As of September 30, 2008, DDES disbursed by mail all refund checks as approved by the Court on August 5, 2008. Beginning September 1, 2009, please direct all class action lawsuit inquiries to telephone number 206-296-6659 or e-mail billinghotline.ddes@kingcounty.gov.
Background: DDES submitted a listing to the Court and Counsel on May 22, 2008 of all eligible applicants, their associated permit numbers, and final calculated refunds. On August 5, 2008, DDES received approval from the Court on the final list of eligible applicants and their respective calculation of refund. It was determined that refunds would be distributed in the form of refund checks and would not be used to offset balances owed on other DDES permits. DDES completed distributing all refund checks by mail as of September 30, 2008.
Answers to frequent questions we have received since the checks have gone out are provided below.
To identify the permit activity that your refund applies to:
If you can't find information on a particular activity by using the online permit search, contact the billing hotline at 206-296-6659 or e-mail billinghotline.ddes@kingcounty.gov.
Contact the DDES billing hotline at 206-296-6659 or e-mail billinghotline.ddes@kingcounty.gov.
Your refund was based on the total number of eligible hours charged and paid. "Eligible hours" were determined on the following criteria:
The eligible hours were multiplied by the refund per hour rate to arrive at your payment. Total refunds exceeded the remaining balance in the reserve fund established; the amount paid was pro-rated among all eligible claimants.
No. You must apply for a refund by completing and submitting a DDES refund request claim form. [Note: Refund period closed January 22, 2008**.]
Your recovery from this fund will depend on the number of hours paid for between August 8, 2000 and May 31, 2007. If eligible refunds exceed the remaining balance and depending on the volume of claim forms submitted, the recovery will be pro-rated among all eligible applicants. Recoveries of less than $10 per permit activity will not be eligible for a refund.
No. It was determined that refund checks would be provided to eligible claimants.
If you were eligible for a refund, your refund check was processed. As of September 30, 2008, all refund checks have been distributed by mail.
Yes. You can call 206-296-6659 and inquire.
As of September 30, 2008, all refund checks have been distributed by mail.
April 2009 update: DDES permit customers with fee complaints have the right to utilize the appeal process that took effect on March 17, 2008. The deadline to appeal billings made between January 1, 2004 and March 17, 2008 was March 17, 2009. Therefore, billings made on or before March 17, 2008 on inactive permits are no longer eligible for appeal. Go to appeal process for detailed information.
Call the DDES billing hotline at 206-296-6659. You also may e-mail billinghotline.ddes@kingcounty.gov.
Plaintiffs were represented by attorneys Bill H. Williamson, 701 - 5th Avenue, Suite 5500, Seattle, WA 98014, 206-292-0411, williamsonb@msn.com, and Richard B. Price, PO Box 1687, Omak, WA 98841, 509-826-5110.
If you are an applicant of record who paid an hourly fee on applications submitted to DDES between August 8, 2000 and May 31, 2007, you may be eligible for a partial refund.
If you have completed any DDES land use or building permit application, Certification of Applicant Status form, Certification and Transfer of Applicant Status form, or Affidavit for Application form and you have signed these documents as the "Applicant," you are considered the applicant of record.
A property owner who is not the Applicant of Record should contact the Applicant of Record and ask that they complete the refund request claim form on your behalf.
If you cannot locate the Applicant of Record, complete and submit a DDES refund request claim form. Staff will then review and determine eligibility. [Note: Refund period closed January 22, 2008**.]
You can complete and submit a DDES refund request claim form. Staff will then review and determine eligibility. [Note: Refund period closed January 22, 2008**.]
If you have the property address and/or parcel number (located on an annual tax assessment notice), we can assist you in finding permit activity numbers. [Note: Refund period closed January 22, 2008**.]
You cannot submit a refund request online.
You may contact DDES at either 206-296-6659 or by e-mail at billinghotline.ddes@kingcounty.gov for confirmation of receipt of your claim form.
In order to be considered for a partial refund, a refund request claim form must have been received by DDES or postmarked by the January 22, 2008 deadline. Refund request claim forms submitted by mail must have been postmarked no later than January 22, 2008**. Claim forms that were faxed, e-mailed, or brought to DDES must have been received by DDES by close of business on Tuesday, January 22, 2008. DDES closed for the day at 4:30 p.m. on January 22, 2008.
**January 22, 2008 was the deadline for refund requests. In order to be considered for a partial refund, a refund request claim form must have been received by DDES or postmarked by the January 22, 2008 deadline. Forms delivered to DDES after 4:30 p.m. on January 22, 2008 or postmarked after January 22 will not be eligible for consideration. Forms presented to the DDES cashier after January 22 will not be accepted.