the property is not subject to State or City property tax; and

    (2) the structures on the property are used exclusively for:

      (i) places of worship; or

      (ii) elementary, middle, or high school education.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 3-4 Initial rates though FY 2017.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 3-4 (2026)

(a) Through June 30, 2017, the rates are as provided in this section.

(b) For single-family properties assessed under § 3-2 {“Assessment of base fee – Single-family properties”}, the rate per month is the following multiple of the rate-per-month-per-ERU established for properties assessed under § 3-3 {“Assessment of base fee – All other properties”}:

  (1) Tier 1 properties: 2/3 of the rate per ERU.

  (2) Tier 2 properties: the rate per ERU.

  (3) Tier 3 properties: twice the rate per ERU.

(c) For all properties assessed under § 3-3 {“Assessment of base fee – All other properties”}, the rate per month is $5 per ERU.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

*History: Ord. 16-523*

### § 3-5 Subsequent rates.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 3-5 (2026)

(a) For all fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2017, the Board of Estimates, on the recommendation of the Director of Public Works and the Director of Finance, may change the rates for the stormwater remediation fee.

(b) The rates shall be based on the share of stormwater management services related to a property and provided by the City.

(c) At least 30 days before taking any action on the Directors’ recommendation, the Board of Estimates shall:

  (1) publish notice of the recommendation;

  (2) send the recommendations to the members of the City Council; and

  (3) afford an opportunity for Councilmembers and the public to comment at a public hearing.

(d) After the notice and opportunity to comment, the Board of Estimates may:

  (1) adopt or modify the Directors’ recommendation; and

  (2) set the rates accordingly.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 3-6 Credits; Exemptions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 3-6 (2026)

(a) The rules and regulations adopted by the Director of Public Works under <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite> shall establish a system of credits and exemptions that may be used to reduce the base fee.

(b)

  (1) The system shall provide credits for:

    (i) specific actions that reduce the quantity or improve the quality of stormwater discharged from the property;

    (ii) specific actions that improve the quality of stormwater discharged to the City stormwater management system;

    (iii) properties subject to an NPDES industrial stormwater discharge permit that requires stormwater management or that have been determined by the Maryland Department of the Environment to be exempt from stormwater permitting due to a condition of no exposure, for a credit equal to 55% of the base fee; and

    (iv) any portion of a property that discharges directly to the Baltimore Harbor and not through the City’s stormdrain system, for a credit equal to 30% of the base fee.

  (2) The system shall provide hardship exemptions for:

    (i) any portion of a property where the stormwater is permitted by the Department to connect to the public wastewater system;

    (ii) streets that, in lieu of publicly maintained streets, are privately maintained, but open to the public, in single-family residential communities;

    (iii) any portion of a property where caps or other impervious surfaces are required to encapsulate a recognized Superfund area or to protect subterranean structures, as required by the State of Maryland or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and

    (iv) any other property where a demonstrable and substantial financial hardship exists as a result of the stormwater remediation fee.

(c)

  (1) In this subsection, “historic cooperative property” means property owned by a cooperative housing corporation:

    (i) formed under the Maryland Cooperative Housing Corporation Act, State Corporations and Associations Article, Title 5, Subtitle 6B; and

    (ii) existing on or before 1965.

  (2) Residents of an historic cooperative property that maintains an onsite stormwater management system and are experiencing financial hardship because they are subject to dual assessments to fund both a community system and the City stormwater management system shall receive a reduction of its stormwater remediation fee as follows:

    (i) an historic cooperation property that maintains an onsite stormwater management system that conveys stormwater from its property to a public stormwater maintenance system shall receive a 40% credit against its total fee; and

    (ii) an historic cooperative property that maintains an onsite stormwater management system that conveys stormwater from a neighboring community to a public stormwater maintenance facility shall receive a 40% credit against its total fee.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 3-7 Collections.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 3-7 (2026)

(a) All bills for stormwater remediation fees shall be paid within 20 days after they have been issued.

(b) These fees:

  (1) shall be billed by the Department of Public Works;

  (2) may be included in the same bills rendered for water charges or stated in separate bills; and

  (3) may be collected by the Director of Finance, at the same time, in the same manner, and subject to the same interest rates and penalties for late- or nonpayment as provided for charges for supplying water.

(c) The combined interest and penalties for any property may not exceed 10 times the amount of the fee imposed for that property.

(d) This section applies to all properties and the owners of properties that are subject to the payment of the fee imposed under <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

*History: Ord. 16-523*

### § 3-8 Liability and lien for charges, interest, and penalties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 3-8 (2026)

(a) The stormwater fee imposed under <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite> and all interest and penalties on the fee are a personal debt owed by the owner of the property subject to the fee.

(b) These fees, interest, and penalties are a lien in favor of the City on the property subject to the fee.

(c) These fees, interest, and penalties may be collected and enforced in the same way that the City collects and enforces debts due to it or liens in its favor.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 3-9 Rules and regulations by Finance Director.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 3-9 (2026)

(a) Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Director of Finance may adopt rules and regulations necessary or proper to fully enforce and collect the charges imposed under this subtitle.

