Living in Miami-Dade County? Then you’re likely familiar with the Stormwater Utility and the monthly stormwater utility bill Paying your stormwater utility bill is easy and can be done online, but first it’s important to understand what the stormwater utility is and how your bill amount is calculated.
The Stormwater Utility was established by Miami-Dade County in 1991 to properly manage the environmental impact of stormwater pollution and provide adequate flood protection. The utility fees collected go toward planning building operating and maintaining stormwater management systems like canals, drainage projects, and secondary drainage systems in unincorporated parts of the county and certain municipalities. The fees also help reduce pollution from contaminants like oil, fertilizers, and pesticides that get carried into drainage systems and canals by stormwater runoff.
How is the Stormwater Utility Fee Calculated?
Instead of tacking a stormwater fee onto your property taxes the utility calculates your fee based on the amount of your property’s “impervious area” – surfaces like rooftops and parking lots that rainwater can’t soak through. This makes sense because runoff from impervious areas is what the utility has to capture and manage.
For residential properties, the utility did an analysis to set an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) at 1,548 square feet of impervious area. Each ERU is charged $5 per month. So a typical single family home might have 1 ERU of impervious area and pay $5 per month.
For non-residential properties like businesses, the fee is calculated by measuring the total impervious square footage, dividing by 1,548 (the ERU size), and multiplying by $5. For example, a business with 4,644 sq ft of impervious area would pay $15 per month ($5 x 4,644 sq ft / 1,548 sq ft).
The $5 monthly rate is one of the lowest stormwater utility rates in Florida.
Paying Your Miami-Dade Stormwater Utility Bill Online
If you receive a separate bill from the Stormwater Utility, you can pay your bill online through the utility’s website:
- Go to https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1471174594811949
- Enter your account number and 4-digit PIN
- Select whether you want to pay the total amount due or a partial payment
- Enter your payment information and submit
The online payment system accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. You can also pay by electronic check. A 2.4% convenience fee applies to credit/debit card payments.
If your stormwater fee shows up on your monthly Miami-Dade Water and Sewer bill, you can pay it through the Water and Sewer department’s online payment system:
- Go to https://www.miamidade.gov/global/water/bill-pay.page
- Enter your account number and 4-digit PIN
- Select whether to pay the total balance or a partial payment
- Enter your payment information and submit
The same 2.4% convenience fee applies for online credit/debit card payments through the Water and Sewer system.
Paying your stormwater utility bill promptly helps ensure there is adequate funding for important stormwater management projects and pollution prevention in Miami-Dade County. The fees provide resources that reduce flooding risk and protect our waterways. Paying online takes just a minute and you have the convenience of not having to mail a payment or drive to an office. Give it a try next time your stormwater utility bill comes due!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Stormwater Utility Bill
Here are answers to some common questions about the Miami-Dade County Stormwater Utility bill and fees:
What does the stormwater utility fee pay for?
The fees fund stormwater management systems like canals, drainage projects, pumps, and pipes that prevent flooding. The money also supports projects that reduce pollution from stormwater runoff.
How is my stormwater fee calculated?
For homes, it’s based on an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of 1,548 sq ft of impervious area, charged at $5/month. Non-residential fees are calculated from actual impervious square footage.
Why am I charged when stormwater doesn’t run off my property?
The fees pay for community-wide infrastructure and programs that manage runoff and pollution. Even if your property doesn’t generate runoff, you benefit from reduced flooding risk and cleaner waterways.
My property doesn’t flood, why should I have to pay?
The stormwater systems and projects funded by the fees provide community-wide benefits by reducing flooding risks and improving water quality for everyone.
Can I get a discount if I have stormwater retention on my property?
Unfortunately no – the fee reductions apply to properties that were built prior to the utility and had existing private systems. Properties built after the utility aren’t eligible for discounts.
I have a small apartment, why is my fee the same as a big house?
The residential fee is based on 1 ERU of 1,548 square feet. Size variations beyond that standard ERU aren’t factored in. This simplifies administration of the utility.
Is the stormwater fee a tax?
No, it’s a utility fee that pays for services and infrastructure that manage stormwater runoff and drainage. It’s based on property characteristics, not assessed value.
Who do I call if I have questions about my bill?
You can call the Stormwater Utility at 305-372-6688 Monday-Friday 8am to 4:30pm with any billing questions.
