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1. Why was a lien placed against my property?

A public entity utility lien is placed against properties that have outstanding delinquent user fees for services that were provided from Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District prior to July 1, 2017.

2. What is a Release of Utility Lien document?

A lien release is a type of legal document stating that the debtor has sufficiently paid off their debts and is no longer subject to a property lien. Release of lien forms are legal documents that are notarized.

3. How do I get a Release of Utility Lien document?

To obtain a lien release you must have sufficiently paid off the debt(s). The District will provide to you a lien release document upon request and verification that debt(s) have been received for lien placed against property. You must request lien releases to receive them. The District does not automatically send them. The District will release all liens fully collected on property taxes at no additional charge to the customer.

4. How do I get a lien removed from my property?

Property lien removal process:

1. Make sure the debt the lien represents is valid and satisfied/paid.
2. Fill out a Request for Release of Utility Lien form (PDF).
3. Wait for our District to contact you for pick-up of Release of Utility Lien form. If you are an escrow company, you may attach a prepaid shipping label and the District will send you the Release of Utility Lien document. If you are a customer, please be sure to provide a contact number for the District to contact you when the Release of Utility Lien document(s) are ready for pick-up. You may also provide the District with a self-addressed envelope to send your release documents to you when prepared.
4. Take the notarized Release of Lien document to the Solano County Assessor-Recorder’s office for filing.

5. Is there a fee to file a Release of Utility Lien document with the County?

The Solano County Assessor-Recorder’s office charges an applicable fee to record each Release of Utility Lien. For additional information and/or questions, please contact Customer Service at 707-644-8976 or via email Billing.

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1. Why haven’t I received my bill? How do I pay my bill?

As of July 1, 2017, Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District changed its method of billing. Your annual sewer and storm drain fees now appear on your property tax bill, which occur once a year. (Note: Some property owners choose to pay in two installments.) Your property taxes, which now include your sewer and storm drain fees, should be paid directly to Solano County.

2. How can I view my annual service charges on the property tax bill?

Solano County will mail the property tax bill to your property address. To view your Property Tax bill online, please visit the Solano County Treasurer/Tax Collector/County Clerk website. Enter your assessment number or property address to view your bill. Look for the line item "7811 Annual Sewer and Storm Fee."

3. I pay my property tax bill on a mortgage impound account. How will this be affected?

Your monthly payment, which includes your mortgage, your property tax as an impound account, and any other existing charges, will increase by the annual amount of the sewer/storm water bill. Since your mortgage company has established an impound account, they will receive your property tax bill and update your mortgage payment amount accordingly. Please keep in mind that our service charge is not a tax.

4. My house/family is a lot smaller than my neighbors, so why are we being charged the same amount?

Residential rates are a flat rate. Non-Residential rates are based on Winter Quarter Average water consumption usage provided by the City of Vallejo Water Department. There is no meter or measurement of sewer usage. The rate is based on the overall infrastructure and services available to the property and not by size of home or occupancy.

We do offer a Reduced Rate Program.

5. Why do I have to pay on a vacant property?

The District does not allow provisions for vacancies. If the property is connected to the sewer system, charges are applicable.

6. Why was a rate increase needed?

Sewer rate increases went into effect in 2018 so that we can repair and replace aging sewer pipes, pumps, and other infrastructure at the wastewater treatment plant, pump stations, and the pipes that bring your wastewater to the treatment plant. 

7. Who approved the rate increase for sewer service charges?

On June 12, 2018, the District’s Board of Trustees approved a 5-year sewer service charge rate increase in order to repair and replace aging sewer pipes, pumps and other infrastructure at the wastewater treatment plant and pump stations.  Please visit our website at www.VallejoWastewater.org to view the rate information.

8. Does the District offer any discount programs?

The District offers Reduced Rate Program for qualifying residential customers, which offers a 17.5% (FY2021) reduction from standard residential wastewater rates. Current participation in PG&E’s CARE Program is required.  To apply, fill out a Reduced Rate Program Application and submit with your most recent PG&E bill.  You may apply for the PG&E CARE program at www.pge.com/care. 

9. I am in the process of selling my home, how do I request a payoff demand?

The District no longer prepares payoff demands.  As of July 1, 2017, the annual sewer and storm drain user fees are billed on the Property Tax bill.  However, if there are liens against the property, you will need to clear the title by requesting a Release of Lien document.  Request for Release of Lien Form

10. Why do I still have a lien on my property if I already paid?

If the lien has been paid (satisfied), you will need to request a lien release from the District and file with the County to clear the lien from the property title. Please complete the following  Request for Release of Lien Form or call us at 707-644-8976 to request your "Release of Utility lien."  Once requested, please allow seven (7) business days for processing.

