Surface and Stormwater Management Program Fees

Who is charged?

Kitsap County's Surface and Stormwater Management Program affects properties in unincorporated Kitsap County. The cities of Poulsbo, Bremerton and Bainbridge Island already charge stormwater fees. The City of Port Orchard does not charge stormwater fees at this time. Those living within incorporated cities are not billed by the County's program.

How much are the fees?

The rate structure for the Surface and Stormwater Management Program program fees is based on impervious surface. Charges for the various classes of land are as follows:

• Undeveloped and forest land are not charged
• A unit rate per single family residence is based on one Equivalent Service Unit (ESU). The unit rate for one ESU is $ 5.19 per month or $62.30 per year  (new rate in effect January 1, 2008)
  See additional information for rate increases beginning in 2007
• Multifamily residences (duplexes, triplexes and four-plexes) are charged the number of dwelling units times the unit rate
• Apartments, commercial, industrial and institutional uses are charged according to the estimated or measured impervious surface area divided by the square footage of one ESU, rounded to the nearest ESU but not less than one, times the unit rate. One ESU = 4200 square feet
  Commercial property fee reduction is available for qualified measures (refer to section below)

The fees are incorporated into the annual tax billings and collected by the Kitsap County Treasurer. Fees can be paid once annually, due by April 30 or in 50% increments (the first payment due April 30 and the second due October 31).

Commercial Property Fee Reduction

On April 12, 2004 the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 315-2004. This ordinance amends the Kitsap County Code to allow 50% reduction in annual Surface and Stormwater Management Program fees to commercial property owners who qualify. To qualify for the credit the commercial property must fit within one or more of these three categories:

1) Direct Discharge of all site generated stormwater with water quality treatment directly to tidally influenced waters with prior water quality treatment to current (April 1997) county standards

2) 100% Stormwater infiltration with water quality treatment to current (April 1997) county standards

3) Rainwater Harvesting: Collection and reuse of 100% of the runoff from building surfaces for onsite use. Uses may include, but are not limited to, gray water plumbing, vehicle washing, or site irrigation that results in zero surface water runoff.

If your commercial property qualifies for a reduction in fees, please fill out the application, sign and mail to Surface and Stormwater Management Program along with any required supporting information. (Form in Adobe Acrobat format. The blanks can be typed in from your computer and then printed).

Kitsap County Public Works
Surface and Stormwater Management Program
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us