Pierce County, WA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- 2026 residential rate
- $156.15 per year (PCC 11.02.050)
- 2026 duplex rate
- $201.45 per year
- Impervious surcharge
- $0.059 per sq ft above 2,640 sq ft
- Senior/disabled discount
- 40-80% off, per RCW 84.36.381 tier
- Small vacant-lot exemption
- Under 0.2 acre (8,712 sq ft)
- Administered by
- Dept. of Planning and Public Works
- Nonpayment consequence
- Property lien and foreclosure (11.02.080)
Summary
Pierce County funds its stormwater system through a Storm Drainage and Surface Water Management Utility under PCC 11.02.020, billing an annual service charge to nearly every unincorporated parcel. The Department of Planning and Public Works administers the program, which charges $156.15 a year in 2026 for a standard residential parcel and scales up with impervious surface area.
There is hereby created a Storm Drainage and Surface Water Management Utility and corresponding Surface Water Management Fund for Pierce County. Said Storm Drainage and Surface Water Management Utility shall be administered by the Pierce County Executive as a division of the Department of Planning and Public Works. The County elects to exercise all lawful powers necessary and appropriate for the construction, acquisition, and condemnation of property rights, maintenance, management, operations and regulations of (1) storm drainage and surface water runoff systems and (2) waters subject to flood conditions from rivers, streams, tidal or other bodies of water including, without limitation, all lawful powers to fix, alter, regulate, and control the charges and conditions for the use thereof.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-515, and legislation passed through May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
12 RCW, invoked to protect water quality, aquifers, and county roads. 020 creates the Storm Drainage and Surface Water Management Utility and its Fund, administered by the Pierce County Executive through the Department of Planning and Public Works, with authority to construct, maintain, and set charges for drainage and flood-control facilities, plus a requirement to post signs at major project sites naming the drainage basin and project scope. 34 RCW, federal land already covered by an NPDES municipal stormwater permit, and tribal trust land. 381 get a 40, 60, or 80 percent reduction in their surface water charge depending on which subsection of that statute they qualify under. 5-7 percent annually through 2030. 33 minimum. 120.
Violations & Fines
Parcels that fall behind on their annual surface water charge face a lien against the property under PCC 11.02.080, with foreclosure available as a collection remedy for delinquent accounts. Owners who dispute their charge, an exemption denial, or a low-income reduction can request an administrative refund or adjustment under PCC 11.02.100, or pursue a formal appeal under PCC 11.02.120.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pierce County's stormwater utility and who runs it?
How much is the annual stormwater charge for a house?
Is any property exempt from the Pierce County stormwater fee?
Do seniors get a discount on the stormwater bill?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pierce County
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