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Arlington expands options in stormwater utility credit program after first‑year review
Summary
After the first year of its stormwater utility, Arlington County reported widespread participation and proposed modest expansions — including adding permeable patios and underground absorption features to creditable practices — while keeping overall program administration lean.
County staff reported results from the first year of Arlington’s new stormwater utility and proposed limited expansions to the voluntary credit program.
Chris Abel, fiscal manager for the stormwater utility, told the board that the utility — implemented in calendar year 2024 to fund stormwater management by measured impervious area — awarded credits to nearly 6,000 properties (about 9% of billable properties) in year one. Staff said the county offered both mandatory credits (for LDA‑permitted stormwater facilities) and voluntary credits (for actions such as rainwater collection, permeable driveways, tree planting and volunteer events). Faith‑based organizations and multifamily properties were strong participants, staff said.
Staff reported first‑year credit costs of about $113,000 (lower than the program’s 2% budget contingency), noted that most homeowner credits were small percentage reductions ($13 or $26 on an average single‑family bill), and emphasized a low‑burden application process: photos, receipts and certification statements rather than complex engineering calculations. Staff also said mandatory credits for permitted stormwater facilities are granted automatically if the property is in compliance, to reduce paperwork.
In response to stakeholder requests for additional credit types, staff recommended two near‑term expansions for single‑family homeowners: (1) expand the driveway credit to include permeable patios and walkways (for lots with impervious cover under the 70th percentile for the zoning category) and (2) expand the rainwater‑collection credit to include redirection to underground absorption features such as dry wells or French drains (provided they do not affect neighbors or public sidewalks). Staff said the board’s approval would allow applicants to apply for the expanded credits for the 2025 bill cycle.
Action: The board adopted ordinance language to modify the County stormwater utility credit program (motion by Board Member Katie Cristol Cunningham; vote 5–0).
Ending: Staff said it will continue web and handbook improvements, two‑year recertifications for ongoing credits and outreach to help property owners identify eligible credits.
