Stormwater fee credits · Virginia

City of Fairfax Stormwater Utility Credits

Run by City of Fairfax Department of Public Works, Stormwater Utility

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Tree Canopy Expansion: 1 billing unit (BU) per set of 2 trees, max 3 BU (2 more BU if in a resource protection area), 2 years. Tree Canopy Preservation: 1 BU per 50 inches total trunk diameter, max 3 BU, 2 years. No Fertilizer Pledge: flat 5%, 1 year. Nutrient Management Plan: up to 10%, 3 years. TLC volunteering: 1 BU per 4 hours, max 3 BU (or 1% per 2 hours, max 15% per event), up to 3 events a year. Every property pays at least 1 BU. BU = 500 sq ft impervious cover; dollar value per BU not in brochure.
Who qualifies
Property owners in the City of Fairfax with at least 500 sq ft impervious cover.
Where
Property owners in the independent City of Fairfax with at least 500 sq ft of impervious cover.
Status
Open. Annual application, October 1 deadline.
Type of payment
Fee credit
Official program page

What you do

Plant native tree sets, preserve large trees, sign a no-fertilizer pledge, follow a nutrient management plan, or volunteer in city stewardship events to earn credit against the annual stormwater utility fee.

Requirements

  • Expansion trees: sets of 2, at least 1-inch caliper, planted at least 12 feet apart, native to Northern Virginia
  • Preserved trees: healthy, free of invasive species, at least 12 in diameter at 4.5 ft (or 38 in circumference); 50 in total diameter
  • Nutrient plan from Virginia-certified planner
  • Renewal by proof of ongoing care
  • Credits cumulative, minimum 1 BU billed

The plan or design it asks for

Nutrient management plan by a Virginia-certified planner for that credit; tree credits need documentation of planted/preserved trees.

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 Fairfax's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Review credit manual at fairfaxva.gov/stormwaterutility
  2. 2Submit application by email ([email protected]) or in person at Public Works, City Hall Suite 200, 10455 Armstrong St
  3. 3Submit by October 1 to count toward next year's fee

Timing and deadlines

Credit applied to next year's SWU fee (on real estate tax bill, due June and December)

October 1 each year

Combining it with other programs

Credits are cumulative

Sources

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

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