Stormwater Utility: Takoma Park, MD
This ordinance, developed by the Department of Public Works of Takoma Park, Maryland, establishes a fee system to fund stormwater management. The fee, based on the extent that each parcel contributes to the need for stormwater management, serves as a financial incentive for property owners to reduce stormwater and helps the local government fund stormwater management projects.
This ordinance is a model for communities interested in establishing a fee system for stormwater management. The ordinance first introduces the purpose of the regulation and defines appropriate terms. It then establishes the stormwater management fund. The ordinance ends with provisions regarding the amount of the stormwater management fee and penalties for users who fail to pay that fee.
This document can be used as a detailed example for local communities interested in raising money to fund stormwater management. Because this ordinance is specific to Takoma Park, Maryland, readers will have to customize the language so that it is appropriate to their locality.
