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Chapter 173-224 WAC

Last Update: 7/1/25

WATER QUALITY PERMIT FEES

(Formerly chapter 173-222 WAC)

WAC Sections

HTMLPDF173-224-015Purpose.
HTMLPDF173-224-020Applicability.
HTMLPDF173-224-030Definitions.
HTMLPDF173-224-040Permit fee schedule.
HTMLPDF173-224-050Permit fee computation and payments.
HTMLPDF173-224-060Permits issued by other governmental agencies.
HTMLPDF173-224-080Transfer of permit coverage.
HTMLPDF173-224-090Permit fee reductions.
HTMLPDF173-224-100Administrative appeals to the department.
HTMLPDF173-224-110Deposits.
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
173-224-070Credits. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A), § 173-224-070, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.] Repealed by WSR 96-03-041 (Order 94-21), filed 1/10/96, effective 2/10/96. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW.
173-224-120Past due payments. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 92-03-131 (Order 91-45), § 173-224-120, filed 1/21/92, effective 2/21/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A), § 173-224-120, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.] Repealed by WSR 08-16-109 (Order 08-05), filed 8/5/08, effective 9/5/08. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW.


PDF173-224-015

Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a fee system for state waste discharge and NPDES permits issued by the department pursuant to RCW 90.48.160, 90.48.162, or 90.48.260. RCW 90.48.465 directs the department to base fees on factors related to the complexity of permit issuance and compliance and to assess fees to fully recover, but not exceed the costs of the permit program based on expenses incurred in the issuance and comprehensive administration of state waste discharge and NPDES permits. Fee amounts contained in this chapter represent the department's true estimate of fee eligible permit program costs and reflect the department's commitment to fully recover all eligible expenses. Fee amounts in this chapter for fiscal year 2027 remain in effect for subsequent fiscal years until this chapter is amended. The department shall continue to examine the feasibility of adopting alternative permit fee systems. Any alternative fee system, such as variable permit fees, shall ensure continued full recovery of eligible program costs and may be based on pollutant loading and toxicity and may be designed to encourage recycling and reduction of the quantity of pollutants.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465 and 70A.02.060. WSR 25-14-101 (Order 24-05), s 173-224-015, filed 7/1/25, effective 8/1/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 23-14-079 (Order 22-03), § 173-224-015, filed 6/29/23, effective 7/30/23. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 92-03-131 (Order 91-45), § 173-224-015, filed 1/21/92, effective 2/21/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A), § 173-224-015, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]



PDF173-224-020

Applicability.

This chapter applies to all persons holding or applying for a state waste discharge or NPDES permit issued by the department pursuant to RCW 90.48.160, 90.48.162, or 90.48.260, including persons holding permits that remain in effect under WAC 173-216-040, 173-220-180, or 173-226-050. This chapter does not apply when a wastewater discharge permit is written for a state conducted remedial action under the Model Toxics Control Act. That is, ecology may not charge itself for wastewater discharge permits written for sites where the agency is conducting a cleanup.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 23-14-079 (Order 22-03), § 173-224-020, filed 6/29/23, effective 7/30/23; WSR 19-14-040 (Order 18-01), § 173-224-020, filed 6/26/19, effective 7/27/19. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 94-10-027 (Order 93-08), § 173-224-020, filed 4/28/94, effective 5/29/94; WSR 92-03-131 (Order 91-45), § 173-224-020, filed 1/21/92, effective 2/21/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A) , § 173-224-020, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]



PDF173-224-030

Definitions.

The following definitions apply to this chapter.
(1) "Administrative expenses" means those costs associated with issuing and administering permits under RCW 90.48.160, 90.48.162, and 90.48.260.
(2) "Aluminum forming" means the deformation of aluminum or aluminum alloys into specific shapes by hot or cold rolling, drawing, extruding, or forging.
(3) "Aluminum and magnesium reduction mills" means the electrolytic reduction of alumina or magnesium salts to produce aluminum or magnesium metal.
(4) "Animal unit" means the following:
DAIRY ANIMAL TYPE
ANIMAL UNIT MULTIPLIER
The number of animal units equals the number of animals multiplied by the animal unit multiplier.
 
