The bill amends RCW 35.92.025 to authorize cities and towns in Washington to charge property owners connection fees for water or sewer systems, ensuring that these owners contribute their equitable share of the system's costs. The legislation allows for interest charges to be applied from the date of construction until the connection is made, with a cap on the interest rate at ten percent per year. Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for cities and towns to establish a deferred collection system for connection charges specifically for single-family and multifamily residential construction by the year 2030.

Under the new provisions, property owners can request a deferral of connection charge payments until either the final inspection or the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. However, cities and towns must withhold these certifications until the connection charges are fully paid. The bill also clarifies that the term "connection charges" refers to the one-time capital and administrative fees imposed for connecting to existing utility infrastructure. This legislation aims to provide more flexibility for property owners while ensuring that municipalities can recover the costs associated with their utility systems.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 35.92.025
Substitute bill: 35.92.025