In 1989, the Texas State Legislature authorized political subdivisions like the City of Southlake to create a Stormwater Utility System dedicated to the management of its stormwater (drainage) infrastructure.  The legislation allows for the levying of a dedicated fee to fund the utility.  Most cities in North Texas have established a Stormwater Utility System for their cities.

On October 17, 2006, the City of Southlake's City Council established a Stormwater Utility System for the purposes of funding City projects to manage stormwater runoff safely and effectively.  This Stormwater Utility includes  a monthly fee for all of Soutlake's developed properties.  The utility fees paid to the Stormwater Utility provide a funding source for maintenance, repair, and construction of public storm water facilities. The Stormwater Utility allows the City to alleviate potential flooding situation and correct areas that may cause a negative impact on the water quality in the streams and lakes in the area.  Stormwater utility fees may only be spent on stormwater related activities for the general welfare of the Southlake community, not to remedy flooding concerns on private property.

The monthly stormwater fee is the same for all residential dwelling units.  The residential stormwater fee cannot be adjusted.  The fee for non-residential properties including commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family is calculated individually in proportion to each property's stormwater runoff potential.  The stormwater utility fee is included with the monthly water bill mailed by the Utility Billing Office.

The monthly Stormwater Utility Fee is as follows:
 

• For residential properties, the storm water utility fee is a flat $8 per month per dwelling unit.
• For all non-residential properties, the stormwater utility fee is $1.25 per 1000 square feet of impervious area on the property including building foundations, driveways, parking lots, or any other compacted surface as determined from aerial photos and/or site plans provided to the City with the building permit application.

Appeals for Non-Residential Properties:

The non-residential monthly fee may be reviewed for accuracy by the Public Works Director.  If you feel your non-residential stormwater utility fee has been calculated incorrectly, please send a written request to the Public Works Department at the following address.  A current site plan showing the square footage of the impervious area must be included with the written appeal.

                City of Southlake
                Director of Public Works
                1400 Main St., Ste. 320
                Southlake, TX 76092


For seniors over the age of 65 and disabled residents:

You may be eligible for a hardship exemption if your annual household income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as published annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. If your household income is less than 200% of the Federal Guidelines for the number of persons in your household, please complete a Hardship Exemption Application.  If you qualify, you may make a written request to the Public Works Department at the following address.  You must include a copy of your prior year's IRS tax return and a copy of your driver's license or birth certificate.  Please return the completed form and supporting documentation to:

                City of Southlake 
                Utility Billing Department
                1400 Main St., Ste. 200
                Southlake, TX 76092
                (817) 748-8051

For questions about your bill, please contact the Utility Billing Department.

Learn more:

• Ordinance No. 900 - Establishing a Stormwater Utility
• Ordinance No. 901 - Establishing a Stormwater Monthly Fee