Example: 10 milk cows multiplied by 1.4 = 14 animal units
 
Dairy Cows
 
 
Milk cow
1.40
 
Dry cow
1.00
 
Heifer
0.80
(5) "Annual permit fee" means the fee assessed by the department for annual expenses associated with activities specified in RCW 90.48.465. This annual fee is assessed in alignment with the state's fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).
(6) "bbls" means barrels of product in storage for fuel and chemical storage facilities.
(7) "bbls per day" means barrels per day of oil for petroleum refineries.
(8) "bins per year" means total standard bins used during the last complete calendar year by a facility in the fruit packing industry. The bins measure approximately 47.5 inches × 47.4 inches × 29.5 inches and hold approximately 870 pounds of fruit.
(9) "Chemical pulp mill with chlorine bleaching" means any pulp mill that uses chlorine or chlorine compounds in their bleaching process.
(10) "Coal mining and preparation" means extracting coal from underground or surface mines using machinery or explosives. Coal preparation plants may use chemical and physical processes such as leaching, distillation, retorting, slurry mining, solution mining, borehole mining, fluid recovery mining, washing and concentrating. Coal handling may include sorting, screening, crushing, storing, or transporting.
(11) "Combined food processing waste treatment facility" means a facility that treats wastewater from more than one separately permitted food processor and receives no domestic wastewater or waste from industrial sources other than food processing.
(12) "Combined industrial waste treatment" means a facility that treats wastewater from more than one industry in any of the following categories: Inorganic chemicals, metal finishing, ore concentration, organic chemicals, or photofinishers.
(13) "Combined sewer overflow (CSO) system" means a system that conveys combined wastewater and stormwater to a domestic wastewater facility for treatment, but may also discharge wastewater prior to the treatment facility.
(14) "Concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)" means an animal feeding operation that meets the criteria in Appendix C of 40 C.F.R. 122 as presently enacted and any subsequent modifications thereto.
(15) "Contaminants of concern" means a chemical for which an effluent limit is established (this does not include pH, flow, temperature, or other "nonchemical parameters"). Petroleum constituents are considered as one contaminant of concern even if more than one effluent limit is established (e.g., Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX)).
(16) "Crane" means a machine used for hoisting and lifting ship hulls.
(17) "Cubic yards per year" means the cubic yards per year for total production from a sand and gravel facility during the most recent completed calendar year.
(18) "Department" means the department of ecology.
(19) "Director" means the director of the department of ecology.
(20) "Disturbed acres" means the total area of disturbance for a construction site over the life of a construction project. This includes all clearing, grading, and excavating, and any other activity which disturbs the surface of the land.
(21) "Domestic wastewater" means water carrying human wastes, including kitchen, bath, and laundry wastes from residences, buildings, industrial establishments or other places, together with any groundwater infiltration or surface waters that may be present.
(22) "Domestic wastewater facility" means all structures, equipment, or processes required to collect, carry away, treat, reclaim or dispose of domestic wastewater together with industrial waste that may be present.
(23) "EPA" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
(24) "Facilities not otherwise classified" means an industrial wastewater facility that does not meet the definition of other permit fee categories and the discharge in gallons per day is the best method to assess a permit fee. This fee category may include a variety of industrial facility types.
(25) "Finfish hatching and rearing" means raising (i.e., hatching, culturing, rearing, and growing) finfish. An operation to raise finfish uses confined spaces such as hatcheries, net pens, or other enclosed fish facilities or structures. The purpose for the activity can include sales or fisheries enhancement.
(26) "Federally recognized tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians in the Federal List Act, that is recognized as having a government-to-government relationship with the United States of America, with the responsibilities, powers, limitations, and obligations to that designation, and is eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs or successor agency.
(27) "Flavor extraction" means the recovery of flavors or essential oils from organic products by steam distillation.
