On October 26, 2010, the Pierce County Council adopted two ordinances that defer the payment of Traffic Impact Fees, Park Impact Fees and Sewer Connection Charges until later in the development process.

The first ordinance (2010-65s) allows owners of residential properties being constructed or improved for resale to request a voluntary lien to defer paying the Traffic and Park Impact Fees until a property is sold - but no later than 2 years from the date of building permit issuance, whichever comes first.

The second ordinance (2010-67s) allows owners of residential properties in unincorporated Pierce County to request a voluntary contractual lien to defer paying Sewer Connection Charges until a property is sold - but no later than 2 years from the date of sewer service permit issuance, whichever comes first. It also allows large jobs-producing developments (e.g. with 25 or more full-time employees on-site) to amortize their Sewer Connection Charges for up to 15 years.

Both ordinances are based on recommendations from the 2008 Pierce County Economic Stimulus Report prepared by the Economic Development Division.

The ordinances are effective on January 1, 2011. The deferral program will end in three years. The amortization program is permanent.

Property owners who wish to begin the deferral process can print out and fill in the Request for Deferral Lien form below.

Request for Deferral Lien Form

Bring this form to the Pierce County Development Center when applying for a building permit or a sewer service permit. There is an upfront cost to defer, which includes a non-refundable $250 Lien Administrative Fee and a $65 Lien Recording Fee.

Contact Information:

Impact Fee Deferrals
Jane Vandenberg, P.E.
(253) 798-2249
Email

Sewer Connection Charge Deferrals
Mike Galizio
(253) 798-2865
Email

Sewer Amortization Program
Joe Phillips
(253) 798-3813
Email

Q. Who is eligible for the deferral program?

A. This program is available for all property owners applying for building permits or sewer service permits for residential property in unincorporated Pierce County. The owner must sign a certification statement that he or she plans to construct the property for resale only. This program is not available to non-residential (e.g. commercial or industrial) properties.

Q. What fees can be deferred?

A. Only Traffic Impact Fees, Park Impact Fees, and Sewer Connection Charges may be deferred. School Impact Fees, application fees, and other fees may not be deferred.

Q. Can I pay all my fees up front if I prefer?

A. Yes. This is a voluntary program. You can still pay your fees before your permit is issued without requiring a lien against your property.

Q. If I defer payment, can I rent my property prior to its sale?

A. Yes, but if a deferral lien has been recorded, you must make full payment of any deferred impact fees or connection charges plus any accrued interest charges prior to building occupancy.

Q. How do I defer my fees?

A. The property owner fills out a Request for Deferral Lien form and submits it to a PALS permit technician or a sewer utility technician at the Pierce County Development Center (2401 S. 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409).

Q. Is there a cost to defer fees?

A. Yes. There is a $250 non-refundable administrative fee for deferral liens. The owner must also pay the cost to record and release deferral liens with the Pierce County Auditor's office. The administrative fee and recording fee must be paid when the 'Request for Deferral Lien' form is submitted.

Additionally, to comply with state law, 'consideration' must be given by the owner for any deferral request. For deferred Traffic and Park Impact Fees, the owner must choose to either pay annual interest charges of 3%, OR waive their statutory right to a refund of Impact Fees not spent within six years. For deferred Sewer Connection Charges, the owner is required to pay annual interest charges of 3%.

Q. Will deferring fees add review time to my building permit application?

A. It depends. If you defer early in the permit process, the deferral is processed at the same time as the rest of the application. If you defer your fees just prior to issuance of your building permit, you must wait for the lien documents to be prepared and recorded.

Q. If Traffic Impact Fee rates go up before I sell my property, do I pay a higher rate?

A. No. The amount of your traffic impact fees will be based on the fee schedule in place when your building permit was issued.

Q. Can someone else sign the lien forms for the owner?

A. No. The Request for Deferral Lien form and the lien document itself can only be signed by the property owner unless a copy of a legal document (e.g. power of attorney) is provided that allows another individual to sign on behalf of the property owner.