Stormwater Management Program

In September 2020, the Mayor and City Council of Dahlonega formally adopted a stormwater utility and user fee program for properties within the City limits to address priority stormwater drainage issues and to comply with the regulatory requirements imposed by State and Federal agencies. Key aspects of the City’s stormwater program include: Inspection, maintenance, and upgrading of the City’s stormwater drainage infrastructure.

A stormwater user fee charge was identified as the most equitable method available to fund implementation of the City’s stormwater management program. One of the primary benefits of utilizing a fee-based system to fund the City’s stormwater management program is that it ensures all developed properties pay their fair share of the City’s costs to provide the stormwater services.

Stormwater user fee charge will be based on impervious surfaces (e.g. rooftops, driveways, parking lots) since an impervious surface has a direct correlation to the quantity of stormwater runoff individual properties discharge to the City’s drainage system.

To view an example of each property’s impervious area determination, please see the following figure:

• Impervious Area Determination Example Figure

Customers that reduce their impact on the City’s drainage system through approved credit practices, such as a detention pond, would be eligible for a reduction of their monthly stormwater user fee charge.

To learn more about the Stormwater Management Program, please view the following resources:

• Stormwater Utility Ordinance
• Stormwater Utility User Fee Resolution
• Stormwater Management Program Brochure
• Stormwater Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Under this program, the City will offer stormwater user fee credits to both residential and non-residential customers that undertake specific stormwater management activities which reduce effects of stormwater discharged on the City’s Stormwater Management Program.

To learn more about these user fee credits and how to apply for them, please view the following resources:

• Stormwater Utility User Fee Credit Manual
• Stormwater User Fee Credit Summary
• Single-family Residence (SFR) User Fee Application Form
• Non-SFR Residence (NSFR) User Fee Application Form
• Right-of-Entry Agreement

To assist the City’s stormwater utility customers who wish to complete and submit a user fee credit application packet, the following summary check list has been provided. This list has been divided into two customer-class categories as follows: Single-Family Residential (SFR) Customers and Non-SFR Customers.

Please view the following resource:

• Completed User Fee Credit Application Check List