Frequently Asked Questions

The Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration is located in Anne Arundel County's Department of Public Works. The Bureau develops and delivers technical environmental assessment, planning, and implementation information and regulatory support to the Department of Public Works, Inspections and Permits; and Planning and Zoning.

This support enables these agencies to carry out their responsibilities for successfully managing delegated programs outlined in the County's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES-MS4) Permit, the State's Critical Area program, and the State Forest Conservation Act, as well as their responsibilities for land use decisions set fourth in the County Code.

The Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration is composed of three functional programs:

 

• Ecological Assessment and Evaluation
• Watershed Assessment and Planning
• Restoration

Stormwater is the rain or snowmelt that flows off a roof, driveway, parking lot, paved walkway or any other hard surface on a property. All stormwater runoff ends up in nearby streams, rivers and eventually the Chesapeake Bay without prior treatment. Since stormwater comes into contact with litter, gasoline, oils, brake pad dust from our cars, pesticides, waste from our pets and many other toxins along its journey, stormwater is a significant source of pollution to our waterways. In fact, all of Anne Arundel County's waterways are considered "impaired" because of excessive levels of major contaminants, which are largely a result of untreated stormwater runoff. Stopping polluted runoff will help to make our rivers safer for swimming and recreation.

In 2012, the State Legislature passed a law mandating that Maryland's 10 largest jurisdictions assess property owners a stormwater remediation fee to provide a dedicated source of revenue for the operating, maintenance and capital improvement expense of stormwater management programs regulated and required by the State and Federal governments. In response, the Anne Arundel County Council passed legislation in 2013 to create a Watershed Protection and Restoration Special Revenue Fund and Program and established a stormwater remediation fee. During the 2015 Maryland General Assembly, legislation was passed, and subsequently signed by the Governor, which eliminated the requirement for the 10 largest MS4 jurisdictions to collect a dedicated fee to fund local stormwater restoration projects. However, the legislation enhanced the requirement that local governments demonstrate they have the financial capacity to carry out the required restoration work. 

The Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee (WPRF) is a local government fee established in response to federal stormwater management requirements. The federal requirements are designed to prevent local sources of pollution from reaching local waterways. The WPRF is assessed to Anne Arundel County property owners based on the amount of impervious surface on their property to provide funds to support the pollutant-reducing waterway capital improvements required by the state and federal governments. The WPRF is identified as a separate line item on your real property tax bill. 

The County, by law, must use revenue generated by the WPRF to:

• Provide sufficient funding for projects needed to meet the required Chesapeake Bay pollutant-reducing goals of the EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program.
• Provide sufficient funding to meet the stormwater management infrastructure obligations regulated by the NPDES MS4 permit. 

• Mapping/assessment of impervious surfaces.
• Monitoring, inspection and enforcement efforts to carry out the program.
• Review of stormwater management plan/permit applications for new development, provided existing charges/fees collected are deposited into the fund.

You can access information regarding watershed studies, stream assessment surveys, as well as sub-watershed and stream priorities for restoration and preservation by visiting our mapping application here.

You can submit potential restoration projects to the Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration staff via email or use the general DPW Contact Form.

The Department of Public Works utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology along with parcel data collected from the Consolidated Property File and County Zoning Maps to estimate the imperviousness of residential properties in the various zoning districts. This information is used to determine a baseline Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of impervious surface of 2,940 sq. ft. An ERU is the base unit for calculating the annual charge for residential and non-residential properties. Currently the charge is $89.25 per ERU, per year.
 

The Watershed Protection & Restoration Fee is a line item on your annual property tax bill.

The WPRF applies to all properties that contain impervious surfaces, whether or not there are any structures on the property. The only exception to this rule is those properties that are specifically exempt from receiving a fee under County Code. Unless you have submitted an appeal, bills not paid on time may result in late fees or other charges. Unpaid bills may result in a lien against an owner's property. Depending on certain conditions, properties with attached liens are subject to the County's tax sale.

