Arlington County, Virginia, offers stormwater utility credits up to 35% for residents who reduce stormwater impact

Arlington County, Virginia, residents experienced a rate increase when the County decided to charge a stormwater utility fee in late 2023.

The fee, implemented in 2024, replaced the sanitary district tax that customers had been paying since 2008.

The County states that it is making the change due to increased flooding in recent years, which requires an increased investment in the stormwater system.

Stormwater credits for residents

In a December 2024 board meeting, the County approved two new voluntary credit opportunities for single-family residential properties.

A news article states that the County has recognized that certain stormwater management practices can reduce a property’s impact on stormwater infrastructure.

The article says that property owners who install and maintain certain stormwater facilities in 2024 that reduce runoff, pollution, or limits the overall impact of stormwater on their property may qualify for credit toward the 2025 stormwater utility fee.

Credits for single family residential (attached and detached)

According to the Arlington County Stormwater Credit Manual, single family residential property owners have three credit options, which can total a maximum credit of 35% per property.

The three credit options include:

Mandatory structural: Up to 15%

• Stormwater facilities installed with LDA permit

Voluntary actions: 5% each

• Conservation landscaping
• Tree planting (annual credit)
• Rainwater collection and/or redirection

Voluntary actions: 10% each

• Rain garden
• Permeable driveway, patio and/or other surfaces

The County states that voluntary credits can only be awarded once per voluntary action type, with no duplications allowed. Tree planting is an annual credit and all other credits are ongoing with re-certification required every two years.

The County states that voluntary credits can only be awarded once per voluntary action type, with no duplications allowed.

Required documentation for credit

The County will require documentation to receive credit.

An example of documentation, for conservation landscaping, includes:

• Before photos
• Diagram showing location and surface area (minimum of 150 square-feet for conservation landscaping).
• Receipts for soil amendment or contractor invoices.
• Mulch receipts and/or plant receipts, or contractor invoices.
• Photos which document mulch and planting, a photo of the entire conservation area, and a perspective photo with the nearest structure in the background.

Credit recertification documentation includes:

• Photo of the entire conservation landscaping area.
• Perspective photo with the nearest structure in the background.

A full list of the documentation and credits can be found here.