The base monthly rate for Langley sewer customers will go up $2.49 per month under a fee increase proposal now before the city council.
The increase will affect residential and business customers, as well as bed-and-breakfasts. The 11-percent hike will push the monthly fee from $22.51 to $25.
City officials said the planned increases are “few and very modest.”
Other increases are also planned in monthly stormwater utility rates for property owners, where fees have been rounded to the nearest dollar.
The fee for owners of a developed, single-family residential property will increase from $23.70 to $24 a month.
For residential multifamily, the increase is $28.65 to $29; residential undeveloped, $12.27 to $13; commercial developed, $32.73 to $33; commercial undeveloped, $12.27 to $13; acreage developed, $28.65 to $29; primary residential (with commercial) $23.70 to $24; and primary commercial (with residential) $32.73 to $33.
Two categories will see slight decreases: residential multifamily (more than two units) a drop from $49.10 to $49; and public facilities, also $49.10 to $49.
Fees for permits in the city’s planning department will also rise.
The largest increase is planned for fees related to preliminary binding site plans, where fees will rise between $1,080 to $2,980, depending on the number of housing units.
Other permit hikes include annexation permits (up $880 to $3,000); clearing and grading permits (up $40 to $300); shoreline conditional use permits and shoreline variances (both up $1,080 to $1,500); and variances (up $460 to $1,500).
Fees for other permits will drop, including critical area permits (down $20 to $400); lower-classification rezones (down $100 to $200), and accessory dwelling unit permits (down $350 to $200).
The city’s planning department will also completely eliminate the fee for a comprehensive plan amendment, which once cost $1,400, as well as the $200 fee for a written code interpretation.
The utility and planning department fee changes have received an initial approval from the city council.
The council is expected to take a final vote on the new fee schedules at its meeting Sept. 19.
Water rates are currently under review, and a proposal for a new rate schedule may be finished before the end of the year, said City Treasurer Debbie Mahler.
