HomeMy WebLinkAboutDev Regs Supplemental 11 - February 2001CODE PUBLISHING, INC.
P.O. Box 51164
Seattle, WA 98115-1164
(206) 527-6831
______________
INSTRUCTION SHEET:RENTON DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
Renton Municipal Code Title 4
Supplement No. 11/February 2001
Includes Ordinances through 4889
REMOVE PAGES INSERT NEW PAGES
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preface
CHAPTER 1:
i – iv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i – iv
23 – 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 – 36.2
(Revised 2/01)
PREFACE
Citation to the Renton Development Regulations: This code contains all the provisions of
Title 4 of the Renton Municipal Code and should be cited as RMC; i.e., “see RMC 4-10-010”. An
RMC chapter should be cited chapter 4-10 RMC. An RMC section should be cited RMC 4-10-010.
Through references should be made as RMC 4-10-010 through 4-10-040. Series of sections
should be cited as RMC 4-10-010, 4-10-020, and 4-10-030.
Page and section numbering system: The page numbering system for these regulations
does not run sequentially from the first page of the document to the last. Instead, page numbering
begins with the number of the chapter followed by a page number. Each chapter starts with a Table
of Contents listing the provisions found in the chapter by page number. These Table of Contents
pages themselves are numbered with lowercase Roman numerals. For example, the first page of
the Table of Contents of the first chapter is 1-i; the first page of text of the first chapter is 1-1; the
tenth page is 1-10. The first page of the Table of Contents of the second chapter is 2-i; the first
page of text is 2-1, and so on to the end of the document. As the Development Regulations are
supplemented and pages are added, a decimal numbering and lettering system is used to allow
for expansion of existing chapters. A detailed directions page is included with each supplement.
The section numbering system used in the Development Regulations operates in the following
manner:
Legislation: The legislative source of each section is enclosed in parentheses at the end of
the applicable section or subsection. References to ordinances are abbreviated and a semicolon
between ordinance citations indicates an amendment of the earlier section; thus “(Ord. 4638,
4-4-94; Amd. Ord. 4654, 6-5-94)” refers to Ordinance No. 4638 as amended by Ordinance No.
4654.
Index: The Development Regulations index follows Chapter 4-11. The index includes com-
plete cross-referencing and is keyed to the section and subsection numbers described above.
Errors or omissions: Although considerable care has been used in the production of this
code, it is inevitable in so large a work that there will be errors. As users of this code detect such
errors, it is requested that a note citing the section involved and the nature of the error be mailed
to: Code Publishing Company, P. O. Box 51164, Seattle, WA 98115-1164, so that correction may
be made in a subsequent update.
Computer access: The code is available in the following computer formats: ASCII text or
Folio infobase.
410010 A1a(i)
title of Renton Municipal Code
chapter of title
section of chapter
subsections
––
This Supplement No. 11 brings the Renton Development Regulations up to date
through Ordinance 4889, passed December 18, 2000.
1 - i (Revised 2/01)
Chapter 1
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
This Chapter last amended by Ord. 4875, December 4, 2000.
SECTION PAGE
NUMBER NUMBER
4-1-010 TITLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
4-1-020 PURPOSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
4-1-030 AUTHORITY TO ADOPT REGULATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
4-1-040 CONFORMITY WITH DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
REQUIRED (Reserved) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
4-1-050 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A. Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator or Designee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1. Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
B. Board of Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
C. Environmental Review Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
D. Board of Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
E. Planning Commission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1. Comprehensive Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Shoreline Master Program Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3. Area-Wide Zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4. Land Use Regulations and Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
F. Hearing Examiner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1. Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3. Variances from the provisions of the subdivision regulations relating to a
full subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4. Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
G. City Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
H. Review Authority for Multiple Permit Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4-1-060 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A. Purposes of Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
B. Description of Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
C. Plan Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1. Required Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2. Optional Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. Land Use Element Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
D. Adoption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4-1-070 CONSISTENCY OF REGULATIONS WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN . . . . 6
A. Consistency Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
B. Instruments Implementing the Comprehensive Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1. Title 4 – Development Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2. Title 8 – Health and Sanitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. Title 10 – Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4-1-080 INTERPRETATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
A. Conflicts and Overlaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION PAGE
NUMBER NUMBER
(Revised 2/01)1 - ii
B. Requirements Listed Are Minimums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
C. Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
D. Duty of Zoning Administrator – Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4-1-090 LIABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
A. City Officer or Employee Not Liable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
B. Liability of Owner or Builder Not Reduced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
C. Disclaimer of Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4-1-100 ENFORCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
A. Enforcement Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4-1-110 VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
A. Violation Unlawful. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
B. Violations of this Chapter and Penalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4-1-120 SEVERABILITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4-1-130 TITLE NOT EXCLUSIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4-1-140 BUILDING FEES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
A. Building Permit Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
B. Combination Building Permit Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
C. Building Plan Check Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
D. Nonresidential Energy Code Fees for Alterations without Associated
Floor Area (Deleted). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
E. Energy Code Fees for New Nonresidential Projects with Associated
Floor Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1. Envelope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2. Mechanical Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3. Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
F. Electrical Permit Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1. Residential Fees – Single Family and Duplex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2. Multi-Family, Commercial and Industrial Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3. Temporary Electrical Services – All Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4. Miscellaneous Electrical Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5. Increase or Decrease of Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6. Investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7. Exemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
G. Grade and Fill License Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1. Grading License Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2. Grading Plan Check Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3. Drainage Plan Check Fees Associated with a Grading License . . . . . . . . . 14
4. Solid Waste Fills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5. Annual Licenses of Solid Waste Fills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
H. House Moving/Minimum Inspection Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
I. Inspection Fee for Condominium Conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
J. Manufactured/Mobile Home Installation Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
K. Mechanical Permit Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
L. Plumbing Permit Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
M. Sign Permit Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
1. Permanent Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2. Engineering Review Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3. Temporary Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION PAGE
