Frequently asked questions

 

  1. Is there a court order stating that Bexar County can assess a Storm Water Quality Fee?
  2. What is the Stormwater Fee?
  3. What does the Stormwater Fee go to?
  4. Why is my Stormwater Fee so high?
  5. If I don’t have to pay property taxes, do I have to pay a Stormwater Fee?
  6. How can I protest my Stormwater Fee?

1. Is there a court order stating that Bexar County can assess a Storm Water Quality Fee?

Yes, access the court order for more information. Stormwater Fee Court Order 

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2. What is the Stormwater Fee?

In 2007, the EPA mandated that small municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) owners create a Storm Water Quality Program. A stormwater fee was approved by Commissioner’s Court in 2008 to fund the program. It is an annual fee that can be found on your tax bill.

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3. What does the Stormwater Fee go to?

The stormwater quality fee funds the Bexar County Stormwater Quality Department. The goal of the department is to further reduce adverse impacts to water quality by instituting the use of controls on the unregulated sources of stormwater discharges that have the greatest likelihood of causing continued environmental degradation.

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4. Why is my Stormwater Fee so high?

The stormwater fee is based on 2 things:

  1. Land Use Designation - Residential, multifamily and commercial
  2. Land size - Varies by designation

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5. If I don’t have to pay property taxes, do I have to pay a Stormwater Fee?

No. In accordance with Chapter 573 of the Local Government Code, Bexar County “may not assess a charge against property that is:

  1. Exempt from ad valorem taxation
  2. Subject to an assessment for the same purpose by another entity

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6. How can I protest my Stormwater Fee?

Sometimes a lot is incorrectly designated commercial when it is actually residential. When this happens, the resident will be charged a significantly higher stormwater fee. To protest the commercial designation, follow the following steps:

  1. Email us with the following:
    1. name
    2. address
    3. property ID
    4. current designation
    5. what you believe should be the designation and why
  2. Once received, a case will be opened
  3. An inspection will be made
  4. A formal letter will be sent explaining the findings

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