The residential property base rate is $89.25 for each Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). An ERU equals 2,940 sq. ft. of impervious surface. Three separate billing tiers represent properties in residential zones with estimated imperviousness that have less, equal or a greater amount of impervious surface than the base ERU of 2,940 square feet (see box below).

Annual Residential WPRF Rates
Tier	Zoning	Fee
1	RA, RLD	$178.50
2	R1, R2, R5	$89.25
3	R10, R15, R22	$35.70

Non-residential stormwater fee charges are based on a property owner's actual measured impervious surface area for individual parcels of land. The property owner is billed the base rate of $89.25 for each Equivalent Residential Unit or ERU (2,940 square feet) of impervious surface area.

For example: 

Impervious Surface Area of Non-residential Property: 29,400 sq. ft. 
Total ERU's: 29,400/2940 = 10 ERU's 
WPRF Calculation: 10 ERU's x $89.25 base rate = $892.50   Note: Generally, non-residential stormwater fees are capped at 25% of their nominal State and County real property tax assessment prior to tax credits, deferrals or exemptions.

An impervious surface is defined as a surface that does not allow stormwater to inflitrate. This includes but is not limited to rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, or pavement. Environment Article, § 4-201.1(d), Code of Maryland Regulations.

There are existing County programs that are designed to allow property owners to request monetary credits for stormwater management improvements which have been implemented on their properties. More information can be found at the WPRF Credit Program website here.

An online mapping website has been created to identify the amount of impervious surface used for the Watershed Protection & Restoration Fee. Click here to access the website.

Property owners may view their zoning districts on the digital map “Anne Arundel County Digital Zoning Layer” prepared by the Office of Planning and Zoning and adopted by the County Council. 

For more information regarding the zoning process, visit the Office of Planning and Zoning webpage. 

For a property located in a commercial, industrial, maritime, mixed use, Odenton Growth Management Area, open space, town center, or small business zoning district as shown on the Anne Arundel County Digital Zoning layer adopted in accordance with § 18-2-106 that is improved solely by an attached dwelling or a detached single family dwelling, including accessory structures, which is used solely as the primary residence of the property owner, the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee shall be the lesser of the fee for residential property, Tier 2 or the fee based on impervious surface. Property owners that feel their bill was assessed or calculated incorrectly may appeal their bill to the Department of Public Works. More information can be found at the WPRF Appeal Program website here.

A list of property tax charge codes and the fee calculations can be found by clicking here. You can find your charge code on your tax bill or by using the mapping application here.

Yes. Property owners that feel their bill was assessed or calculated incorrectly may appeal their bill to the Department of Public Works. Administrative appeals will be based on the following criteria:

• Incorrect Zoning Classification of Real Property
• Errors in Impervious Area Calculation for Non-Residential Property
• Mathematical Errors in Calculation 
• Real Property is Not Subject to the Charge
• Property Owner is Exempt From the Charge
• Errors in the Identification of the Property Owner
• Residential property in a non-residential zone

The deadline to appeal your WPRF assessment is September 30 for each taxable year. Visit the Formal Appeals Program Forms and Information Page for more information

If you are not the current owner of the property, you are not obligated to pay the WPRF.

The WPRF assessments were sent from a list of property owners provided to Anne Arundel County by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The error in ownership originates in their records. 

Please submit Form 13-5 "Exempt or Incorrect Property Owner" to indicate that you are not the current property owner. In addition, you will need to personally contact SDAT (see below) to request the property information be updated. Once verified, you will not receive bills in the future.

Maryland SDAT
Anne Arundel County 
410-974-5709 
[email protected] 

The Anne Arundel County Office of Finance offers a program to reduce or waive the WPRF (and also the Bay Restoration Fund) for property owners who meet certain financial hardship provisions. See Form 13-6 "Financial Hardship" for more information.

DPW has become aware of multiple instances around the County where neighboring property owners have encroached into Open Space or Recreational Areas owned by Homeowners Associations. These typically involve sheds or portions of driveways which extend beyond the private property lines into the community owned property. In calculating the WPRF, these impervious surfaces appear to be part of the community association property and as a result, get billed to the community association. 

