Billing Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I get a bill?
Whether or not you receive a bill - and what is charged on that bill - depends on the type of property you own and what is on that property. The average homeowner will receive a bill for both the solid waste and stormwater fees.
The solid waste fee is being charged to occupied residential premises:
- Single-family detached homes
- Townhomes
- Duplexes, Triplexes, Quadplexes
- Mobile Homes (less than four on one parcel)
The stormwater fee is being charged to developed residential and non-residential properties (except those that qualify for an exemption).
The bills are related to a property and its owner - renters or leasees are not required to pay the fees, unless such a provision is included in the rental or lease contracts.
Return to Top of Page
How did you determine what I owe?
First, we used information from the Property Appraiser to figure out your property type:
- Single-family detached house*
- Duplex*
- Triplex*
- Quadplex*
- Townhouse*
- Condominium
- Apartments ("multi-family")
- Mobile Home*
- Mobile Home Park
- Non-residential (commercial, industrial, etc.)
- Multi-use (many types of development on one property)
The solid waste fee is a flat rate being billed to certain residential properties that did not previously pay for service, indicated in the list above by an asterisk *.
The stormwater fee is calculated based on the amount of impervious area on a property and the property type.
The average homeowner will receive a bill for $60: $30 for nine months of solid waste fees and $30 for six months of stormwater fees.
See: How the Stormwater Fee is Determined
See: Solid Waste Fee Calculation by Property Type (PDF 16K)
See: Stormwater Fee Calculation by Property Type (PDF 19K)
Note: Viewing PDF files requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for free from Adobe.
Return to Top of Page
How do I pay my bill?
You may pay by check by mail using the return envelope included with your bill. Checks should be made payable to: Mike Hogan, Tax Collector. Or, pay at any of the Tax Collector's branch offices.
Partial payments will not be accepted. If you feel you qualify for a fee adjustment, exemption or credit, you can receive an extension of your entire bill's due date if the city receives your application before July 1.
If you do not pay your bill or submit an application before July 1, you will be subject to late payment penalties.
We cannot accept credit card payments or online payments for these fees.
Return to Top of Page
What if there's an error on my bill?
You may call 630-CITY (2489) to speak with a customer service representative about the error. Typically, the error will involve either the property type designation or, in the case of the stormwater fee, the amount of impervious area.
Click here to access applications for stormwater adjustments.
Click here to access applications for solid waste adjustments.
The city must receive your application(s) for fee adjustment before July 1 to avoid late payment penalties.
Return to Top of Page
What happens if I don't pay the fee(s)?
Late fees of 1 percent per month will start to accrue on each unpaid fee beginning July 1. Remember, we cannot accept partial payments - if you are charged both the stormwater fee and the solid waste fee, you will have to pay both at once by the due date.
If you submit an application for a fee adjustment, exemption or credit before July 1, your total bill will not be due until your application is approved or denied.
If you submit your application on or after July 1, you'll still be assessed the late fees until your total bill is paid in full, regardless of whether your application is ultimately approved or denied. If your application is eventually approved, the adjustment/exemption/credit will be applied to the 2009 bill.
Continued failure to pay the fee(s) may result a lien (or liens) being placed on your property. While the lien(s) cannot result in foreclosure, they will continue to accrue interest, and will have to be paid in full prior to the transfer of title/ownership.
Return to Top of Page
Is there any way to get my fee(s) discounted or reduced?
Possibly. There are different scenarios for each fee.
SOLID WASTE: You may be exempted from the solid waste fee if you can prove you already pay for service from a private provider.
The solid waste fee may be adjusted to account for periods of time when the premises is vacant, or if you are charged under an incorrect property type. "Vacancy" will be determined by checking electric service records.
There are no solid waste fee discounts based on age or income.
STORMWATER: There are a few ways to have your stormwater fee changed:
- Adjustments based on incorrect fee charges/calculations
- Exemptions based on income level or IRS tax status
- Credits for providing facilities or services that support or enhance the city's stormwater system
Return to Top of Page
What happens if I am charged both fees but successfully apply to be exempt from one? Will I still have to pay the other?
Yes, unless you successfully apply for an exemption from the other fee you owe.
For example, if you own a single-family home and qualify under the Low-Income Program to be exempt from paying the stormwater fee, you will still be required to pay the solid waste fee.
It will be a rare occurrence that a property owner would qualify to be exempt from both the stormwater fee AND the solid waste fee.
Return to Top of Page
I received a bill but I don't own the property (anymore). What do I do?
The city fee bills were mailed to the addresses available in the Property Appraiser's database as of December 31, 2007. A property owner may request to change his or her mailing address by contacting the Property Appraiser's office. Changes in mailing addresses must be requested directly to the Property Appraiser.
If you are a renter, we suggest you contact the owner of your property to alert him or her to the bill. Renters are not required to pay the fees, unless such a provision exists in the lease or rental contracts.
If you are the previous owner and would like to have a new (duplicate) bill sent to the attention of the current owner of the property, please submit the Residential Adjustment application and note in the "Other" section that you no longer own the property. Please include some sort of documentation that shows the transfer of ownership, such as a deed of sale.
Return to Top of Page
I'm in the process of selling my property. Do I have to pay the whole bill?
Whoever actually owns the property on the bill date is responsible for the entire bill. We suggest that the seller negotiate payment with the buyer as part of the closing. The city will not prorate the fee between owners.
Return to Top of Page
I'm in the process of foreclosure/bankruptcy. What do I do?
Whoever actually owns the property on the bill date is responsible for the entire bill. We suggest that property owners consult with their mortgage holder/bankruptcy attorney for guidance pertaining to payment of the fees.
Return to Top of Page
Why did you bill me for having multiple buildings on my property when I only have one?
We based our data on information obtained from the Property Appraiser's office. Research your property using the Property Appraiser's property search site or call 630-2020 for information.
Return to Top of Page
My property address is in Jacksonville Beach/Neptune Beach/Atlantic Beach/Baldwin. Why did I get a bill?
We did not rely solely on a property address to determine who receives a bill, as we discovered some properties that are physically located within the city limits have addresses other than Jacksonville.
We used a combination of aerial mapping, Property Appraiser data, and the taxing district assigned to a property to determine which properties are subject to the Jacksonville city fees.
Return to Top of Page