Clearwater hikes stormwater rates 8% to address flooding, infrastructure

The increase will pay for $232 million of upgrades over the next decade.

Residents are set to pay more for stormwater utility fees over the next five years as Clearwater invests in drainage to address flooding and respond to sea-level rise.

The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to increase rates by 8% every year through 2029, which will average to $1.30 more annually for single-family households.

The hike is needed to pay for a backlog of citywide stormwater upgrades that had been deferred over the past decade and a major flood-control project on north Clearwater Beach, according to public works director Marcus Williamson.

But Clearwater is not alone. On average, 14 municipalities in Tampa Bay are increasing stormwater rates by 13% in 2025, with some hitting 20%, according to Leticia Doohaluk, senior manager for the engineering firm Stantec.