Skip to main content
King County Logo
Dec
07

Need help paying your bill?

Information about flexible payment plans, payment deferrals for low-income seniors and disabled individuals, and discounts for eligible low-income housing residents.

King County Wastewater Treatment Division recently implemented new affordability options for capacity charge customers based on the findings of a Low-Income Customer Affordability Study. The new assistance programs approved by the King County Council and signed by the Executive took effect June 29, 2019. 

Request payment deferral (for low-income seniors and disabled individuals)

If you are enrolled in the State and County property tax exemption program for seniors or disabled individuals, you may be eligible to wait until you sell your property to pay the capacity charge. King County will place a property lien for the balance owed and collect the funds when your property is sold. The interest rate is reduced to 5 percent annually and late fees are waived, however a recording fee will apply.

To see if you are eligible, contact us at 206-296-1450 or CapChargeEscrow@kingcounty.gov.

 

Request a payment plan (for delinquent payments)

If you are concerned about making upcoming payments on time, a flexible payment plan can be discussed.

To see if you are eligible, contact us at 206-296-1450 or CapChargeEscrow@kingcounty.gov.

 

Apply for a discount (for properties qualifying as low-income housing)

New low-income housing in multi-family structures, single detached dwelling units, owner-occupied dwelling units, and shelter housing may qualify to receive a discounted capacity charge. Eligible new units will be assigned 0.32 residential customer equivalents (RCE), which in most cases is a 50 percent discount. These affordability options are part of our effort to encourage affordable housing development in the region.

 

Step 1. Review your type of structure and qualifications in the table below.

 

Structure type Qualifications
Multi-family structure
  • Rent restricted.
  • Occupancy restricted in at least 51 percent of units, to residents with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median.
  • Covenant or deed protecting affordability has 40-year minimum duration.
Single detached dwelling unit
  • Rent restricted.
  • Occupancy restricted to residents with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median.
  • Covenant or deed protecting affordability has 40-year minimum duration.
Owner occupied dwelling unit
  • Unit is owned and occupied by a household that, at the time of initial ownership and occupancy, has a gross household income at or below 80 percent of area median.
  • Unit meets definition of principal residence (owner resides there at least 183 days per year, no sublease/rent).
  • Owner agrees transfer of ownership is restricted to persons with an income at or below 80 percent of area median, meet definition of principal residence, and sell at a price not exceeding 35 percent of gross monthly income for the household purchasing the home (including mortgage principal, interest, taxes, and insurance).
  • Covenant or deed protecting affordability has 40-year minimum duration.
Shelter housing (distinct dwelling units)
  • Structure is owned by government/nonprofit and operated as a shelter for people receiving support services from a county-recognized government assistance program for homelessness.
  • Shelter housing with distinct dwelling units will qualify as special purpose housing and be assigned 0.32 RCEs per unit.
Shelter housing (alternative configurations)
  • Structure is owned by government/nonprofit and operated as a shelter for people receiving support services from a county-recognized government assistance program for homelessness.
  • Alternative configurations, such as dormitories or adult family homes, will be assigned rates based on plumbing fixtures and receive a 50 percent discount.

 

Step 2. To see if you are eligible and apply for discount, contact us at 206-296-1450 or CapChargeEscrow@kingcounty.gov.

expand_less