Disclaimer: The information contained in this document should not substitute for legal advice. If the reader has specific questions about his/her property or annexations they should consult their own legal advisor.

How do annexations happen? Can I be annexed without my consent?

Under current law, a community cannot be annexed over the objections of a majority of the residents in the area to be annexed.

Annexations also require the consent of the annexing city.

There are three primary ways annexation can occur:

1. Petition methods (both permissible under current law)
   • New method: a petition (in form acceptable to the city) signed by 50% 1 of the registered voters of the area to be annexed and signed by owners of 50% 1 of the taxable acreage in the area.
   • Traditional Method: a petition (in form acceptable to the city) signed by owners of property representing 50% 1 of the assessed value of the entire area to be annexed, excluding certain government properties. This is the method most used by cities and residents to pursue annexation.
2. Election method: an election (must be called for by the city) in which voters in the area to be annexed approve annexation by a simple majority
   • Island Interlocal Agreement: an agreement to annex between the city and the county can result in annexation. The agreement can be repealed by voter referendum if within 45 days of the approval of the agreement a petition is submitted to the city signed by registered voters equal in number to at least 15% of the number of votes cast in the last general election in the area to be annexed. Following submittal of such a petition there must be an election called for voters of the proposed annexation area. The referendum election requires a simple majority to support the annexation.

These types of annexations are all subject to approval of the Boundary Review Board. For more information on the details of annexation processes, visit the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington.

As an alternative to annexation, an area may choose to incorporate as a new city. For more information on the process of incorporation, visit the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington.

What happens to my taxes after annexation?

It depends on where you live. In all cases, the County road levy (unincorporated area property tax) is eliminated from your tax bill and replaced with the city's property tax levy. You will continue to pay a regional property tax to the County for regional services. If you are annexing to a city that provides fire service, you will automatically also no longer pay the fire district property tax levy: the cost of fire service is instead included in your city tax levy. If the city is served by a fire district, the fire district levy will remain in place. Your school district property tax is unaffected, as is your state property tax. You will no longer pay surface water management fees to the County, but you may be surface water fees charged by the city. If the city imposes utility taxes, you will be subject to them (the County cannot impose utility taxes under current law). A few cities also impose business and occupations (B&O) taxes on businesses (the County has no authority to impose B&O taxes). Based on current city and county tax levels, it is estimated that in some cases total residential taxes will drop after annexation; in some cases, they will rise. Note that because property tax rolls must be fixed in the spring for purposes of determining taxation the following calendar year, it can take 12 to 18 months for changes in property taxes to take effect (but dollars collected are transferred to the city after annexation to support city services in this interim period).

What happens to my government services after annexation?

That also depends on where you live. Generally, you will receive all your local services from the city to which you annex, instead of the County. Some cities have special districts providing services within their territory-such as fire districts, water districts, sewer districts which would continue to provide those specific services to you. If a city itself is providing fire service, you will receive your fire service from the city upon annexation, rather than your current fire district. If a city provides utility (water and sewer) service, it may or may not choose to assume the responsibility for that service in your area under negotiated agreement with the water/sewer district. Some cities receive services under contract from the County (such as sheriff, district court, road maintenance) and thus the County would continue to provide those services to you after annexation, though perhaps at a different service level paid for by the city. Your school district boundaries are unaffected by annexation. Your post office address may change; the post office assists with the address conversion and forwarding of mail.

How do I know which City I will be annexed to? What if I would rather be annexed to a different city?

There are agreements in place now between cities and the County which designate specific Potential Annexation Areas (PAAs). PAAs are areas that the city has committed to eventually annex. The areas of Highline/White Center/South Park/Boulevard Park which are currently not subject to any agreement for annexation, that is, no city has committed to annex these areas. PAA agreements may be changed by agreement of the City and County, and there are also provisions in state law to address situations when two cities want to annex the same area. Under state law, cities can only annex contiguous territories. Also, areas outside the urban growth boundary-rural areas-may not be annexed to a city.

What will happen if my urban area doesn't annex?

You will continue to receive your services from current service providers. The level of those services will change depending on the financial and operational capacity of the provider governments.

How can I find out more information?

Most cities with significant annexation areas have annexation information on their Web sites, with details on service and tax issues specific to that city. The MRSC Web site (see above) also includes detailed information about the annexation process. In addition, the County is prepared to try to respond to your questions: send us an e-mail at annexation@kingcounty.gov.

What happens next?

Understanding the unique needs and concerns of each community is critical to a successful annexation process. The County will be reaching out to each community and city to try to initiate that dialogue on a community-by-community basis. If you are interested in being part of that process, send us an e-mail at annexation@kingcounty.gov.