Last Updated 08/13/2026
Stormwater Utility Fee
For all other parcels in the City that are not the site of a single family or duplex dwelling, the amount of the stormwater utility fee shall be $5.24 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) or $5.24 per Three thousand four hundred seventy-eight (3,478) square feet of impervious area on the parcel.
Fractional ERUs equal to or less than 0.5 shall be rounded down to the next whole ERU. Fractional ERUs greater than 0.5 shall be rounded up to the next whole ERU. For example, 10,000 square feet of impervious area represents 2.9 ERUs and would be rounded up to 3.0 ERUs for billing purposes.
Fees to qualifying parcels may be adjusted if stormwater utility fee credits are approved by the City for on-site stormwater management.
Stormwater Credits & Incentives
Persons subject to the stormwater utility fee shall be eligible to receive a stormwater utility charge credit and/or incentive based upon the requirements of the City of Champaign Stormwater Credit and Incentive Manual.
Any credit allowed against the stormwater utility charge is to be conditioned upon continuing compliance with the City of Champaign Stormwater Credit and Incentive Manual. Proof of compliance as defined in the manual will be required.
Incentives
Incentives are available for any property in the City of Champaign that installs specific types of sustainable stormwater management features. It should be noted that both the credits and incentives programs are mutually exclusive and that credits and incentives will not be awarded to the same property, with the exception of the Private Detention Basin Maintenance Credit which can be earned in conjunction with either credits or incentives. Those properties that are eligible for credits will have to choose between the two programs. This Table summarizes the types of stormwater management features that qualify for incentives and the maximum incentive amounts available.
Maximum Available Stormwater Management Incentives
Incentive Type | Maximum Amount |
Rain Garden | $250 |
Runoff Rate Reduction | $250 |
Runoff Volume Reduction | $250 |
Runoff Water Quality | $250 |
Total Incentive Available | $1,000 |
Rain Barrel | $25 per barrel (no maximum limit) |
The maximum lifetime incentive amount available per property for the combination of rain gardens, rate reduction, volume reduction and water quality items is $1,000. Once a property reaches $1,000 in incentive payments for these items, no more incentives will be issued to the property regardless of the ownership. Rain barrels are not subject to any maximum lifetime incentive amount.
Credits
The City of Champaign has adopted a credit program policy that has identified a total of 6 categories of credits. These categories include: 1) private detention maintenance credits; 2) rate reduction credits; 3) volume reduction credits; 4) water quality/BMP credits; 5) direct discharge credits, and 6) education credits. The below table summarizes the credits and the applicable credit limit for each category.
Stormwater Utility Fee Credits
Credit Type | Credit Amount (For Non-Residential) |
Private Detention Basin Maintenance | 15% max. |
Runoff Rate Reduction | 15% max. |
Runoff Volume Reduction | 15% max. |
Runoff Water Quality/NPDES Permit | 15% max. |
Direct Discharge | 50% max. |
Education | $5/student |
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Credit / Incentive Determination
It is the intent of the City to process applications within thirty (30) working days of submittal of a complete and correct application package. Billing adjustments required to implement credits shall be applied retroactively to the date of receipt of the customer’s complete application. A pending application for credit shall not constitute a valid reason for non-payment of the currently assessed stormwater utility fee by the customer. If an application is denied, a letter explaining reason(s) for the denial will be provided to the applicant. The applicant has the right to appeal this decision in accord with the procedures outlined in Article VI of Chapter 29.5 of the City Code.
Credit / Incentive Determination
All stormwater management facilities require maintenance in order to perform as designed. Stormwater detention facilities are required to be maintained as prescribed in Chapter 23 of the City of Champaign Manual of Practice. Proof of maintenance is required annually in the form of an annual report. Failure to maintain stormwater management facilities will result in the loss of stormwater utility fee credits.
Term of Credit
All stormwater utility fee credits must be reapplied for every 5 years. In the case of stormwater detention maintenance credits the owner should consider reapplication coincident with the 5 year cycle of reporting required by Chapter 23 of the City of Champaign Manual of Practice. Credits are limited to a maximum of 50 percent of a property’s total stormwater utility fees.
Rainfall Proration
For volume reduction credits where rainfall prorations will be applicable, the following table shall be used:
Rainfall Depth (Inches) | Credit Proration Factor |
0.50 to 0.74 | 50% |
0.75 to 0.99 | 75% |
1.00 or more | 100% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is Champaign's stormwater utility fee calculated for a non-residential property?
Every non-single-family or duplex parcel pays $5.24 per Equivalent Residential Unit, with one ERU set at 3,478 square feet of impervious area. Fractional ERUs round down at 0.5 or below and up above that, so a property with 10,000 square feet of impervious surface works out to 2.9 ERUs and gets billed for a full 3.0.
Can I choose both stormwater credits and incentives in Champaign?
Generally not. The city’s credit and incentive programs are mutually exclusive, so a property eligible for credits has to pick one path or the other rather than combining both. The one exception is the Private Detention Basin Maintenance Credit, which can be earned alongside either program. Incentives cover installed features like rain gardens or runoff reduction measures, capped at $1,000 lifetime per property across those categories, while rain barrels earn $25 each with no lifetime cap.
How much can Champaign's stormwater credits actually reduce my bill?
It depends on the credit type, and they stack differently. Private detention maintenance, rate reduction, volume reduction and water quality credits each max out at 15%, while a direct discharge credit, for properties that don’t send runoff into the city’s system at all, can reach 50%. Education credits pay $5 per student rather than a percentage. Across all categories combined, credits are capped at 50% of a property’s total stormwater utility fee.
Do Champaign stormwater credits last indefinitely once approved?
No. Every credit has to be reapplied for every five years, and detention basin maintenance credits specifically should be renewed alongside the five-year reporting cycle required under Chapter 23 of the city’s Manual of Practice. Annual proof of maintenance is also required in the meantime, and failing to maintain a facility results in losing the credit even before the five-year renewal comes up.
How does rainfall amount affect a Champaign volume reduction credit?
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.
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