(28) "Food processing" means the preparation of food for human or animal consumption or the preparation of animal by-products, excluding fruit packing. This category includes, but is not limited to, fruit and vegetable processing, meat and poultry products processing, dairy products processing, beer production, rendering and animal feed production. Food processing wastewater treatment plants that treat wastes from only one separately permitted food processor must be treated as one facility for billing purposes.
(29) "Fruit packing" means preparing fruit for wholesale or retail sale by washing and/or other processes in which the skin of the fruit is not broken and in which the interior part of the fruit does not come in direct contact with the wastewater.
(30) "gpd" means gallons per day.
(31) "gpy" means gallons per year of wine produced as reported annually for the most recent completed calendar year.
(32) "Hazardous waste cleanup sites" means any facility where there has been confirmation of a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance that requires remedial action other than RCRA corrective action sites.
(33) "Industrial gross revenue" means the annual amount of the sales of goods and services produced using the processes regulated by the stormwater discharge permit.
(34) "Industrial stormwater" means stormwater discharges associated with industrial activities that are regulated under either a general permit or an individual permit for stormwater.
(35) "Industrial wastewater" means water or liquid-carried waste from industrial or commercial processes, as distinct from domestic wastewater. These wastes may result from any process or activity of industry, manufacture, trade or business, from the development of any natural resource, or from animal operations such as feed lots, poultry houses, or dairies. The term includes contaminated stormwater and, also, leachate from solid waste facilities.
(36) "Industrial wastewater facility" means all structures, equipment, or processes required to collect, carry away, treat, reclaim, or dispose of industrial wastewater. In this rule, it also means any facility not included in the definition of municipal or domestic wastewater facility.
(37) "Manufacturing" means making goods and articles by hand or machine into a manufactured product.
(38) "Median household income" means the most recent available census data, updated yearly as measured by the U.S. Census Bureau.
(39) "Metal finishing" means preparing metal surfaces by means of electroplating, electroless plating, anodizing, coating (chromating, phosphating and coloring), chemical etching and milling, and printed circuit board manufacture.
(40) "MGD" means million gallons per day.
(41) "Municipal or domestic wastewater facility" means a publicly owned facility treating domestic wastewater together with any industrial wastewaters that may be present, or a privately owned facility treating solely domestic wastewater.
(42) "Municipal sewerage system" or "publicly owned treatment works (POTW)" means a publicly owned domestic wastewater facility or a privately owned domestic wastewater facility.
(43) "Municipality" means a city, town, county, district, association, or other public body created by or in accordance with state law and that has jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes, or a designated and approved management agency under 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1288. State government agencies are not included in this definition.
(44) "Noncontact cooling water with additives" means water used for cooling that does not come into direct contact with any raw materials, intermediate product, waste product or finished product, but may contain chemicals or additives to control corrosion or fouling of the cooling system.
(45) "Noncontact cooling water without additives" means water used for cooling that does not come into direct contact with any raw material, intermediate product, waste product or finished product, that does not contain chemicals or additives. The noncontact cooling water fee without additives category applies to those facilities that discharge only noncontact cooling water and that have no other wastewater discharges required to be permitted under RCW 90.48.160, 90.48.162, and 90.48.260.
(46) "Nonferrous metals forming" means manufacturing semifinished products from pure metal or metal alloys other than iron or steel or of metals not otherwise classified in WAC 173-224-040(2).
(47) "Nonfinfish hatching and rearing" means raising (i.e., hatching culturing, rearing, and growing) aquatic animals, such as shellfish, other aquatic invertebrates, or other aquatic species, that are not exclusively finfish. An operation to raise these species uses confined spaces to grow the animals and includes feeding and cleaning activities to maintain the animals. The purposes for the activity can include sales and harvest enhancement.
