Community Government

City council to consider increasing many fees

Every year, the Gig Harbor City Council reviews fees for everything from dog licenses to renting city-owned facilities, from business license fees to building permits.

On Monday, Sept.9 the council will consider updating fees to recoup the costs of processing each permit, license or service. The new schedule is based on the time it takes for a staff member to process a permit application. It covers administration, police, land use, engineering, building and public records fees.

The current fee schedule has been in effect since February 2023.

Some fees could double

A few things, like the cost of a dog license and the cost for copies of city documents, won’t change.

Others, like the cost to rent meeting rooms in the Civic Center and other city-owned spaces, will increase. Some could double.

For example, if the council approves the new schedule, the cost of renting the picnic shelter in Crescent Creek Park will increase from the current $50 to $100. That proposed fee is based on use of the space for four hours by 30 or fewer people. Groups of more than 30 people would need to apply for a special events permit, at a cost $250 for a not-for-profit event or $500 for a for-profit or commercial event.

License fees for a business of more than 200-square-feet located within city limits would be $120. For a business smaller than 200-square-feet or a home-based business, a license would cost $60.

Land use permit application fees

The new fee schedule includes a new formula for processing permit applications, based on the number and types of permits needed.

Adding or changing a comprehensive plan text amendment would cost $9,758, up from $4,129.

A conditional use permit for a single family/accessory dwelling unit (ADU) would increase to $5,285, compared to $1,082 currently.

Review of a site plan or landscape plan will also cost more, depending on the scope of the project.

Other fees

• Permits for small signs would cost $137, up from $52
• Development agreements would run $8,604, plus city attorney fees.
• Special use permits would cost $192, plus an $85 fire/building inspection fee. Food truck permits will stay at $136.
• Land clearing permits would increase to $520 from $312
• Nomination or removal from the local historic register would spike to $1,300, up from $125.
• Short-term rental permit would go for $877, up from $650

The city also proposed changes for other fees, including for land use information; staff pre-application conferences; preparation of traffic reports; engineering permit fees; grading plan review; and inspection fees and building permit fees.

The updated schedule includes a provision that 50% of pre-application conference fees can be applied toward the resulting permit applications, and the inclusion of fees for public use of city-owned electric vehicle charging stations.

The new fees would become effective Oct.  1.

Public comment regarding fee changes will be accepted at Monday’s council meeting. The proposed 2024-25 fee schedule is included in the council’s meeting packet.

Transportation Benefit District funding

Also at Monday’s meeting, the council hosts a public hearing on imposing a new 1/10th of 1 percent sales-and-use tax to finance costs associated with the city Transportation Benefit District.

The city council established the district in 2018 to generate additional revenue for transportation projects. In 2019, city voters approved a 0.2% sales tax to fund transportation projects in the district, which is functionally part of the city and governed by the council.

The council will consider a proposal to add another 0.1% to that, with funds going to pavement maintenance and “other street operational needs.” The increase would raise about $1 million and go into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

The council expects to vote on the new tax at its Sept. 23 meeting.

Written comments on all Sept. 9 agenda items will be accepted until 3 p.m. Monday. Send written comments to [email protected].