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Sumner Council adopts ordinance updating park impact fees, shifting to bedroom-based methodology
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance No. 2916 to amend Sumner Municipal Code 12.38, updating park impact fees to a bedroom-based methodology after a staff presentation and brief council discussion; the ordinance passed unanimously.
The Sumner City Council on Jan. 20, 2025, adopted Ordinance No. 2916, amending Sumner Municipal Code 12.38 to update the city's park impact fees. The ordinance passed on a unanimous vote after a staff presentation explaining why the change is needed.
Community Services Manager Derek Berry told the council the city must update park impact fees because: removal of trail fees from the transportation plan, recent state case law changes, and updates to the parks and trails plan and the capital facilities plan. "The methodology behind it is a big reason that it looks quite different," Berry said, explaining the new approach moves the city toward a proportional-share model. "We are moving with residential fees based on the number of bedrooms," he added.
Under the new methodology presented, fees vary by dwelling size (bedrooms), accessory dwelling units are charged half of a single-family unit, and commercial/industrial fees were adjusted downward. Berry said the majority of permitted homes in the last five years were two- and three-bedroom units and compared Sumner's approach to practices in Puyallup and Bothell.
Council discussion focused on the fairness of assessing fees based on likely park use. One council member noted that parks are especially important as the city develops denser neighborhoods, while another said the Master Builders Association had raised concerns but that the new structure "seems pretty fair." No amendments were offered.
The ordinance was moved by Council member Elfers and seconded by Council member Cole; the clerk conducted a unanimous roll call and the ordinance passed.
Why it matters: Park impact fees fund park development and help ensure that new development contributes proportionally to park needs. Changing the fee methodology affects developers, new homeowners and future park funding.
Ending: The council directed staff to follow through on administrative updates needed to implement the new fee schedule and to provide comparative data on neighboring jurisdictions as requested during the study session.
