Stormwater Management Rate FAQs
Stormwater management in Richmond Hill is a citywide service to protect the environment, water quality and community. Stormwater comes from rain and melting snow that flows into the storm sewers or stormwater management ponds in all areas of the City. The Stormwater Management Rate funds the ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of Richmond Hill’s stormwater facilities, such as our more than 95 stormwater ponds and 540 kilometres of storm sewer. These efforts protect our community's more than 150 km of streams and rivers, prevents flooding and erosion.
Properties in Richmond Hill are billed for stormwater management by using a rate structure based on your property land area and property type.
In October 2023, Richmond Hill conducted a public information session detailing proposed updates to its stormwater rate structure where participants learned about a comprehensive study that took place in 2023 which included proposed new rates and policies. Council approved the new rate structure which was implemented on April 1, 2024.
The table below outlines the Stormwater Management Rate effective April 1, 2025.
| Property Type | Rate per 1,000 sq. ft. | Capping on Property Types |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (up to one acre) |
$16.53 |
43,560 sq. ft.; |
| Residential (greater than one acre) |
$3.31 |
Applicable rates for Residential up to one acre; + 435,600 sq. ft.; |
| Residential - Semi Detached/Link Home |
$18.19 | |
| Residential - Row/Town Home |
$23.15 | |
| Commercial/Industrial | $31.41 | |
| Institutional | $23.15 | |
| Multi-Residential | $28.11 | |
| Vacant Land | $3.31 |
435,600 sq. ft.; |
| Farmland | $3.31 | 435,600 sq. ft.; excluding area under other subsections |
| Golf Course (club house, parking, driveway, pro-shop) |
$29.76 | |
| Golf Course (playing area, cart paths) |
$4.96 | 435,600 sq. ft.; excluding area under other subsections |
Questions about the SWM Rate
| Why do we need a SWM Rate? |
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Stormwater management in Richmond Hill is a citywide service to protect the environment, water quality and community. Stormwater comes from rain and melting snow that flows into the storm sewers or stormwater management ponds in all areas of the City. The Stormwater Management Rate funds the ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of Richmond Hill’s stormwater facilities, such as our more than 95 stormwater ponds and 540 kilometres of storm sewer. These efforts protect our community's more than 150 km of streams and rivers, prevents flooding and erosion. |
| How do I calculate my SWM Rate? |
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Click here to use our Stormwater Charge Calculator to estimate your stormwater charges. |
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Do I have to pay the SWM Rate if my property is not connected to the municipal water or wastewater system? |
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The SWM Rate applies to all property owners. Property owners who don't receive a water bill will be issued a SWM bill twice a year. Every property in Richmond Hill contributes runoff to the City’s stormwater infrastructure system, even if limited onto public roads, catch basins or culverts and ditches, that leads into part of the more than 150km of streams and valleyland areas within Richmond Hill of which half are City-owned and requires upkeep. |
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Why do I pay the SWM Rate for my entire property when most of it is forest/naturalized? |
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All properties generate stormwater runoff at various levels which is typically managed within City infrastructure, and each property owner uses infrastructure in parts of the City that relies on stormwater infrastructure. The stormwater rate structure recognizes the primary parameters in the creation of runoff (property area and property/land use type). Although runoff may not be generated through smaller events, storm systems are designed to consider rare storm events which would generate runoff from a rural residential lot. In addition, the snowmelt generated in the spring is not absorbed by the frozen grass. Water migrates into the streams and rivers as a result of this which must be controlled and managed. Further, to account for each individual property with larger lawn areas, each property would need to be analyzed in detail which would add significant administrative cost burdens to the stormwater charge, in turn increasing the rates for all properties. |
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Do the SWM Rates increase annually? |
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The SWM Rates are approved by Council on an annual basis as part of the budget process. |
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My property is residential, why am I being charged a different rate? |
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Your property's classification is determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). If you believe you are being billed for SWM using an incorrect rate please contact Access Richmond Hill at 905-771-8949 or access@richmondhill.ca for assistance. |
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I own a residential condominium in a multi-residential building. What rate am I charged? |
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Owners of residential condominiums are charged the multi-residential rate. SWM charges are included with the water bills and are billed to the condominium corporation. |
Questions about payment of the SWM Rate
| Will the SWM Rate be included in my pre-authorized payment plan? |
| Yes, the SWM Rate is included in automatic withdrawals for pre-authorized payment plans (monthly and instalment plans) set up for water bill payments. Monthly withdrawals are adjusted to include the updated annual rate, which is effective April 1 of each year based on the approved Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Budget. |
| Do I have to pay the SWM Rate for the full year, if I am moving soon? |
| The SWM Rate charge is based on the number of days covered by each bill. |
| I own a property that I lease to a tenant. Who is charged and who has to pay the SWM Rate? |
| The property owner is ultimately responsible for any water charge against a property. If Richmond Hill has a Tenant Billing Application from the owner and is billing the tenant for water consumption, the SWM rate will be included on the water bill issued to the tenant. If the tenant does not pay the bill, the charge will eventually be transferred to the owner in the same manner as unpaid water consumption charges. |
| I sold a portion of my property during the year. Do I have to pay the full SWM Rate? |
| Property owners are responsible for prorating a charge on property transactions, the same way they would with property taxes on a statement of adjustments at the time of the sale. The next year, the two portions of land will each receive a full SWM bill. |