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New fee schedule goes into effect Aug. 1 at Community Development

A new fee schedule for land use permit applications goes into effect on Aug. 1.

The Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution on July 1, adopting the new fee schedule after holding several board workshops with Community Development and a public hearing.

The new fee schedule (PDF), which is being updated following a full cost-recovery analysis, is available online. It will be posted to the Community Development website beginning Aug. 1.

“The current fees, which are at least 14 years old, have not kept pace with either the annual CPI increases or the increase in labor costs, so they do not allow our department to follow a cost-recovery model for permit processing,” said Deanna Walter, director of Community Development. “In 2024, we used $300,000 from the general fund to balance the cost of permit processing. So taxpayers were supplementing the cost of processing land use applications for site-specific developments.”

Commissioners, after hearing from a handful of developers who testified at the public hearing, decided to phase in the fee adjustments over the next three years. Fee increases will be made annually on Aug. 1 until 2028. Beginning Aug. 1, 2029, the building and permitting fees then will increase at a rate of 4 percent a year.

“By 2028, Community Development will be an enterprise department, meaning it will not require money from the general fund to supplement its budget,” said Commissioner Shon Smith. “The phasing in of the increases is a compromise that works for our builders, the public and the county.”

In addition, a cost-recovery analysis review for Community Development will be performed at least every five years to consider further revisions to the fees.

Last Updated: 07/17/2025 10:37 AM

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  • 19
    Aug 2025
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 19
    Aug 2025
    01:30 PM - 02:00 PM

    Public Meeting: Certify Election

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 13
    Aug 2025
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 13
    Aug 2025
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on August 13, 2025.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, CM Conference Room 1
  • 08
    Aug 2025
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office