Miami, FL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Base rate
- $7.00/month per ERU
- ERU defined as
- 1,191 sq ft impervious area
- Annual increase
- $0.50 per month, each year
- Billed via
- Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Dept
- Adjustment review
- Decided within 4 months
Summary
Miami charges every developed lot a monthly stormwater utility fee: a $7.00 base rate per equivalent residential unit, rising $0.50 each year, with nonresidential parcels billed by impervious area.
(1)The rates to be charged for stormwater management for each residence or dwelling unit shall be the base rate per month in the amount of $7.00.(2)The rates to be charged for nonresidential properties, i.e., all occupancies other than provided for in subsection (1) of this section, shall be the rate established in subsection (1) (the current base rate per month) multiplied by the number of equivalent residential units. The number of equivalent residential units equals the total square footage of impervious area of the property divided by 1,191 square feet (statistically developed average for a residence in the city). Equivalent residential units will be rounded to the nearest tenth of a unit. A minimum charge based on one-half of one equivalent residential unit (0.5 ERU) will be assigned to any property calculated to be less than 0.5 ERU. The base rate per month shall increase each year by $0.50 and shall be reviewed every five years by the department of resilience and public works, providing a report to the city manager to determine if any revision of the base rate per month is appropriate.
(Ord. No. 10395, § 4, 3-10-88; Ord. No. 10616, § 1, 7-13-89; Code 1980, § 53.5-24; Ord. No. 11282, § 2, 7-13-95; Ord. No. 13792, § 1, 10-11-18; Ord. No. 14432, § 2, 1-8-26)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
The city imposes a stormwater utility fee on every developed lot and parcel to fund the stormwater management system. Residential dwellings pay a flat monthly rate based on one equivalent residential unit (ERU): defined as 1,191 square feet of impervious area, the citywide average. Nonresidential properties are billed per ERU calculated from their actual impervious footprint (rooftops, driveways, patios). The base rate started under Ord. No. 10395 and increases $0.50 per year, reviewed every five years by the Department of Resilience and Public Works. Most residents see the charge on their Miami-Dade Water and Sewer bill.
Violations & Fines
Nonpayment triggers the same penalties as unpaid waste fees under Code §§ 22-88 and 22-89, and Miami-Dade WASA applies the same discontinuance-of-service terms as county water bills, though unlike waste fees, an unpaid stormwater charge cannot become a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Miami's stormwater fee?
Can I dispute my stormwater fee?
Where does the fee money go?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle stormwater management.