Through a Coastal Incentive Grant, impervious areas were measured for representative single-family residences in Rincon.  Engineers found that the average impervious area (features such as pavement or roof tops) to be 3,000 square feet.  The ordinance establishes 3,000 square feet as the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU).  If a development has ten times the amount of impervious area as the average representative single-family development it is said to have 10 ERUs and is therefore charged ten times the fee or $20/month.

• All single-family residential units pay the same $2.00

The council hoped that these stormwater fees would cover the expenses of stormwater management.  However, it was found that this will only cover a portion of the funds required to meet permit obligations and provide their desired level of service.  Regardless, the council chose $2.00 and will seek additional funding through both the general fund and grants.  This stormwater fee can only be used for stormwater management services and must be based on the amount of impervious area for each parcel.

Fee Calculator

Monthly stormwater fees for non-single family residential (NSFR) properties are calculated using the methodology described below.

Step 1: Determine the total impervious surface area (square feet) on the parcel. 

Step 2: Divide the total impervious surface area (square feet) for the parcel by 3,000 square feet (one ERU) to determine total number of ERUs for the property.

(Total Impervious Area (sq.ft))/(3,000 sq.ft)=Total ERUs for Property

Step 3: Multiply the total number of ERUs for the property by the ERU rate ($2.00) to determine the monthly stormwater user fee for the property

Total ERUs for Property x $2.00=Monthly Stormwater User Fee

Example NSFR Stormwater User Fee Calculation

Step 1: Total impervious surface area = 30,000 square feet

Step 2: Divide the total impervious surface area (square feet) for the parcel by 3,000 square feet (one ERU) to determine total number of ERUs for the property.

(30,000 sq.ft)/(3,000 sq.ft)=10 ERUs

Step 3: Multiply the total number of ERUs for the property by the ERU rate ($4.00) to determine the monthly stormwater user fee for the property

10 ERUs x $2.00=$20.00 per month stormwater user fee