DPD is moving toward a monthly billing process for land use applications. When implemented, later this fall, monthly invoices will be sent for land use projects which accrue fees during any given month. Invoices will be sent to the financially responsible party who will have 30 days to pay the invoice and avoid the cancellation and collection process.
Land Use reviews are billed at $250.00 per hour. At intake $2,500 is collected for most projects to cover the first ten hours of review. Review hours above the initial ten are billed to the applicant. Under the current process these fees are generally not made known to the applicant until the appealable decision is ready to be published. This can result in a surprise to the applicant and a delay in payment to DPD. We anticipate the new “pay as you go” system to reduce surprises and allow DPD to recoup fees on a timely basis.
In anticipation of the new monthly billing, the Public Resource Center staff is working to clarify our records and update fees on a variety of projects. We have implemented a manual billing system which mirrors the automated system. The manual system is being implemented on applications that have decisions ready to be published, have large balances owing, or are reaching a variety of review milestones.
It is important that as an applicant and/or financially responsible party, you keep your contact information current with DPD. Changes in addresses and phone numbers may be sent by email to the assigned planner and the Public Resource Center at PRC@seattle.gov.
If you have questions or comments regarding the new monthly billing process you may contact:
Sue Putnam
Public Resource Center Manager
(206) 684-8275
sue.putnam@seattle.gov