What Cheyenne property owners need to know about the stormwater fee
Starting in April 2026, Cheyenne property owners will see a new line item on their Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) bill: the stormwater fee. If you’ve heard bits and pieces about it—or are wondering what it means for you and your property—here’s a clear breakdown of what’s changing, why it matters, and how to check your specific cost.
What Is the Stormwater Fee?
The stormwater fee is a monthly charge based on how much hard surface area (impervious surface) your property has—things like roofs, driveways, parking areas, and paved surfaces that prevent water from soaking into the ground.
Instead of going into the general fund, this fee is dedicated specifically to maintaining, operating, and improving Cheyenne’s stormwater drainage system.
How Is the Fee Calculated?
The fee is based on your property’s impervious surface area, calculated using aerial imagery and mapping data.
- Rate: 24 cents per 100 square feet of hard surface
- Equivalent to: $0.0024 per square foot
- Billing: Added to your existing BOPU utility bill starting April 2026
For most residential properties in Cheyenne, the city estimates the fee will be less than $10 per month.
You can look up your specific property and see your estimated fee using the City of Cheyenne’s map tool here:
👉 www.cheyennecity.org/StormwaterFeeMap
Why Is the City Implementing This Fee?
Cheyenne has an extensive stormwater system that quietly works behind the scenes every day to prevent flooding and protect homes, businesses, and public spaces. As the city has grown, so has the amount of stormwater infrastructure it maintains.
City officials determined a dedicated funding source was needed to:
- Maintain aging infrastructure
- Support system upgrades and improvements
- Reduce flooding risk
- Avoid costly federal non-compliance penalties faced by other cities with underfunded systems
Citywide, the stormwater fee is expected to generate about $6 million per year for the stormwater program.
Storm Sewer vs. Sanitary Sewer: What’s the Difference?
This is a common point of confusion, so here’s the simple version:
- Sanitary sewer system: Handles household wastewater and sewage, which is treated at BOPU treatment plants before being released.
- Storm sewer system: Handles rain and snowmelt runoff from streets, roofs, and pavement. This water often flows directly into creeeks, channels, and lakes through pipes, culverts, and detention ponds.
These systems are separate by design. In older cities with combined systems, heavy storms can cause untreated sewage to overflow into waterways—something modern systems are built to avoid.
Cheyenne’s Stormwater System: Bigger Than You Think
Cheyenne’s stormwater infrastructure includes:
- 700+ miles of curb and gutter
- 135 miles of drainage pipe
- 4,119 inlets and catch basins
- 236 discharge points
- 25+ miles of open channels
- 6 lakes and reservoirs
- 3 dams
Many of our most loved green spaces also serve a dual purpose. Lions Park (Sloan Lake) and Holliday Park (Lake Minnehaha), for example, are key parts of the stormwater system. Even projects like Pando Park and Civic Commons Park were designed to function as both community gathering spaces and stormwater detention areas.
In flood-prone areas, the city has invested millions in projects like:
- The 26th Street Interceptor
- Snyder Avenue storm system
- Carey Reservoir overflow and detention system
- 19th Street storm sewer interceptor
Much of this work is underground and out of sight—but critical.
Why This Matters in a “Dry” Climate
While Cheyenne is drier than many parts of the country, the city sits on a natural network of 10 drainage basins. As development has expanded, homes, businesses, and roads have been built over that natural drainage system.
Without proper planning and maintenance, stormwater can overwhelm infrastructure quickly. Flooding doesn’t just damage property—it disrupts families, businesses, and the local economy. Proactive investment is far less costly than emergency response after a major flood.
Fee vs. Tax: What’s the City’s Position?
The City of Cheyenne classifies this as a user fee, not a tax, because it is based on impact. Properties with more hard surface contribute more runoff and therefore pay more.
That said, there has been some community discussion and legal concern, including challenges raised by Laramie County School District 1 regarding credits for existing on-site systems. The city has stated it will continue working through complex ownership and billing situations, which is part of why implementation was delayed.
Why Was the Start Date Delayed?
Originally planned for 2025, the stormwater fee was postponed to April 2026 to ensure properties with complex ownership structures are billed accurately and efficiently.
The Bottom Line
The stormwater fee is designed to create a stable, dedicated funding source for infrastructure that protects homes, businesses, streets, and neighborhoods across Cheyenne. While no one loves new fees, this one is aimed squarely at long-term protection, flood prevention, and system reliability.
As property owners, understanding how the system works—and how it’s funded—helps all of us stay informed and prepared as our city continues to grow.
Citations:
Stormwater Management System. (2025). City of Cheyenne; City of Cheyenne. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://www.cheyennecity.org/Your-Government/Departments/City-Engineer/Stormwater-Division
Stormwater fee postponed until April 2026. (2025, December 19). City of Cheyenne; City of Cheyenne. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://www.cheyennecity.org/News-articles/Stormwater-fee-postponed-until-April-2026
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