Community Corner

Speak Out: Did You Get Your Tax Bill with New Stormwater Fee?

The "rain tax," as it is known by some, appears on property tax bills for Anne Arundel residents to help protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.

By: Susan Jenkins 

For many residents in Anne Arundel County, a real property tax bill arrived in the mail this week with an extra piece of paper explaining a new line item charge for the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program.

You can find the charge listed as "STORMWATER/WPRF" on your bill. For county homeowners, this charge varies across three tiers from $20.40 to $51 to $102—a 60 percent phase-in total for the first year.  

When fully implemented, the rate varies per property type—$34 for townhomes and condominiums, $85 for single-family homes, and $170 for rural area homes.

The fee will be phased in over two years for most properties. This means if you live in a single-family home and were charged $51 this year, the fee next year will be $68 before you finally pay $85. 

For a further explanation of the fee from the county, visit http://www.aacounty.org/DPW/WPRF.cfm or call the Department of Public Works Customer Relations Office at 410-222-7582.

TELL US: Now that the stormwater fee, also known as the "rain tax," has become a reality, tell us what you think about paying it. Leave a comment to speak out and share your thoughts.


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