Stormwater Management

Protecting People and Property From Harmful Stormwater Runoff

When rain hits any hard surface, such as your roof or driveway, it can't soak into the ground so it runs off your property. Uncontrolled runoff can lead to flooding, erosion and pollution problems. It's the City's job to help manage this runoff.

The City's Stormwater Management Program is working to improve the Fort Worth stormwater system and educate the public about the dangers of flash flooding. 

The Stormwater fee you pay through your monthly water bill provides funding to accomplish our Mission to Protect People and Property From Harmful Stormwater Runoff in the following ways: 

Pipes, channels, and other systems maintenance.
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existing systems of pipes
and channels to function
as designed.
Drainage construction and improvement
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drainage and reduce
erosion through
construction of projects.
Flooding and erosion hazards warning flashers.
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the public and property
owners of flooding and
erosion hazards.
Development and compliance review.
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development for
compliance with City
Stormwater standards.

Stormwater Management Program Documents

For more information on the Stormwater Management Program, please see the following documents:

 Runoff Rundown Newsletter

 

 Stormwater Management Program Master Plan

 

 Flood Awareness Newsletter

 

If you have questions or concerns about drainage, you can:

Cell phone icon
APP
Use MyFW App to report
flooding or clogged storm drains.
Phone icon
CALL
City Call Center
(817) 392-1234
At sign icon
EMAIL
Computer icon
ONLINE

 

Protect What Matters

Floodplain facts to help protect you and your property from harmful stormwater runoff:

Riparian Area Initiative

The riparian areas around creeks and streams serve a multitude of functions that provide benefits to people, wildlife, and property.

We're Working for Your Protection

Planning and Spotlight tab icon  Planning & Project Spotlight 

 

Stormwater Strategic Plan

stormwater-mgmt-branding-mark

 The Stormwater Program was established almost 20 years ago in 2006. In looking ahead to the next 20 years, the program is embarking on the development of a Strategic Plan to understand and effectively plan for current and future anticipated program priorities and funding needs, in fulfilling its mission in our growing community.

Aug. 13, 2024, presentation to Mobility Infrastructure Transportation Committee (MITC):

A key initial step in the strategic planning process is getting community feedback on Stormwater Program priorities and service levels.

Residents are encouraged to provide feedback into the development of the Stormwater Strategic Plan.

Access the survey HERE OR scan the QR code below:

stormwater-survey-qr-code

             

 

Hazard Road Overtopping Mitigation (HROM)

The City of Fort Worth's Hazardous Road Overtopping Mitigation (HROM) Program is an ongoing effort to identify hazardous road location due to flooding, prioritize them, and where feasible, develop solutions to make them safer. The HROM Program was created in response to life-threatening and fatal incidents associated with flood roads, usually at stream crossings.

HROM Fact Sheet(PDF, 2MB)HROM FAQ's(PDF, 303KB)

 

Regulation Updates

Stormwater valley storage regulations approved by Council

valley-storage-regulations.jpg

In keeping with the Stormwater Program’s mission to “Protect People & Property from Harmful Stormwater Runoff,” a proposed update to the floodplain ordinance to incorporate citywide valley storage regulations was approved by City Council on Dec. 9. The updated ordinance protects temporary floodwater storage in floodplains to reduce downstream flood and erosion risk. The ordinance becomes effective Feb. 1, 2026.  

What is valley storage? Temporary floodwater storage in floodplains that reduces downstream flood and erosion risk.  

Why update regulations? To address cumulative development impacts of fill in the floodplain, which has led to increased flooding complaints and erosion concerns.  

 

Current vs. updated regulations: 

  • Currently, only the Trinity River Corridor is regulated.  

  • Updated: Citywide compensatory storage to preserve existing valley storage required for any fill in FEMA floodplains.  

Exemptions: Infrastructure maintenance, utility crossings, etc. 

Findings from valley storage studies: 

  • Filling valley storage increases flood risk, especially during frequent storms.  

  • Current gaps: Only 18 square miles regulated; 32 square miles unregulated.  

  • Benchmarking: Other Texas cities (Austin, Dallas, Houston, etc.) already have citywide requirements. 

 

Recommendations from valley storage studies and stakeholder engagement (residents, Development Advisory Committee): 

  • No net loss (0.0%) of valley storage.  

  • Citywide application using FEMA floodplain boundaries (~50 square miles).  

  • Incorporate into existing permitting without increasing review time.  

  • Grandfathering: Projects with submitted studies/permits remain under current rules. 

  • Implementation support: A guidance document is being drafted.

Impacts: 

  • Affects approximately 75 projects a year.  

