Stormwater Utility Fee

At their meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance #469 levying a stormwater utility fee effective January 1, 2026. This fee is authorized by the Second Class Township Code and designed to support ongoing investment in the Township's stormwater management system/program. Revenue collected through this fee will only be used for projects and initiatives specifically relating to stormwater management.

How the Fee Is Calculated
The fee is applicable to all developed properties containing over 299 square feet of impervious surface regardless of taxable or tax exempt status.

Impervious surfaces are areas that prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground, such as: roofs, driveways, parking areas, sidewalks, patios, etc.

Properties with more impervious surface generate more stormwater runoff and therefore contribute more to the stormwater system.

How Will the Fee Be Assessed?

• Basis for Fee: The stormwater utility fee will be assessed based on the impervious surface area on each property.
• Data Collection Method: Impervious surface data was obtained using high-definition orthophotography.

Proposed Rate Schedule
Tier 0:
0–299 sq. ft. of impervious surface area
No assessed fee
Tier 1:
300–4,999 sq. ft. of impervious surface area on the parcel
$8.50 per month
(Reflects the rate charged to the average single-family property in Lower Makefield Township)
Tier 2:
5,000+ sq. ft. of impervious surface area
$2.90 per 1,000 sq. ft. (or portion thereof, rounded up to the next thousand)

Roughly 71% of parcels within the Township fall under Tier 0 - 1

Why Is This Fee Important and/or Needed?
Stormwater management is essential for reducing flooding, protecting water quality, and maintaining local infrastructure. The need for this dedicated fee relates to regulatory requirements imposed by federal and state law including the need to implement physical construction projects to reduce sediment pollution into our waterways. Additionally, the fee will provide for a dedicated revenue source to make needed and ongoing investments in the Township’s stormwater management system, which consists of surface structures and facilities and hundreds of miles of subsurface piping.

Will a Credit Be Available?
At their meeting on January 21, 2026, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Stormwater Management Credit and Appeals Manual. This Manual provides Lower Makefield Township’s Stormwater Management Program (SMP) customers with details on the Credits available to reduce their annual SMP Fee. In addition, the Manual outlines the appeals process for property owners who believe their Impervious Area is incorrect or who believe stormwater fees have been assessed for a parcel they do not own. Credits are provided as a means for customers to reduce the amount of their fee by implementing a Creditable Best Management Practice (BMP) to reduce the contribution of stormwater and pollutants to the Stormwater Management System and/or to aid in meeting Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit obligations.

Attached below is the full Stormwater Management Credit and Appeals Manual and four additional attachments associated with the application/appeals process. Each PDF is fillable, and instructions on applying for a credit are found on page 14 of the Manual.

Stormwater Management Credit and Appeals Manual
Attachment A - Credit Application
Attachment B - Maintenance Agreement
Attachment C - Pre-Application Meeting Request Form
Attachment D - Appeal Application Form

**To request the amount of impervious surface area on your property, please contact the Township via email at kfrain@lmt.org or danm@lmt.org.