HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2025-10-20 Item 4G - Resolution - Consolidated Permit Fee Schedule Update: DCD Permit FeesCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
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ITEM INFORMATION
ITEM No.
4.G.
STAFF SPONSOR: MAX BAKER
ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 10/20/25
AGENDA ITEM TITLE Minor Updates to DCD Permit Fees
CATEGORY ❑ Discussion
Mtg Date
Motion
Mtg Date 10/20
® Resolution
Mtg Date
❑ Ordinance
Mtg Date
❑ Bid Award
Mtg Date
❑ Public Hearing
Mtg Date
❑ Other
Mtg Date
SPONSOR ❑ Council ❑ Mayor ❑ Admin Svcs ® DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ P&R ❑ Police ❑ PIV
SPONSOR'S
SUMMARY
This item updates the City's Consolidated Permit Fee Schedule to add a Critical Area
Designation permit and implement a Correction Review Fee for construction permits. These
changes improve permitting efficiency, promote accurate submittals, and ensure fair cost
recovery. The Council is being asked to consider and approve the resolution amending the
Consolidated Permit Fee Schedule.
REVIEWED BY
❑ Trans&Infrastructure Svcs ❑ Community Svcs/Safety ❑ Finance & Governance ® Planning & Community Dev.
❑ LTAC ❑ Arts Comm.
DATE: 10/13/2025
❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm.
COMMITTEE CHAIR: HEDRICK
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN. Department of Community Development
COMMII°IEE Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED
AMOUNT BUDGETED
$
APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
10/20/25
MTG. DATE
ATTACHMENTS
10/27/25
Informational Memorandum dated 10/13/2025
Draft Resolution
Task Order Estimate (Added after Committee)
Minutes from the 10/13 PCD Committee Meeting
315
City of Tukwila
Thomas Mcleod, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning and Community Development Committee
FROM: Nora Gierloff, DCD Director
BY: Max Baker, Development Supervisor
CC: Mayor Mcleod
DATE: October 13, 2025
SUBJECT: Minor Updates to DCD Permit Fees
ISSUE
The City is proposing updates to the permit fee schedule to support the addition of a new Critical Area
Designation (CAD) permit and the implementation of correction review fees for construction permits.
These changes are intended to improve service delivery, promote efficiency, and ensure appropriate
cost recovery.
BACKGROUND
Resolution 2105, adopted in November 2024, established Tukwila's current consolidated permit fee
schedule. As part of ongoing efforts to modernize and streamline permitting services, staff are
proposing updates to the fee schedule to reflect new permit offerings and process refinements.
DISCUSSION
Key updates to the fee schedule include:
1. Critical Area Designation (CAD) Permit Fee Established
Code establishing a Critical Area Designation permit was passed by Council earlier this year. It is a
standalone permit intended to ensure applicants understand the environmental constraints on their
sites before submitting development proposals. This will allow them to design their projects to
incorporate buffer distances from any wetlands, streams, or steep slopes, thereby improving
predictability and reducing delays later in the permitting process.
Once an application is received the City's consultant will review existing environmental maps and
make a site visit to investigate for signs of critical areas and write up the findings. To recover these
costs, the City proposes to establish a fee that would cover the consultant's site evaluation and two
hours of staff time for processing and coordination. The subtotal is $2,446, with an additional 5%
technology fee of $122.30, for a total of $2,568.30 for 2025.
The applicant would be able to contract with the consultant for additional work, such as detailed
memoranda or site sketches.
A Critical Area Designation permit will only be deemed finaled by the Permit Center if the consultant
determines there are no critical areas on or near the site that require compilation into a full critical
area report. If critical areas are identified and a full study is needed, the applicant may choose to
proceed with the City's consultant or hire a consultant of their choice to prepare the full Critical Area
316
Report. The cost of that report would be based on site conditions and scope, and will be assessed
by the consultant and presented to the applicant for approval and payment.
