Flooding, Mandates, and the Future: 

Understanding Brentwood’s Stormwater Fee

Introduction

For over a decade, Brentwood Borough has held off implementing a stormwater management fee. Instead, the Borough has budgeted for and paid for stormwater-related projects and expenditures directly from revenues received through property taxes. This approach allowed us to continue investing in drainage improvements and infrastructure upgrades without creating a separate fee, even as many neighboring municipalities adopted one years ago.

However, rising costs, more frequent and impactful storm events, and increased flooding risks have made it clear that the current approach is no longer sustainable. On top of these challenges, the Borough must comply with strict state and federal stormwater mandates—unfunded requirements that demand significant infrastructure investment. To address these needs fairly and transparently, Brentwood Borough has created a separate Stormwater Authority under the Pennsylvania Borough Code, which will implement a dedicated fee beginning in 2026.

Q: Why is Brentwood Borough creating a Stormwater Management Fee?

A: State and federal regulations require municipalities to better manage stormwater to reduce flooding, erosion, and pollution in rivers and streams. These are unfunded mandates—meaning the Borough is required to comply, but no direct funding is provided to cover the costs. To meet these obligations in a fair and sustainable way, Brentwood Borough is implementing a Stormwater Management Fee.

Q: Why a fee instead of just raising property taxes?

A: A fee is the fairest way to pay for stormwater management because it is based on the amount of impervious surface (roofs, driveways, parking lots) that contribute to stormwater runoff. Properties with more pavement and roof area create more runoff and will pay more. Properties with less will pay less. In contrast, a property tax increase would not account for runoff—only assessed property value. Importantly, the fee will also apply to tax-exempt properties such as schools, churches, and nonprofits that typically have the largest parking lots and thus generate the most runoff but do not currently contribute through property taxes.

Q: Who oversees the fee program?

A: In accordance with the Pennsylvania Borough Code, Brentwood Borough Council created a separate Stormwater Authority to administer the fee and manage stormwater-related projects. This ensures transparency and that every dollar collected through the fee is dedicated solely to stormwater needs.

Q: Have other communities done this?

A: Yes. Many surrounding communities established stormwater fees years ago, including Baldwin Borough, Dormont Borough, Whitehall Borough, and Mt. Lebanon, to name just a few. Brentwood is one of the last communities in our area to adopt this approach.

Q: How will the funds be used?

A: Every dollar collected will go toward stormwater-related expenses, including:

§  Repairing and replacing storm sewers, inlets, and culverts
§  Maintaining stormwater basins and outfalls
§  Complying with state and federal water quality regulations (MS4 Program)
§  Reducing flooding and erosion through infrastructure upgrades
§  Curb and drainage improvements

Q: What will the fee cost me?

A: The Stormwater Authority is finalizing the fee structure, but the goal is to keep it modest and fair. For most homeowners the fee will be a flat fixed rate per month ($13).  Commercial properties and larger residential properties will be based on the amount of impervious area on their property.  This too will be calculated as a fixed monthly fee.  In all scenarios, the fee will be far less than what a comparable tax increase would cost. The reason for this is that unlike property taxes, the fee ensures that ALL properties—including those normally tax-exempt—pay their fair share toward the system.

Q: My downspouts are connected to dry wells or underground piping. Do I still have to pay the fee?

A: Yes. The stormwater fee is not based on where your downspouts discharge but rather the total impervious area on your property. Impervious areas prevent water from soaking into the ground and increase runoff regardless of how it is temporarily managed.
While practices like using dry wells or rain gardens are beneficial, they do not eliminate runoff and often still result in water entering the stormwater system during heavy rain events.

Q: I had my downspouts disconnected from the storm system years ago. Do I need to provide proof?

A: No. The stormwater fee is not based on connection status. It is calculated using aerial imagery and GIS data to estimate impervious surface area. Every property, whether its downspouts connect directly to the storm system or not, contributes some level of runoff that impacts the Borough's overall system.

Q: How will the fee be collected?

A: The Stormwater Fee will be included on the monthly Sewage/Refuse bill.  

Q: What if I believe my fee is incorrect?

A: Property owners may file an appeal if they believe their impervious surface area calculation is inaccurate. A formal appeals process will be administered by the Stormwater Authority and outlined in the final Fee Ordinance and supporting documents.

Q: Why now?

A: Brentwood Borough has avoided raising taxes for nine years, even as costs for road paving, police vehicles, rock salt, and other essentials have risen significantly. At the same time, the Borough has made major investments in public safety, recreation, and community facilities. Continuing to fund stormwater projects solely out of the General Fund is no longer sustainable. The Stormwater Fee allows the Borough to dedicate resources to this critical need without gutting other services or raising property taxes disproportionately.