Last Updated XX/XX/XXXX
Stormwater Management Fee
A monthly service fee is imposed upon all real property in the City of Hopkinsville to fund stormwater management programs. This service fee shall be known as the Stormwater Management Fee (“Fee”). As of January 1, 2006 all real property located within the city limits of Hopkinsville, and any real property thereafter developed or added through annexation, shall be subject to a monthly service fee. The Fee is based on : (1) The extent to which runoff from each property creates the need for the stormwater management program; (2) the amount of impervious area on each property ; and (3) the cost of implementing a stormwater management program.
Classification of Property for Purposes of Determination of the Stormwater Management Fee
- For purposes of determining the Stormwater Management Fee, all properties in the City of Hopkinsville are classified into one of the following classes:
- Single Family Residential (SFR) property;
- Non-Single Family Residential (non-SFR); or
- Non-Developed Property.
- Single Family Residential Fee. All single family residential properties in the City shall be charged a flat Stormwater Management Fee, equal to the base rate, as provided in the Base Rate.
- Other Developed Property Fee. The Fee for non-SFR property in the City of Hopkinsville shall be the base rate multiplied by the numerical factor obtained by dividing the total impervious area (square feet) of the property by the ERU. The impervious area for non-SFR property is the square footage for the buildings and other improvements on the property. At the sole discretion of the Utility, the impervious surface area of non-SFR property may be approximated through site examination, mapping information, aerial photographs, and other available information. The minimum Stormwater Management Fee for other developed property shall equal the base rate for single family residential property.
Base Rate
A monthly base rate for the Stormwater Management Fee is established for all single family residential property as one ERU. The base rate for all single family residential property which contains impervious surface area less than one half (1/2) of the ERU shall pay one half (1/2) of the established fee.
Schedule of Monthly Rates for Stormwater Management Fee
The following rates shall apply to each property. This schedule includes the rate for the Stormwater Utility Fees.
Rate Category /Single Family Residential
Rate per Month $ 3.00
Rate Category /Non-Single Family Residential
$ 3.00 multiplied by the numerical factor obtained by dividing the total impervious area (square feet) of the property by one Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU).
Excerpt from the Stormwater Ordinance
155.08 APPLICATION REQUIRED; FEE.
(A) An application is required to be submitted to the Flood Safety Officer or should he so designate the plans examiner, prior to subdivision approval or issuance of a building permit for each of the following proposed improvements within the city limits. The chapter shall apply to:
(1) Residential development of two acres or more; commercial, industrial, institutional, govern-mental, utility, or other development or redevelopment comprising a gross aggregate of one acre or more. This gross aggregate shall include streets and other dedicated lands;
(2) Development, new construction, and substantial improvements including the placement of prefabricated buildings, mobile homes, apartment complexes and shopping centers, or any other residential developments under two acres or commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, or utility developments under one acre which, because of unusual circumstances, impose particular hazards to life safety or property;
(3) Subdivision proposals and other proposed new developments;
(4) Proposals to alter or relocate a watercourse, deposit, or remove any material within a water-course, plant or remove any vegetation, or alter any embankment within a watercourse. (This requirement shall be in addition to any review of the state); and
(5) Any development meeting the conditions listed in division (A)(4) above which do not have a valid building permit as of the effective date of this chapter shall be regulated under the terms of this chapter.
(B) Plans, specifications, and all calculations for the control of storm runoff as required by this chapter shall be provided.
(C) Required maintenance for retention basins or other structures shall be permanently provided by the developer with responsibility becoming that of the private landowner after complete development, subject to inspection of the Flood Safety Officer. Every retention basin or structure shall be legally defined on both deed and plat and the maintenance entity shall be specified.
(D) The applicant is required to dedicate easements along those drainageways necessary for adequate watershed drainage, maintenance, and operations.
(E) Each application must be on a form furnished by the city, sub- mitted in at least three copies and each be accompanied by a map to determine location of the proposed sites. At least one copy of the application, map, and other attachments are to be retained for city files by the Flood Safety Officer.
(F) An application for a permit for proposed improvements within the city must also be accompanied by a fee as set forth by City Council, and specifications and plans of such nature and detail that will enable the Flood Safety Officer to determine that the proposed improvements meet this chapter.
(G) When it has been determined that the applicant has sufficiently met the requirements, permits will be issued for proposed improvements to be carried out. If a definite determination cannot be made, the Flood Safety Officer may request additional information be supplied by the applicant, or may request the city or its authorized agent prepare an additional set of specifications and plans adequate to derive a determination. (Ord. 14-79, passed 10-16-79; Am. Ord. 17-80, passed 12-16-80)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Hopkinsville calculate the stormwater fee for a commercial property?
The city multiplies its base rate of $3.00 by a numerical factor: the property’s total impervious area in square feet divided by one Equivalent Residential Unit. The city can determine that impervious area through site examination, mapping information or aerial photography rather than requiring the owner to submit a survey, and the fee applies to any real property within city limits, including land added later through annexation.
Which Hopkinsville development projects need a stormwater permit before construction?
Commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental or utility development comprising a gross aggregate of one acre or more requires an application to the Flood Safety Officer before a building permit gets issued, and that acreage total includes streets and other dedicated land as part of the project. Smaller projects can still fall under the requirement if unusual circumstances create a particular hazard to life, safety or property, so acreage alone isn’t always the deciding factor.
Who's responsible for maintaining a retention basin in Hopkinsville after construction wraps up?
The developer has to permanently provide for maintenance during construction, but that responsibility shifts to the private landowner once development is complete, subject to inspection by the Flood Safety Officer. Every retention basin or structure has to be legally defined on both the deed and the plat, with the maintenance entity specifically named, so the obligation is recorded and traceable rather than left informal.
What has to be included in a Hopkinsville stormwater permit application?
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.
