Stormwater fee credits · Maine

Portland Residential Stormwater Service Charge Credit

Run by City of Portland Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Reduction of 0.5 stormwater billing unit (SBU) per month for homes billed 1 SBU (400-1,799 sq ft impervious; treat at least 600 sq ft), or 1.0 SBU for homes billed 2 or more SBU (1,800+ sq ft impervious; treat at least 1,200 sq ft). 1 SBU = 1,200 sq ft of impervious area. Stormwater fee is $7.75 per billing unit per month (unchanged effective July 1, 2026), so the credit is worth about $3.88/month (0.5 SBU) or $7.75/month (1.0 SBU).
Maximum
$93 per household
Who qualifies
Owner, lessee or buyer of a property with four or fewer dwelling units (detached, duplex, triplex, quadplex) that pays the Portland stormwater service charge. Credit is specific to the owner; a new owner must reapply.
Where
Owners, lessees or buyers of Portland properties with four or fewer dwelling units that pay the stormwater charge.
Status
Open. Credit program page current on city site (accessed 2026-10-17)
Type of payment
Fee credit
Official program page

What you do

Build (or document an existing) cistern, dry well, modified French drain, permeable pavers or rain garden that holds or treats the first inch of runoff from at least 600 or 1,200 sq ft of your impervious area (roof, driveway), then apply to the city for a credit on your monthly stormwater service charge.

Requirements

  • Structural control must be one of: cistern, dry well, modified French drain, permeable pavers, rain garden (alone or combined)
  • Combined controls must hold or treat 1 inch of runoff: 50 cubic feet for 600 sq ft treated, 100 cubic feet for 1,200 sq ft treated
  • Property billed 1 SBU needs 600 sq ft treated for 0.5 SBU; billed 2+ SBU needs 1,200 sq ft treated for 1.0 SBU
  • Rain garden soil should drain more than 3.5 inches of water in 24 hours (Form 1A question); rain gardens ideally 10 ft from property line
  • Credit is not automatic; an application must be filed
  • After installing a conditionally approved control, submit Form 1B with photos showing it is installed and operational
  • City may inspect; no annual reporting for residential credits but you must keep the control working
  • Design and construction are the landowner's responsibility; manual advises consulting a professional; no adverse impact on neighbors' drainage

The plan or design it asks for

Form 1A needs a sketch over scaled aerial imagery showing property lines, building and surface impervious area, locations of controls, overflow paths, piping and pipe daylight points, and which impervious area drains to each control; dry wells, French drains and permeable pavement also need a cross-section sketch. Site photos required. For proposed controls submit before building.

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How to apply

  1. 1Read the Stormwater Credit Manual (Jan 2021, V1.2) design guidance for your control and size it
  2. 2Complete Form 1A Residential Stormwater Management Credits (existing or proposed controls) with sketches and photos
  3. 3Submit to Portland DPW Water Resources ([email protected], 207-874-8462, 212 Canco Rd Suite B, Portland ME 04103)
  4. 4For proposed controls, wait for DPW review and conditional approval, then build as approved
  5. 5Submit Form 1B with photos of the installed, operating control
  6. 6Credit is applied to your stormwater service charge once approved

Timing and deadlines

not published

none published; year-round

Combining it with other programs

Residential owners may alternatively apply under the non-residential credit program for a larger credit if all its requirements are met. Impervious area appeal (Form 5/5A) is separate.

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

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