NUMBER NUMBER
1 - iii (Revised 2/01)
4. Request for Administrative Modifications of City Center Sign
Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5. Work in Advance of Sign Permit Issuance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
N. Swimming Pool/Hot Tub/Spa Installation Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
O. Miscellaneous Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1. Replacement Permit Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2. Reinspection Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3. Plan Review Fees for Electrical, Plumbing, or Mechanical Permits. . . . . . 17
4-1-150 FIRE PREVENTION FEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
A. Fire Plan Review and Inspection Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
B. Fire Permit Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4-1-160 SCHOOL IMPACT MITIGATION FEES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
A. Findings and Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
B. Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
C. Impact Fee Program Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
D. Fee Calculations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
E. Assessment of Impact Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
F. Exemptions and Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.1
G. Appeals and Independent Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.2
H. The Impact Fee Account, Uses of Impact Fees, and Refunds. . . . . . . . . . . . 20.3
I. Interolcal Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.4
J. Adoption of the District Capital Facilities Plan and Submission of the
Annual Updates and Report and Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.4
K. Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.5
L. Special Fund Created. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.5
M. City Not Responsible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.5
N. Severability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.5
4-1-170 LAND USE REVIEW FEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.6
A. Application Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.6
B. Joint Land Use Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
C. Refund of Land Use Application Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
4-1-180 UTILITY FEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
A. Latecomer’s Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
1. Authorized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
2. Segregation and Relief of Latecomer’s Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
a. Segregation of Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
b. Relief Due to Two (2) Similar Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
c. Relief Due to Future Subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
d. Partial Release of Properties Due to Subdivision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
B. Public Works Plan Review and Inspection Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.7
1. Street and Utility Plan Review and Inspection Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.8
2. Water Meter Installation Fees – City Installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3. Meter Processing Fees – Applicant Installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
C. Public Works Construction Permit Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
1. Water Construction Permit Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2. Wastewater Construction Permit Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3. Surface Water Construction Permit Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SECTION PAGE
NUMBER NUMBER
(Revised 2/01)1 - iv
4. Work in Right-of-Way – Construction Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5. Franchise Work within Right-of-Way, Easements, and Public Property –
Inspection and Plan Review Fees (Cable TV, Natural Gas, Telephone,
Electrical) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
D. Release of Easement Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
E. Right-of-Way Use Permit Fees – Revocable Permits for the Use of
Excess Public Right-of-Way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
F. Special Assessment District Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
1. Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2. Exemptions for Special Assessment District Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
a. Segregation of Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
b. Relief Due to Two (2) Similar Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
c. Relief Due to Future Subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
d. Partial Release of Properties Due to Subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
G. Street and Alley Vacation Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
H. Temporary Surface Water Connection Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
I. System Development Charges (SDC) – Water, Wastewater and
Surface Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
1. Type of Land Use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2. Charges for Property Not Previously Assessed – Sanitary Sewer. . . . . . . . 25
a. Fund and Method of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
b. System Development Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3. Charges for Property Not Previously Assessed – Surface Water . . . . . . . . 29
a. Fund and Method of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
b. System Development Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
c. Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4. Charges for Property Previously Not Assessed – Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
a. Fund and Method of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
b. Special Water Utility Connection Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
c. Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4-1-190 MITIGATION FEES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4-1-200 EXTRA FEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4-1-180F
1 - 23 (Revised 2/01)
(Ord. 4443, 3-28-1994)
Insurance Required: Public liability and property
damage insurance is also required pursuant to
RMC 9-2-5B, Minimum Permit Requirements for
Excess Right-of-Way Use. (Ord. 4087,
10-12-1987)
Exception for Public Agencies: A no fee permit
may be issued only when the applicant is a public
agency and when the proposed use of the right-
of-way consists of the provision of a direct service
to the public (e.g., METRO applications for right-
of-way for bus shelters). (Ord. 4053, 4-6-1987)
F. SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
CHARGES:
1. Applicability: The special assessment
charge is a fee that enables the City to recover
a pro rata portion of the original costs of public
works improvements (water systems, sani-
tary sewer systems, stormwater drainage
systems, and street improvements including
signalization and lighting) which would benefit
from future connections to, or future users of,
improvements to the City’s infrastructure that
were not installed by LIDs or by a private de-
veloper under a latecomer agreement. The
imposition, collection, payment and other
specifics concerning these charges are de-
tailed in chapter 9-16 RMC, Special Assess-
ment Districts. Interest may be charged
pursuant to RMC 9-16-6, Payments to City.
(Ord. 4444, 3-28-1994; Ord. 4505,
4-10-1995)
2. Exemptions for Special Assessment
District Fees:
a. Segregation of Fees: The City shall
grant segregation of special assessment
district fees on large parcels of land if
they are legally subdivided by plat, short
plat, binding site plan, etc. The burden of
establishing the segregation by legal de-
scription, number of units and map would
be on the party owing the fee and not the
City. The subdivider or petitioner of the
segregation is required to pay a seven
hundred fifty dollar ($750.00) processing
fee for staff work.
b. Relief Due to Two (2) Similar Facil-
ities: The Planning/Building/Public
Works Administrator or the Administra-
tor’s designee based on good sound en-
gineering practices will consider relieving
a parcel of a special assessment district
fee/assessment if the property has a ben-
efit from either (but not both) of two (2)
similar facilities. The Planning/Building/
Public Works Administrator or the Admin-
istrator’s designee will make the decision
based on engineering and policy deci-
sions as to which facility(s) benefit and/or
are utilized by the parcel, and the assess-
ment due would be that associated with
the utilized facility. If there are no sound
engineering or policy reasons that indi-
cate one facility over the other, the City
shall give the applicant the choice of facil-
ities to utilize.
c. Relief Due to Future Subdivision:
At the time the special assessment dis-
trict is formed, and as a condition of the
special assessment district, the City may
divide the assessment against a parcel
such that a single family residential con-
nection will be assessed based upon the
size of a typical single family residential
lot in that area. The remainder of the cost
attributed to said site plus interest will be
due at such time as the parcel develops
further either by subdivision or increased
density.
d. Partial Release of Properties Due
to Subdivision: The Planning/Building/
Public Works Administrator or the Admin-
istrator’s designee will consider relieving
a parcel of the special assessment, if a
Type of Use Fee Amount
Uses with public
benefit
0.5% per year of assessed
value of land adjoining the
property, plus leasehold excise
tax2, if applicable. In no case
less than ten dollars ($10.00).
Payable yearly in advance.
1Right-of-Way Value: Right-of-way value shall be based on
the assessed value of the land adjoining the property as estab-
lished by the King County Assessor.