(48) "Nonoperating site" means a location where previous sand and gravel mining or processing has occurred; that has not been fully reclaimed; that conducts mining or processing fewer than 90 days per year, and that may include stockpiles of raw materials or finished products. The permittee may add or withdraw raw materials or finished products from the stockpiles for transportation off-site for processing, use, or sale and still be considered a nonoperating site.
(49) "NPDES permit" means a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued by the department under Section 402 of the federal Clean Water Act and RCW 90.48.260.
(50) "Ore mining, processing, refining, other" refers to mine operators who extract ores (metal-bearing rock) from underground or surface mines using machinery, explosives, or chemicals. Extraction processes include dressing (picking, sorting, washing of ores), milling (crushing, grinding, etc.), and beneficiation (processing to improve purity/quality).
(51) "Person" means any political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or private corporation, partnership, association, firm, individual, or any other entity whatever.
(52) "Portable facility" means a facility or equipment that is designed for mobility and is moved from site to site for short term operations. A portable facility or equipment applies only to an asphalt batch plant, portable concrete batch plant and portable rock crusher.
(53) "RCRA corrective action sites" means Resource Conservation Recovery Act cleanup sites required to have a wastewater discharge permit resulting from a corrective action under relevant federal authorities or under chapters 70A.300 and 70A.305 RCW including chapters 173-303 and 173-340 WAC, and are not subject to cost recovery.
(54) "Residential equivalent (RE)" means a single-family residence or a unit of sewer service that yields an amount of gross revenue equal to the annual user charge for a single-family residence. In cases where the permit holder does not maintain data on gross revenue, user charges, and/or the number of single-family residences that it serves, "residential equivalent" means an influent flow of 250 gallons per day.
(55) "Sand and gravel" means mining or quarrying sand, gravel, or rock, or producing concrete, asphalt, or a combination thereof.
(56) "Seafood processing" means:
(a) Preparing fresh, cooked, canned, smoked, preserved, or frozen seafoods, including marine and freshwater animals (fish, shellfish, crustaceans, etc.) and plants, for human or animal consumption; or
(b) Washing, shucking, and/or packaging of mollusks or crustaceans.
(57) "Sewer service" means receiving sewage deposited into and transported by a system of sewers, drains, and pipes to a common point, or points, for disposal or for transfer to treatment for disposal, and activities involving the interception, transfer, storage, treatment, and/or disposal of sewage, or any of these activities.
(58) "State waste discharge permit" means a permit required under RCW 90.48.160 or 90.48.162.
(59) "Stormwater" means precipitation that flows from an industrial operation or construction activity discharging stormwater runoff as defined in 40 C.F.R. 122.26 (b)(14) or facilities that are permitted as a significant contributor of pollutants as allowed in the federal Clean Water Act at Section 402 (p).
(60) "Tons per year" means the total annual production in tons from an asphalt production facility during the most recent completed calendar year, or the average tons per year of coal mining and preparation production.
(61) "Vegetable or bulb washing" means washing, packing, or shipping fresh vegetables and bulbs when there is no cooking or cutting of the product before packing.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465 and 70A.02.060. WSR 25-14-101 (Order 24-05), s 173-224-030, filed 7/1/25, effective 8/1/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 23-14-079 (Order 22-03), § 173-224-030, filed 6/29/23, effective 7/30/23; WSR 21-13-150 (Order 19-10), § 173-224-030, filed 6/22/21, effective 7/23/21; WSR 19-14-040 (Order 18-01), § 173-224-030, filed 6/26/19, effective 7/27/19; WSR 17-16-005 (Order 16-11), § 173-224-030, filed 7/20/17, effective 8/20/17; WSR 13-22-051 (Order 13-02), § 173-224-030, filed 11/1/13, effective 12/2/13. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 08-16-109 (Order 08-05), § 173-224-030, filed 8/5/08, effective 9/5/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 04-15-046, § 173-224-030, filed 7/13/04, effective 8/13/04. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 02-12-059, § 173-224-030, filed 5/30/02, effective 6/30/02; WSR 00-02-031 (Order 99-03), § 173-224-030, filed 12/28/99, effective 1/28/00; WSR 98-03-046 (Order 97-27), § 173-224-030, filed 1/15/98, effective 2/15/98; WSR 94-10-027 (Order 93-08), § 173-224-030, filed 4/28/94, effective 5/29/94; WSR 92-03-131 (Order 91-45), § 173-224-030, filed 1/21/92, effective 2/21/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A), § 173-224-030, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]



