Philadelphia Commercial Stormwater Bills: 2026 GA/IA Rates Property Teams Should Audit
Philadelphia non-residential stormwater charges are driven by gross area and impervious area, not monthly water use. Commercial property teams should audit the 2026 calculation.
Quick Answer
Philadelphia commercial stormwater bills are not based on monthly water consumption. PWD says non-residential stormwater charges use gross area and impervious area, and the 2026 rate schedule lists GA at $1.003 and IA at $7.048 per 500 square feet, plus a $2.81 billing and collection charge.
$1.003
GA Rate
Per 500 sq. ft. in 2026
$7.048
IA Rate
Per 500 sq. ft. in 2026
$2.81
Bill Fee
Billing and collection
Area
Basis
Not water consumption
What Philadelphia commercial accounts should know
Philadelphia’s stormwater billing page says commercial customers are charged based on the specific square footage of impervious area and total property area. PWD also says the stormwater charge is not based on monthly water consumption.
That makes stormwater a different risk than water and sewer volume. A property can reduce water consumption and still carry a large stormwater line if the parcel has a large roof, parking lot, loading area, or other hard surface.
What changes in the 2026 rate schedule
The city’s rates-and-charges document lists the September 1, 2026 non-residential stormwater rates as $1.003 per 500 square feet for gross area, $7.048 per 500 square feet for impervious area, and a $2.81 billing and collection charge.
The same document describes the monthly calculation by dividing gross area and impervious area by 500 square feet, rounding up, applying the GA and IA rates, and adding the billing and collection charge.
Commercial action step
Philadelphia property teams should pull the stormwater section of the bill and compare it with parcel records, roof area, parking area, and any recently changed hardscape. This is especially important for retail centers, warehouses, industrial yards, hospitals, multifamily campuses, and tax-exempt properties.
If the area assumptions look wrong, PWD describes an appeal path for GA, IA, classification, or charge distribution. If the area is right, the operating play is different: review credits, green infrastructure opportunities, and water-volume controls separately.
What to Do Next
Compare the bill’s stormwater assumptions against parcel gross area and impervious area.
Separate SWMS exposure from water and sewer volume exposure in the operating budget.
Review whether an appeal, charge allocation, or stormwater credit opportunity is available.
FAQ
Is Philadelphia’s commercial stormwater charge based on water use?
No. PWD says non-residential stormwater charges are based on gross area and impervious area, not monthly water consumption.
What are the Philadelphia non-residential stormwater rates for September 2026?
The rate schedule lists GA at $1.003 per 500 square feet, IA at $7.048 per 500 square feet, and billing and collection at $2.81.
Sources
Related Commercial Water Resources
Model This Market Against Your Actual Bill
Use your local rate, current monthly bill, and billed usage to estimate how much controllable volume reduction could offset this market pressure.
