Stormwater Financing Program

Step 1 - What is Stormwater Financing?

In 2025, the City of Windsor is introducing a new way to pay for stormwater management, one that will save most property owners money. This is not an additional fee for residents. Your current water bill already includes a single, combined fee currently called the waste water charges that funds the removal of both wastewater and stormwater. Starting in January 2025, these fees will be separated. The stormwater fee will be based on each property’s water runoff contribution to the storm sewer system. This also means that properties with large non-absorbent surfaces, like big-box stores with large parking lots, will pay their fair share for using the stormwater system. This Fair Share plan is designed to create an equitable system for residents whereby most households, and many small and medium sized businesses will actually see a reduction in overall costs. It’s the Fair Share way to pay for the stormwater systems used to control water runoff.

Stormwater Finance Appeals

The following Appeals are available to all properties within the City of Windsor:

1. Incorrect Billing Details - The contact information outlined on your EnWin Bill is incorrect and needs to be updated - Contact EnWin directly.
2. Incorrect Zoning Category - Your property is zoned commercial (when it should be residential) or residential (when it should be commercial).
3. Inaccurate Impervious Area - The amount of hard surface calculated for your property is incorrect and needs to be revised.

The following appeals are available for existing Non-Residential/Multi-Residential property applications ONLY:

4. Credit Amount - Applicant does not agree with the City determined credit amount. A stormwater credit application must be submitted with an APPROVED status to qualify for this appeal. To continue with this process, navigate to your existing Credit Application and click on the Appeal button.
5. Credit Eligibility - Applicant does not agree with this decision. A stormwater credit application must be submitted with a DENIED status to qualify for this appeal. To continue with this process, navigate to your existing Credit Application and click on the Appeal button.

Step 2 - What Subsidy/Credit Programs are Available?

Non-Residential/Multi-Residential Stormwater Finance Credit Program

A stormwater fee credit program was approved by Council as a financial incentive to non-residential and multi-residential properties. The maximum credit available is 50% of your stormwater fee and is also available to non-residential and multi-residential properties that directly discharge their stormwater into the Detroit River or Lake St. Clair and do not use the municipal system.

Credit Program Criteria (for detailed information on the Stormwater Fee Credit Program Manual, click here):

• Property must be designated multi-residential (three or more residential units, including condominiums) or non-residential (commercial, industrial, etc).
• Stormwater Management Plan must exceed minimum regulatory requirements in place at the time of original installation.
• The Stormwater Management Structure must be designed in accordance with City recognized standards.
• A Professional Engineer (PEng) must verify that all practices meet performance criteria and are functioning as designed.

Residential Stormwater Finance Tree Subsidy

The City of Windsor is offering residential designated properties (single family and duplex dwellings) the opportunity to obtain one (1) free tree for planting on their private property (non-right-of-way locations). The Tree Planting Program offers up to 200 trees per calendar year to residents within the City of Windsor. Tree pick-up date will be determined at time of approval and cannot be changed (3rd Saturday in May or 4th Saturday in October). Please note: Tree warranties are not offered under this program.

Residential Stormwater Finance Barrel Rebate

Property owners within the City of Windsor are eligible to receive a rebate for installing a rain barrel of their choosing with a minimum capacity of 132 L (35 gallons) on their private property. Proof of purchase and a photo of the installed barrel is required to qualify and can be submitted with the rebate application. The maximum lifetime eligible amount is $120 per property and is available for up to 500 properties per year.

Residential Tree & Barrel Subsidy Program Criteria:

• The property must be designated residential (single family or duplex dwelling).
• Cannot have taken advantage of the program previously (offered one time per property).

Additional Program Information

• All Programs are available on a first come, first served basis.
• All items installed under these programs are the responsibility of the property owner to install and maintain.
• Property taxes must be current to apply for any residential subsidy program or obtain a credit for any non-residential/multi-residential property.

Step 3 - How to Apply?

Sign In or Create a Citizen Portal Account

1. To help guide you through the account creation and application process, view the Citizen Portal Video Instructions below:
1. User Registration
2. Program Eligibility Application
3. Barrel Rebate Program
4. Tree Subsidy Program
5. Commercial Multi-Res Credit Program
2. Sign into or create your Citizen Portal Account.

Find out Which Programs your Property is Eligible for

1. Upon creating a Citizen Portal Account, navigate to the Subsidy/Credit Programs dashboard.
2. Click on the Eligibility Check button and follow through the required steps to determine which programs the property is eligible for. This process will create a blank application for each subsidy the property is eligible for. Any programs which the property has already participated in, will not appear on the dashboard, as they are offered on a one-time basis. After one (1) month, any blank applications that have not been submitted will be removed and a new Eligibility Check will be required to apply for any new programs.
3. Once the eligibility check is complete, a confirmation email will be sent to the provided email address, verifying which programs the property is eligible for.

Please Note: Property taxes for the subject property must be current to apply for any program and will be identified in the confirmation email. Please contact the Taxation Department at 519-255-6100 to resolve any outstanding tax issues, prior to proceeding.

Apply for the Desired Program

1. Navigate to the Subsidy/Credit Programs dashboard, then click on the program you would like to apply for.
2. Follow through the steps to provide all required information requested under the application.
3. Once the application is submitted for the City's review, you can monitor the status of the program application on your Subsidy/Credit Programs Dashboard.