Charlotte budget adopted: FY 2027 tax rate and fee changes for July 2026

Charlotte City Council adopted the FY 2027 budget on June 8, 2026, setting the stage for a new fiscal year that begins July 1. For residents and businesses, the most immediate impacts are changes to the City’s property tax rate and several City-related utility and user fees that start with the FY 2027 cycle.

What City Council adopted (and when it starts)

City of Charlotte budget materials confirm the City adopted the FY 2027 budget on June 8, 2026, and that the fiscal year begins July 1, 2026. The adopted items include a new property tax rate and City fee updates for Charlotte Water, Storm Water services, and Solid Waste—along with the transit budget framework for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS).

Property tax rate: 29.30¢ per $100 assessed value

As part of the adopted FY 2027 operating budget and tax levy ordinance, the City’s property tax rate is set at 29.30¢ per $100 of assessed valuation. The adopted materials also state this is a 1.89¢ increase from FY 2026.

Residents won’t necessarily see the new rate on a single bill issued immediately on July 1, but the 29.30¢ rate is the City’s FY 2027 tax-rate language that will apply to the City’s portion of the FY 2027 property-tax billing cycle.

Charlotte Water rates: availability fees and typical bill increase

The adopted FY 2027 Charlotte Water rates include increases to the City’s water and sanitary sewer availability fees. The budget materials describe “typical resident” charges as:

• Availability fees: $12.53 per month, an increase of $0.77 from FY 2026.
• Fixed fees: $13.50 per month, an increase of $0.26 from FY 2026.
• Typical monthly total bill: estimated at $81.21 in FY 2027, an increase of $4.41 per month (based on “typical” usage assumptions in the adopted materials).

Because FY 2027 begins July 1, 2026, these adopted rates are part of the FY 2027 billing cycle that moves into effect with the new fiscal year.

Storm Water services fees: increases based on impervious area

Adopted budget materials set FY 2027 Storm Water Services Fee changes, with the amount varying by how much impervious area a property has. The adopted materials also describe the overall direction of the change, including that the FY 2027 Storm Water Services Fee is proposed to increase by 4.44%, with a typical homeowner experiencing a $0.48 per month increase.

For residential properties, the adopted materials outline monthly changes by impervious-area tiers (example categories shown in the adopted materials):

• Detached single-family homes under 2,000 square feet of impervious area: $7.34 per month to $7.66 per month in FY 2027.
• Detached single-family homes from 2,000 to less than 3,000 square feet: $10.82 per month to $11.30 per month in FY 2027.
• Detached single-family homes from 3,000 to less than 5,000 square feet: $16.00 per month to $16.70 per month in FY 2027.
• Detached single-family homes with 5,000 square feet or more of impervious area: $26.46 per month to $27.62 per month in FY 2027.

The storm water fee changes become effective July 1, 2026, and the revised storm water-related fee is included in the tax-bill cycle described in the adopted materials.

Solid Waste fees: residential dumpster and curbside service increases

City Council’s adopted budget materials amended the General Solid Waste Fee. The adopted materials state the annual Solid Waste Fee increases effective July 1, 2026, including:

• Residential dumpster service: $109.90 to $114.77.
• Residential curbside service: $120.30 to $136.55.

Those adopted materials also say the revised fee will be included in the tax bills mailed to property owners in July 2026 and are due by September 1, 2026.

CATS transit fares: base fare remains flat

For commuters, the adopted budget materials state that “Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) base transit fare remains flat from FY 2026 to FY 2027.” The materials also state, “The FY 2027 Budget includes no proposed fare increases and no proposed new fees.”

What to do next if you have bill questions

For residents, the practical takeaway is timing: Charlotte’s FY 2027 starts July 1, 2026, so the adopted property-tax language and the City’s utility/user-fee updates are tied to the FY 2027 billing cycle.

If you have a question about what appears on a specific bill—especially because different fees show up on different billing instruments—start by comparing:

• your property-tax levy and City portion (property-tax rate setting),
• your Charlotte Water service statement (water and sanitary sewer availability/fixed fees),
• your Storm Water-related charge (tied to impervious-area tiers), and
• your Solid Waste portion if it appears on the tax-bill cycle mailed in July 2026.

The City’s adopted budget materials and related FY 2027 fee schedules are the best place to confirm the exact fee components that apply to your property and service type.

Sources

• Legistar: FY 2027 budget adoption agenda (June 8, 2026)
• City news release: Adopts Fiscal Year 2027 Budget (June 8, 2026)

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