2Leasehold Excise Tax: There is hereby imposed a lease-
hold excise tax against fees so determined which are two hun-
dred fifty dollars ($250.00) per annum or more. Such tax shall
be imposed at the rate as established by the State of Washing-
ton, Department of Revenue. (Ord. 4053, 4-6-1987)
4-1-180G
(Revised 2/01)1 - 24
subdivision of the property severed a
linkage between a resulting lot and the
street frontage (containing special as-
sessment improvement(s)), so long as a
proposed lot does not have direct access
to or front footage on street right-of-way
containing the improvement(s) and will
not and cannot benefit from the improve-
ments. (Ord. 4444, 3-28-1994)
G. STREET AND ALLEY VACATION
FEES:
The imposition, collection, payment and other
specifics concerning this charge are detailed in
chapter 9-14 RMC, Vacations.
(Ord. 4266, 4-16-1990)
H. TEMPORARY SURFACE WATER
CONNECTION FEES:
(Ord. 4506, 4-10-1995)
I. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGES (SDC) – WATER, WASTEWATER AND SURFACE
WATER:
The City may hold and charge certain other fees similar to special assessment district charges which are
commonly referred to as “system development charges” pursuant to subsections I2b, I3b and I4b of this
Section. (Ord. 4505, 4-10-1995) These fees are payable prior to construction permit issuance or, in the ab-
sence of a construction permit, prior to building permit issuance. The imposition, collection, payment and
other specifics concerning these individual charges are detailed in the following Sections.
(Ord. 4506, 4-10-1995; Ord. 4526; Ord. 4508; Ord. 4525; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
Type of Fee Fee Amount
Filing fee $250.00 payable at time of
application
Processing and
completion fee
$250.00 payable upon Council
approval of the vacation
Appraisal fees Pursuant to RMC 9-14-10
One-Time Temporary
Connections Fee Amount
Temporary connections
to the City’s surface water
collection system may be
granted for a one-time,
temporary, short-term use
of a portion of the prop-
erty for a period not to
exceed three (3) consec-
utive years
Annual fee equal to
ten percent (10%) of
the current system
development charge
applicable to that
portion of the prop-
erty, but not less
than three hundred
fifty dollars ($350.00)
per year 1
1Said fee shall be paid annually (nonprorated), and shall be
nonrefundable, nontransferable (from one portion of the
property to another) and shall not constitute a credit to the
system development charge due at the time of permanent
use of the utility system. The application for temporary con-
nection shall consist of a detailed plan and a boundary line of
the proposed development service area for use in the fee
determination.
1. Type of Land Use:Water Fee Amount:
Wastewater Fee
Amount:
Surface Water Fee
Amount:
Single family resi-
dence $1,105.00 per unit $760.00 $525.00
Dwelling unit within a
mobile or manufac-
tured home park
$885.00 per unit $610.00 $525.00
Multi-family $665.00 per unit, except
CD and COR zones where
fee is based on gross area
$455.00 per unit, except
CD and COR zones where
fee is based on gross area
$0.183 per square foot of
new impervious surfacing,
but not less than $525.00
All other uses $0.154 per gross square
foot of property, but not
less than $1,105.00
$0.106 per gross square
foot of property, but not
less than $760.00
$0.183 per square foot of
new impervious surfacing,
but not less than $525.00
4-1-180I
1 - 25 (Revised 2/01)
2. Charges for Property Not Previously
Assessed – Sanitary Sewer:
a. Fund and Method of Payment: The
special connection charge imposed shall
be paid into the Waterworks Utility Con-
struction Fund. (Ord. 4205, 2-20-1989)
The charge shall be paid in cash when-
ever such connection is requested. (Ord.
4415, 8-16-1993)
b. System Development Charge: In
addition to sewer connection permit fees
as required by ordinance and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder,
there is hereby imposed upon, and the
owners of properties which have not pre-
viously been assessed or charged or
borne an equitable share of the cost of
the City’s sewer distribution system shall
pay, prior to any connection to a City
sewer main, the system development
charge which shall be assessed against
any property which has not participated
in the development of the sewer system,
which system shall include lift stations,
force mains, interceptors and other col-
lection mains, and shall be assessed at
the rate of:
i. Single Family: Seven hundred
sixty dollars ($760.00) per single
family residence. (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
ii. Mobile/Manufactured Homes:
Six hundred ten dollars ($610.00) per
dwelling unit located in mobile home
parks and manufactured home
parks. (Amd. Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000;
Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
iii. Multi-Family: Four hundred
fifty-five dollars ($455.00) per multi-
family residence, except in the Cen-
ter Downtown (CD) and Center Of-
fice/Residential (COR) zoned areas
which shall be assessed in accor-
dance with subsection I2b(iv) of this
Section. Mixed use buildings with
over fifty percent (50%) of the floor
space used for multi-family resi-
dences shall be assessed at the rate
of four hundred fifty five dollars
($455.00) per multi-family residence.
(Amd. Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000; Ord.
4875, 12-4-2000)
iv. Other: For all other properties
except City properties, 10.6 cents
($0.106) per square foot of property
connected but not less than seven
hundred sixty dollars ($760.00).
(Amd. Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000; Ord.
4875, 12-4-2000)
v. Payment: Fees are incurred
upon the granting by the City of a
building permit or a construction per-
mit, but are payable at the time con-
struction permits are issued for
connection to or extension of the
public sewer; or in the absence of the
requirement for a public works per-
mit, then at the time of granting the
building permit. All other sanitary
sewer service applicants shall pay
these fees at the time of building
sewer application. (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
vi. Fees Upon Sale: Fees are due
immediately if the party owing the fee
sells to a third party, unless the third
party agrees to pay the charge, in
writing, with the amount owing to the
City set forth in that writing, and fur-
ther the City agrees that the third
party shall be responsible for that fee
after determination that such an
agreement would be in the City’s
best interest. The burden of estab-
lishing the agreement would be on
the party owing the fee and not on
the City, and would be in the City’s
best interest. (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
vii. Definition: When the phrase
“property which has not participated
in development of the system” is
used in this Section, it shall mean
any of the following:
•First Time Server Connection:
Any property which has not paid
a system development charge
for the property based upon the
square footage of the property
and which is connecting to
Renton’s sewer system for the
4-1-180I
(Revised 2/01)1 - 26
first time (including but not lim-
ited to new construction, or con-
version from septic system).
•Further Development or Sub-
division: Any property which
has not paid a system develop-
ment charge for the property
based upon the square footage
of the property that is to be
served by the utility and is devel-
oping or subdividing further. For
example, one single family resi-
dence on a five (5) acre tract
which has paid seven hundred
sixty dollars ($760.00) under this
Section to connect to a sewer
system will have paid only for
one, seven thousand one hun-
dred sixty five (7,165) square
foot lot at the rate of 10.6 cents
($0.106). Additional charges
would be applied to any addi-
tional development on the prop-
erty at the time of development.
