Coral Gables, FL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Fee authority
- Imposed on all property within the city (Sec. 78-232)
- Undeveloped parcels
- Exempt from the utility fee (Sec. 78-233(e))
- Nonresidential minimum
- One ERU rate for any nonresidential developed property
- Late charge
- Ten percent after the past due date
- Interest
- Six percent per annum, one-half percent per month
- Lien trigger
- 60 days after the past due date
- Lien priority and term
- Equal to ad valorem tax liens; seven years
Summary
Coral Gables imposes a stormwater utility fee on all property in the city, with undeveloped parcels exempt. Developed properties are billed by class, and fees still unpaid 60 days after the past due date become a special assessment lien that ranks equal to city ad valorem tax liens for seven years.
The commission hereby authorizes the imposition of utility fees on all property within the city. (Co [...] mputation of utility fee for undeveloped parcel. Undeveloped parcels shall be exempted from the utility fee. [...] All fees, late charges, and said interest accruing thereupon, due and owing to the utility which remain unpaid 60 days after the past due date of the fees shall become a lien against and upon the developed property for which the fees are due and owing to the same extent and character as a lien for a special assessment. Until fully paid and discharged, said fees, late charges and interest accruing thereupon shall be, remain, and constitute a special assessment lien equal in rank and dignity with the liens of city ad valorem taxes and superior in rank and dignity to all other liens, encumbrances, titles, and claims in, to or against the developed property involved for the period of seven years from the date said fees, late charges, and interest accrued thereupon, become a lien as set forth in this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Fee Schedule: Supplement 2 | Zoning Code: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 78-232 authorizes the city commission to impose utility fees on all property within Coral Gables. The stormwater management utility is an enterprise fund. The director of public works is its chief staff member under Sec. 78-229, and the department of public works administers it under Sec. 78-237.
Section 78-233 sorts every parcel into one of four classes: residential developed, nonresidential developed, mixed use developed and undeveloped. Residential property pays the ERU rate multiplied by the number of dwelling units on the property. Nonresidential property pays the ERU rate multiplied by its total impervious area divided by one ERU, and the minimum fee for any nonresidential property is one ERU rate. Mixed use property adds the ERUs for its dwelling units to the ERUs for its nonresidential portion, split by square footage when there is more than one nonresidential account. Under subsection (e), undeveloped parcels are exempt. The code defines an undeveloped parcel as land not altered from its natural state by dredging, filling, or removal of trees and vegetation. The dollar amount of the ERU rate is set in section 1-8, not in Chapter 78.
Section 78-234 governs billing and collection. The owner, tenant or occupant of each parcel pays, as determined by the director. The city can bill through the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department or bill in-house. A ten percent late charge can be added to a bill not paid by its past due date, and any unpaid balance carries interest at six percent per annum (one-half percent per month) from the due date.
Subsection (d) is the enforcement backbone. Fees, late charges and interest unpaid 60 days after the past due date become a lien on the developed property, equal in rank to city ad valorem tax liens and superior to all other liens, encumbrances, titles and claims for seven years. The city collects the lien the way it collects ad valorem taxes and can enforce it under F.S. ch. 173. Subsection (e) requires a notice of lien to be filed with the clerk of the circuit court, and the lien is not enforceable unless that notice is filed within six months of the date the lien attaches. Subsection (g) lets the city skip filing a notice for amounts under $100.00, but those amounts remain debts under subsection (b).
Violations & Fines
Sections 78-232 through 78-234 set no fine or criminal penalty; nonpayment is a civil collection matter. A ten percent late charge can be added after the past due date, and six percent annual interest runs from the due date. At 60 days past due the balance becomes a special assessment lien on the developed property. Under Sec. 78-234(b), the city or its assignee can also sue for the debt in any court of competent jurisdiction, or enforce the lien under F.S. ch. 173.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a vacant lot in Coral Gables pay the stormwater utility fee?
How is the fee calculated for a commercial building?
What happens if I do not pay the bill on time?
Can I dispute my stormwater fee?
Can I get proof that no stormwater fees are owed before a sale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coral Gables
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