A benefit charge is a voter-approved fee that provides a fair and balanced approach to distribute emergency service costs: 

• The benefit charge is a fee based on building size, use and hazards. There is no charge for undeveloped land. The benefit charge is not a property tax or a per-call charge for using 911 services.

• Residential homes pay less than higher risk industrial or commercial buildings. That’s because it takes fewer firefighters and fire engines to put out a fire in a house than in a large commercial structure.

• With the benefit charge, the maximum fire levy is reduced by a third. The benefit charge is set annually by the Board of Fire Commissioners to support emergency services in the following year.

No. This is a 10-year renewal to continue the voter-approved benefit charge you already pay.

The amount you pay is calculated based on the size and use of buildings on your property.

Residential homes pay less than higher risk industrial or commercial properties.

Residential Benefit Charge Rates for 2024:

Home size	Benefit Charge
1,000 square feet	$50.65  ($4.22 a month)
2,000 square feet	$71.64  ($5.97 a month)
3,000 square feet	$87.74  ($7.31 a month)

 

When voters approved the benefit charge in 2020, more than 95% of homeowners paid the same or less than what they paid before.

Rates have remained stable and increased a total of 2% over the past five years. For example, the rate for a 2,000 square foot house has increased a total of $1.27 over four years.

The benefit charge is set annually by your elected Board of Fire Commissioners to support emergency services in the following year.

By law, the benefit charge revenue may not exceed 60% of South County Fire’s operating budget. The benefit charge for 2024 is set at 7.3% of the operating budget.

The benefit charge fee for each property is calculated using a mathematical formula based on standards developed by the National Fire Academy and Insurance Service Office.

Key factors in this formula are building square footage and use category (for example residential or commercial).

Benefit Charge Formula (PDF)

Property owners have the right to appeal their benefit charge if they believe it is incorrect. Appeals are reviewed, and the outcomes forwarded to the Board of Fire Commissioners for action. 

The benefit charge supports day-to-day operations at your neighborhood fire stations.

Renewing the benefit charge will allow South County Fire to maintain emergency service levels and response times, train firefighters and purchase emergency response equipment.

The benefit charge appears on your property tax statement. You pay the benefit charge to Snohomish County with your property taxes, which then disburses the revenue to South County Fire.

Seniors, people with disabilities, exempt properties and low-income households maintain any current exemptions they have through the county.

There is no charge for undeveloped land.

For commercial and multi-family structures, there is a discount for fire alarms and sprinkler systems.