Alternatively, the applicant may choose not to move forward with the full Critical Area Report. In that
case, the CAD permit will not be finalized, and the applicant would need to submit a new CAD
application if they choose to pursue development on the site at a later date.
2. Implementation of Correction Review Fees for Construction Permits
To encourage complete and accurate submittals, a fee of $120 will be assessed for each additional
review cycle after the City's second correction letter. Intake fees will continue to cover the initial
review and the first resubmittal. This change is intended to promote efficiency and reduce delays
caused by repeated corrections, while also encouraging applicants to provide higher -quality
submittals and conduct necessary research prior to applying. Recovering costs on projects that
require additional staff time, whether due to applicant error or complications not identified before
submittal, helps the City more fairly capture the actual amount of work demanded of staff. In turn,
this allows us to balance these additional demands with the needs of other applicants and maintain
a fair, consistent review process. Similar correction review fees are already in place in neighboring
cities, including but not limited to Renton, Kent, Burien, and Seattle.
These changes are part of a broader effort to improve transparency, align with regional best practices,
and ensure the City's permitting processes are efficient and user-friendly.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed updates will primarily affect how permit types are categorized and reviewed. New fees
are being introduced for services that have not previously been captured in the fee schedule, such as
the Critical Area Designation permit and additional correction review cycles for construction permits.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Committee forward this item for consideration and approval at the next
Regular Meeting Consent Agenda.
ATTACHMENTS
• Draft Permit Fee Schedule Update
317
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHIINGTON, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO.
2105; TO UPDATE PERMIT TYPES AND FEES IN
ALIGNMENT WITH RECENT CHANGES TO THE TUKWILA
MUNICIPAL CODE.
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2105 in 2024, establishing the City's
current consolidated permit fee schedule; and
WHEREAS, the City intends to update permit fees on an annual basis, with any increases
tied to growth in City expenses for providing permit services; and
WHEREAS, the City is authorized by RCW 82.02.020 to recover the City's costs for
reviewing and processing permit applications; and
WHEREAS, repeated correction cycles for permit applications create additional staff
workload beyond what is covered by standard intake and review fees, and recovering costs for
these cycles ensures a fair allocation of staff resources and promotes higher -quality submittals;
and
WHEREAS, certain sections of Title 18, "Zoning" were updated earlier this year to establish a
new "Critical Areas Designation" permit process; and
WHEREAS, the City's Land Use Fee Schedule needs to be updated to reflect these
changes.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Resolution No. 2105 is hereby amended to revise Section 7, "Land Use Fee
Schedule," of the Consolidated Permit Fee Schedule under the section "Environmental Review"
to add the following row:
2025 Legislation: DCD Update - Citywide Consolidated Fee Schedule
Version: 10/7/25
Staff: M. Baker
Page 1 of 3
318
,
Illtu
Permit
I\
,
II,:.
Type
,II
III re.,„;,Yll.
a
d Subtypes
Hearing
Examiner
111
Fee
2025 FEES .
I+,,..r, ` G
2026 Fees
11+(. n+..
Permit
Type
n..
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
SEPA Checklist
$2,510.64
$2,616.09
SEPA - EIS
$4,396.89
$4,581.56
SEPA - Planned Action
$864.80
$901.12
SEPA - Addendum
$864.80
$901.12
SEPA Exemption Letter
$514.53
$536.14
Environmentally Critical Areas
Critical Areas Deviation, Buffer Reduction
$2,198.44
$2,290.78
2
• Reduced fee for owner occupied properties,
no associated short plat
$864.80
$901.12
2
Critical Areas Reasonable Use Exception
+HE
$4,396.89
$4,581.56
3
Environmentally Critical Area Master Plan
Overlay
+HE
$7,330.68
$7,638.57
3
Section 2. Resolution No. 2105 is hereby amended to revise Section 13, "Other Inspections
and Fees," of the Consolidated Permit Fee Schedule to add the following row:
OTHER INSPECTIONS AND FEES
Inspections outside of normal business hours (four hour minimum charge)
$124 per hour
Re -inspection fee (minimum charge one hour)
$120 per hour
Inspection for which no fee is specifically indicated —investigations or safety inspections
$120 per hour
Additional plan review required by changes, additions, or revisions to approved plans
$120 per hour
(IuYll"Inudion rev iieuh/fee ° , „I „ed for each ,gd 1.11i o n V rev Ill uh,/ a:yh be site a ,e olllld co e;tluYln IIettIe
120 Il er II„Irylur
Work commencing before permit issuance shall be subject to an investigation fee equal to
100% of the permit fee.
