About Surface Water Management

The City of Newcastle’s Surface Water Management (SWM) Division helps manage stormwater to protect people, property, and the environment. It oversees things like stormwater system inspections, maintaining pipes and drains, monitoring waterways, and providing education about stormwater. The City manages nearly 50 miles of pipes, more than 3,400 storm drains, over 150 facilities like ponds and tanks, and 38 low-impact development sites.

SWM Fees

The City of Newcastle works with King County to collect annual Surface Water Management (SWM) fees through property tax statements. These fees fund planning, building, maintaining, and improving the City’s stormwater and drainage systems. SWM fee rates vary based on the type of property and how much impervious surface, like pavement or rooftops, it has.

SWM Fee Discount

Homeowners may qualify for a reduced fee through the same process King County uses for property tax exemptions. To be eligible, residents must meet three requirements: own and live in the home, be at least 61 years old or disabled by December 31 of the previous year, and have a household income of $84,000 or less. Full qualification details and application are available on the King County Property Tax Exemptions webpage.

Billing and Questions

King County collects property taxes and SWM fees in two installments, due April 30 and October 31. Property owners can request a rate adjustment within two years of the billing date, though filing a request does not extend the payment period. Requests should be submitted if the property acreage or the measured impervious surface is incorrect. Find more information on the King County Assessor webpage.