A proposed tweak to Arlington’s two-year-old stormwater-fee program could help members of homeowners’ associations save a little money.
County Board members are considering a possible change to the county’s stormwater-credit fee in areas where homeowners’ groups have made specific stormwater improvements. The change, which Board members voted to advertise for an October public hearing, would allow for financial rebates of up to 35%.
There are 181 homeowners’ associations in the county, totaling about 3,800 properties, county officials said. The rebates to those organizations would be based on common areas, and might ultimately be reflected in lower rates for HOA members.
The current rebate program “exists for single-family homes but was not available to homeowners’ associations,” County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said. The change, he said, “would align with the original intent” of the credit program.
Despite some homeowners’ associations having significant landholdings, “until now they couldn’t easily qualify for this credit,” Karantonis said.
“If the policy change and tweak is approved, they will be able to do that,” he said.
In 2024, Arlington changed from a tax-based charge for stormwater services to a fee based on the impermeable surface of a lot. Amendments to the original policy came a year later.
The credit system was designed to incentivize actions to reduce runoff.
During the second year of the program, homeowners received $185,000 in credits, or about 1% of utility fees paid. Though an increase from the first year, it remains below the target of 2% set by county leaders.
Any Board action would be preceded by a public hearing set for the Oct. 18 meeting.
Credits earned for actions taken in a given fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) are reflected on stormwater-fee bills received by property owners the following fiscal year.