If you feel that the bill for your community association or HOA shows more impervious area than it should please file an appeal on Form 13-4 "Mathematical Error or Incorrect Impervious Calculation." When filling out the form, please check the box next to "Mathematical Error" and provide a brief explanation of the problem. 

Formal Appeals Program Forms and Information Page

Farms, as defined in the legislation, are entitled to a reduced rate for their WPRF. If you feel your property qualifies as a farm and you have not been charged the proper fee, use Form 13-2 “Incorrect Classification of Property” to file an appeal. Requirements for providing information to support your claim are described on the appeal form.

The WPRF legislation establishes a reduced fee rate for properties owned by Charitable Organizations that are exempt from taxation under § 501 (c) (3) or (d) of the IRS code. If your property meets these criteria and you have not been charged the proper fee, use Form 13-2 “Incorrect Classification of Property” to file an appeal. Requirements for providing information to support your claim are described on the appeal form. 

Properties owned by Homeowners Associations, Council of Condominium Owners and similar organizations are charged a WPRF based on their impervious surfaces just like any other non-residential property. However, the total amount charged to any one such organization is capped at an amount equal to $35.70 times the number of properties that are eligible for membership in the organization. For example, the fee for community property owned by a small HOA with 20 homes could not exceed 20 x $35.70 = $714. If you represent an HOA or other community organization and you feel that your WPRF exceeds the maximum amount based on your eligible membership, please use Form 13-3 “Homeowners Association Property”.

The WPRF legislation establishes a reduced fee rate for properties with stormwater controls on their property that are regulated under a current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit with Stormwater requirements. Typically properties covered under either “GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES FROM STORMWATER ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES -DISCHARGE PERMIT NO. 12-SW” or “GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES FROM MARINAS INCLUDING BOAT YARDS AND YACHT BASINS - DISCHARGE PERMIT NO. 10-MA” would meet these criteria. If you feel that your property meets these criteria and you have not been charged the proper fee, use Form 13-2 “Incorrect Classification of Property” to file an appeal. Requirements for providing information to support your claim are described on the appeal form. 

The WPRF legislation establishes a reduced fee rate for properties that are operated as private airfields or airports. If your property meets these criteria and you have not been charged the proper fee, use Form 13-2 “Incorrect Classification of Property” to file an appeal. Qualifying criteria to be considered an airport or airfield are described on the appeal form.

The WPRF legislation establishes a reduced fee rate for properties owned by Religious Organizations. In order to qualify, the organization must be certified under § 501 (c) (3) or (d) of the IRS code and be exempt from real property taxes under § 7-204 of the Tax Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. If you feel your property meets these criteria and you have not been charged the proper fee, use Form 13-2 “Incorrect Classification of Property” to file an appeal. Requirements for providing information to support your claim are described on the appeal form.

The WPRF legislation establishes a reduced fee rate for properties owned by private academic schools. For the purposes of the WPRF, private academic schools are defined as private institutions that offer an academic course of instruction and that are operated by a religious organization or under a certificate of approval by the State Department of Education. If you feel that your property meets these criteria and you have not been charged the proper fee, use Form 13-2 “Incorrect Classification of Property” to file an appeal. Requirements for providing information to support your claim are described on the appeal form. 

The WPRF applies to all properties that contain impervious surfaces, whether or not there are any structures on the property. The only exception to this rule is those properties that are specifically exempt from receiving a fee under County Code. If a tax parcel contains no structures but is improved with a driveway or path or other impervious areas, it is appropriate that it is assessed a stormwater fee. If you feel your property does not contain any impervious surfaces but was charged a stormwater fee, please use Form 13-5 “Exempt or Incorrect Property Owner”.

