Kenmore adopts new park impact fees by home size, effective January 1, 2027

What the records say

Kenmore has adopted new park impact fees for 2027. The City Council held a public hearing on Ordinance No. 26-0643 at its July 13, 2026 meeting, and the ordinance text in the city's meeting file states it was passed by the Council on July 20, 2026 ¹. The ordinance adopts the 2026 Park Impact Fee Methodology, amends Chapter 20.47 of the Kenmore Municipal Code, and sets park impact fees for all development-approval applications effective January 1, 2027 ¹. Under the adopted rates, fees are charged per new residential unit based on square footage, ranging from $2,495.71 for units under 500 square feet to $7,183.91 for units of 3,000–3,999 square feet, with mid-size categories in between ¹. The rates equal 75% of the maximum rate calculated in the 2026 methodology, which the Council set at $3,109.92 per person; the Council directed that approach at its June 22, 2026 meeting ¹. The hearing item was presented by Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Debbie Bent and Principal Planner Todd Hall ¹.

• The Council held a public hearing on Ordinance 26-0643, relating to park impact fees and amendments to Chapter 20.47 KMC, at the July 13, 2026 meeting; the ordinance text states it was passed by the Council on July 20, 2026 ¹.
• The ordinance amends KMC 20.47.020, .030, .040, .050, .070, and .130 and adopts 2027 park impact fees effective January 1, 2027 ¹.
• Adopted 2027 fees by unit size: under 500 sf $2,495.71; 500–749 sf $2,962.19; 750–999 sf $4,408.31; 1,000–1,499 sf $5,271.32; 1,500–1,999 sf $6,180.97; 2,000–2,499 sf $6,647.45; 2,500–2,999 sf $6,740.75; 3,000–3,999 sf $7,183.91; 4,000+ sf and not-reported $6,484.18 ¹.
• At the June 22, 2026 meeting, the Council directed staff to build the fee on square footage with a 75% threshold; the maximum rate in the 2026 methodology is $3,109.92 per person ¹.
• Kenmore first adopted park impact fees in 2001 and last updated them via Ordinance 19-0483, effective January 1, 2020; Chapter 20.47 also covers transportation and school impact fees ¹.

Why it matters

Park impact fees are charges on new residential development that reimburse the city for park facilities benefiting new residents; the city budgets them into the Park Capital Fund for park improvements ¹. The adopted rates apply to building-permit applications for development approval starting January 1, 2027, so anyone planning new housing construction in Kenmore — from accessory-sized units under 500 square feet to large single-family homes — will pay a fee set by the size of the unit rather than a prior schedule ¹. The city's 2025–2026 budget anticipated a park impact fee fund balance of $397,626 with $585,000 in receipts, based on the prior rates, so the new schedule affects future park funding ¹. The ordinance directs the City Manager to bring back a fee resolution reflecting the revised fees ¹.

What changed / what's next

• New park impact fee rates take effect January 1, 2027, charged per residential unit by square footage category ¹.
• Chapter 20.47 KMC is amended, including the park impact fee provisions ¹.
• The ordinance directs the City Manager to bring back a fee resolution reflecting the revised park impact fees; the supplied record does not show that resolution being adopted ¹.
• The ordinance text in the packet shows a July 20, 2026 passage date in its recitals and signature block, but the packet does not include the July 20 meeting minutes confirming the vote tally ¹.
• The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.