If you own an agriculturally assessed parcel, you can reduce stormwater runoff and be a part of the solution by adopting a soil conservation and water quality plan or a woodland management plan. These, and other practices, can make a big impact on stormwater pollution by increasing the amount of pervious surface that absorbs stormwater runoff on your property. Plus, you'll also reduce your Watershed Protection Fee.
Agriculturally assessed properties are properties that have agricultural use assessments, determined by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. As of 2024 property tax billing, these properties are charged $40 per 500 square feet of impervious surface area. If you own an agriculturally assessed property, you can be part of the stormwater solution and reduce your Watershed Protection Fee to a flat rate of $155 if you have in place, or have an MOU agreeing to develop, one of the following:
- Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plan (SCWQP) through the Howard Soil Conservation District
- Forest Conservation and Management Plan through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
These plans involve implementing best management practices (BMPs) and management strategies that manage runoff and minimize sediment erosion. This can help keep nutrients and sediment on your land, where they belong, and not in our local water bodies, where they can be harmful. Plans must be submitted by April 1 for consideration against the July Fee that year.
If an agriculturally assessed property has one of the above water quality or forest management plans, the property will be billed the lesser of either the flat rate of $155 or based on the impervious surface at $40 per 500 square feet of impervious area on site.
The Watershed Protection Fee aims to improve the water quality of streams in your backyard, rivers in your neighborhood, and the Chesapeake Bay by funding projects that treat Howard County stormwater runoff. All property owners are charged a fee based on the size of their property or the amount of impervious area on their property that allows untreated stormwater to run off. As of 2024 property tax billing, agriculturally assessed properties are charged $40 per 500 square feet of impervious surface area. If an agriculturally assessed property has one of the above water quality or forest management plans, the property will be billed the lesser of either the flat rate of $155 or based on the impervious surface at $40 per 500 square feet of impervious area on site.
If you believe you were incorrectly assessed, complete the watershed protection fee request for adjustment, for billing adjustment consideration.
More information about the protection fee can be found here.
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