New billing structure includes flat fee for residential/vacant properties and industrial/commercial/institutional properties up to one acre in size

Cobourg, ON (January 30, 2025)– The Town of Cobourg would like to inform residents of upcoming changes to stormwater management billing.

Following feedback from the community and a full review of the Town of Cobourg stormwater rate structure, at the June 26, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, Council directed staff to implement a revised alternative rate structure for stormwater management. The new fee structure will introduce a flat fee for properties up to one acre in size. Additional charges of $188.28/hectare per month will apply for all commercial, institutional and industrial properties above one acre/0.40469 hectares. There are no additional charges for residential or vacant land that are above one acre in size.

Additional changes to be applied to the stormwater management rate structure include the re-classification of cemeteries. At the June 26 meeting, Council moved to re-classify cemeteries as Vacant Land, therefore reducing the fees applied to these properties.

2025 Stormwater Rates
Town of Cobourg Staff have been working with Lakefront Utility Services Inc. (LUSI) to update the amended stormwater rate structure as per Council’s recommendations. The new rate structure will be implemented for January charges, meaning residents will begin to see billing changes on their February 2025 bills.

Refunds and Credits
Property owners who paid a higher amount in stormwater charges in 2023 and 2024 compared to the revised rates will receive a credit. As per Council’s direction, refunds will be issued only for those who are owed over $300. All others will receive a credit on their bill that will be applied to stormwater charges only.

Throughout 2025, Lakefront Utility Services Inc. will be making necessary adjustments to customer accounts and issuing cheques as required. Those who have set-up pre-authorized payments will receive a refund directly to their bank account while all others will receive a cheque.

2023/2024 Stormwater Billing Adjustment
Property owners who paid less than the revised 2023/2024 rates will be invoiced for these additional fees in 2025. Properties owing more than $45 will have this adjustment spread out over the 12 months of billing for 2025.

Interest Charges Resume in 2026
There will be no interest charges applied for outstanding stormwater management balances until January 2026.

Questions: 
For more information regarding Stormwater Management please visit Cobourg.ca/stormwater. If you have questions about your stormwater billing, please email lusi@lusi.on.ca or call 905-372-2193