Sanford, FL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Sanford established its stormwater management utility under Sec. 102-565 in accordance with F.S. § 403.0893 and F.S. ch. 166, giving the utility equal status with the city's other utility services and responsibility for acquiring, constructing and maintaining open drainageways, underground storm drains and related stormwater control infrastructure. The utility's stated purposes are minimizing the system's contribution to flooding and its adverse effects on the water quality of streams and lakes, and coordinating with the state, county and other governments on runoff, water quality and groundwater.

Sec. 102-568 authorizes the city commission to impose a stormwater management utility fee by separate resolution on all owners or occupants of every lot and parcel in the city, with parcels classified as residential, nonresidential, undeveloped-and-platted, or undeveloped for billing purposes; undeveloped property is not charged. Fees are calculated using an equivalent residential unit (ERU) formula tied to a parcel's impervious area, and property owners can apply for a credit against the fee if their property is served by a qualifying on-site stormwater retention facility, though the credit cannot cut the fee by more than 50 percent.

Billing runs at least annually, and Sec. 102-571 makes any unpaid stormwater fee delinquent 30 days after the bill is due; the city may then cut off water and sewer service to the property. Charges unpaid for 60 days become a lien on the property under Sec. 102-571(d), enforceable the same way as a mortgage foreclosure, with the city entitled to recover its actual attorneys' fees and collection costs. Fee disputes go first to the city manager and, on appeal, to the city commission for a final decision under Sec. 102-572.