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Island County adopts fee increases for land‑use and building permits, effective Jan. 15, 2026
Summary
The Board adopted Resolution C54‑25 to update planning and building permit fees after staff said cuts provided only $30,000 of savings and a projected $1.4 million shortfall for 2026. The schedule raises fees 40% on Jan. 15, 2026, adds 20% in 2027 and ties annual adjustments to CPI starting 2028.
Island County Commissioners voted to adopt Resolution C54‑25, updating the county’s land‑use and building permit fee schedule to better align fees with the cost of review and permit services.
Matt Kukuk, assistant director in the planning department, said the proposed update reflects benchmarking with neighboring counties and aims to bring fee revenue closer to the actual costs of review by building, planning and public works staff. The proposal calls for a 40% increase beginning Jan. 15, 2026, an additional 20% increase in 2027, and annual adjustments tied to the consumer price index starting in 2028.
Stephanie Montgomery of the planning department told commissioners staff cut more than 30 line items and reduced maintenance and operations by just over $30,000, but those savings fell far short of an estimated $1,400,000 projected shortfall going into 2026. "We ended up, cutting over 30 different line items... it actually ended up reducing it over $30,000," Montgomery said.
Commissioners asked about outreach; staff said the adopted schedule and effective date will be posted on the county website, noted to the building community via the Skagit‑Island County Builders Association and communicated through the county’s GovDelivery list and front‑desk talking points so counter staff can answer questions. The record shows no public speakers during the fee hearing.
A motion to adopt Resolution C54‑25 passed by voice vote. If adopted as recorded, the new fee schedule will take effect Jan. 15, 2026.
