Stormwater Rates

Due to the ongoing winter storm, City facilities, including City Hall and all Parks, Recreation and Culture facilities, will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 18. This is due to the forecasted winter storm resulting in dangerous travel conditions.

Read the news release for full details >>

The City of Lawrence updated the stormwater rate structure methodology used to calculate customers’ stormwater fees beginning in 2026.

The City adopted this modernized rate structure methodology to ensure that our measurements and stormwater charges are equitable and applied consistently for all customers. The 2026 stormwater rates were approved by the City Commission on October 21, 2025.

How are Fees Calculated?

Stormwater fees are based on the impervious area on a developed property. Impervious area refers to the portion of property that contains hard surface areas, which prevents or slows the entry of water into the soil.

These surfaces include but are not limited to:

  • Asphalt pavement
  • Concrete
  • Rooftops
  • Gravel surfaces constructed or utilized for vehicle travel/parking

Impervious area is measured for each billing parcel using geographical information system (GIS) technology and imagery.

An Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) serves as the basis for determining the Stormwater Drainage Charge for developed property. The monthly stormwater charge is calculated by multiplying the number of ERUs by the current rate. One ERU has a billing rate of $10.71 and equals 2800 square feet of impervious surface.

Billing Categories

The updated rate structure has two billing categories.

Single family residential accounts include developed property which has one, two, or three (single family, duplex, triplex) living units per parcel or service address with less than 10,000 square feet of impervious surface. For property in the single-family residential category the charge is based on the total impervious area measured on the parcel, which determines the parcel’s Tier and charge in accordance with the following table:

For all other accounts, the charge is based on the actual measured ERUs based on the square footage of all impervious area on the property. The charge equals $10.71 (ERU rate) multiplied by the square footage of all impervious area of the property, and divided by 2800 square feet (1 ERU).

Rate Calculation Example:

Single Family Residential:

  • Measured Impervious Area = 2400 square Feet
  • Monthly Charge = 0.80 * $10.71 = $8.57

Non-Single Family Residential:

  • Measured Impervious Area = 17,500 square feet
  • Billable ERUs = 17,500 square feet / 2800 square feet = 6.25 ERUs
  • Monthly Charge = (17,500 square foot * $10.71) / 2800 square foot = $66.94
    • Or = 6.25 ERUs * $10.71 = $66.94

How Do I See How My Rate Was Calculated?

Open the map below, find your billing address, and view the measured impervious area.