The stormwater fee is an annual charge used to cover the costs arising from the conveyance and treatment of rainwater and snowmelt (stormwater). The fee finances, for example, the maintenance of sewers, ditches and other stormwater systems within the City of Vaasa area.
The charge is based on section 103 n of the Land Use and Building Act and the City of Vaasa’s approved stormwater tariff (pdf) (City Board 12.11.2025, § 141).
Who pays the stormwater fee?
The stormwater fee is charged from all developed properties within the local detailed plan area.
A property is also considered developed if it has:
- a paved yard
- a parking or storage area
The fee does not depend on how stormwater from your property is managed.
The invoice is sent to one of the property’s owners based on who is registered as the owner at the beginning of the year.
How is the fee determined?
The stormwater fee (€/year) is determined based on the property’s intended use and area as follows:
| Stormwater fee | €/year |
| Detached houses | 42 |
| Semi-detached houses | 84 |
| Other properties in the zoning area | |
| Property area (m²) | |
| ≤ 1 500 | 126 |
| ≤ 3 000 | 210 |
| ≤ 5 000 | 340 |
| ≤ 10 000 | 500 |
| ≤ 25 000 | 920 |
| ≤ 50 000 | 1600 |
| > 50 000 | 2200 |
- Area refers to the geometric area within the property boundaries.
- Intended use is based on the zoning designation and information in the building register.
Billing
- You will receive the invoice once a year in spring
- The invoice is sent automatically
- You can receive the invoice:
- on paper
- as an e-invoice
- in the OmaPosti app
- in the Kivra service
The invoice includes an attachment letter that also contains instructions for contacting us and for filing an objection.
Why is a stormwater fee charged?
The fee funds the construction, maintenance and development of the city’s stormwater system. It is a statutory charge related to the upkeep of the public stormwater system.
What does the stormwater fee cover?
The stormwater fee is intended to cover the costs arising from the city’s stormwater system. The stormwater system consists of pump stations, roadway drainage pipes and ditches, stormwater basins, park drainage solutions and regional stormwater solutions, which together serve the city’s residents. By developing and better maintaining the city’s stormwater system, the aim is also to prepare for the impacts of floods and to minimize the damage they cause.
We collect all rainwater, why should we still pay a stormwater fee?
The stormwater system is citywide and also covers snowmelt. In exceptional situations such as storms, property-level stormwater management may be insufficient. The stormwater system aims to manage possible urban flood risks across the entire zoning area so that, for example, transport connections continue to function even in exceptional conditions.
Why is the fee charged even if the property handles its own stormwater?
Property-specific solutions do not affect the amount of the fee. The fee basis is determined by the tariff and exceptions are not made on the basis of individual properties’ stormwater management.
What is meant by a constructed property?
A property is considered constructed if it has a building or a paved / developed area that is not in its natural state. For construction projects the stormwater fee is charged from the granting of the building permit.
Can I apply for an exemption from the fee?
There are no possibilities for exemption, unless legislation or errors in the ownership register require correction of the fee.
There is an error on my invoice, what should I do?
Contact us via the electronic contact form. In the form you can select the subject from several options such as updating the billing address or billing details, changes to payment schedules or payment responsibility, incorrect billing information or other billing-related discrepancies. If necessary, you can also choose “Other” and describe your situation in your own words.