  • Improves flood protection and infrastructure resilience.  

Timeline: 

  • Feb. 1, 2026: Regulations become effective.  

  • Developers need time to complete ongoing studies before the new rules apply.  

Updates to the Floodplain Ordinance, Grading Permit Ordinance, and Stormwater Criteria Manual were adopted by City Council on June 11, 2024.
The new regulations will take effect July 15, 2024.


Preparation of these updates included extensive collaboration and coordination with stakeholders and development community representatives.

Approved Updates

Floodplain Ordinance - Proposed CFRA Chapter Update.pdf(PDF, 566KB)
Grading-Permit-Ordinance-Proposed-Update.pdf(PDF, 580KB)
Stormwater Criteria Manual Proposed Updates.pdf(PDF, 18MB)

Approved Changes

Floodplain Ordinance - Proposed CFRA Chapter Changes.pdf(PDF, 156KB)
Grading-Permit-Ordinance-Redline-Proposed-Changes.pdf(PDF, 190KB)
Stormwater Criteria Manual Proposed Changes.pdf(PDF, 28MB)

           

Non-FEMA Flood Risk Area

Flood Risk Outside of the FEMA Floodplain

Cleaning blocked inlets by TPW crew

While FEMA maps flood risk along major streams and creeks, most reported flooding in Fort Worth actually occurs outside of the FEMA Floodplain, in what the City refers to as “Non-FEMA Flood Risk Areas”. The City has categorized Non-FEMA Flood Risk Areas into two categories. Areas where the City has evaluated the non-FEMA flood risk in detail are called “City Flood Risk Areas” (CFRA), and these will be used to regulate development starting July 15, 2024. In contrast, the non-FEMA areas where the City has less detailed mapping, called “Potential High Water Areas” (PHWA), are used to warn about potential flood risks.

           

Stormwater Management Program Master Plan

Cleaning blocked inlets by TPW crew

The Stormwater Management Program has completed an intensive, year-long effort to develop a strategic program master plan that is realistic, well-prioritized, and responsive to community needs. The overarching goal of this effort was to help ensure the optimal use of program resources to advance the City’s strategic goals and respond to community needs in each of the four primary program elements:

  • System maintenance
  • Flood/erosion mitigation
  • Flood/erosion warning and
  • Private development review

The plan also outlines formal policy guidance needs and identifies key considerations, which will be used in the future processes to develop each policy.

Stormwater Management Program Master Plan(PDF, 17MB)

The City Council has adopted the Stormwater Management Program Master Plan, which resulted from an intensive, yearlong effort to compile and understand lessons learned during the first 10 years of the program and to develop a strategic direction that is realistic, well-prioritized and responsive to community needs.

Key Initiatives

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Read more about the Key initiatives.(PDF, 61MB)

Video: Stormwater Master Plan Update


Program Background

The City of Fort Worth implemented a Stormwater Utility in 2006 to address a backlog of data and technology needs, fulfill maintenance obligations, and construct capital projects to protect people and property from harmful stormwater runoff. The first 10 years of the Stormwater Management Program have focused on assessing citywide flood risk and drainage system capacity, addressing many of the most hazardous flooding problems in the city, implementing a high water warning system, developing a work order system and maintenance program, and developing a basic inventory of the major components of the drainage system. 


Related Documents

Main Report

View the Strategic Stormwater Management Program Master Plan Report(PDF, 61MB)

Appendices


Stakeholder Meeting Information

Oct. 19, 2017

Stakeholder Meeting 4 (Oct. 19, 2017)

Aug. 3, 2017

Stakeholder Meeting 3 (Aug. 3, 2017)

May 16, 2017

Stakeholder Meeting 2 (May 16, 2017)

Jan. 26, 2017

Stakeholder Meeting 1 (Jan. 26, 2017)

 

Cumulative Impacts of Development

Cumulative Impact BannerAll development within the City of Fort Worth requires local and state permits. Contact the City of Fort Worth’s Development Services Department at 817-392-2222 for advice before you build, fill, place a manufactured home or otherwise develop.

The zoning ordinance, Floodplain Provisions Ordinance and the International Building Codes have special provisions regulating construction and other developments within floodplains. Without these provisions, affordable flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) would not be available to property owners in the City of Fort Worth. Any development in the floodplain without a permit is illegal. Such activity can be reported to the City Call Center at 817-392-1234.

Video: Cumulative Impacts

Two Types of Cumulative Impacts

The Stormwater team has been investigating reports of increased flooding associated with new developments that meet current requirements for no offsite impacts. Two case studies were recently completed to quantify the potential impact of increased impervious surface and/or reduced valley storage. Case studies were performed in:

• Central Arlington Heights and Linwood Bailey: older urban watersheds with underground storm drain systems experiencing increasing
amounts of impervious surfaces.
• White's Branch: a mostly suburban watershed draining to a natural stream-based floodplain with a loss in valley storage.

