*new!*"E-Applications" are now available for some applications. Click here for details.

ADJUSTMENT - To correct your property's billing characteristics.  For example, you believe you were charged in the wrong residential category, or you were charged for two residences (dwelling units) when you only have one.  Or, your residence was unoccupied without electricity for a period or periods of time during the billing year. Go to Adjustments Section.

EXEMPTION - Relief from payment of one of the fees.  The stormwater fee may be exempted based on income level or 501(c)(3) federal tax status.  The solid waste fee may be exempted if a property owner can show an active contract for service from a private waste hauler.  Go to Exemptions Section.

STORMWATER CREDIT - Discounts provided by the Jacksonville Stormwater Utility for property owners that provide stormwater-related facilities and/or services that ultimately benefit the city's stormwater system.  Go to Credits Section.

The criteria for stormwater fee adjustments, exemptions and credits are detailed in the Adjustments and Credits Manual:
Jacksonville Stormwater Utility Adjustments & Credits Manual [July 8, 2008 Version] (PDF 485K)

      

Bill Adjustments (corrections)
We used several different methods to determine each property's fee category, such as Property Appraiser data, site visits, aerial photography, and building permit information.

Based on that data, we developed categories that accounted for the structures on a property and the use(s) of those structures, and established corresponding fee charges.

NOTE:  The 2009 charges are based on property data available as of December 31, 2008.  Changes made during the 2009 calendar year will be considered for the 2010 billing cycle.

Click here to view the 2009 Fees By Property Type Chart

Applicants should provide sufficient documentation to support the correction being requested.  Applications submitted without supporting documentation will be considered based on the best information available to the City of Jacksonville about your property.

USE THE ADJUSTMENT APPLICATION IF...

• You want to correct your property category or tier.  It is important to remember that the city is basing the stormwater charges on total impervious area – that includes not only buildings or structures on your property, but sidewalks, driveways, patios, compacted gravel or dirt drives, etc.
  
• You want to correct the number of residences (dwelling units) charged. Both the stormwater fee and the solid waste fee account for the number of structures on a property.  We base the number of solid waste fees charged to a property on the number of dwellings on a property, as indicated by the Property Appraiser's data.
  
• You need to tell us that the structure on your property has been demolished or there has never been a structure or other impervious area on the property (in other words, vacant).

Residential Property Adjustment Application
Print and Mail Version (PDF 68k)	E-Application (PDF 98k)

Non-residential Property Adjustment Application
Print and Mail Version (PDF 41k)	E-Application (PDF 68k)

Remember, we check records from Property Appraiser, building permits, and other sources each year in the development of the following year's billing file.  Adjustments granted in one year may not carry over to subsequent years, if there is sufficient evidence that shows the adjustment was granted in error, or that conditions on the property have changed since the adjustment was issued.

Solid Waste Unoccupied Residence Adjustment
A property owner may apply for an adjustment of the solid waste fee if the residence (or unit therein) being charged has been:

• Boarded up and/or condemned
• Unoccupied without electricity for at least 28 consecutive days during the bill service period.  Adjustments will not be prorated for periods less than 28 days
• Otherwise determined by the Solid Waste Division to be qualified for adjustment.

For the purposes of charging the solid waste fee, a residence is considered a structure with a kitchen, bathroom, and living/sleeping space.  If the structure in question does not meet this criteria, property owners should instead submit a Residential Property Adjustment Application, as an adjustment to the stormwater fee may also be warranted.

Owners of inhabitable, but unoccupied, properties are asked to pre-pay the fees and seek reimbursement for periods of vacancy after the billing period ends (December 31).  Such applications for refund will be accepted until March 31 of the year following the service period for which an adjustment is sought - for example, applications for adjusting the 2009 fees will be accepted until March 31, 2010.

The Solid Waste Divison will then independently verify electric service provided to the dwelling to determine the amount of refund due.  Service must be off for at least 28 consecutive days to qualify.

Solid Waste Unoccupied Residence Application
Print and Mail Version (PDF 44k)	E-Application (PDF 68k)

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EXEMPTIONS

There are two opportunities for exemption from the stormwater fee, and one for the solid waste fee:

• 501(c)(3): Exemption program for charitable organizations (including churches) as defined by Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).  Property owner must demonstrate that he/she/it has meets the IRS guidelines.  No other tax exempt classifications (including State of Florida Certificates) are eligible for a stormwater fee exemption under this program.
  
  • Stormwater fee only
  • Approved exemptions will carry over to future billing cycles - no further application necessary.

501(c)(3) Exemption Application
Print and Mail Version (PDF 85k)	E-Application (PDF 66k)

• Low-Income: Property owner must demonstrate that his or her household has a gross income of less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level, as determined by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.  This program is administered by the city's Behavioral and Human Services Division. 
  • Click here to view the 2009 Federal Poverty Levels
  • Annual application required!  Applicants approved in 2008 will receive a 2009 application in the mail with their bill.

Low-Income Exemption Application
Print and Mail Version (PDF 43k)	E-Application (PDF 68k)

• Solid Waste Private Hauler:  For residential property owners who were charged the city's solid waste fee, but who independently contracted with a private hauler to handle all of their garbage collection (typically, via dumpster).
  • Annual application required!

Solid Waste Private Hauler Exemption Application
Print and Mail Version (PDF 41k)	E-Application (PDF 63k)

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STORMWATER FEE CREDITS

The Jacksonville Stormwater Utility offers credits to property owners providing stormwater-related services, structures or facilities – called "Best Management Practices," or BMPs – that ultimately benefit the city and reduce its cost for providing stormwater management services.

Property owners (or their designees) may apply for any or all of the credits for which they may qualify. However, the total fee discount may not exceed 50 percent, even if the cumulative value of approved credits exceeds 50 percent (except in the case of "bonus" credit option).  Each credit value is a fixed value except in the case of the Detailed Drainage Study Credit, which is awarded on a sliding scale.

Property owners who plan to submit applications for more than one type of credit are asked to include the credit checklist with their submission.

Credit Applications/Values:

• Permitted Stormwater Pond Credit (30 percent) - Have a pond (or ponds) permitted by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) or similar regulatory agency (FDEP).  Learn more about this option.
  
• Detailed Drainage Study Credit (50 percent max) - Provide specific details on water quality and quantity; credit awarded on sliding scale.  Requires a Professional Engineer (PE) to certify the information provided with the application.
  
• Landlocked System Credit (+25 percent) ("bonus credit") - Provide proof of zero discharge and meet full treatment and volume control criteria. Property owners meeting this criteria will be extremely rare. Requires a Professional Engineer (PE) to certify the information provided with the application.  This bonus credit is awarded in conjunction with the Detailed Drainage Study credit.
  
• Programs & Services [Non-Structural] Credit (4 percent) - Provide six of nine service opportunties in support of stormwater quality (i.e. storm drain stenciling).
  
• NPDES Industrial Permit Credit (2 percent) - Hold an NPDES Industrial Stormwater permit.  In this case, a copy of the permit will suffice.
  
• Education Credit (2 percent) - Educational guidelines for employees/students in educational institutions and businesses with more than 100 employees.
  
• Other Best Management Practices Credit (2 percent) - Unique approaches not specifically covered in the other credits available.

Awarded credits will carry over to future billing cycles - no future application necessary.

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