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A. Developed Parcels.

1. Policy. Developed parcels contribute to an increase in surface and storm water runoff to the surface and storm water management system. This increase in surface and storm water runoff results in the need to establish rates and charges to finance the city’s activities in surface and storm water management.

2. Rate Based Upon Contribution. Developed parcels shall be subject to the rates and charges of the storm and surface water management utility based on their contribution to increased runoff. The factors to be used to determine the degree of increased surface and storm water runoff to the surface and storm water management system from a particular parcel shall be the percentage of impervious surface coverage on the parcel and the total acreage of the parcel.

B. Undeveloped Parcels.

1. Policy. Undeveloped parcels do not contribute as much as developed parcels to an increase in surface and storm water runoff into the surface and storm water management system. Undeveloped properties are those which have not been graded or altered from their natural state. Undeveloped property is proposed to be exempt from storm and surface water utility service charge. Once graded or altered, the property would be classified in the very light category of zero percent to 10 percent impervious surface. The very light category would be charged a flat rate, regardless of size, equal to the single-family rate category.

2. Exemption. Undeveloped properties shall be exempt from the rates and charges of the storm and surface water management utility.

C. Non-Single-Family Properties.

1. Charge Determined by Percentage of Impervious Surface. Properties shall be charged a rate determined by the percent of impervious surface coverage multiplied by the parcel acreage.

D. Residential Parcels.

1. Policy. The variance between residential parcels in parcel size and percentage of impervious surface coverage is found to be minor and to reflect only minor differences in increased runoff contributions. The administrative cost of calculating the service charge individually for each residential parcel and maintaining accurate information would be very high. Therefore, a flat charge for residential parcels is less costly to administer than calculating a separate charge for each parcel and is equitable because of the similarities in total parcel size and total impervious surface coverage between residential parcels.

2. Flat Charge. Residential parcels shall be charged a flat charge based upon the average parcel size and average percentage of impervious surfaces.

E. Very Lightly Developed Parcels.

1. Policy. Very lightly developed nonresidential parcels which have an impervious surface coverage of less than 10 percent of the total parcel acreage are characterized by a very low intensity of development and generally a large number of acres. A greater number of acres of undeveloped land associated with an impervious surface results in significantly less impact to the surface and storm water management system.

2. Flat Charge. These parcels shall be charged a flat charge which will encourage the retention of areas of very lightly developed land.

F. Lightly to Very Heavily Developed Parcels.

1. Policy. Lightly to very heavily developed nonresidential parcels which have an impervious surface coverage of 10 percent or more have a substantial impact on the surface and storm water management system. The impact of these parcels on the surface and storm water management system increases with the size of the parcels.

2. Charge Determined by Percentage of Impervious Surface. Lightly to very heavily developed properties shall be charged a rate determined by the percent of impervious surface coverage multiplied by the parcel acreage.

G. Road System.

1. Policy. City and state streets contribute a significant amount of increased runoff to the surface and storm water management system, which contributes to the need for basin planning, drainage facilities and other related services. However, both the city streets and state highway programs provide substantial annual programs for the construction and maintenance of drainage facilities, and the roads systems and their associated drainage facilities serve as an integral part of the surface and storm water management system. City and state road(s) drainage systems, unlike the drainage systems on other properties, are continually being upgraded to increase both conveyance capacity and control. It is envisioned that the streets program will work cooperatively with the storm and surface water management utility to improve regional surface and storm water management services.

2. Rate to Reflect Benefit. The rate charged city streets and state highways shall reflect the benefit which city streets and state highway facilities provide to the surface and storm water management system. The percentage of impervious surface coverage for city streets and state highways shall be calculated by dividing average width of roadway and shoulder by the average width of the right-of-way. The service charge shall be calculated at 30 percent of the standard rate for other properties with similar percent impervious surface. The rate charged for state highway right-of-way shall be 30 percent of the rate for comparable real property in terms of impervious surface coverage, or as otherwise provided by RCW 90.03.525.

H. Senior/Disabled Low-Income Discount. Parcels owned by persons qualifying for senior or disabled property tax exemption, as determined by each county’s assessor’s office, would be exempt from storm and surface water service charges. The property tax exemption is authorized in RCW 84.36.381. The property owners’ status must be approved and on file with the county assessor’s office. (Ord. 2130 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2023 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 1714 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1634 § 1, 1996).