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1. Why not pay for these mandates with a tax increase?

Fairness and efficiency. Municipalities have two options to pay for new stormwater management mandates: taxes or a dedicated fee. The benefits of a fee are:

• It covers all properties in Lower Paxton, not just those that pay property taxes, making it fairer.
• All funds raised by a fee must be used solely for meeting stormwater mandates, not General Fund expenditures, making it more efficient.

2. How much is the fee?

The Authority passed Resolution 19-01 establishing a stormwater fee (PDF) in the amount of $32 per quarter for a single-family residential parcel (1 Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)). Owners of non-single family residential parcels shall pay user fees based upon the number of square feet of impervious surface area (3,400 square feet equals 1 ERU). NSFRs above 1 ERU shall be calculated by multiplying the total number of ERUs by the ERU unit rate of $32 per quarter. Customers wishing to appeal their billing classification, impervious area, or ERU may complete the Appeal Form (PDF) and return it to the Lower Paxton Township Authority.

3. How is a NSFR rate calculated?

This calculation is used for non-single family homes. For example, commercial properties, schools, churches, etc. 1 equivalent residential unit (ERU) equals $32. Multiply your ERUs by $32 to reach the total due. Example: 45 ERUs multiplied by $32 equals $1,440.

View Your Parcel

The Impervious Surface Area Data Viewing Tool provides non-single family residential parcels with the ability to view their parcel and see the impervious area that has been calculated to reach the total number of ERUs for the parcel. Users can search by address. The parcel will appear and users can click on the shaded red area to see the impervious surface square footage and calculated ERU.

4. What will the fee be used for?

In order to fulfill requirements of Federal and State regulations, Lower Paxton Township operates a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Program (MS4) program and has submitted a Pollutant Reduction Plan as well as applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The permit is still under review with the state. These programs require projects to be completed to reduce sediment and target load reductions.

Projects Planned for 2019 Through 2021

Please note: All projects are subject to change and may extend over a several year period to complete.

• Drainage Improvements - Area 1 (PDF)
• Drainage Improvements - Area 2 (PDF)
• Mini Basins 2A-C, 5 B Project (PDF)
• Stonebridge Apartments Stream Restoration (PDF)