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Pierce County Council approves series of fee and rate increases for ferry, airports, parks, building permits and utilities
Summary
Council approved or amended several fee and rate ordinances — including ferry fares, airport rentals, parks and recreation fees, building and fire permit fees, and sanitary sewer rate increases — as part of the budget and service-cost recovery process.
The Pierce County Council on Nov. 18 approved a package of fee and rate changes intended to shore up enterprise funds and cover operating and capital needs across multiple county services.
Ferries: Council adopted O2025‑540 to update the county ferry fare schedule. Staff said fares were proposed to rise 5% in 2026 and another 5% in 2027, and that the change would support ferry operations and maintenance and was projected to increase revenues by just under $350,000 over the biennium. Erica Rhett Hunt summarized the proposal and noted children and youth fares would remain free while the state youth subsidy program continues.
Airports: The council approved O2025‑542 to raise rental and tie‑down rates at Dunfield and Tacoma Narrows airports (roughly 5% increases in 2026 and 2027, with different rates for transient rentals and some hangar rents) and adopted the airports capital improvement program O2025‑543.
Parks: O2025‑547, which amends parks and recreation service fees (adult league fees, Fantasy Light, Sprinker Ice, shelter rentals and a new overnight camping fee at Chambers Creek Regional Park), passed unanimously. Staff estimated an additional $234,750 in park fee revenue for the biennium.
Building and planning fees: The council adopted an increase to building and fire protection permit fees (O2025‑549), estimated to add $3.4M in 2026 and $4.05M in 2027; that ordinance also reassigns the authority to appoint the county fire marshal. Council also approved O2025‑550S updating planning, public works and assessor/treasurer development review and application fees; staff projected the fee package would raise approximately $7.3M over the biennium. The planning fees item prompted public comment from the Master Builders Association cautioning that higher fees could slow housing production.
Utilities and assistance: Council adopted O2025‑560S to increase sanitary sewer rates (4.1% in 2026 and 4.3% in 2027) and amended the sewer assistance program to increase discounts for qualifying low‑income ratepayers from 20% to 30% beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The combined package is projected to increase sewer‑related revenue by $8.5M over the biennium.
Storm drainage: The council approved amendments to surface water management fees (O2025‑554S2) that include phased increases and a graduated per‑square‑foot impervious surface fee for certain nonprofit properties; the council directed staff to provide further reporting on fee calculation consistency.
Council statements repeatedly framed these changes as efforts to bring enterprise funds closer to cost‑recovery and to stabilize service delivery. Several councilmembers stressed balancing fiscal responsibility with concerns about impacts on residents and community groups.
Next steps: Departments will implement adopted rate and fee changes on the stated effective dates and return reporting as required by council provisos and amendments.
