Province looks to exempt farms from stormwater fees

The provincial government is proposing to ban municipalities from charging stormwater fees on most farm properties — just months before the contentious fee derided by critics as a “rain tax” is slated to come into effect citywide in Hamilton.

The regulatory proposal, posted online and open for comments until Dec. 29, would prohibit municipalities from “imposing stormwater fees and charges” on farm properties with no direct connection to a municipal storm sewer.

That would conflict with Hamilton’s plan to charge a separate fee for stormwater starting in July 2026 to both urban and rural dwellers, although with significant “green space” credits or other discounts for agricultural land.

It’s not yet clear whether the proposed regulatory change would delay or force an overhaul of Hamilto