100% of the permit fee
Plan review fee —Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas Piping and Electrical: The fee for review
shall be 25% of the total calculated permit fee. The plan review fee is a separate fee from the
permit fee and is required when plans are required in order to document compliance with the
code.
Work covered prior to inspection or work not ready at the time of inspection may be charged a
re -inspection fee of $120.
Expired permit final — includes two inspections
$160
Expired permit final — each additional inspection
$80
Minor residential remodel plan review and permit (projects valued up to $25,000 including
building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing within 1 year)
$100
Certificate of Occupancy replacement
$120
Permit extension for issued permit- when allowed by code
$120
Permit extension for expired permit- when allowed by code
$240
2025 Legislation: DCD Update - Citywide Consolidated Fee Schedule
Version: 10/7/25
Staff: M. Baker
Page 2 of 3
319
Section 3. Effective Date. This resolution and the fee schedules contained shall be
effective from the date of this ordinance.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a
Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2025.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Andy Youn, CMC, City Clerk Tosh Sharp, Council President
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
2025 Legislation: DCD Update - Citywide Consolidated Fee Schedule
Version: 10/7/25
Staff: M. Baker
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Resolution Number:
Page 3 of 3
320
Task Dese Notion
1.1 Planner c ammunicatich and PM, invoicing.
1,2 Desktop review
13 Site visit prep
,2„ 1
iiiiiii101111111111111111111111II
•Site vi slit
3 Memorandum and sketch
Notes;
00.
•WI 2
..„„„
6
rt
0
Notes $1.32 0
ot
6302.50
S18,3„ 70
3.1 M emwtlnin fndings
3.2 Wetliend determination data, sin e et s 2
3,3 Site' sketch of general. literati ell 2
TOTAL Esn MATED HOURS BY ILAB 0 R CATEGORY 1 16
Total' Facet Total
Hours Each Task
Sit
3676
TOTAL ESTIMATED CHARGES BY ILAB OR CATEGORY 5132 3606 32.,939 33,.676
FEE ESTIMATE SUMMARY
Facet Laboik Feev 6.3,676..20
Facet Expeinete 335,03
TOTAL ESTIMATED MAXI: MU FEES 63711.20
321
City of Tukwila
City Council Planning & Community Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2025, 5:30 p.m. - Hybrid Meeting; City Council Conference Room & MS Teams
Councilmembers Present: Verna Seal, Acting Chair; Joe Camacho
Staff Present: Nora Gierloff, Marty Wine, Max Baker, Neil Tabor, Nancy Eklund
Acting Chair Seal called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
BUSINESS AGENDA
A. Resolution: DCD Permit Fee Update
Staff is seeking approval of a resolution that would update the DCD permit fee schedule too
*add a Critical Area Designation Permit Fee and implement correction review fees for
construction permits.
Item(s) for follow-up:
Provide copy of Work Order estimate provided by Facet.
Committee Recommendation
Majority approval. Forward to October 20, 2025 Regular Consent Agenda.
B. Miscellaneous Code Amendments
Staff briefed the committee on a plan to update the Tukwila Municipal Code to remove or
update zoning district references changed during the middle housing update, to clarify
standards and applications, and to create clear regulations or updates to development
standards. Further, staff is seeking committee approval for the Council to serve as the review
body for these updates as well as for the Critical Areas Ordinance update required to be
updated by June 30, 2026.
Committee Recommendation
Committee approval to return to committee.
MISCELLANEOUS
The meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m.
VS
Committee Chair Approval
322