11. What is the balance due on my account?

As of July 1, 2017, the annual sewer and storm drain fees were transferred to the property tax bill.  There are no fees directly owed to our office.  The annual sewer and storm drain fees are paid with your property tax bill every year.

12. I just sold my home, how do I close my account?

The District will take the information and update our system, however, the billing is parcel-based via property tax bill. To provide this information, please call 707-644-8976 during regular business hours.

13. Why did my commercial billing category change?

In March 2018, a wastewater cost of service study was done which involved a comprehensive review of the District’s wastewater rate structure and long-range financial plan, and the calculation of cost of service based on the wastewater rates and connection fees. As one result of the study, Commercial customers were reclassified to better reflect cost of service principles and align with industry standards.

The structure remains the same, with Commercial I, Commercial II, and Commercial III customers. Commercial IV customers are significant users and are monitored individually and are their own class. The classifications are based on combined BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) and TSS (total suspended solids) strength in milligrams per liter (mg/L). To view the wastewater cost of service study report, please view the 2018 Wastewater Rate Study (PDF) on the Understand Wastewater Rates page on our website

14. Where do I learn more?

For more information on the District’s efforts to protect our community’s health, safety, and waterways, explore our website or call 707-644-8976. You can also write to us through the Contact Us form.

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1. Do you have a manhole or a cleanout in your yard?

If so, chances are good that we’ll need to get to it at some point to perform maintenance. Keep manholes and cleanouts (small cement boxes or cylinders) clear of debris and landscaping for ease of access. If you have a utility structure in your yard and don’t know what it is, call our Field Operations Department at 707-644-8949, ext. 1702. View photo examples that show a cleanout that is covered by landscaping (PNG) and a cleanout that is properly exposed (PNG).

2. Do you have an easement on your property?

An easement is a legal statute granting utility workers access to your yard for needed improvements or maintenance. It means that you own your property, but there are restrictions that may prevent placing a structure in a certain area of your yard. If you are wondering if there is an easement on your property, check your property title. District engineers can help you determine which part of your property is affected. You can reach them by calling 707-644-8949, ext. 1100.

3. How will you know when the District performs maintenance?

If we need to do preventive maintenance on the manhole or cleanout in your yard, we will leave a hanger on your front door asking you to call us so we can make an appointment to access your property at a time that is convenient to you. If you have a pet, you will be asked to secure it prior to the appointment.

In an emergency, we may need to access your yard without an appointment, but we will make every effort to contact you to let you know what is happening. If we can’t reach you, and access your yard to perform emergency work on the structure in your yard, we will leave a door hanger describing what was done and giving you a contact number in case you have further questions.

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1. What are "Stormwater Services"?

The District protects residents and the environment from pollution. As part of this mission, we manage the stormwater system to drain rainwater from homes, businesses, and streets. Every property that is protected by the stormwater system helps pay for these services.

2. Why Increase Rates?

The typical residential rate -- $1.97 per month -- hasn't changed since 1997. The District needs a rate increase to keep up with inflation and wear and tear on our aging stormwater pipes, canals, and pump stations, and to implement new regulatory requirements, such as installing trash capture devices.

3. Didn't We Just Approve a Stormwater Rate Increase?

Vallejo voted to increase stormwater fees for businesses in 2015, but typical residential rates have been the same since 1997.  By law (Pro. 218), we cannot raise the stormwater fee without voter approval.

4. What Service Improvements Will We See?

The most important service improvements will help us keep Austin Creek and other channels from clogging up with weeds and trash, causing flooding. With these improvements and continued maintenance, floodwaters can move quickly out of the city to the Mare Island Strait.  We will also install trash removal devices and replace stormwater pipes that run under city streets.

5. What will Residents Pay?

If Vallejo property owners approve the proposed structure, the typical residential rate will gradually rise from $1.97 per property per month to $4.50 per month by 2027.  This service fee for typical residential properties has not increased since 1997. The proposed increase is necessary for the District to keep up with inflation, aging equipment, and new regulatory requirements. 

Amount per Month:

Fiscal Year	Standard Residents	Large Lot Residential (0.24 acre and larger)	High Density Residential
1997 to 2022	$1.97	$3.06	$1.04
2022 to 2023	$3.10	$4.77	$1.75
2023 to 2024	$3.48	$5.35	$1.96
2024 to 2025	$3.90	$6.00	$2.20
2025 to 2026	$4.37	$6.72	$2.46
2026 to 2027	$4.50	$6.93	$2.54

6. What Will Businesses Pay?

Broadly speaking, the business and commercial rate will rise by the same amount as residential rates. However, each business or commercial property pays a unique amount, depending on how much water drains from the site into the stormwater system.  Smaller businesses with smaller surface area pay lower fees, while larger businesses with larger surface area pay proportionally higher fees.

