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.
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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
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I See How My Rate Was Calculated?
Open the map below, find your billing address, and view the measured impervious area.
What Do Stormwater Rates Fund?
Stormwater rates help fund the City’s stormwater system, an essential network that reduces flooding impacts during rain events and protects the community, including the levee system. This includes over 8000 stormwater structures, more than 100 miles of open channels, 4 pump stations, 190 miles of stormwater pipe, 19 miles of levee, and other infrastructure that must be operated, maintained, inspected, and repaired year-round.
Stormwater fees are charged to all parcels in the City and are calculated based on Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs). The revenue supports day-to-day operation and maintenance, regulatory compliance, and system improvements and expansion to keep pace with community needs. Many planned maintenance and expansion projects are identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
In 1993, a Stormwater Task Force was formed to find solutions to decades of flooding problems in Lawrence. After several years of planning, the City Commission established this fee to provide funding for maintenance and improvements to the storm sewer system.
All parcels of land in Lawrence are subject to this fee, including City and other tax-exempt properties. If you are the only customer associated with a property, then you should be charged a fee. If there are multiple customers associated with a property, then you may or may not be charged a fee, depending on the billing established for the property.
The City does not regulate grading on single-family residential properties unless the area is in a drainage easement. If a neighbor has created a dam that impacts your property, you should ask the property owner to correct the situation.If a neighbor has directed drainage onto your property, you should ask the property owner to correct the situation. However, it’s important to recognize the prevailing drainage patterns. If you are directly downhill, then your neighbor may not have many options. The best solution may involve working together to direct drainage in a way that minimizes adverse impacts.If the property owner refuses to correct a situation causing drainage damage on your property, your next course of action could be a civil suit. If you have damages, the property owner may be held responsible.Often these situations require cooperation among several property owners. Difficult drainage problems may even require professional help.
First, determine where the water is entering the building. If it’s coming up through a floor drain, you’re probably experiencing flooding of the sanitary sewer, and you should contact the Municipal Services & Operations Department at (785) 832-7800. Sanitary sewers are often overloaded during storms. The Municipal Services & Operations Department may be able to check the sewers for obstructions.
If water is flooding from a working sump pump, you probably have problems with the grading around your house. All areas of your yard should slope away from the building. The sump pump discharge line should be as short as possible but should discharge well away from the building. If these precautions are taken and you still have a problem, you are probably experiencing groundwater flow. A second sump pump and backup power may be necessary to keep up with the water.
If the water is entering the basement through windows or doors, you have a true stormwater flooding problem. If the runoff comes from your yard only, you need to correct the grading of your yard to direct water away. If the runoff enters your property from other properties or the street, there’s a good chance your location is already identified for future improvements.
Drainage easements are usually platted with subdivisions, however, they may also be granted individually. All plats and easements must be recorded with the Douglas County Register of Deeds. The City also keeps digital records of drainage easements.
City Code specifically prohibits any obstruction in a drainage easement. Obstructions include man-made barriers such as fences, sheds, firewood and debris, and natural barriers such as trees and brush. If the City determines that a barrier is in fact an obstruction, a violation notice will be issued with instructions to remove the barrier.Drainage easements are platted to provide a path for stormwater runoff, either on the ground or in a buried system. Property owners are responsible for maintenance on their property to keep drainage easements clear. No grading or construction of any kind may occur in a drainage easement without specific approval from the City.
Fences do not require a permit from the City, so chances are that the City has not reviewed the location and it is not ok. As the property owner, you will bear the cost of fence removal once a violation notice is issued. There are a few rare cases where the City has determined that a barrier in a drainage easement is not an obstruction. The City should have previously issued a letter to document the location.
For swimming pools, the best practice for draining them is to neutralize the chlorine in the pool. Then, the water is safe to be drained into your yard.
Check out KDHE’s guidance on draining swimming pools: Disposal of Swimming Pool Water (PDF)
Repair requests can be made by contacting Municipal Services & Operations Customer Service at 785-832-7800 to request a field inspection. If the structure is a public storm drain, it will be added to the repair list.
This is possibly a sinkhole that formed over the top of a buried storm sewer pipe. Requests can be made by contacting Municipal Services & Operations Customer Service at 785-832-7800.
Requests can be made by contacting Municipal Services & Operations Customer Service at 785-832-7800.
You have two choices. You can either pay the City to install the additional culvert or you can obtain plan approval from the City and pay a private contractor to do the work. Culverts installed without City approval will not be maintained and may be removed by the City. Contact Municipal Services & Operations at 785-832-7800 to request a field inspection and more information.
