Fee increases, new fees for Planning and Development Services start July 1

These increases and new fees will continue to provide adequate staffing while reducing the need for General Fund dollars for Community Planning and land use code compliance programs.

Without the fee increases and new fees, we would need to cut staffing, impacting our customer service and timelines.

Before the 2023 increase, both Building Services and Development Review/Current Planning had been struggling with budget shortfalls for many years. Unlike other area jurisdictions, these workgroups are supported entirely by fees paid for applications and related services. In short, those revenues were not keeping up with rising costs.

The Board approved a 50% fee increase in 2023 to both close the funding gap and provide minimum staffing to meet our customer service needs. They also provided guidance to implement annual fee adjustments to address cost increases in future years.

As a result, fees for both Building Services and Development Review/Current Planning were increased by 8.5% in 2024 to meet rising program costs, including staffing, materials, services, vehicles, training and software/technology costs.

Without the 8.5% increase for FY 2025-26, we would have to reduce staffing in both Building Services and Development Review/Current Planning. This would impact customer services, resulting in longer review, approval and inspection timelines.

The Advance Planning fee will only be assessed on building permits that include a valuation, typically permits for new or expanded buildings, which required prior advance planning to accommodate development.

Revenue generated from this fee is intended to offset the Community Planning General Fund reduction. While this type of fee is not common, Deschutes County has had an advance planning fee for several decades.

Land Use Code Compliance is housed in LUT’s Development Review/Current Planning section. Until now, it has been partially funded through the County General Fund. However, that subsidy is not continuing under the proposed FY 2025-26 budget reductions. The Land Use Code Compliance fee revenue will offset the General Fund reduction.

Like the Advance Planning fee, the Land Use Code Compliance fee will only be assessed on building permits that include a valuation – typically permits for new or expanded buildings.

For the last five years, Washington County’s General Fund revenues have not kept up with increasing costs. The FY 2025-26 General Fund shortfall is projected at $20.5 million.

All departments have been required to make spending cuts in programs and services that rely on General Fund dollars. Community Planning is one area in LUT primarily funded through the General Fund. The Advance Planning and Land Use Code Compliance fees allow us to maintain customer service and program service levels.

For more information on the Washington County FY 2025-26 budget and the budget process, visit:

• Media release, May 20, 2025: Budget Committee approves $2 billion balanced budget, closing $20.5 million general fund gap and preserving mandated county services
• Media release, March 14, 2025: Washington County anticipates $20.5 million gap in next year’s budget
• Washington County Finance: Budget Process
• FY 2025-26 County Budget Reports