New rules are now in place for Baltimore’s stormwater fee and credit regulations. The new regulations make it easier to earn credits, and provide opportunities for some organizations to be exempt from paying the fee.

The number of volunteer hours needed to receive a $10 Participation Event credit has been reduced to 4 hours from 8 hours. And households that plant trees now can receive credit of $5 per tree, up from $3, for a minimum of two trees with a 1-inch diameter.  

Other key changes to the regulations include the following:

• Tax-exempt veterans' organizations are exempt from paying the stormwater fee

• Charitable, nonprofit organizations may be eligible for a hardship exemption if they can show a financial hardship and have an approved Alternative Compliance Plan

• Streets in cemeteries that are privately maintained and open to the public are exempt

• Rain barrels with a volume of at least 50 gallons are eligible for a one-time $25 credit

These updates are the first since Baltimore City established the stormwater fee in 2013.

The stormwater fee helps the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) keep neighborhoods cleaner and healthier by controlling polluted runoff, by rebuilding and restoring our underground storm sewers, and restoring eroded streams.

DPW also helps to educate people in how they can be part of the solution to stormwater pollution. Citizens can reduce the impact of polluted stormwater runoff by participating in the Mayor’s Fall Cleanup on Saturday, October 28. Call 311 to register or find a cleanup event near you.

For more information on the new stormwater fee regulations, along with exemptions and credits, visit DPW’s stormwater fee page at https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/stormwater-fee.