•Larger or Additional Water
Meters: Any property which has
not paid a system development
charge for the property based
upon the square footage of the
property that is to be served by
the utility and that requests or re-
quires a larger or additional do-
mestic water meter(s) will trigger
a utility system development
charge.
•Redevelopment Credit: An op-
tion exists for receiving a rede-
velopment credit for property
which has not previously paid in
full a system development
charge. A redevelopment project
that requires a larger water
meter, or additional domestic
water meter(s), will trigger the
sewer utility system develop-
ment charge. However, any par-
cel that currently has water
service is eligible for a prorated
system development charge.
This prorated development
charge is based on the following
formula:
(Proposed domestic meter(s) ca-
pacity in gallons per minute
(GPM) – Existing domestic
meter(s) capacity in GPM/Pro-
posed domestic meter(s) capac-
ity in GPM) x SDC Fee = Amount
owed. Fire flow meters are not
included in this calculation. For
example, a redevelopment
project that involves a change
from a single family home on a
ten thousand (10,000) square
foot lot with a five-eighths inch by
three-quarter inch meter (5/8′ x
3/4″, a standard single family
meter) that has a safe operating
capacity of twenty (20) gallons
per minute (GPM), to a four (4)
unit multi-family dwelling with a
one and one-half inch (1-1/2″)
meter with a safe operating ca-
pacity of one hundred (100)
GPM can apply to pay for the fol-
lowing prorated charge:
(100 GPM – 20 GPM/100 GPM)
= 0.8
0.8 x (10,000 sq. ft. x $0.106/sq.
ft.) = $848.00
Without the redevelopment
credit, this project would have
paid $0.106/sq. ft. x 10,000 sq. ft.
= $1,060.00.
The City will determine the safe
maximum operating capacities of
all meter sizes using American
Water Works Association tables
(see subsection I4b(ix) of this
Section). The fee paid shall be
recorded and applied to the total
system development charge ap-
plicable for the parcel. Reduction
in water meter capacity shall not
result in a payment from the City
to the applicant.
•Fire Protection Credit: Installa-
tion of a water meter solely for a
fire protection system, such as a
new hydrant or fire sprinkler sys-
tem, shall not trigger a sewer
system development fee. (Amd.
4-1-180I
1 - 27 (Revised 2/01)
Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000; Ord.
4875, 12-4-2000)
viii. Short-Term Use: Temporary
connections to the City’s sewage
system may be granted for a one-
time, temporary, short-term use of a
portion of the property for a period
not to exceed three (3) consecutive
years. Permission for temporary con-
nection may be granted upon pay-
ment of an annual fee equal to ten
percent (10%) of the current system
development charge applicable to
that portion of the property, but not
less than seven hundred fifty dollars
($750.00) per year. Said fee shall be
paid annually (nonprorated), and
shall be nonrefundable, nontransfer-
able (from one portion of the property
to another) and shall not constitute a
credit to the system development
charge due at the time of permanent
use of the utility system. The applica-
tion for temporary connection shall
consist of a detailed plan and a
boundary line of the proposed devel-
opment service area for use in the
fee determination. (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
ix. City-Owned Property: No sys-
tem development charge will be col-
lected on City-owned properties. The
benefits to the utility from the use of
other City properties such as utility
easements, lift stations and other
benefits offset the amount of the sys-
tem development charge.
x. Limited Exemptions: A limited
exemption to the system develop-
ment charge will be granted to mu-
nicipal corporations for portions of
property subject to the system devel-
opment charge to the extent that
those specific areas available and
maintained at all times for public use
(e.g., ballfields adjacent to a school
building) shall be segregated from
the fee determination as herein pro-
vided. In applying this exemption to
the extent possible, a single straight
line shall be drawn across the prop-
erty separating the exempt property
from the property to be charged. If a
single straight line would not achieve
substantial equity, then additional
lines may be drawn to include sub-
stantial open space areas in the ex-
emption. For purposes of this
exemption, substantial open space
areas shall be at least one hundred
thousand (100,000) square feet in
area. Lines shall not be drawn closer
than fifteen feet (15′) to any struc-
ture.
•Nonexempt Areas: Parking lots,
driveways, walkways, similar ar-
eas and required landscape ar-
eas shall not be part of the
exempt area.
•Administrative Fees: The appli-
cant shall pay the City’s adminis-
trative costs for the preparation,
processing and recording the
segregated fee. At the time of ap-
plication for system development
charge segregation the applicant
shall pay the administrative fee of
seven hundred fifty dollars
($750.00).
•Restrictive Covenants: The ex-
emption must be memorialized
by means of a restrictive cove-
nant running with the land.
Should the property exempted
under this Section later develop,
then that property shall pay the
system development charge in
place at the time of development.
•Interpretation of Partial Pay-
ment: The Administrator of the
Planning/Building/Public Works
Department shall make the final
decision on the interpretation of
this limited exemption and the
achievement of substantial eq-
uity.
xi. Calculation of Charge: When
calculating the area to be charged
the system development charge, un-
developed greenbelt and major
easements within the property shall
not be included in the square footage
for the calculation of the charge.
When determining whether property
4-1-180I
(Revised 2/01)1 - 28
is undeveloped greenbelts or major
easements, the inquiry should be to
recorded easements or dedications
or restrictions on the Comprehensive
Plan or zoning maps or City policies
that would prevent development of
significant usages. This exemption is
intended not to charge property that
is undevelopable.
xii. Exemption for Wetland:
When calculating the area to be
charged the system development
charge, Class 1 and 2 wetlands are
exempt. It is the responsibility of the
property owner or applicant to submit
a study determining the classifica-
tions as Class 1 and/or 2 wetlands
and a legal description of said wet-
lands so that these portions of the
property can be exempted from the
development charge. Classification
of wetlands will be based upon the
rating system as outlined in RMC
4-3-110, Wetland Regulations, and
any subsequent amendments
thereto.
xiii. Segregation Criteria and
Rules: The ability exists for the seg-
regation of the system development
charge in the partial development of
a large parcel of property. This seg-
regation shall be based on the follow-
ing criteria and rules:
•Segregation by Plat or Short
Plat: The system development
charge shall be determined on
the basis of the specific platted
properties being developed re-
gardless of the parcel size. Un-
platted or large-platted parcels
may be platted or short-platted
prior to development, in which
case the system development
charge will be applied to the spe-
cific platted lots being devel-
oped.
xiv. Partial Payment: The ability
exists for the partial payment of the
system development charge based
upon percentage of the property de-
veloped. The owner may apply for
partial payment of the fee on a per-
centage-based prorated basis pro-
portional to the percentage of the
parcel which will be developed. The
application shall consist of a detailed
plan, drafted to current adopted City
standards, of the proposed develop-
ment, which shall include a proposed
boundary line for the system devel-
opment charge fee determination,
and a statement of the total area of
the property and the area of the de-
veloped portion in square feet. The
following criteria shall determine the
partial payment of fees:
•Application of Provisions: This
provision shall apply to all devel-
opments with the exception of
single family residential and mo-
bile home developments.
