Call the City's Stormwater Hotline at 866-4-1-STORM if you:
Stormwater runoff is excess rain water that runs off from land surfaces during and following rainfall. A certain amount of rainfall will naturally soak into the ground, particularly if the land cover is vegetated or has a tree canopy. Before land is developed, a significant portion of rainfall soaks infiltrates into the ground, thereby resulting in much less surface runoff.
In developed conditions, however, less of the rainfall can soak into the ground and surface runoff generally increases. Increased runoff contributes to higher peak flows in drainage systems and receiving streams, as well as a greater volume of runoff. Higher peak flows and greater volume contribute to urban stormwater management concerns, including flooding safety hazards, property damage, soil and stream erosion, and impacts to surface water quality and stream health.
Stormwater Rates & Fees
Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)
Grading only or Full Construction Documents Stormwater Plan Review
Revision to Approved Plans
Stormwater Plan Review-More Than Two (2) Reviews
· $500 per project*
*Includes two (2) reviews
If no revisions are required between grading only and full construction, then no additional stormwater review fees are required.
Stormwater Service Fee: $6.20 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) per month
An ERU represents 3,050 square feet of impervious area
Impervious Area: <500 sq ft >500 sq ft
Single Family Residential Properties: No ERU 1 ERU
All Other Properties: No ERU *see below
*Calculate the Impervious area on the property (sq. ft.). Divide by 3,050 to get ERUs. Round up to the nearest whole ERU. Multiply the whole ERUs by the Service Fee ($6.20) to determine the total monthly Stormwater Utility Fee.
Beginning January 1, 2026, property owners inside the city limits of Statesville will see an increase to their monthly stormwater fee . Stormwater Utility customers are billed monthly on the same bill as their water/sewer and/or electric services. Customers who do not receive these services from the city will receive a Stormwater services bill on the same monthly billing cycle.
Why use “impervious area” in determining stormwater charges?
All developed property within the City limits (residential or commercial) has impervious area. Impervious area is a term used to refer to hard surfaces on a property that do not allow rain to soak into the ground. Rooftops, parking lots, sidewalks, gravel, or asphalt driveways, and patios are all considered impervious areas. The Stormwater Service Fee structure reflects the amount of runoff that each individual property contributes to the community’s overall stormwater runoff. The more impervious surface area on a property, the greater the amount of stormwater that runs off into our culverts and streams, thus the greater the demand on the drainage infrastructure. The fee is set up so that properties that produce more runoff are assessed a greater stormwater service fee.
What is an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) and how was it developed?
An Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) was developed for Statesville by taking a sampling of single family residential properties (SFR) across the city. The median amount of impervious area was determined to be 3,050 square feet. All non-single family residential (non-SFR) properties were also measured. All SFR properties will be assessed one ERU or $6.20 per month. Non-residential properties will be assessed $6.20 for each ERU (3,050 square feet of impervious surface) per month.
The City of Statesville received its National Pollutant Discharge & Elimination System (NPDES) permit renewal on August 1, 2023. This permit is frequently referred to as a Phase II permit. The MS4 permit is issued and administered by the NC Department of Environmental Quality. This permit has six (6) minimum measures the City has to comply with. By implementing a stormwater program, the City is making strides to improve the quality of stormwater runoff in Statesville.
Watch the below video to understand the value of planning for Stormwater Projects. Considering the frequent rain events that the region has been experiencing this year, this video illustrates the value, planning, and importance of investing in municipal Stormwater infrastructure.
*Click on the appropriate link below for additional details
| CLICK Link Below: | Description: |
| Statesville Stormwater Ordinance | Ordinance amending the Unified Development Code, Appendix A, Article 8, Section 8.05 Stormwater Management & Article 6 Development Standards, Sections 6.04 Landscape Standards, E. Grading Standards for Stream and Wetland Protection. |
| Illicit Discharge & Illicit Connection Ordinance 17-20 | An ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the Statesville City Code. |
| City of Statesville Drainage Design Manual. Effective April 20, 2026. | |
Section 2.25 Floodplain Development Permit, effective January 1, 2026 | |
| NPDES Permit | Pursuant to the requirements in North Carolina General Statue 143-215.1 and the Memorandum of Agreement between North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Agency dated October 15, 2007 (or as subsequently amended), the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is hereby renewing coverage for the subject Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. |
| Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) | The purpose of this Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) is to establish and define the means by which the City of Statesville will comply with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit and the applicable provisions of the Clean Water Act to meet the federal standard of reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff to the maximum extent practicable. |
| Stormwater Fee & Rate Guide | How to determine your Stormwater Service fees. |
| City of Statesville Storm Drainage Policy. | |
Engineering & Education to Enhance the Environment |
