Stormwater Fees on Old Bridge Tax Bills—Explained

Did a new line on your Orange County tax bill catch your eye this year? If you own a home in Old Bridge, Chapel Hill, you likely saw a “Stormwater” charge and wondered what it covers, how it’s calculated, and who pays when you buy or sell. You want clear answers so you can plan your budget and avoid surprises at closing. This guide breaks down the fee in plain English, with steps you can take today to verify, appeal, or save.

Let’s dive in.

What the Chapel Hill stormwater fee is

Chapel Hill operates a Stormwater Management Utility that charges a yearly fee to properties inside the Town limits. The amount is based on your property’s impervious surface area — things like your roof, driveway, and patios. You will see this fee as a line item on your Orange County property tax bill if your Chapel Hill home is in Orange County. The Town’s fee schedule explains the program and billing.

The revenue goes to a dedicated Stormwater Enterprise Fund. It pays for drainage maintenance and repairs, inspections of stormwater controls, capital projects, water quality and permit compliance, and public education. These funds are restricted to stormwater needs identified by the Town’s planning and budgets. Town reports outline these uses.

Where it shows up on your Old Bridge bill

For Chapel Hill properties in Orange County, the stormwater fee appears on the Orange County property tax bill as a separate line. Orange County collects the payment along with your county and municipal taxes. You can find due dates and payment options on Orange County’s Tax Administration page.

The stormwater fee covers January 1 through December 31. Town guidance notes the bill is due September 1 and becomes delinquent after January 5 of the following year. Always check your current bill for exact dates, or confirm on the Town’s fee schedule page.

How your fee is calculated

Chapel Hill calculates the fee using impervious surface area measured from aerial imagery and GIS mapping. Impervious surfaces include roofs, paved and compacted driveways or parking, concrete, and patios. Details are listed on the Town’s stormwater fee schedule.

For single-family homes, the current tiers are:

• 0–199 sq ft: $0.00
• 200–1,000 sq ft: $40.27
• 1,001–2,000 sq ft: $80.54
• 2,001–3,000 sq ft: $120.81
• 3,001–4,000 sq ft: $161.08
• 4,001–5,000 sq ft: $201.35
• 5,001–6,000 sq ft: $241.62
• Each additional 1,000 sq ft (or portion): adds $40.27

Townhomes and condos

For multi-unit developments, the Town calculates the total impervious area and then, by default, divides the fee equally among units. Owners or HOAs can request other options, such as consolidated billing to the association or proportional billing by interior floor area. To change next year’s billing, submit the Town’s redistribution request forms by May 1 as directed on the fee schedule page.

Who pays and when

The legal owner of record on January 1 is responsible for the stormwater fee for that calendar year. In most closings, buyers and sellers agree to pro-rate this charge like property taxes. Make sure your settlement statement clearly addresses the stormwater line from the Orange County bill, per Town guidance.

Orange County collects payment and offers multiple options, including online, by mail, in person, and partial payment plans. For help, contact Orange County Tax Administration at 919-245-2100 or visit their site.

Appeals, credits, and exemptions

Appeal a billed amount

If you believe your fee is wrong, you can submit a written appeal. The Town’s code provides a 90-day window from receipt of the bill to file, and a timely appeal pauses penalties during review. Initial appeals go to the Town’s stormwater manager, with final decisions by the Town Manager or designee. See the Town’s appeal language in council records, and contact the Stormwater office at 919-968-2743 or [email protected].

Credits for stormwater controls

The Town ordinance authorizes credits (ongoing reductions) when owners install and maintain qualifying stormwater measures that reduce runoff impacts. Availability and criteria depend on the Town’s Credit Manual and current program. Check with Chapel Hill Stormwater to confirm whether credits are active and how to apply, per the ordinance framework.

Exempt properties

The ordinance exempts public road rights of way maintained by NCDOT or the Town, and railroad rights of way used for tracks. Most other public and private properties within the Town service area are included. See the utility ordinance for definitions and scope.

Old Bridge buyer and seller checklist

Use this quick checklist when you see a Chapel Hill stormwater charge on an Old Bridge tax bill:

1. Confirm the line item and amount on your Orange County bill. If needed, contact Orange County Tax Administration at 919-245-2100 or use their tax portal.
2. Plan for closing: the January 1 owner is legally responsible for that year’s fee. Ask your closing attorney or agent to pro-rate the stormwater fee on the settlement statement, as noted on the Town fee page.
3. Check the impervious area measurement if the charge seems off. Contact Chapel Hill Stormwater for a re-measurement and provide surveys or photos. Instructions are on the Town fee schedule page.
4. For condos or townhomes, review billing options. HOAs can request redistribution or consolidated billing — submit forms by May 1 for the next year, per Town guidance.
5. Ask about credits if you installed stormwater controls. The ordinance authorizes credits when criteria are met; confirm current program details with the Town using the utility ordinance.
6. If appealing, act quickly. File a written appeal within 90 days and include documentation. Appeal timing pauses penalties during review, per Town records.
7. Choose the payment method that works for you. Orange County offers online, mail, in-person, and partial payment options. Keep your receipt from the Tax Administration site.

What the fee pays for

Your stormwater fee supports the Town’s system that manages runoff across Chapel Hill. Funds go to maintenance and repairs, drainage capital projects, inspections of stormwater controls, water quality programs, and required permit compliance. The money is held in a separate enterprise fund that can only be used for stormwater purposes, per Town budget and program documents.

Moving to or from Chapel Hill? Plan your budget with confidence

Relocating and comparing costs like stormwater fees, taxes, and HOA dues can feel overwhelming. If you are moving to or from New Jersey and want help planning the financial side, coordinating timelines, and keeping your closing smooth, I am here to guide you. Let’s make your next move simple y sin estrés.

Connect with Viviana Mejia for clear, bilingual guidance tailored to your goals.

FAQs

What is the Chapel Hill stormwater fee on my Orange County tax bill?

• It is an annual charge based on your property’s impervious surface area that funds Chapel Hill’s stormwater program, and it appears as a line item on Orange County bills for Chapel Hill properties in the county, per the Town’s fee schedule.

How does Chapel Hill calculate impervious area for Old Bridge homes?

• The Town uses aerial imagery and GIS to measure roofs, driveways, patios, and similar hard surfaces, as described on the fee schedule page.

As a buyer in Old Bridge, do I owe the current year’s stormwater fee after closing?

• The owner of record on January 1 is legally responsible for that year, but buyers and sellers typically pro-rate the fee at closing; make sure your settlement reflects the stormwater amount shown on the Orange County bill, per Town guidance.

When are Chapel Hill stormwater fees due if they are billed by Orange County?

• Town guidance notes bills are due September 1 and delinquent after January 5 of the following year, but you should always confirm the dates on your specific bill or with Orange County Tax Administration.

Can my Old Bridge condo HOA handle the stormwater fee for all units?

• Yes. The Town allows equal division by default or alternative methods like consolidated billing to the HOA or proportional allocation, with requests due by May 1 for the next billing year, per the fee schedule page.

How do I appeal my Chapel Hill stormwater fee if the amount looks wrong?

• Submit a written appeal within 90 days with your documentation; a timely appeal pauses penalties during review, as outlined in Town council records.