PDF173-224-040

Permit fee schedule.

(1) Application fee. In addition to an annual fee, first time individual permit applicants must pay a nonrefundable application fee of 25 percent of the annual permit fee, or $275, whichever is greater. An application fee is assessed for RCRA corrective action sites regardless of whether a new permit is issued or an existing permit for other than the discharge resulting from the RCRA corrective action, is modified.
(2) Minimum fee. The minimum water quality annual permit fee is $165.00, unless specified elsewhere in this section. The department may elect, at its discretion, to assess this minimum fee when no better permit fee category applies, or when a prorated annual permit fee falls below the minimum fee amount.
(3) INDUSTRIAL FACILITY ANNUAL PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE
The following industrial facilities must pay an annual permit fee as follows:
INDUSTRIAL FACILITY CATEGORIES
FY2026
ANNUAL
PERMIT FEE
FY2027
ANNUAL
PERMIT FEE
Aluminum Alloys
$23,750
$24,580
Aluminum and Magnesium Reduction Mills
a.
NPDES Permit - Operating facility
119,830
124,000
b.
State Permit - Operating facility
59,900
62,000
c.
NPDES Permit - Nonoperating facility
75,000
78,000
d.
State Permit - Nonoperating facility
40,000
43,000
Aluminum Forming
 
 
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
5,000
5,000
b.
1,000 gpd or greater
79,000
81,000
Aquaculture
a.
Finfish hatching and rearing - General Permit
4,270
4,420
b.
Finfish hatching and rearing - Individual Permit
6,250
6,650
c.
Nonfinfish hatching and rearing - Individual Permit
6,250
6,650
Aquatic Pest Control Permits
a.
Aquatic & Invasive Species Control (State agencies permits)
8,250
8,550
b.
Aquatic Plant & Algae Management
530
565
c.
Irrigation System Aquatic Weed Control
760
800
d.
Mosquito Control
530
565
e.
Noxious Weed Control (State agencies permits)
8,500
9,000
f.
Oyster Growers
530
565
Boatyards - General Permit
a.
With stormwater only discharge
640
680
b.
All others
1,275
1,350
Boatyards - Individual Permit
a.
With stormwater only discharge
745
800
b.
All others
1,325
1,410
Bridge and Ferry Terminals Washing
a.
Single site Permit
4,460
4,740
b.
Multisite Permit
 
 
 