(b) A copy of all rules and regulations adopted by the Director of Finance under this subtitle must be filed with the Department of Legislative Reference at least 30 days before they take effect.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

## Subtitle 4 – Administrative and Judicial Review

### § 4-1 Administrative appeal of fees.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 4-1 (2026)

(a)

  (1) Any property owner aggrieved by a stormwater fee may appeal the fee to the Director of Public Works, as provided in this section.

  (2) The appeal shall:

    (i) contain the information and documentation required by the rules and regulations adopted under <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>; and

    (ii) be submitted in writing within 30 days from the date of the bill containing the contested stormwater fee.

(b)

  (1) A person aggrieved by the final decision of the Director of Public Works may appeal that decision to the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals.

  (2) The appeal must be taken within 30 days of the Director’s final decision.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 4-2 Judicial review.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 4-2 (2026)

(a) A person aggrieved by the final decision of the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals may seek judicial review of the decision by petition to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City in accordance with the Maryland Rules of Procedure.

(b) A party to the judicial review may appeal the court’s final judgment to the Court of Special Appeals in accordance with the Maryland Rules of Procedure.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

## Subtitle 5 – Stormwater Utility

### § 5-1 “Utility” defined.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 5-1 (2026)

In this subtitle, “utility” means the stormwater utility governed by <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VI|§18">City Charter Article VI, § 18</cite>.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 5-2 Accounting system.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 5-2 (2026)

(a) The accounting system for the stormwater utility:

  (1) shall conform to generally accepted principles of utility accounting; and

  (2) shall be kept on the accrual basis and in the manner prescribed under <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VII|§11">City Charter Article VII, § 11</cite> {“Department of Finance: accounting”}.

(b) The records of revenues of the stormwater utility shall be kept so that the fees imposed on each class of property, according to the rate schedules adopted under <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>, can be determined.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 5-3 Annual report.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 5-3 (2026)

(a) After the close of each fiscal year, a report on the financial operations of the stormwater utility shall be:

  (1) submitted to the Board of Estimates, the Board of Finance, and the members of the City Council;

  (2) filed with the Department of Legislative Reference; and

  (3) posted by the Department of Public Works on its website.

(b) The report shall contain at least:

  (1) the following financial statements:

    (i) a comparative statement of operating and capital revenues and expenditures and of net assets showing the financial conditions of the utility as of the beginning and close of the fiscal year;

    (ii) a comparative statement of operating and capital budgets and of revenues, expenses, and changes in net assets for the last 2 fiscal years; and

    (iii) a comparative statement of cash flow for the last 2 fiscal years; and

  (2) performance outcomes.

(c) The report required by this section:

  (1) in addition to any other report required by law; but

  (2) may be submitted as a separate section of the statements provided for in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VII|§11">City Charter Article VII, § 11</cite> {“Department of Finance: accounting”}.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 5-4 Excess revenues.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 5-4 (2026)

(a) After each fiscal year of operation, if it appears that there will be revenues in excess of those budgeted for that fiscal year:

  (1) the Board of Estimates may authorize additional expenditures for the following fiscal year or years, in an amount not exceeding the excess revenues, for uses permitted by <cite data-path="|27|§2-3">§ 2-3 {“Permitted uses of Fund”} of this article</cite>; or

  (2) on recommendation of the Directors of Finance and Public Works, the Board of Estimates may decrease for the following fiscal year or years the rates for the stormwater remediation fee.

(b) All additional expenditures of the stormwater utility are subject to the appropriation procedures provided in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VI">City Charter Article VI</cite> {“Board of Estimates”}.

(c) Money in the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund may not revert or be transferred to the general fund of the City.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 5-5 City loans to Utility.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 5-5 (2026)

(a) The City may lend to the stormwater utility an amount not to exceed the equivalent to a 60-day cash-working-capital requirement.

(b) The loan shall be repaid by the utility on or before 24 months from the date of the loan, with interest at the rate of the average interest earned by the City on its invested funds during the same period.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 5-6 Conflicts with covenants, etc.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 5-6 (2026)

If any provision of this subtitle for the stormwater utility is inconsistent with any covenant, condition, law, or rule or regulation governing any contract, project, or grant from the United States or from the State or funds dedicated by an Act of Congress or by State law or by the terms of any private grant, the provision in this subtitle applies only to the extent that it is not inconsistent with the covenant, condition, law, or rule or regulation.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

## Subtitle 6 – Prohibited Conduct; Penalties

### § 6-1 Prohibited conduct.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 6-1 (2026)

No person may:

(1) participate or aid, in any manner, in the evasion of a charge imposed under <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>;

(2) make any false statement or representation or submit any false record, plan, or other document to the Department of Public Works under or in connection with <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>; or

(3) otherwise violate any of the provisions of <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite> or of any rule or regulation adopted under <cite data-path="|27">this article</cite>.

*History: Ord. 13-143*

### § 6-2 Criminal penalties.

Balt., Md., Code art. 27, § 6-2 (2026)

Any person who violates a provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both fine and imprisonment for each offense.

*History: Ord. 13-143*