Because stormwater runoff is generated from all properties, a stormwater management utility fee is assessed to all properties regardless of tax status or profitability.

You may appeal your fee in writing if you believe one of these situations applies:

• Incorrect Impervious Surface — No impervious surface is on your parcel; the impervious surface has been removed; or the mapped impervious surface is on an adjacent parcel.

• Incorrect Ownership — The parcel does not belong to you.

• Incorrect Property Designation — The property is designated as non-residential but is residential or vice versa.

• Incorrect Tier — A non-residential property is billed at the wrong tier.

Appeal Stormwater Fee

The Orange County Tax Administration Office administers and collects stormwater fees for the town. The fees are included with the annual property tax bills.

• Bills are mailed in August.
• Payment is due by September. 
• Interest starts being added to unpaid bills in January.

See the Orange County Tax Administration website for details.

No assistance or discounts are available at this time. Because stormwater runoff is generated from all properties, the fee is assessed to all properties regardless of tax status or profitability.

Town staff are considering a:

• Voluntary Assistance Program — This would be similar to the program in place for water and sewer bills. See the Water Assistance Program.

• Discount for Special Measures — This would be for non-residential properties that install engineered stormwater control measures exceeding the requirements for new development to protect water quality. These control measures also are known as stormwater best management practices.

Stormwater utility fees fund compliance with state and federal stormwater regulations. The primary purpose for stormwater management in Hillsborough is to reduce or eliminate stormwater runoff pollution from reaching local waterbodies, including the Eno River, which is the town's source for drinking water. Stormwater runoff pollution:

• Hurts aquatic ecosystems.
• Poses human health risks.
• Can greatly increase the cost of treating water for drinking.

Services for community members that are funded by the fees include:

• Assistance with drainage and stormwater runoff concerns.
• Educational programs for schools and civic groups.
• Maintenance of stormwater drainage within town-owned streets and facilities.
• Review of new development proposals to ensure compliance with stormwater requirements.
• Stream buffer program to protect streams.

See Stormwater Services.

The Stormwater Utility Fund is one of two enterprise funds operated by the town. The other is the Water and Sewer Fund.

Enterprise funds account for the business-like activities of the government. These services are funded with revenues generated from fees and charges rather than taxes. No profits are made in enterprise funds, and the revenue is used for no other purpose.

The Hillsborough Stormwater Fund pays for stormwater services. The revenue for the fund comes primarily from stormwater fees. 

See the Stormwater Management Utility Ordinance.