Redmond proposes municipal code changes to align utility billing with middle housing rules; temporary fee language set pending a rate study

Public Works asked the committee to place on the June 17 consent agenda an ordinance amending Redmond Municipal Code utility connection and billing provisions to incorporate middle housing definitions and interim billing rules while the city completes a comprehensive utility rate study.

"This update is a technical follow-up to the zoning code amendments adopted earlier this year," said Christopher Stenger, Deputy Director, Public Works. He said staff from finance, planning and public works collaborated to add middle housing language to fee schedules, meter requirements and account classifications so middle housing units are aligned with comparable residential structures during the transition.

Doug Devree, engineering manager, described technical changes: allowing up to four middle-housing units to share a side sewer lateral (up from two), new meter requirements for middle housing, added definitions and classifications for middle housing in sewer and service rate tables, and clarifying that monthly stormwater fees apply to all developed parcels. Devree said the changes are intended to make billing consistent and reduce barriers to middle-housing development; staff emphasized the changes are temporary until the permanent rate study is completed later this year.

Council member Fields asked whether the rate study is likely to raise or lower fees and what would drive rate changes; staff replied the study will be comprehensive and intended to make middle housing affordable, noting other jurisdictions differ widely in fee approaches. Council expressed support for placing the ordinance on the June 17 consent agenda and asked staff to provide the full ordinance text in the packet prior to adoption.