The WPRF legislation establishes a fixed rate currently $89.25 for properties that are private roads or Rights of Way. In order to qualify for this rate, the primary use of the tax parcel must be for a road, driveway or right-of-way, and not HOA owned. If your property meets these criteria and you have not been charged the proper fee, use Form 13-2 “Incorrect Classification of Property” to file an appeal. Requirements for providing information to support your claim are described on the appeal form.

The WPRF legislation exempts property owned by a veterans’ organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(4) or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code from paying a WPRF. If your property meets these criteria and you have been charged a fee, use Form 13-5 “Exempt or Incorrect Property Owner” to file an appeal.

The WPRF legislation exempts property owned by a regularly organized volunteer fire department, that is used for public purposes, from paying a WPRF. If your property meets these criteria and you have been charged a fee, use Form 13-5 “Exempt or Incorrect Property Owner”

Yes. Property owners that feel their bill was assessed or calculated incorrectly may appeal their bill to the Department of Public Works. Administrative appeals will be based on the following criteria:

• Incorrect Zoning Classification of Real Property
• Errors in Impervious Area Calculation for Non-Residential Property
• Mathematical Errors in Calculation 
• Real Property is Not Subject to the Charge
• Property Owner is Exempt From the Charge
• Errors in the Identification of the Property Owner
• Residential property in a non-residential zone

Yes. The County Code stipulates the deadline to file an appeal is September 30.

If you file an appeal, you are not required to pay the WPRF for the tax year the appeal was submitted until a decision is rendered. If your appeal is upheld, you will receive a new bill for the WPRF. If your appeal is denied, you will be required to pay the originally billed fee.

The Director of Public Works is required to rule within 45 days of receipt of your appeal. You will be notified of the results of your appeal in a letter from DPW. If your appeal is upheld, a new bill in the revised amount will be issued by the County.

No. The appeal decision will be reflected on the following years’ bills.

Appeals - The Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee Appeal Program is intended for property owners who feel that they have been billed in error. If you feel that your property has been assigned to an incorrect billing category or you feel there is an error in the calculation of your fee then you should file an Appeal using one of the following forms: 

• Form 13-1 “Residential Property”
• Form 13-2 “Incorrect Classification of Property”
• Form 13-3 “HOA Property, Civil or Community Association, Council of Condominium Owners
• Form 13-4 “Mathematical Error or Incorrect Impervious Calculation”
• Form 13-5 “Exempt or Incorrect Property Owner"

Completed forms should be mailed to:

WPRF Appeals

Anne Arundel County DPW

MS 7301

2662 Riva Road

Annapolis, MD 21401

The Anne Arundel County Office of Finance offers a program to reduce or waive the WPRF fee for property owners who meet certain financial hardship provisions. Information and application forms for this program are available through the Office of Finance.

• Form 13-6 "Financial Hardship"appeal form
  

Completed forms should be mailed to:

Office of Finance

Utility Billing and Customer Service

P.O. Box 2700

MS 1103

Annapolis, MD 21404

Credits - Credits for reducing stormwater fees are available for eligible property owners who can demonstrate that they have installed and properly maintained certain stormwater controls. Anne Arundel County has established policies and procedures that provide property owners the opportunity to reduce their Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee. The deadline to apply for a credit is October 1.

 

Beginning July 2016, property owners with properly designed and maintained stormwater management and who do not need a County grading permit, may enter into a WPRF Stormwater Remediation Fee Credit Agreement with the County. This agreement, along with a Credit Application and supporting documents will need to be submitted for review and approval. For more information and details visit the WPRF Stormwater Remediation Fee Credit Agreement here.

Form 13-1 "Residential Property" appeal application

• If you believe your property was categorized in the wrong Tier.

• If you are a Tier 1 property but have less than 2,900 square feet of impervious surface

• If you are a Tier 2 property but have less than 1,200 square feet of impervious surface

Properties in Tier 1 are those that are in zoning districts RA or RLD and that are improved with a single family detached dwelling.

Properties in Tier 2 are those that are in zoning districts R1, R2, or R5 and that are improved with a single family dwelling.