1. 1 to 5 Facilities
6,580
7,000
 
2. 6 to 10 Facilities
8,700
9,250
 
3. 11 to 20 Facilities
11,150
11,850
c.
WSDOT Annual Fee
14,340
15,240
Coal Mining and Preparation
a.
Less than 200,000 tons per year
9,000
9,000
b.
200,000 to < 500,000 tons per year
20,500
20,500
c.
500,000 to < 1,000,000 tons per year
36,500
36,500
d.
1,000,000 tons per year and greater
68,500
68,500
Combined Industrial Waste Treatment
a.
Less than 10,000 gpd
4,100
4,240
b.
10,000 to < 50,000 gpd
10,140
10,500
c.
50,000 to < 100,000 gpd
20,300
21,000
d.
100,000 to < 500,000 gpd
41,000
42,000
e.
500,000 gpd and greater
60,300
61,800
Combined Food Processing Waste Treatment Facilities
22,300
24,500
Combined Sewer Overflow System
a.
Less than 50 acres
4,300
6,100
b.
50 to < 100 acres
10,800
15,340
c.
100 to < 500 acres
13,000
18,460
d.
500 acres and greater
17,270
30,000
Commercial Laundry
610
650
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) - Dairy GP
$0.64 per animal unit, not to exceed $4,000
$0.68 per animal unit, not to exceed $5,000
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) - Dairy IP
$0.82 per animal unit, not to exceed $7,000
$0.87 per animal unit, not to exceed $8,000
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) - General Permit
Size of CAFO by Animal Type and Animal Count
SMALL
MEDIUM
LARGE
EXTRA LARGE
FY2026 and FY2027 Annual Fee
$385
$1,650
$3,850
$5,850
a.
Veal Calves
Less than 300
300 to 999
1,000 to 3,499
3,500 or more
b.
Other Cattle
Less than 300
300 to 999
1,000 to 3,499
3,500 or more
c.
Swine
(55 lbs or more)
Less than 700
700 to 2,499
2,500 to 7,999
8,000 or more
d.
Swine
(less than 55 lbs)
Less than 3,000
3,000 to 9,999
10,000 to 29,999
30,000 or more
e.
Horses
Less than 150
151 to 499
500 to 1,499
1,500 or more
f.
Sheep and Lambs
Less than 3,000
3,001 to 9,999
10,000 to 39,999
40,000 or more
g.
Turkeys
Less than 16,500
16,500 to 54,999
55,000 to 199,999
200,000 or more
h.
Chickens, including laying hens or broilers, with liquid waste system
Less than 9,000
9,000 to 29,999
30,000 to 124,999
125,000 or more
i.
Chickens, other than layers, with dry waste system
Less than 25,000
25,000 to 81,999
82,000 to 299,999
300,000 or more
j.
Laying Hens, with dry waste system
Less than 25,000
25,000 to 81,999
82,000 to 299,999
300,000 or more
k.
Ducks, with liquid waste system
Less than 1,500
1,500 to 4,999
5,000 to 19,999
20,000 or more
l.
Ducks, with dry waste system
Less than 10,000
10,000 to 29,999
30,000 to 124,999
125,000 or more
m.
Other Species
As determined by Department
As determined by Department
As determined by Department
As determined by Department
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) - Individual Permit
Size of CAFO by Animal Count and Animal Type
SMALL
MEDIUM
LARGE
EXTRA LARGE
FY2026 and FY2027 Annual Fee
$7,500
$9,000
$10,500
$12,000
a.
Cattle and Veal Calves
Less than 300
300 to 999
1,000 to 12,249
12,250 or more
b.
Horses
Less than 150
150 to 499
500 to 2,499
2,500 or more
c.
Chickens & Laying Hens, with dry waste system
Less than 25,000
25,000 to 81,999
82,000 to 299,999
300,000 or more
d.
Other Species
As determined by Department
As determined by Department
As determined by Department
As determined by Department
Facilities Not Otherwise Classified
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
2,070
2,200
b.
1,000 to < 10,000 gpd
4,180
4,440
c.
10,000 to < 50,000 gpd
10,420
11,070
d.
50,000 to < 100,000 gpd
16,700
17,750
e.
100,000 to < 500,000 gpd
33,200
35,280
f.
500,000 to < 1,000,000 gpd
41,700
44,300
g.
1,000,000 gpd and greater
62,500
66,420
Flavor Extraction
a.
Steam Distillation
250
270
Food Processing
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
2,000
2,040
b.
1,000 to < 10,000 gpd
5,100
5,200
c.
10,000 to < 50,000 gpd
9,180
9,360
d.
50,000 to < 100,000 gpd
14,320
14,600
e.
100,000 to < 250,000 gpd
20,000
20,400
f.
250,000 to < 500,000 gpd
26,330
26,860
g.
500,000 to < 750,000 gpd
33,050
33,700
h.
750,000 to < 1,000,000 gpd
40,050
40,850
i.
1,000,000 to < 2,500,000 gpd
49,340
50,320
j.
2,500,000 to < 5,000,000 gpd
55,070
56,170
k.
5,000,000 gpd and greater
60,080
61,280
Fruit Packing - General Permit
a.
Less than 1,000 bins per year
285
295
b.
1,000 to < 5,000 bins per year
560
570
c.
5,000 to < 10,000 bins per year
1,125
1,150
d.
10,000 to < 15,000 bins per year
2,250
2,300
e.
15,000 to < 20,000 bins per year
3,710
3,780
f.
20,000 to < 25,000 bins per year
5,180
5,280
g.
25,000 to < 50,000 bins per year
6,940
7,080
h.
50,000 to < 75,000 bins per year
7,710
7,860
i.
75,000 to < 100,000 bins per year
8,970
9,150
j.
100,000 to < 125,000 bins per year
11,000
11,220
k.
125,000 to < 150,000 bins per year
13,800
14,080
l.
150,000 bins per year and greater
16,500
16,830
Fruit Packing - Individual Permit
a.
Less than 1,000 bins per year
400
400
b.
1,000 to < 5,000 bins per year
800
800
c.
5,000 to < 10,000 bins per year
1,600
1,600
d.
10,000 to < 15,000 bins per year
3,150
3,150
e.
15,000 to < 20,000 bins per year
5,200
5,200
f.
20,000 to < 25,000 bins per year
7,260
7,260
g.
25,000 to < 50,000 bins per year
9,700
9,700
h.
50,000 to < 75,000 bins per year
11,500
11,500
i.
75,000 to < 100,000 bins per year
13,500
13,500
j.
100,000 to < 125,000 bins per year
15,700
15,700
k.
125,000 to < 150,000 bins per year
19,650
19,650
l.
150,000 bins per year and greater
23,500
23,500
Fuel and Chemical Storage
a.
Less than 50,000 bbls
2,300
2,530
b.
50,000 to < 100,000 bbls
4,840
5,320
c.
100,000 to < 500,000 bbls
12,100
13,300
d.
500,000 bbls and greater
24,000
26,400
Hazardous Waste Cleanup Sites
a.
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST)
5,330
5,500
b.
1. State Permit
10,650
11,000
 