•Determination of Charge: The
system development charge
shall be determined on the basis
of the percentage of a property
that is developed (existing devel-
opment plus proposed develop-
ment).
•Full Development: For the pur-
pose of this Code, full develop-
ment is considered to be sixty
percent (60%) property cover-
age for multi-family development
and eighty percent (80%) prop-
erty coverage for commercial, in-
dustrial, mixed use, and all other
development. Property coverage
is defined as the portion of the
property supporting buildings,
driveways and sidewalks, park-
ing areas, grass and landscape
areas, public access areas,
storm drainage facilities and de-
tention ponds, and improve-
ments required for mitigation of
environmental impacts under the
State Environmental Policy Act
(SEPA).
•Developed Area: The “devel-
oped area” shall include, but not
be limited to, all contiguous exist-
ing developed land for which the
system development charges
have not been paid: all existing
4-1-180I
1 - 29 (Revised 2/01)
and proposed buildings, drive-
ways and sidewalks, parking ar-
eas, grass and landscape areas,
public access areas, storm drain-
age facilities and detention
ponds, and improvements re-
quired for mitigation of environ-
mental impacts.
•Formula: Determination of par-
tial payment shall be performed
by dividing the “developed area”
by eighty percent (80%) (sixty
percent (60%) for multi-family
development) of the total area of
the property, and multiplying this
number by the sewer system de-
velopment charge fee assess-
ment for the entire property.
•Partial Payment Fees: The par-
tial payment of fees shall be by
formal, written agreement which
shall be recorded as a restrictive
covenant running with the land.
The restrictive covenant shall list
the percentage of the system de-
velopment charge fee that has
been paid for the property. The
percentage of the system devel-
opment charge fee that has been
paid for the property shall be de-
fined by dividing the “developed
area” by eighty percent (80%)
(sixty percent (60%) for multi-
family development) of the total
area of the property, and multi-
plying this number by one hun-
dred percent (100%).
Should the property partially paid for
under this Section later develop, then
that property shall pay the system
development charge fee in place at
the time of development. Should the
property partially paid for under this
Section later be subdivided, then the
partial payment credit shall run with
the subdivided lots. The burden of
establishing that the partial payment
has been made would be on the
party owing the fee and not on the
City.
•Administrative Fees: The appli-
cant shall pay the City’s adminis-
trative costs for the preparation,
processing and recording of the
partial payment of the fee. At the
time of application for system de-
velopment charge partial pay-
ment the applicant shall pay the
administrative fee of seven hun-
dred fifty dollars ($750.00).
•Interpretation: The Administra-
tor of the Planning/Building/Pub-
lic Works Department shall make
the final decision on interpreta-
tion of the partial payment of sys-
tem development charges.
3. Charges for Property Not Previously
Assessed – Surface Water:
a. Fund and Method of Payment: The
charges imposed by this Section shall be
paid into the Surface Water Utility Con-
struction Fund. The charge shall be paid
in cash whenever such connection is re-
quested, or application may be made by
such property owner to provide for the
payment thereof by an installment con-
tract if the amount is in excess of five
hundred dollars ($500.00), with interest
at the rate of ten percent (10%) per an-
num, computed annually on unpaid bal-
ances, which contract shall provide for a
minimum down payment of not less than
ten percent (10%) of such total connec-
tion charges hereinabove set forth pay-
able upon execution of such contract,
and the balance thereof to be paid in not
more than twenty (20) quarterly install-
ments payable on each January 1, April
1, July 1 and October 1. Such installment
contracts shall provide that any unpaid
balance may be paid in full in any year at
the time the first quarterly payment of
such year is due and payable, shall de-
scribe the property served by the water,
and shall be duly acknowledged by the
property owner and be recorded by the
Administrator of the Planning/Building/
Public Works Department in the office of
the County Auditor at the expense of
such property owner. Delinquent pay-
ments under such installment contracts
shall be a lien upon the described prop-
erty as provided for in RCW 35.67.200,
and enforceable in accordance with
RCW 35.67.220 through 35.67.280. As
4-1-180I
(Revised 2/01)1 - 30
an additional and concurrent method of
enforcing such lien, the water service to
such property may be disconnected in
accordance with RCW 35.67.290 and
this Code until such time as all delinquent
payments have been paid in full. Upon
full payment of such installment contract,
the Administrator of the Planning/Build-
ing/ Public Works Department, on behalf
of the City, shall execute and deliver unto
the property owner a release of such lien,
which shall be recorded, at the expense
of the property owner, with the King
County Auditor ’s office. All installment
payments so made shall be applied first
to interest accrued to date, and the bal-
ance to principal.
b. System Development Charge:
There is hereby imposed upon, and the
owners of properties which have not
been assessed or charged or borne an
equitable share of the cost of the City’s
surface water collection system and sur-
face water facilities shall pay, prior to
connection to a City surface water collec-
tion system, the system development
charge, which shall be assessed against
any property that has not participated in
the development of the surface water col-
lection system, and shall be assessed at
the rate of:
i. Residences and Mobile
Homes: Five hundred twenty five
dollars ($525.00) per single family
residence and mobile home dwelling.
(Amd. Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000; Ord.
4875, 12-4-2000)
ii. Other Properties: For all other
properties except City properties,
18.3 cents ($0.183) per square foot
of new impervious area of property
proposed by the permit application,
but not less than five hundred twenty
five dollars ($525.00). (Amd. Ord.
