Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program Application Window is Open

The City of Alexandria is accepting applications for the Stormwater Utility (SWU) Fee Credit Program. Property owners may be eligible for up to a 50% reduction on their SWU Fee by installing eligible practices. 

The credit application period opens on December 1, 2025 and will close on February 15, 2026.  Credits are awarded on a two-year cycle. Property owners who applied last year do not need to reapply this year. 

The SWU Fee, which is paid by all property owners, is included as a separate line item on the real estate tax bill and is based on the amount of impervious area, or hard surfaces like roofs and fronts walks, on a property. The fee provides a dedicated funding source for the City’s stormwater management program, which includes flood mitigation capital projects under Flood Action Alexandria and operations and maintenance activities like cleaning storm pipes and inlets. Residential and non-residential property owners can earn “credits” to reduce the fee by installing and maintaining eligible stormwater management practices and submitting a credit application.

Applications may be submitted electronically by searching for your property on the City’s Real Estate website or by submitting a hard copy application. Applications must be received by February 15, 2026. 

In November 2022, City Council approved revisions to the SWU Credit Program to increase participation in the program for all property types by expanding the list of eligible practices to include floodproofing practices, and making the approved credits good for two consecutive calendar years – which means if you applied for the SWU credit last year you do not need to reapply this year. Additionally, applicants can now receive up to a 50% reduction on their SWU Fee.

The revised SWU Credit Manual is on the City’s Stormwater Management website at www.alexandriava.gov/StormwaterUtility. For any questions about your SWU Credit Application, please email stormwater@alexandriava.gov. 

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jackie.person@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5423, Virginia Relay 711.

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available. Please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.