2. NPDES Permit
 
 
c.
Non-LUST Sites
 
 
 
1. 1 or 2 contaminants of concern
10,650
10,800
 
2. 3 or 4 contaminants of concern
15,300
15,700
 
3. 5 or more contaminants of concern
20,850
21,550
Ink Formulation and Printing
a.
Commercial Print Shops
3,120
3,230
b.
Newspapers
5,200
5,400
c.
Package Printing
8,340
8,630
d.
Ink Formulation
10,420
10,800
Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing
a.
Lime Products
10,160
10,320
b.
Fertilizer
12,230
12,650
c.
Peroxide
16,250
16,800
d.
Alkaline Earth Salts
20,300
21,000
e.
Metal Salts
28,440
29,400
f.
Acid Manufacturing
40,300
41,700
g.
Chlor-alkali
81,300
84,100
Iron and Steel
a.
Foundries
23,700
24,500
b.
Mills
47,500
49,200
Metal Finishing
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
2,890
3,030
b.
1,000 to < 10,000 gpd
4,820
5,060
c.
10,000 to < 50,000 gpd
12,050
12,650
d.
50,000 to < 100,000 gpd
24,100
25,300
e.
100,000 to < 500,000 gpd
48,200
50,600
f.
500,000 gpd and greater
72,280
75,900
Noncontact Cooling Water with Additives - General Permit
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
900
900
b.
1,000 to < 10,000 gpd
1,800
1,800
c.
10,000 to < 50,000 gpd
2,700
2,700
d.
50,000 to < 100,000 gpd
6,300
6,300
e.
100,000 to < 500,000 gpd
10,800
10,800
f.
500,000 to < 1,000,000 gpd
15,300
15,300
g.
1,000,000 to < 2,500,000 gpd
19,850
19,850
h.
2,500,000 to < 5,000,000 gpd
24,400
24,400
i.
5,000,000 gpd and greater
28,900
28,900
Noncontact Cooling Water without Additives - General Permit
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
700
700
b.
1,000 to < 10,000 gpd
1,500
1,500
c.
10,000 to < 50,000 gpd
3,000
3,000
d.
50,000 to < 100,000 gpd
6,000
6,000
e.
100,000 to < 500,000 gpd
9,000
9,000
f.
500,000 to < 1,000,000 gpd
12,000
12,000
g.
1,000,000 to < 2,500,000 gpd
15,000
15,000
h.
2,500,000 to < 5,000,000 gpd
18,000
18,000
i.
5,000,000 gpd and greater
22,000
22,000
Noncontact Cooling Water with Additives - Individual Permit
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
1,270
1,310
b.
1,000 to < 10,000 gpd
2,070
2,140
c.
10,000 to < 50,000 gpd
3,800
3,900
d.
50,000 to < 100,000 gpd
9,000
9,000
e.
100,000 to < 500,000 gpd
15,000
15,500
f.
500,000 to < 1,000,000 gpd
21,000
21,500
g.
1,000,000 to < 2,500,000 gpd
27,000
27,500
h.
2,500,000 to < 5,000,000 gpd
33,000
33,500
i.
5,000,000 gpd and greater
40,000
40,500
Noncontact Cooling Water without Additives - Individual Permit
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
1,020
1,050
b.
1,000 to < 10,000 gpd
2,030
2,100
c.
10,000 to < 50,000 gpd
3,050
3,200
d.
50,000 to < 100,000 gpd
7,100
7,350
e.
100,000 to < 500,000 gpd
12,200
12,600
f.
500,000 to < 1,000,000 gpd
17,250
17,850
g.
1,000,000 to < 2,500,000 gpd
22,250
23,000
h.
2,500,000 to < 5,000,000 gpd
27,400
28,300
i.
5,000,000 gpd and greater
32,500
33,600
Nonferrous Metals Forming
23,750
24,580
Ore Mining, Processing, Refining, Other
a.
Recreational mining < 500 pounds concentrate annually
500
500
b.
Operations in Care and Maintenance
10,000
10,000
c.
Reclamation - Long term monitoring
20,000
20,000
d.
Water treatment - With or without long term reclamation
40,000
40,000
e.
Active Sites - Operations or Reclamation
40,000
40,000
Organic Chemicals Manufacturing
 
