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Council adopts code allowing fee waivers up to $10,000 for extraordinary cases
Summary
The council approved an ordinance creating NBMC 20.09.035 to allow the City Council — rather than the city administrator — to reduce or waive some or all permit fees up to $10,000 per incident when state law permits; the change was prompted by a request from the Snoqualmie Valley Museum.
On July 15 the North Bend City Council approved AB25‑078, an ordinance creating North Bend Municipal Code section 20.09.035 to allow the city council to reduce or waive building and related permit fees in "extraordinary and compelling circumstances," up to $10,000 per incident so long as the waiver does not violate state law.
James Henderson, who presented the staff report, said the ordinance was amended to shift discretionary authority from the city administrator to the city council. "The ordinance before council tonight has been amended to empower city council to reduce or waive some or all of the city permit fees in amounts up to $10,000 per incident or occasion as long as the reduction or waiver does not violate state law," Henderson said.
Henderson said the proposal originated with a request from the Snoqualmie Valley Museum, which operates on city‑owned property and plans building renovations. The ordinance allows consideration of fee reductions or waivers in situations that include improvements to city‑owned buildings, support to people in need, or when a permit payment would result in no net public benefit while incurring city staff costs to track compliance.
Council voted to adopt the ordinance on a first and final reading. Council discussion noted the decision to elevate final approval to the council level rather than leave it with the administrator; council members said having the option available would allow the city to support nonprofit projects and public‑benefit uses in limited cases. The transcript records no appeals or conditions attached to the ordinance beyond the $10,000 threshold and the requirement not to violate state law.
