ADU Impact Fees: Bellevue vs Kent
How do adu impact fees rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Kent, WA?
Bellevue and Kent have similar restriction levels.
Bellevue, WA
King County
Bellevue exempts ADUs from transportation and school impact fees in practice, consistent with Washington HB 1337 (RCW 36.70A.696), which caps any ADU impact fee at 50 percent of the single-family rate. Only standard plan-review and building-permit fees apply, plus utility connection charges if a new water or sewer service is needed.
View full Bellevue rules →Kent, WA
King County
Kent waives Park and Transportation Impact Fees for the first ADU on a single-family lot and reduces them by 50 percent for the second ADU under KCC 15.08.250, consistent with Washington's RCW 36.70A.696 cap. Applicants still pay building, plan-review, and trade permit fees, plus utility connection charges only if a new service line is required.
View full Kent rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bellevue | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Impact Fee | Exempt for ADUs | - |
| School Impact Fee | Exempt for ADUs | Kent SD rate applies |
| State Cap | 50% of SFR (RCW 36.70A.696) | 50% of SFR (RCW 36.70A.696) |
| Building Permit | Per WA fee schedule | - |
| Utility Connection | Only if new service | Only if new service |
| Park/Transportation 1st ADU | - | Waived |
| Park/Transportation 2nd ADU | - | 50% of SFR |
| Electrical Permit | - | WA L&I (not city) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bellevue FAQ
Does Bellevue charge impact fees for ADUs?
No. Bellevue's current practice exempts ADUs from both transportation and school impact fees. Washington RCW 36.70A.696 also caps any ADU impact fee at 50 percent of the single-family rate, so even if the policy changes, fees cannot exceed half of the standard SFR rate.
What fees do I still pay for a Bellevue ADU?
Standard building, plan-review, and trade permit fees scaled to construction valuation. Utility connection fees from Bellevue Utilities only apply if you add a new water or sewer service line. Stormwater fees apply if new impervious surface exceeds the BCC threshold.
Kent FAQ
Does Kent charge impact fees on ADUs?
Park and Transportation Impact Fees are waived for the first ADU on a Kent lot and reduced to 50 percent of the single-family rate for the second ADU under KCC 15.08.250 and Washington RCW 36.70A.696. School impact fees for the Kent School District still apply at the standard rate.
What fees do I still owe for a Kent ADU?
Building permit (scaled to construction valuation), plan review, plumbing, gas, and mechanical permits through MyBuildingPermit.com, plus an electrical permit from Washington L&I. Water meter or side-sewer connection fees apply only if you add a new service. Stormwater fees apply if new impervious surface exceeds the threshold in KCC Title 7.
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