4872, 11-20-2000; Ord. 4875,
12-4-2000)
iii. Issuance of Permits: Fees are
incurred upon the granting by the
City of a building permit, but are pay-
able at the time construction permits
are issued for connection to or exten-
sion of the public surface water col-
lection system; or, in the absence of
the requirement of a public works
permit, then at the time of granting
the building permit. (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
iv. When Due: Fees are due im-
mediately, notwithstanding subsec-
tion I3b(iii) of this Section, if the party
owing the fee sells to a third party,
unless the third party agrees to pay
the charge, in writing, with the
amount owing to the City set forth in
that writing, and further the City
agrees that the third party shall be re-
sponsible for that fee after determin-
ing that such an agreement would be
in the City’s best interest. The burden
of establishing that the agreement
would be in the City’s best interest
would be on the party owing the fee
and not on the City. (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
v. Definition: When the phrase
“property which has not participated
in development of the system” is
used in this Section, it shall mean
any of the following:
•First Time Surface Water Con-
nection: Any property which has
not paid a system development
charge for the property based
upon the square footage of new
impervious surface of the prop-
erty and which is connecting to
Renton’s surface water collec-
tion system for the first time (in-
cluding but not limited to new
construction).
•Further Development or Sub-
division: Any property which
has not paid a system develop-
ment charge for the property
based upon the square footage
of new impervious surface of
property that is to be served by
the utility and is developing or
subdividing further. For example,
one single family residence on a
five (5) acre tract which has paid
five hundred twenty five dollars
($525.00) under this Section to
connect to a surface water col-
4-1-180I
1 - 31 (Revised 2/01)
lection system will have paid only
for one, seven thousand one
hundred sixty five (7,165) square
foot lot at a rate of 18.3 cents
($0.183) per square foot of im-
pervious area. Additional
charges would be applied to any
additional development on the
property at the time of develop-
ment.
•Runoff Quantity Control: Any
property for which one hundred
percent (100%) of the surface
water runoff quantity control re-
quirements can be met by infil-
tration systems, as allowed by
code, will be exempted from the
surface water charge.
•Existing Developments: Prop-
erty that was developed before
the effective date hereof is ex-
empted from the connection
charge. Any rebuilding, change
in use or additions to exempted
property that does not require
additional surface water runoff
capacity will not trigger a new
connection charge. However,
when property is redeveloped or
the use changed or intensified
such that a larger surface water
drainage capacity is necessary,
then any application for rebuild-
ing will trigger a utility connection
charge. “Surface water drainage
capacity” is defined as computed
maximum peak rate runoff from
the site prior to entering public or
private stormwater facilities. Im-
provements to existing single
family residential units such as
additions, decks, small sheds
and other minor improvements
are exempt from the system de-
velopment charge unless a new
connection to the Renton surface
water utility collection system is
proposed or required as part of
the permit application. (Amd.
Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000; Ord.
4875, 12-4-2000)
vi. Short-Term Use: Temporary
connections to the City’s surface wa-
ter collection system may be granted
for a one-time, temporary, short-term
use of a portion of the property for a
period not to exceed three (3) con-
secutive years. Permission for tem-
porary connection may be granted
upon payment of an annual fee equal
to ten percent (10%) of the current
system development charge applica-
ble to that portion of the property, but
not less than three hundred fifty dol-
lars ($350.00) per year. Said fee
shall be paid annually (nonprorated),
and shall be nonrefundable, non-
transferable (from one portion of the
property to another) and shall not
constitute a credit to the system de-
velopment charge due at the time of
permanent use of the utility system.
The application for temporary con-
nection shall consist of a detailed
plan and a boundary line of the pro-
posed development service area for
use in the fee determination.
vii. City-Owned Property: No sys-
tem development charge will be col-
lected on City-owned properties. The
benefits to the utility from the use of
other City properties such as utility
easements, wells and other benefits,
offset the amount of the system de-
velopment charge.
viii. Limited Exemptions: A lim-
ited exemption to the system devel-
opment charge will be granted to mu-
nicipal corporations for portions of
property subject to the system devel-
opment charge to the extent that
those specific areas available and
maintained at all times for public use
(e.g., ballfields adjacent to a school
building) shall be segregated from
the fee determination as herein pro-
vided. In applying this exemption to
the extent possible, a single straight
line shall be drawn across the prop-
erty separating the exempt property
from the property to be charged. If a
single straight line would not achieve
substantial equity, then additional
lines may be drawn to include sub-
stantial open space areas in the ex-
emption. For purposes of this exemp-
tion, substantial open space areas
4-1-180I
(Revised 2/01)1 - 32
shall be at least one hundred thou-
sand (100,000) square feet in area.
Lines shall not be drawn closer than
fifteen feet (15′) to any structure.
•Parking Areas: Parking lots,
driveways, walkways, similar ar-
eas and required landscape ar-
eas shall not be part of the
exempt area.
•Administrative Fees: The appli-
cant shall pay the City’s adminis-
trative costs for the preparation,
processing and recording the
segregated fee. At the time of
application for a system develop-
ment charge fee segregation the
applicant shall pay the adminis-
trative fee of seven hundred fifty
dollars ($750.00).
•Restrictive Covenants: The ex-
emption must be memorialized
by means of a restrictive cove-
nant running with the land.
Should the property exempted
under this Section later be devel-
oped or sold, then that property
shall pay the system develop-
ment charge in place at the time
of development or property sale.
•Interpretation of Exemption:
The Administrator of the Plan-
ning/Building/Public Works De-
partment shall make the final
decision on the interpretation of
this limited exemption and the
achievement of substantial eq-
uity.
ix. Calculation of Charge: When
calculating the area to be charged the
connection charge, undeveloped
greenbelt and major easements
within the property shall not be in-
cluded in the square footage for the
calculation of the charge. When de-
termining whether property is unde-
veloped greenbelt or major ease-
ments, the inquiry should be to
recorded easements, dedications or
restrictions on the Comprehensive
Plan or zoning maps or City policies
that would prevent development of
significant usages. This exemption is
intended not to charge property that
is undevelopable.
x. Exemption for Wetlands:
When calculating the area to be
charged the system development
charge, Class 1 and 2 wetlands are
exempt. It is the responsibility of the
property owner or applicant to submit
a study determining the classification
as Class 1 and/or 2 wetlands and a
legal description of said wetlands so
that these portions of the property
can be exempted from the develop-
ment charge. Classification of wet-
lands will be based upon the rating
system as outlined in RMC 4-3-110,
Wetland Regulations, and any sub-
sequent amendments thereto.
xi. Segregation Criteria: The abil-
ity exists for the segregation of the
system development charge in the
partial development of a large parcel
of property. This segregation shall be
based on the following criteria and
rules:
•Segregation by Plat or Short
Plat: The system development
charge shall be determined on
the basis of the specific platted
properties being developed re-
gardless of the parcel size. Un-
platted or large-platted parcels
may be platted or short-platted
prior to development, in which
case the system development
charge will be applied to the spe-
cific lots being undeveloped.
