Partial land use and building permit fee refunds for eligible DDES applicants

A court has authorized this notice

The refund period closed January 22, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, all refund checks have been distributed by mail. See status update for details.

In order to be considered for a partial refund, a refund request claim form must have been been submitted to DDES by the January 22, 2008 deadline. Refer to the status update and frequently asked questions for more information.

What is the partial land use and building permit fee refund about?

A final order had been issued in the class action lawsuit concerning the amount DDES has charged customers for permit processing, Tiger Mountain LLC v. King County #03-2-05287-4. Plaintiffs were represented by attorneys Bill H. Williamson, 206-292-0411, williamsonb@msn.com (Williamson Law Office - 701 5th Avenue - Suite 5500, Seattle, WA 98104), and Richard B. Price, 509-826-5110 (Law Offices of Richard B. Price - 435 Maple St. - PO Box 1687 - Omak, WA 98841-1687).

DDES has issued partial permit fee refunds to eligible permit applicants as described below. DDES established a Reserve Fund of $2,449,429.70 out of which the refunds were paid after Court-approved attorney fees and expenses were deducted.

Who is eligible for a partial refund?

If you were the applicant of record who paid an hourly fee on applications submitted to DDES between August 8, 2000 and May 31, 2007, you may have been eligible for a partial refund. Permit applicants identified as meeting this criteria were mailed a notice about this order along with a claim form listing their permit activity numbers.

What does the Court order provide?

• Eligible applicants of record who submit a valid claim form to DDES will be paid a refund from the Reserve Fund for a portion of hourly fees that were paid.
• Your share of the fund will depend on the number of hours paid for between August 8, 2000 and May 31, 2007 and the number of applicants seeking refunds.
• If eligible refunds exceed the remaining balance in the fund, the amount paid will be pro-rated among all eligible applicants of record.
• Recoveries of less than $10.00 per permit activity will not be eligible for a refund.

See frequently asked questions for additional details.

How do I ask for a refund?

To request a refund, a completed DDES Refund Request Claim Form must have been postmarked or received at DDES by the January 22, 2008 deadline. Forms DDES received after close of business on January 22, 2008 or that are postmarked after January 22 will not be eligible for consideration. Forms presented to the DDES cashier after January 22 will not be accepted.

How can I get the claim form?

DDES Refund Request Claim Forms are no longer available. To be considered for a partial refund, a refund request claim form must have been submitted to DDES or postmarked no later than the January 22, 2008 deadline.

How do I submit the claim form?

Claim forms must have been received by DDES no later than the January 22, 2008 deadline or mailed and postmarked by January 22, 2008.

How can I get more information?

See frequently asked questions, call 206-296-6659, or e-mail billinghotline.ddes@kingcounty.gov for questions or more information.