Norfolk, VA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Rain barrel/cistern credit
- 10% fee reduction
- Minimum drainage area
- 300 square feet
- Maximum total waiver
- 60% of pre-installation fee
- Annual inspection deadline
- due by June 1
- Base residential rate
- $0.452/day plus $1/month (2023)
- Administered by
- Department of Public Works
Summary
Norfolk cuts a residential property owner's stormwater management fee by 10 percent for installing and maintaining rain barrels or cisterns that drain at least 300 square feet of roof area. It's one of ten onsite runoff-reduction credits the city offers, capped at a 60 percent total fee reduction.
(2)Partial waivers: Partial waivers will be granted when a property owner installs, operates, and maintains a stormwater management facility that achieves a permanent reduction in stormwater flow or pollutant loadings. Partial waivers shall be based on the percentage reduction in stormwater flow and pollutant loadings from pre-installation to post-installation of the facility. The maximum reduction shall be no more than (60%) of the pre-installation fee. No person shall qualify for a waiver unless a stormwater permit from the Department of Environmental Quality has been obtained if such permit is required by statute or regulation.(3)Residential partial waivers: Residential partial waivers will be granted for the following storm water management facilities of the required dimensions:a.Rain barrels and cisterns, 10% credit (minimum drainage area 300 square feet);
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 166).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 1-23(f)(2), the director of public works grants partial waivers of the stormwater management fee to property owners who install, operate and maintain a stormwater facility that permanently reduces runoff or pollutant loading, with the reduction capped at 60 percent of the pre-installation fee. Sec. minimums); and a green roof or living shoreline earns 50 percent. Any waiver also requires a Department of Environmental Quality stormwater permit if one is otherwise required by law. Owners receiving a partial waiver must complete and document an annual inspection, including a photo and written summary of any deficiencies and corrective action, submitted no later than June 1 each year under Sec.
1-23(f)(6)b; missing that deadline voids the reduced rate starting July 1 of that year. The city administers waivers under its adopted Stormwater Fee Reduction Manual per Sec. 1-23(f)(7). 00 per month per account, effective July 1, 2023, rising 4 percent annually.
Violations & Fines
The stormwater fee credit itself is administrative, not punitive, but a property owner who fails to submit the required annual inspection documentation by June 1 automatically loses the rate reduction effective July 1 of that year under Sec. 41.1-23(f)(6)b. Separately, Sec. 41.1-2 makes any violation of Chapter 41.1's stormwater requirements a class 1 misdemeanor, with each day of violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can rain barrels save on my Norfolk stormwater bill?
What size drainage area qualifies a rain barrel for the credit?
What happens if I skip the annual inspection for my rain barrel credit?
Does Norfolk require a state permit before I get the credit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Norfolk
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