Stormwater fee credits · Pennsylvania
City of Lancaster Stormwater Management Fee Credit
Run by City of Lancaster Bureau of Stormwater Management
- What you get
- Up to 50% off the annual stormwater fee, in proportion to the share of impervious area treated (e.g. rain garden treating 20% of impervious area = 10% credit). Trees max 15% combined; new tree credit counts 144 sq ft of impervious area each.
- Who qualifies
- Any property owner in the City of Lancaster that pays the stormwater management fee and has a qualifying maintained facility
- Where
- Property owners in the City of Lancaster who pay the stormwater fee and maintain a qualifying facility.
- Status
- Open. (Policies and Procedures manual 2023)
- Type of payment
- Fee credit
What you do
Install and maintain green infrastructure (rain garden, cisterns, permeable pavement, downspout disconnection, trees) that manages impervious area, and apply for a credit on your annual stormwater fee
Requirements
- Facility must be maintained per City requirements
- New trees at least 1.5-inch caliper and 6 ft tall; existing trees at least 4-inch DBH and healthy
- Downspout disconnection: max 500 sq ft roof per downspout, redirected at least 5 ft from the building
- Executed right-of-entry agreement and maintenance schedule for structural facilities
- Annual self-inspection report; missed report suspends credit for 3 months
- Final approval at discretion of the Director of Public Works
The plan or design it asks for
Sketch plan showing lot area, impervious areas, the facility and area it manages, photos, and for older facilities a notarized affidavit and calculations
Native plant lists for the area: Lancaster
Make the plan in Sow
Draw the layout and build the plant list
Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check City of Lancaster's rules for exactly what to submit.
How to apply
- 1Download the SWMF Credit Application and the Policies and Procedures manual from the City stormwater page
- 2Prepare sketch plan, photos, maintenance schedule and right-of-entry agreement
- 3Submit the application to the Bureau of Stormwater Management
- 4City reviews and may inspect; approved credit is applied against future fees
- 5Submit annual self-inspection report to renew
Timing and deadlines
not published; credit applies to future bills
not published
Combining it with other programs
Eligible together with City Stormwater Residential Grant
Sources
- https://cityoflancasterpa.gov/stormwater-information/stormwater-management-fee-credit-program (official page)
- https://www.cityoflancasterpa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SWMF-Policies-and-Procedures-2023.pdf
- https://cityoflancasterpa.gov/stormwater-information/grants-incentives
Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.
Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs
More programs near the same area
- Status not postedPlan required
City of Lancaster Stormwater Residential Grant Program
City of Lancaster Stormwater Bureau (with Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay)
DIY project: up to $500 (minimum $100). Contractor project: up to $2,500 (minimum $500). Requires a 1:1 match in cash or approved in-kind (design, labor, equipment). Paid as reimbursement.
Up to $2,500 per household