Pasco County, FL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential rate
- Flat 1.0 ERU per home
- Nonresidential minimum
- 1.0 ERU by impervious area
- Agricultural cap
- 1.2 ERUs maximum
- Exempt
- Undeveloped property under 400 sq ft impervious
- Billing method
- Non-ad valorem property tax assessment
- Delinquency
- Lien attaches 30 days after due date
- Adjustment deadline
- 60 days after tax roll opens
Summary
Pasco County bills a Stormwater Utility Fee to every developed parcel in the unincorporated area to fund its stormwater management system. Single-family homes pay a flat one-ERU rate no matter their lot size; nonresidential and farm parcels pay by measured impervious area. Undeveloped land is exempt, and the fee rides on the annual property tax bill.
The board hereby imposes utility fees on all nonexempt property within the service area. Property classification. For purposes of determining the utility fee, all property within the service area shall be classified, into one of the following classes: Residential developed property (DOR codes 00, 01, 02, and 04); Nonresidential developed property (DOR codes 03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 to 49, and 70 to 99); Bona fide agricultural developed property (DOR codes 50 to 69); or, Undeveloped property. Computation of utility fee for residential developed property. The utility fee for residential developed property shall be based on the median amount of impervious surface on a single-family lot in the county, which is known as an "equivalent residential unit" or "ERU". ... The ERU rate for residential developed property shall be a flat rate of one ERU for all residential developed properties in the unincorporated area of Pasco County.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94 Update 1 | Land Development Code: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 3632 to build, operate and finance the county's stormwater management system from dedicated utility fees rather than general tax revenue. Sec. 110-363 defines an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) as the median impervious area of a residential dwelling in the county, and Sec. 0 ERU, regardless of how much driveway, patio or roof area the lot carries. 2 ERUs. Sec. 110-368 exempts undeveloped property (under 400 square feet of impervious area), excludes railroads, public roads and airport runways from the impervious-area count, and lets an owner apply for a credit by building and maintaining an on-site stormwater facility under the county's Stormwater Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual, adopted by board resolution.
Sec. 3632, collected with the same discounts, installment options and enforcement as other non-ad valorem assessments. Nonresidential owners who dispute their ERU count can file a written adjustment request with the county administrator within 60 days after the tax roll opens, per Sec. 110-371; residential owners cannot, because their rate is flat by design and not tied to a parcel's actual impervious area.
Violations & Fines
An unpaid stormwater fee becomes delinquent 30 days after its installment due date and, under Sec. 110-373, attaches as a lien against the property equal in rank and dignity to county ad valorem tax liens, collectible through the same tax-certificate and tax-deed process used for delinquent property taxes under F.S. ch. 197. For delinquent government-owned parcels, Sec. 110-370 lets the county pursue a mandamus action to compel payment and recover attorneys' fees and costs from the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every property in unincorporated Pasco County pay the stormwater fee?
How much is the stormwater fee for a house in Wesley Chapel or Land O' Lakes?
Can I get a credit for a drainage pond I built myself?
What happens if the stormwater fee goes unpaid?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasco County
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