Properties in Tier 3 are those that are in zoning districts R10, R15, or R22 and that are improved by an attached dwelling or a single family dwelling; properties in zones RA, RLD, R1, R2, or R5 that are improved by an attached dwelling; or a mobile home space under a license issued by the County. Attached dwellings are those containing two dwelling units on top of one another, two units side by side, or townhomes.

Property owners may view their zoning districts on the digital map “Anne Arundel County Digital Zoning Layer” prepared by the Office of Planning and Zoning and adopted by the County Council. 

Form 13-2 "Incorrect Classification of Property" appeal application
If you believe your Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee has been calculated incorrectly based on the classification found on your tax bill.

13-3 "HOA Property, Civil or Community Association, Council of Condominium Owners" appeal application
If the property is an incorporated or unincorporated Homeowners Association, Civil or Community Association, Council of Condominium Owners or similar entity and you think the fee should be capped based on the provisions of § 13-7-103 (g) of the County Code.

Form 13-4 "Mathematical Error or Incorrect Impervious Calculation" appeal form
If you believe a mathematical error has been made in the fee calculation or there is an error in the calculation of impervious surface area.

Form 13-5 "Exempt or Incorrect Property Owner" appeal form?

• If you believe you are not subject to the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee for one of the following reasons:

• Property is in the City of Annapolis
• Owned by the State of Maryland
• Owned by a unit of State Government
• Owned by a County
• Owned by a Municipality
• Owned by a regularly organized volunteer fire department that is used for public purposes
• Unimproved property (contains no impervious surface)
• Owned by a veterans’ organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(4) or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code

• If the person billed is not the record owner of the property

• If the property owner qualifies for a financial hardship exemption. (See Form 13-6 "Financial Hardship" for required application)

Form 13-6 "Financial Hardship"appeal form
In order to qualify for the Financial Hardship Exemption you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• The property must receive an individual real property tax bill

• Certify that you are an owner/occupant OR hold a lease or contract for the property

• Applicants must also meet 2 of the below conditions:

  • Receiving an energy assistance subsidy

  • Receiving a supplemental security income (SSI) or food stamps

  • Receiving veterans or social security disability benefits

  • Meet a monthly income criteria (see application)

If you think you qualify for a financial hardship, please use this form.

All Residential Applications for WPRF Financial Hardship Exemptions are reviewed by the Office of Finance.

No. According to the Anne Arundel County Code (§13-7-104(b)), an appeal shall be submitted on or before September 30 in order to receive a correction of the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee for the current billing year. The appeal is not retroactive to prior tax years.

In cases where the WPRF is higher in a tax year, this may be due properties that were reclassified for the billing year.

There are existing County programs that are designed to allow property owners to request monetary credits for stormwater management improvements that have been implemented on their properties.

Stormwater Fee Credit Program

This program developed by the Department of Public Works, recognizes the significant stormwater control investments made by certain property owners and encourages runoff control practices that proactively and sustainably manage stormwater on private property.

Eligible property owners include: owners of multi-family property, owners of non-residential property, and owners of residential property with an Inspection and Maintenance Agreement for Private Stormwater Management executed after 2002 or an executed WPRF Stormwater Remediation Fee Credit Agreement after July 2016.

Stormwater Fee Credit Program Information & Application Forms

Stormwater Fee Credit Program and Policy Document for Anne Arundel County

Inspection and maintenance agreements for private stormwater management are executed between the property owner and the County prior to the issuance of a grading permit for the property. They cannot be obtained after the stormwater BMP has been constructed. Beginning July 2016, property owners with properly designed and maintained stormwater management and who do not need a County grading permit, may enter into a WPRF Stormwater Remediation Fee Credit Agreement with the County. This agreement, along with a Credit Application and supporting documents, will need to be submitted for review and approval. For more information and details visit the WPRF Stormwater Remediation Fee Credit Agreement.

You can find a copy of the agreement on the Maryland Land Records website -http://mdlandrec.net/main/index.cfm (Must register as a user)