Recertify your commercial stormwater credits

We show you how to recertify your stormwater credits.

Commercial credit holders

If you have a commercial stormwater credit, you will need to recertify it every five years to keep it. This is a new requirement that has not been part of the program in the past.

To maintain your credits:

  • You will receive a reminder. In January of your recertification year, you will get a letter explaining the process. We will send reminders in April and June.
  • Submit your application. You must apply to recertify your credits every five years. This allows us to make sure your stormwater system is working properly.
  • Turn in documents by July 15. Make sure you send in all documents by July 15 of your recertification year.

City staff are available to clarify what documents are required for your application. However, we cannot assist with preparing or reviewing the content of those documents.

Apply to recertify your credits

Downtown Minneapolis during a rain storm.

Credit recertification tiers

Each site will be assigned a credit recertification tier. The tier is based on the site's annual credit amount.

You will receive a letter telling you which tier you are in.

Credit recertification tier Credit amount per year
Tier 1 $1 - $1,200
Tier 2 $1,201 - $5,000
Tier 3 $5,001 - $24,000
Tier 4 $24,001 and up

Recertification documents you need to submit

For all applicants

You must submit the following documents to complete the recertification process:

An application with complete site details:

  • Address
  • Owner
  • Contact information

A map showing the site conditions, including:

  • The total impervious area.
  • The size and location of stormwater facilities.
  • The flow path from the impervious areas to the stormwater facilities.

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plan:

Documentation of Best Management Practices (BMPs)

  • These can be photos or videos.

Annual inspection and maintenance records

  • The records must show that inspections were done at least annually, or more often if the O&M Plan requires it.

Basic Salt Management Plan

Applicants must also submit the following documents for their assigned credit tier.

Some documents may need to be completed or signed by a licensed or certified professional.

See the licensed and certified professional form

Tier 1 applicants

The City will provide you with a checklist or simple form. This is for assessing small sites or BMPs.

Tier 2 applicants

You must provide:

A map detailing the drainage for the entire site, including:

  • All infrastructure relating to stormwater BMPs. Examples include:
    • Inlets
    • Outlets
    • Storm pipes
    • Manholes
    • Underdrains
  • Any connection points to the City of Minneapolis stormwater system or discharge offsite.
  • Functional assessment of the BMPs.
    • This must show that the BMPs are functioning as designed.
  • Documents must be signed by a certified professional.

Tier 3 applicants

You must provide:

  • Everything listed in Tier 2.
  • A licensed professional must verify the hydraulic and hydrologic modeling.
    • If previous modeling exists, you may submit it.  A certified professional must verify that the site conditions have not changed.

Tier 4 applicants

You must provide:

  • Everything listed in Tier 2 and Tier 3.
  • A certification from a licensed professional that the stormwater facilities:
    • Have been constructed.
    • Continue to meet the standards of the stormwater credits program.

Community engagement

Virtual Q&A Sessions

We’re hosting drop-in virtual Q&A sessions, join us to ask your questions about recertification:

Contact us

SWS Utility

Surface Water and Sewers 
Public Works Department

Email SWS Utility