Last Updated 04/10/2026
Excerpt from Bartow Municipal Code
Article VI- Stormwater Management
Sec. 78-195. – Imposition of stormwater charge and schedule.
The city commission hereby authorizes the imposition of a stormwater charge on all property within the city, as set forth in an annual resolution, and modified from time to time by subsequent resolutions.
Sec. 78-202. – Funding.
Stormwater charge. The stormwater charge shall be established by the city by resolution, and modified from time to time by subsequent resolutions.
EXHIBIT A. STORMWATER UTILITY RATES
(a) Stormwater utility customer rates. The city shall establish by separate ordinance a billing rate for each ERU for all stormwater utility customers.
(b) Establishment of base ERU for stormwater utility customers.
(1) Single-family residential utility and mobile home residential utility customers shall be charged at the rate of one ERU.
(2) Multi-unit residential utility customer shall be charged at the rate of one ERU per 2,600 square foot of impervious area.
(3) Non-residential utility customer shall be charged as follows:
a. Commercial utility customer shall be charged at the rate of one ERU per 2,600 square foot of impervious area.
b. Industrial utility customer shall be charged at the rate of one ERU per 2,600 square foot of impervious area.
c. Institutional/governmental utility customer shall be charged at the rate of one ERU per 2,600 square foot of impervious area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Bartow set its stormwater utility rate?
The city commission authorizes a stormwater charge through an annual resolution, which means the rate isn’t fixed in the code itself and can be adjusted from year to year as the city updates its funding needs. Property owners should check the current resolution rather than assume a rate holds steady, since Bartow revisits this figure more often than cities that lock the number into a static ordinance.
How is my stormwater fee calculated in Bartow?
Single-family and mobile home residential customers are billed at a flat rate of one ERU. Multi-unit residential, commercial, industrial and institutional or governmental customers are all billed the same way as each other: one ERU per 2,600 square feet of impervious area. That’s a simpler structure than many Florida cities use, since it applies one impervious-area formula across nearly every non-single-family property type rather than layering in separate rates by use category.
Does Bartow have its own stormwater design standards?
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.