Cumulative Impact-Birdseye Banner

VALLEY STORAGE | Filling in the existing floodplain storage areas creates additional flooding to areas downstream.

White Branch Watershed Cover
White's Branch Watershed

Cumulative Impact Street Level Banner

IMPERVIOUS COVER | Every rooftop, driveway, and sidewalk that replaces a natural surface generates a little more stormwater runoff than before that adds up over time.
analysis-2-uban.pngCentral Arlington Heights and Linwood Bailey Watersheds
Central Arlington Heights and Linwood Bailey Watersheds

What does Cumulative Impact mean for you as a Property Owner?

Cumulative Impact Inset Icon

The Stormwater Management Division has begun sharing the results of the Cumulative Impacts analyses with internal stakeholders such as the Mobility: Infrastructure and Transportation Committee and the Development Advisory Committee. The Stormwater team will continue to work with departments like Zoning and Development Services and a stakeholder group made up of internal and external stakeholders.

The goal of the stakeholder and interdepartmental meetings is to enact effective policy changes to build upon existing land use and stormwater regulations and criteria to better protect people and property from harmful stormwater runoff.

Cumulative Impact Stakeholder Group Meetings

Meeting - Monday, February 19, 2024


Meeting - Monday, December 18, 2023

Meeting - Monday, November 13, 2023

Meeting - Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Meeting - Tuesday, April 18, 2023


For more information, contact...

Floodplain@fortworthtexas.gov 

 

Stormwater in the News and Awards

Stormwater Awards:

  • Texas Floodplain Management Association, 2025 John Ivey Higher Standards Award- This award recognizes efforts to promote community based higher floodplain management standards to reduce flood losses.
  • Texas Floodplain Management Association, 2025 City Floodplain Management Excellence Award- This award is for a Texas city that has shown excellence in the field of floodplain management, demonstrating achievements in reducing flood losses and preventing loss of life through administration of its floodplain management program.
  • Association of State Floodplain Managers, 2025 James Lee Witt Local Award for Excellence in Floodplain Management- This award recognizes outstanding programs or activities at the front lines of floodplain management —or what they consider as local programs where “the rubber meets the road.”
  • National Hydrologic Warning Council, Operational Excellence Award- 2023-2025 for upgrades and improvements to the City’s High-Water Warning System to improve transmission and communication reliability in turn improving public safety.
  • Stormwater Field Operations Team Member Jon Rodriguez received the 2025 American Public Works Association (APWA) Field Excellence Award for actions in the field having a significant impact on services that meet the goals of public works in serving the public and protecting the environment. Jon was the Program’s first Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Operator, and has been instrumental in the success of the Stormwater CCTV program to manage the City’s 1,000 miles of stormwater pipes.
  • 2023- American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) - Texas state chapter gold award winner for Category A- large firm/consulting engineering services and ACEC National Recognition Award for the Hazardous Road Overtopping Mitigation (HROM) Project Development process.
  • The Shoreview Culvert Improvement project won both the May 2023 American Public Works Association, Texas Chapter, Project of the Year award for Environment less than< $2 Million and the 2023 American Council of Engineering Companies Silver Medal - Texas Small Project of the Year.
  • March 2023- Texas Floodplain Management Association (TFMA) The City’s Hazardous Road Overtopping Mitigation (HROM) Program won the John Patton Community Service Award.

2023 Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Project of the Year less than $2 Million Awarded to City’s of Fort Worth Stormwater Operations Program for the C.P. Hadley Park Channel Restoration Project.

Stormwater Media Reports and Articles:

 

Utility Fee tab icon Stormwater Utility Fee

Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Policy Link 

 

Stormwater Utility

Utility Fee Header Image

The stormwater utility is a monthly user fee that pays for maintenance, improvements to the stormwater drainage system and other stormwater program activities. This fee is similar to other utility fees for water, sewer, and garbage.

Why are properties in Fort Worth being charged a stormwater fee? Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. today, with a population that surpassed one million in 2025. This growth, coupled with a drainage system that is now decades old, presents new challenges and increased needs in order to control flooding and its impacts. In the past few years, eight people have lost their lives due to flooded roadways and over 300 homes and businesses have suffered major flood damage.

It is estimated that more than $1 billion is needed to mitigate flooding and high-water hazard areas and to improve maintenance. By providing a dedicated source of funds for these vital needs, the stormwater utility fee reduces the burden on city's general revenue bond program and tax revenue funds, and decreases the need for future tax increases.

