Under RCW 36.70A.681(1)(g) (Washington HB 1337), Vancouver may not charge impact fees on ADUs under 1,000 square feet, and any impact fees on ADUs at 1,000 square feet are capped at 50% of the fee charged on the primary dwelling. Standard permit fees and system development charges under VMC 14.04.235 still apply, and Clark County school impact fees are likewise subject to the HB 1337 cap.
RCW 36.70A.681(1)(g), enacted by HB 1337 in 2023, prohibits Vancouver from imposing traffic, parks, or fire impact fees on ADUs under 1,000 square feet and caps any ADU impact fee at 50% of the rate charged on the primary dwelling. VMC 14.04.235 governs water and sewer system development charges (SDCs); these are utility connection charges rather than impact fees and are not subject to the HB 1337 cap, but the city offers reduced charges when capacity is already in place. Clark County collects school impact fees on behalf of local school districts; under HB 1337 those fees are also capped on ADUs. Standard plan-review, building, mechanical, electrical (via Washington L&I), and plumbing fees apply. The Clark County Assessor's Homeowner's Remodel Exemption can provide up to three years of property-tax relief on the value added by an ADU, as confirmed by the City of Vancouver ADU information page. There is no covenant or recording fee — RCW 36.70A.696 eliminated the previous covenant requirement.
Failure to pay system development charges or applicable school impact fees blocks permit issuance and final inspection. Unpaid balances become a lien on the property. A demand for a prohibited ADU impact fee may be challenged under RCW 36.70A.681 with the Growth Management Hearings Board. Confirm specific fee amounts with the Vancouver Permit Center at 360-487-7833.
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See how Vancouver's adu impact fees rules stack up against other locations.
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