Through Rain or Shine

Stormwater service manages and maintains the infrastructure that handles stormwater runoff and helps prevent localized flooding of roads and sidewalks. St. Pete’s storm drains are not connected to sanitary sewer systems or treatment plants, so rainwater flows directly from storm drains into creeks, lakes, Tampa Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico without treatment. Residents can take simple actions to decrease stormwater pollution, which is water pollution that is carried from yards and streets by rain runoff, into local waterways. 

The City of St. Petersburg implements a tiered billing structure for stormwater rates for single-family properties to replace the flat fee that was previously charged to all single-family residential properties. This new tiered structure has classified single-family properties into tiers, based on the square footage of impervious surface area (surfaces that water runs off), so that a property’s fee more accurately reflects its impact to the stormwater system.  

• Stormwater Utility Rates & Tiered Rate System
• Stormwater Utility Rate FAQs

Fertilizer Ban 

Increased rainfall in the summer months can cause nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer to reach bodies of water and lead to environmental issues like algae blooms, fish kills, and water quality problems. To prevent this, the citywide fertilizer ban is in effect from June 1 to September 30 each year.

Here’s what you can do to help maintain the health of our waterways and marine life:

• Refrain from using fertilizer June 1 - September 30, per Pinellas County’s fertilizer ordinance. More information about the ordinance can be found at pinellascounty.org/fertilizer.
• Treat your lawn with a slow-release fertilizer in the spring to keep your lawn happy all summer.
• Pick up any debris or vegetation near storm drains year-round to keep it from entering local waterways.
• Follow a no-mow zone 10 feet from any water body, helping to establish a protective barrier.
• Make sure your lawn maintenance/landscaper is certified for Green Industries Best Management Practices. Verify at gibmp-prod.ifas.ufl.edu/certified.
• Replace some or all of your lawn with Florida-friendly and/or native plants.