Who is charged this fee? Owners of developed property in Fort Worth are charged a user fee for stormwater services. This includes residential property owners, businesses, apartment complexes, public facilities, city owned facilities and churches.

How is this fee determined? The stormwater fee is calculated based on the amount of hard surface on your property. If you own a single-family residence, your property is placed in one of four tiers depending on the square footage of your home. The fees effective January 2026 for single-family properties range from $3.65 per month for small homes with limited parking to $14.58 per month for large homes.

Each residence is placed in one of four tiers according to square footage. For example, a 1,600 square foot residential property falls into Tier 2 and is charged $7.29 per month.

Low Occupancy Billing Tier

Billing Unit – Equivalent Residential Units (ERU)

Billing
Basis

Monthly Rate,

Effective  January 1, 2026
Tier 1 0.5 ERU Up to 1,300 sq ft $3.65
Tier 2 1.0 ERU 1,301 to 2,475 sq ft $7.29
Tier 3 1.5 ERU 2,476 to 3,393 sq ft $10.94
Tier 4 2.0 ERU 3,394+ sq ft $14.58

High Occupancy Residential and Non-Residential Property Fees:

The city uses digitized aerial photography to measure impervious (hard surface) areas of every developed parcel. Non-residential and high occupancy residential fees are based on the amount of hard surface area on the property. Hard surface area includes buildings, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. Hard surface area will be divided by the standard Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of 2,600 square feet to determine the number of billing units on the property. The number of billing units then will be multiplied by the standard ERU rate of $7.29

For High Occupancy Residential/Non-Residential Property such commercial and industrial properties, the monthly rate is $7.29 per billing unit (2,600 sf of hard surface = 1 billing unit).

 

For example, the fee for a small commercial property with a total hard

surface area of 1 acre or 43,560 square feet is $123.93 per month, effective January 1st, 2026

calculated as follows:

 

43,560 square feet ÷ 2,600 square feet/ERU = 16.75

billing units, rounded up to 17   

 

17 billing units x $7.29 per month/ERU = $123.93 per month 

 

Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Policy

Credits are awarded to non-residential rate payers in the City for voluntarily implementing Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to help reduce the amount of runoff and/or to improve the water quality of runoff from their property. The credits are applied as percent discounts to the regular monthly stormwater fees. The Stormwater Management Division administers this program, in which credits are available for the following BMPs. The percentages reflect maximum possible award for each category.

Credit BMP Category Percentage
Zero discharge for 100-year event 80%
Extra flood storage on private property to relieve flooding outside their property in the public right-of-way 25%
Green-Infrastructure practices 25%
Inlet trash collection devices 10%
Inlet markers with educational signs $100/year for 40 markers; $50/year for 20 markers
Parking lot sweeping Minimum 5%, maximum on case-by-case
Student educational for following SWM approved curriculum 10%
Credit for posting visible educational signage on premises 5%
Trash cleanup for participating in trash pickup events 10% per event up to 20% per year
Beneficial special measures for categories not itemized Case-by-case

Applicants agree to the following conditions for participating in the program:

1) Credits are valid for a year and must be renewed annually.

2) Sum of credits, except for zero-discharge and beneficial special measures, cannot exceed 40%.

3) Applicants submitting for detention or water quality facilities must submit a maintenance plan and agree to inspection.

4) Applicants must self-inspect and submit annual maintenance reports.

For more information, contact: Ranjan.Muttiah@fortworthtexas.gov or call 817-392-7919.

View Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Policy(PDF, 135KB)

                

Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Approved Stormwater Utility Fee Increase

To help fulfill our mission to “Protect People and Property from Harmful Stormwater Runoff,” in 2025 the Stormwater Program proposed a 5% Stormwater Utility Fee increase for fiscal year 2026, in order to support the delivery of channel restoration projects benefitting adjacent properties and infrastructure along drainage channels the City is responsible for maintaining. The rate increase was approved and adopted by Council in September of 2025, and new rates became effective Jan. 1, 2026. Projects are prioritized based on risk. Additionally, this rate increase enhances the stormwater utility’s ability to replace its maintenance equipment and vehicles. Newer equipment increases the utility’s ability to efficiently perform channel restoration and maintenance, as well as other citywide drainage maintenance. Equipment improvements provide additional benefits such as maintaining critical life safety emergency response and increased employee safety to reduce risk of incidents.

  • View(PDF, 7MB) to learn more about the benefits to the community and impacts to rate payers.
  • View(PDF, 2MB) to read Frequently Asked Questions about the proposed fee increase.

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