Kenmore Sound

City Hall · Outcome pending · Jul 20, 2026

Kenmore Council adopts updated park impact fees, effective January 1, 2027

In adopting Ordinance 26-0643 on July 20, 2026, the City Council updated park impact fees for new residential development and amended KMC Chapter 20.47, with unit-size rates taking effect January 1, 2027 1.

What the records say

The July 20, 2026, City Council agenda listed adoption of Ordinance 26-0643, and the record shows the ordinance was passed by the council on that date 1. The ordinance adopts the 2026 Park Impact Fee Methodology, sets a new fee schedule for 2027 based on unit square footage, and amends Sections 20.47.020, 20.47.030, 20.47.040, 20.47.050, 20.47.070, and 20.47.130 of KMC Chapter 20.47 1. It updates fees that had been based on the 2019 rate study (Ordinance 19-0483), following a public hearing on the ordinance held July 13, 2026 1. Council direction at its June 22, 2026, meeting set the rates at 75% of the maximum calculated fee 1.

  • The City Council passed Ordinance 26-0643 on July 20, 2026 1.
  • New per-unit rates take effect January 1, 2027, by unit size: $2,495.71 for units under 500 sf, $5,271.32 for 1,000–1,499 sf, and $7,183.91 for 3,000–3,999 sf, among others 1.
  • 2027 rates are set at 75% of the maximum calculated fee of $3,109.92 per person, per council direction 1.
  • The ordinance amends KMC Chapter 20.47 and directs the city manager to prepare a fee resolution reflecting the new rates 1.

Why it matters

Park impact fees are charges paid by new residential development to reimburse the city for new park facilities and improvements that benefit the development's occupants 1. The adopted schedule sets those charges by unit size for new housing built in Kenmore, with the money supporting the city's park improvement program 1. The fees are part of the cost of building new housing in the city 1.

What changed / what's next

  • The ordinance updates park impact fees that had been based on the 2019 rate study and Ordinance 19-0483, applying the 2026 fee methodology with rates set by unit square footage at 75% of the maximum rate 1.
  • The ordinance amends multiple sections of KMC Chapter 20.47 and takes effect five days after publication, with the new fee rates applying from January 1, 2027 1.
  • The ordinance directs the City Manager to bring back a fee resolution reflecting the revised fees 1.
  • The record leaves the ordinance's publication and effective-date fields blank; the adopted fee rates themselves apply from January 1, 2027 1.
  • Park impact fees may be adjusted annually based on the five-year rolling average of the WSDOT Construction Cost Index, via the city's annual fee schedule resolution 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.