•Segregation by Administrative
Determination: For the partial
development of a large tract of
property the owner may apply for
a segregation of the surface wa-
ter system development charge
for the specific portion of the
property to be developed. The
application shall consist of a de-
tailed plan, drafted to current
adopted City standards, of the
proposed development, which
shall include a proposed bound-
ary line for the system develop-
4-1-180I
1 - 33 (Revised 2/01)
ment charge determination. The
boundary line shall be defined by
an acceptable legal description.
The following criteria shall deter-
mine the segregation of fees:
Segregated Areas: Minimum
size of area segregated for de-
termination and payment of sys-
tem development charge shall
be five (5) acres.
Remnant Parcel: Minimum size
of the remnant parcel of undevel-
oped property for which the sys-
tem development charge is
deferred shall be five (5) acres.
Administrative Fees: The appli-
cant shall pay the City’s adminis-
trative costs for the preparation,
processing and recording the
segregated fee. At the time of ap-
plication for system development
charge segregation the applicant
shall pay the administrative fee of
seven hundred fifty dollars
($750.00).
Fee Segregation: The segrega-
tion of fees shall be by formal,
written agreement which shall be
recorded as a restrictive cove-
nant running with the land.
Should the property exempted
under this Section later develop,
then that property shall pay the
system development charge in
place at the time of development.
Segregated Area: The segre-
gated area shall include, but not
be limited to, all contiguous exist-
ing developed land for which the
system development charge
have not been paid; all proposed
buildings; driveways and side-
walks; parking areas; grass and
landscape areas; public access
areas; storm drainage facilities
and detention ponds; and im-
provements required for mitiga-
tion of environmental impacts
under the State Environmental
Policy Act (SEPA).
Boundary Line: The boundary
line for the segregation of system
development charge shall be es-
tablished by survey and legal de-
scription and shall not be closer
than fifteen feet (15′) to any
structure.
Interpretation: The Administra-
tor of the Planning/Building/Pub-
lic Works Department shall make
the final decision on interpreta-
tion of the segregation of system
development charges.
xii. Regional Improvements: If an
applicant’s project proposes to solve
a regional drainage problem, over
and above the requirements to miti-
gate their project’s impacts, the value
of the additional improvement shall
be credited toward the system devel-
opment charges due. The applicant
must provide the Administrator of the
Department of Planning/Building/
Public Works with the costs of the
drainage improvements and a sug-
gested method of calculating the
costs due to the extra work done to
solve a regional drainage problem.
The Administrator will make the final
decision on the amount of the credit.
In no instance shall the credit dupli-
cate a latecomer ’s agreement such
that the applicant will be paid twice,
nor may the credit against the con-
nection charge exceed the connec-
tion charge (i.e., no payment to the
applicant under this Section).
xiii. Request for Agreement: Any
party extending utilities that may
serve other than that party’s property
may request a latecomer’s agree-
ment from the City. Any party re-
quired to oversize utilities may
request that utility participate in the
cost of the project.
xiv. Inspection and Approval
Fees: In addition to other permits
and fees, there will be an inspection/
approval fee for on-site and off-site
replacement and improvements
which shall be identical to that speci-
fied in chapter 9-10 RMC, Street Ex-
4-1-180I
(Revised 2/01)1 - 34
cavations, and any subsequent
amendments thereto.
c. Credit: If any such property for which
a system development charge has been
paid thereafter is included in a local im-
provement district for the construction of
a surface water collection system of the
same or similar nature, then the principal
amount so paid shall be credited to the
assessment against such property and
such amount shall be paid from the Sur-
face Water Utility Construction Fund into
such Local Improvement District Fund.
(Ord. 4506, 4-10-1995)
4. Charges for Property Previously Not
Assessed – Water:
a. Fund and Method of Payment: The
charges imposed by this Chapter shall be
paid into the Waterworks Utility Construc-
tion Fund.
The charge shall be paid in cash when-
ever such connection is requested. (Ord.
4415, 8-20-1993)
b. Special Water Utility Connection
Charge: There is hereby imposed upon,
and the owners of properties which have
not been assessed or charged or borne
an equitable share of the cost of the
City’s water distribution and water plant
facilities shall pay, prior to connection to
a City water main, the system develop-
ment connection charge which shall be
assessed against any property that has
not participated in the development of the
water system, which system shall include
the wells, pump stations, reservoirs and
transmission mains, shall be assessed at
the rate of:
i. Single Family: One thousand
one hundred five dollars ($1,105.00)
per single family residence. (Amd.
Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000; Ord. 4875,
12-4-2000)
ii. Mobile/Manufactured Homes:
Eight hundred eighty five dollars
($885.00) per dwelling unit located in
mobile home parks and manufac-
tured home parks. (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
iii. Multi-Family: Six hundred sixty
five dollars ($665.00) per multi-family
residence, except in the Center
Downtown (CD) and Center Office/
Residential (COR) zoned areas
which shall be assessed in accor-
dance with subsection I4b(iv) of this
Section. Mixed use buildings with
over fifty percent (50%) of the floor
space used for multi-family resi-
dences shall be assessed at the rate
of six hundred sixty five dollars
($665.00) per multi-family residence.
(Amd. Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000; Ord.
4875, 12-4-2000)
iv. Other: For all other properties
except City properties, 15.4 cents
($0.154) per square foot of property
connected but not less than one
thousand one hundred five dollars
($1,105.00). (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
v. Payment: Fees are incurred
upon the granting by the City of a
building permit or a construction per-
mit, but are payable at the time con-
struction inspection permits are
issued for connection to or extension
of the public water main; or in the ab-
sence of the requirement of a public
works permit, then at the time of
granting the building permit. All other
water service applicants shall pay at
the time the water meter application
is issued. (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
vi. Fees Upon Sale: Fees are due
immediately if the party owing the fee
sells to a third party, unless the third
party agrees to pay the charge, in
writing, with the amount owing to the
City set forth in that writing, and fur-
ther the City agrees that the third
party shall be responsible for that fee
after determining that such an agree-
ment would be in the City’s best inter-
est. The burden of establishing that
the agreement would be in the City’s
best interest would be on the party
owing the fee and not on the City.
