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Stormwaterutility@arlingtonva.us | Visit our Website
Happy holidays!
 Reminder: The credit application period is open through January 31, 2026. You can apply through the County's Request Service/Report a Problem tool anytime. Have questions? Find helpful credit resources below or by visiting arlingtonva.us/stormwaterutilitycredit.
 Take our pre-screening survey to see if you would qualify for credit before sending in an application today.
Mandatory vs. Voluntary Credits
Mandatory credits do not require a credit application to be submitted. They are automatically given if you were required to install stormwater facilities as a condition of construction or redevelopment and you remain in compliance with the required inspections.
If mandatory stormwater facilities are installed on your property, you should have received a letter with more information on how to qualify for mandatory stormwater credits
Voluntary credits do require a credit application to be submitted. They are elective actions that property owners can choose to take to reduce stormwater runoff or improve the environment. Voluntary credit actions must be taken some time during the 2025 calendar year and applied for during the application period, Nov. 1, 2025, through Jan. 31, 2026.
Credit Renewals: Recertification for 2026 and 2027 Bills
Take action in 2025 to recertify ongoing credit(s) for your 2026 Stormwater Utility bill. Applicants who received one of the following ongoing credits in 2024 will need to recertify their credit type during the application period to continue receiving the credit for 2026–2027:
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Conservation Landscaping
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Rain garden
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Rainwater Collection
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Permeable Driveways
A courtesy notice was sent to those eligible for recertification of one of the above credit types. Review the recertification guidelines in the Credit Manual for information on what must be submitted with your renewal application, then watch the how to renew your ongoing credits video to learn step-by-step how to recertify.
Tree Planting Credit Information
Thinking about applying for the tree planting credit? Make sure you meet the following requirements to qualify:
- Trees must be newly planted and native. You can check if your tree is native using the Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora;
- Must have at least a 1” caliper trunk or be 3” in diameter; and
- Make sure you know the minimum number of trees required (see below for details).
Stormwater Customer Class and Minimum Number of Trees for Credit
Single-family residential - attached | 1 native shade tree
Single-family residential - detached: Tiers 1-3 | 2 native shade trees
Single-family residential - detached: Above the cap | 3 native shade trees
Single-family residential - HOA property: 4 native shade trees on HOA property
Multi-family residential | 4 native shade trees per property
Non-residential | 4 native shade trees per property
As a note, credit activities were selected to try to manage the complexity and administration of the credit program. Providing credits for existing trees, mature trees and native plant landscaping would be more complex as property owners may not have documentation from before the credit program was developed. In addition, issues such as plant species or condition of the native landscaping or trees might need to be taken into account.
There could also be many people potentially claiming these credits, which could affect the overall rate for the Utility. The credit program was developed as part of an extensive engagement process for the Stormwater Utility and included benchmarking with credit programs for other jurisdictions' Stormwater Utilities. If stormwater credits were increased, an increase to Stormwater Utility fees could occur in order that the appropriate amount of revenue is still generated to sufficiently fund debt service, all programs and projects.
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