Washington Unified board adopts higher statutory developer fees, effective Sept. 21

The Washington Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously July 23 to adopt a developer-fee justification study and authorize an increase in statutory level 1 developer fees, with the new rates set to take effect Sept. 21, 2026.

At a public hearing and presentation by a SchoolWorks consultant, trustees heard that the state statutory maximum for residential development fees this year is $5.38 per square foot and $0.87 per square foot for commercial or industrial projects. The consultant said the district's justification analysis produced a local justification figure of $11.72 per square foot but noted state law caps actual billable rates. "Based on our study, you are fully justified to collect the new maximum rate of $5.38 per square foot," the consultant said, recommending the district adopt the study so the increased statutory rate could take effect.

The consultant explained key inputs behind the study: a locally calculated student-yield rate of 0.39 students per housing unit (derived from 2020 census data and district enrollment), an assumed average new housing unit size of 1,243 square feet, and a five-year projection of roughly 1,200 new housing units in the district's near-term planning horizon. The presentation included an estimate of about $1,700,000 per year in developer-fee revenue under the study's assumptions, while cautioning actual receipts will vary with the housing market.

Board members asked operational questions about school-site availability and timing. The consultant said some district-owned parcels exist but may be too small and recommended that the district negotiate with developers to reserve appropriately sized sites. On timing, the consultant described an industry-average timeline of about five years from decision to opening for a comprehensively designed K-8 campus and said that the study indicates the district may eventually need a new elementary in the southern portion of the district with roughly 1,000-student capacity.

Trustees moved to approve the resolution adopting the study and authorizing the statutory fee increases; the resolution (identified in the meeting as resolution number 26 27 32) passed by roll-call vote. Per the consultant's presentation, the new rates will become effective 60 days after adoption (noted as Sept. 21, 2026) to give developers time to finalize projects under prior rates.

The board did not receive public comment on the developer-fee item during the hearing.