(Amd. Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000; Ord.
4875, 12-4-2000)
4-1-180I
1 - 35 (Revised 2/01)
vii. Definition: When the phrase
“property which has not participated
in development of the system” is
used in this Section, it shall mean
any of the following:
•First Time Water Connection:
Any property which has not paid
a system development charge
for the property based upon the
square footage of the property
and which is connecting to
Renton’s water system for the
first time (including but not lim-
ited to new construction, or con-
version from a private well).
•Further Development or Sub-
division: Any property which
has not paid a system develop-
ment charge for the property
based upon the square footage
of the property that is to be
served by the utility and is devel-
oping or subdividing further. For
example, one single family resi-
dence on a five (5) acre tract
which has paid one thousand
one hundred five dollars
($1,105.00) under this Section to
connect to a water system will
have paid only for one, seven
thousand one hundred sixty five
(7,165) square foot lot at a rate of
15.4 cents ($0.154). Additional
charges would be applied to any
additional development on the
property at the time of develop-
ment.
•Existing Developments: Prop-
erty that was developed before
the effective date of the first de-
velopment charge ordinance in
1974 is exempted from the con-
nection charge. Any rebuilding,
change in use or additions to ex-
empted property that does not
require additional water usage
such that a fire hydrant, larger
meter or irrigation meter is nec-
essary will not trigger a new con-
nection charge. However, when
property is redeveloped or the
use changed or intensified such
that a larger water meter or addi-
tional water meters or a fire hy-
drant are necessary, or when no
water meter was obtained be-
fore, such as property on a well,
then any application for the initial
water meter or a larger water
meter or installation of a fire hy-
drant will trigger a system devel-
opment charge, except as
provided herein.
For the purposes of this policy,
such property when applying for
an initial or larger water meter or
installing a fire hydrant or irriga-
tion meter shall be property that
has not been previously as-
sessed. (Amd. Ord. 4872,
11-20-2000; Ord. 4875,
12-4-2000)
viii. Redevelopment Credit: An
option exists for receiving a redevel-
opment credit for property which has
not previously paid in full a system
development charge. A redevelop-
ment project that requires a larger
water meter, or additional water
meters, or a fire protection service for
sprinklers, or a fire hydrant will trigger
the water utility system development
charge. However, any parcel that
currently has water service is eligible
for a prorated system development
charge. This prorated redevelopment
charge is based on the following for-
mula:
(Proposed domestic meter(s) ca-
pacity in gallons per minute – Ex-
isting domestic meter(s) capacity
in GPM/Proposed domestic
meter(s) capacity in GPM) x
SDC Fee = Amount owed. Fire
flow meters are not included in
this calculation.
For example, a redevelopment
project that involves a change
from a single family home on a
ten thousand (10,000) square
foot lot with a five-eighths inch by
three-quarter inch meter (5/8″ x
3/4″, a standard single family
meter) that has a safe operating
capacity of twenty (20) gallons
4-1-180I
(Revised 2/01)1 - 36
per minute (GPM), to a four (4)
unit multi-family dwelling with a
one and one-half inch (1-1/2″)
meter with a safe operating ca-
pacity of one hundred (100)
GPM can apply to pay the follow-
ing prorated charge:
(100 GPM – 20 GPM/100 GPM)
x $1,540.00 = $1,232.00
Without the redevelopment
credit, this project would have
paid 15.4 cents per square foot
($0.154/sq. ft.) x 10,000 sq. ft. =
$1,540.00
4-1-180I
1 - 36.1 (Revised 2/01)
The City will determine the safe maximum operating capacities of all meter sizes using
American Water Works Association tables (see below). The fee paid shall be recorded and
applied as a partial payment to the total system development charge applicable for the par-
cel. Reduction in meter capacity shall not result in a payment from the City to the applicant.
(Amd. Ord. 4872, 11-20-2000; Ord. 4875, 12-4-2000)
(Ord. 4526, 6-12-1995)
x. Prorated System Development
Fee for Fire Protection Improve-
ments:
•An option exists for receiving a
credit for fire protection improve-
ments for property which has not
previously paid in full a system
development charge. Installation
of a water meter solely for a fire
protection system, such as a new
hydrant or fire sprinkler system
shall be charged a fee equal to
thirty percent (30%) of the sys-
tem development charge appli-
cable to the parcel. Thirty percent
(30%) is the amount the water
utility has expended throughout
its system for fire flow protection.
This fee shall be recorded and
applied as a partial payment to
the total system development
charge applicable for the parcel.
•If a project both increases water
meter capacity and installs a fire
protection system the total of
both prorated system develop-
ment fees would be charged.
Payment of said fees would be
recorded and applied to the total
system development charge ap-
plicable for the parcel. In no case
shall the total of the prorated sys-
tem development charge(s) be
more than the total system de-
velopment charge applicable for
the parcel.
xi. Short-Term Use: Temporary
connections to the City’s water sys-
tem may be granted for a one-time,
temporary, short-term use of a por-
tion of the property for a period not to
exceed three (3) consecutive years.
Permission for temporary connection
may be granted upon payment of an
annual fee equal to ten percent
(10%) of the current system develop-
ment charge applicable to that por-
tion of the property, but not less than
seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00)
per year. Said fee shall be paid annu-
ix. WATER METER EQUIVALENCIES for purposes of calculating redevelopment credit:
Meter Size in Inches
Safe Maximum Operating
Capacity (GPM) 5/8″ Equivalency 3/4″ Equivalency
5/8 20 1.00
5/8 x 3/4 20 1.00
3/4 30 1.50 1.00
1 50 2.50 1.67
1-1/2 100 5.00 3.33
2 160 8.00 5.33
3 300 15.00 10.00
4 500 25.00 16.67
6 1000 50.00 33.33
8 1600 80.00 53.33
10 2300 115.00 76.67
12 3375 168.75 112.50
20 8250 412.50 275.00
4-1-180I
(Revised 2/01)1 - 36.2
ally (nonprorated), and shall be non-
refundable, nontransferable (from
one portion of the property to an-