Contact us using our online form with your street address or APN number, and we will calculate the proposed fee for your property. Or you can call our finance customer service line at (707) 644-8976 and ask to have your proposed new rate calculated. 

Can Nonprofits be exempted?

State law requires that all property owners, regardless of whether they are for-profit companies or not-for-profit organizations, are required to pay their fair share of these expenses. Lowering the rates for one group would mean raising the rates for another group. Except in very limited circumstances, it is not legal to charge different rates based on the rate payer’s characteristics.  All users pay a fee based on their proximate impact to the system or the demand for service they generate.

7. Will There Be Financial Assistance for Low Income Homeowners?

As part of this proposal, financial assistance will be available to qualified low-income homeowners. The program will be administered similarly to the sewer rate reduction program.

8. Why Not Just Use Sewer Fee Money For This?

State law does not allow fees and charges collected for one purpose to be used for a separate purpose, unless approved to do so by the voters.  For this reason, the District cannot use fees collected for sewage collection and treatment to be use to manage the stormwater system. 

9. How Do I Know the Money Will Be Used as Promised?

The District is audited annually by an independent CPA firm, and reports its results directly to the Board of Trustees, with the reports made available to the public.  Any inappropriate uses of this money would be reported in the audit to the Board.

10. Does It Ever Flood in Vallejo?

Not very often, and the proposed rate increase would help us keep it that way. Most years, Vallejo receives very little rain. But during El Nino years, we can experience heavy rains. Here are a few examples: 

• In 2017, parts of Admiral Callaghan Lane, Curtola Parkway and Lake Herman Road were closed to give the stormwater system time to drain floodwaters. 
• In 2014, a major storm dropped about 3 inches of rain on Vallejo in less than 48 hours. Parts of Couch Street and other areas were closed to give the stormwater system time to drain floodwaters. 
• In 2006, a major flood caused an estimated $1.86 million worth of property damage in Vallejo before the stormwater system could catch up and drain the floodwaters.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, about 6,262 Vallejo residents live in low-lying flood-prone areas. The commercial areas along Sonoma Blvd./Highway 29 and near White Slough are also in high-risk areas. The total property value of flood-prone buildings and their content is valued at more than $1 billion. 

11. My Property Doesn't Flood. Why Should I Have to Pay?

While your property may not be in a flood zone or flood during heavy rains, the stormwater from your property drains into the system. The fees you pay help maintain the entire system, which benefits you and the entire community.

12. When and Where is the Public Hearing?

The public hearing will be accessible online starting at 5:00pm on November 9, 2021. The agenda will be available at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.  If allowed, the public hearing will also be in person at City of Vallejo Council Chambers located at 555 Santa Clara Street in Vallejo. 

Public Hearing Notice (in English) (PDF)
Aviso de Audiencia Pública (en español) (PDF)

13. How Do I Protest the Proposed Fee Increase?

Any record owner of a parcel upon which the charges are proposed for imposition, and any tenant directly responsible for the payment of storm drainage charges (i.e., a customer of record who is not a property owner), may submit a written protest to the proposed rate adjustments to the District’s storm drainage charges; however, only one protest will be counted per identified parcel.   

Each protest must: (1) be in writing; (2) state that it’s being submitted in opposition to the proposed rate increases for the storm drainage charges; (3) provide the location of the identified parcel (by street address or assessor’s parcel number); and (4) include the name and signature of the property owner or tenant submitting the protest.  

Written protests may be submitted by mail or in person to the District Clerk of the Board at 450 Ryder Street, Vallejo, CA 94590, on or before November 9, 2021, provided they are received prior to the close of the Public Hearing, which will occur when public testimony on the proposed rate increases is concluded. Protest submitted via e-mail or other electronic means will not be accepted.

14. What Are the Next Steps?

First, a public hearing on the proposed increase will be held on November 9, 2021, at 5 p.m.  

Second, after the public hearing, and if there is not a majority protest, the District's Board of Trustees will consider whether to move the proposal forward. 

Third, assuming the Board decides to move the proposal forward, the District will send a mailed ballot to all property owners, asking them to vote "yes" or "no" on this proposed increase. It is anticipated that the ballots would be mailed in March 2022.

Fourth, if approved by voters, the rate increase to go into effect beginning July 1, 2022 and be placed on the 2022-2023 property tax assessment (for almost all customers).