Property owners may renew Stormwater Utility (SWU) credits and/or apply for new credits by October 1 for the 2025 billing cycle.
What’s Expiring This Year
The following credits approved in 2023 and 2024 for non-structural activities will expire on Dec. 31, 2024:
- No-fertilizer pledge (one-year)
- Tree Canopy Expansion (two-year)
Property owners may apply for new one-year and two-year credits by Oct. 1, and the credits will be applied to the 2025 billing cycle.
One-Time Credits
Some activities provide one-time credits for the year in which the activity occurs:
- Stream cleanup
- Storm drain marking
Property owners can participate in these and other designated activities to continue earning credits for certain types of volunteer participation.
To review your property's current stormwater utility credits and when they expire, and explore additional opportunities, please contact the Stormwater Utility office: email, 703-385-2578
What's Not Expiring This Year
Some credits are multi-year and have not yet expired. Property owners may reapply for the following credits when they expire in upcoming years:
- Structural credits (stormwater management facilities), three years
- Nutrient Management Plan credits (non-structural), three years
On May 14th 2024, the Mayor and City Council adopted an amended Credit Manual. Below is additional information:
Revised Credit Opportunities
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Tree Canopy Expansion
You can plant tree sets on your property. Tree sets consist of two trees, at least one-inch caliper, that are planted at least 12 feet apart. Trees must be native to Northern Virginia. With this credit, you are eligible for up to a maximum of three BUs. (This revision better corresponds with the cost of planting trees with the credit provided.)
-
Trees, Litters, and Creeks (TLC) Stewardship Program
You can participate in volunteer activities and events for litter and debris cleanup, storm drain marking and monitoring, planting native trees during a city-sponsored event, or removal of invasive plants from the resource protection area (RPA). With this credit, you are eligible for a credit of one BU for every four hours of participation, with a max of 3 BU credits OR 1% for every two volunteer hours on the activity for a max of 15% credit per event, whichever is greater. Previously, a dollar amount was attached to the significant amount of time and effort dedicated to participating in activities
New Credit Opportunities
You can document the preservation of trees on your property. Preserved trees must be healthy, unaffected by invasive species, and at least 38 inches in circumference. You can count multiple trees for 157.5 inches or more of circumference in total. With this credit, you are eligible for a maximum of one BU credit on your SWU bill.
Click here to download the Stormwater Utility Credit Program Manual.
Info: fairfaxva.gov/stormwaterutility, email, 703-385-2578
