Quoted: Considering the cities we live in around here are now taxing you for rainfall that your house sheds into the storm sewers, taxing you for your own well water doesn't seem too far away.
WTF?
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Yep.
They measure the square feet of area of your house that would shed rainfall.
Then they use a magic forumla to determine how much rain your property
is causing to run into the city's storm drains. You are taxed on this amount
of rain, per some federal law requiring cities to be accountable for storm water.
(not sure exactly what the laws are, since I rent and don't see the tax in person)
Some people have argued saying that they collect their storm water for
irrigation and other uses, and hence should be exempt from said tax.
But, as someone else pointed out, home owners pay school tax even though
they don't have kids.
We got 8 inches of snow last week.
City law requires sidewalks be cleared 12 hours after the snow stops.
The street is wide enough to be a 4-lane, but we park on the street.
Cars must be moved after more than 2-inches of snow, so plows
can clear the street. Cars not moved can be ticketed and/or towed.
Sidewalks not cleared can result in the home owner being fined up to $700.
No problem, like a good sheep, I went out and cleared the walk and moved
the cars. But 24 hours after the snow stopped, a plow came through and piled
half of the road's snow on to my sidewalk.
Heavy, wet, slushy snow. While I was at work. So when I got home it was
an iceberg.
On the news they reminded everyone about clearing the sidewalks.
Our city law allows up to a $700 fine if sidewalks are not cleared.
I said f' them. I cleared it once. I can't and won't move snow that
a freak'in plow deposited on my sidewalk.
Dave