 
a.
Fertilizer
20,080
21,340
b.
Aliphatic
42,080
44,720
c.
Aromatic
62,550
66,470
Petroleum Refining
 
 
a.
Less than 10,000 bbls per day
41,700
44,300
b.
10,000 to < 50,000 bbls per day
82,700
87,800
c.
50,000 bbls per day and greater
166,700
177,100
Photofinishers
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
1,670
1,780
b.
1,000 and greater
4,150
4,400
Power and/or Steam Plants
a.
Steam generation - nonelectric
9,350
10,000
b.
Hydroelectric
9,350
10,000
c.
Nonfossil fuel
13,170
14,000
d.
Fossil fuel
35,000
35,000
Pulp, Paper, and Paper Board
a.
Fiber Recyclers/Nonwood Pulp Mills
15,000
15,000
b.
Paper Mills
40,000
40,800
c.
Groundwood Pulp Mills
 
 
 
1. Less than 300 tons per day
60,080
61,280
 
2. 300 tons per day or more
120,160
122,560
d.
Chemical Pulps Mills w/o chlorine bleaching
160,210
163,410
e.
Chemical Pulp Mills with chlorine bleaching
180,230
183,830
Radioactive Effluents and Discharges (RED)
a.
Less than 3 waste streams
40,550
40,550
b.
3 to < 8 waste streams
70,000
70,000
c.
8 waste streams and more
114,000
114,000
RCRA Corrective Action Sites
29,400
29,400
Sand and Gravel - General Permit
a.
Mining Activities
 
 
 
1. Mining, screening, washing, and/or crushing
2,650
2,700
 
2. Nonoperating
170
170
b.
Asphalt Production and Recycling
 
 
 
1. Less than 5,000 tons per year
600
600
 
2. 5,000 to < 50,000 tons per year
1,140
1,200
 
3. 50,000 to < 300,000 tons per year
2,650
2,700
 
4. 300,000 tons per year and greater
3,350
3,500
 
5. Nonoperating
170
170
c.
Concrete Production and Recycling
 
 
 
1. Less than 5,000 cubic yards per year
600
600
 
2. 5,000 to < 25,000 cubic yards per year
1,140
1,200
 
3. 25,000 to < 200,000 cubic yards per year
2,650
2,700
 
4. 200,000 cubic yards per year and greater
3,350
3,500
 
5. Nonoperating
170
170
d.
Portable Facility
 
 
 
1. Rock Crushing
2,850
2,900
 
2. Nonoperating
180
190
 
3. Asphalt
 
 
 
Less than 5,000 tons per year
800
800
 
5,000 to < 50,000 tons per year
1,650
1,650
 
50,000 to < 300,000 tons per year
2,850
2,900
 
300,000 tons per year and greater
3,650
3,650
 
Nonoperating
180
190
 
4. Concrete
 
 
 
Less than 5,000 cubic yards per year
800
800
 
5,000 to < 25,000 cubic yards per year
1,650
1,650
 
25,000 to < 200,000 cubic yards per year
2,850
2,900
 
200,000 cubic yards per year and greater
3,650
3,650
 
Nonoperating
180
190
e.
Reclamation Permit
300
300
Sand and Gravel - Individual Permit
a.
Mining Activities
 
 
 
1. Mining, screening, washing, and/or crushing
3,600
3,600
 
2. Nonoperating Mining
225
225
b.
Asphalt Production and Recycling
 
 
 
1. Less than 5,000 tons per year
1,000
1,000
 
2. 5,000 to < 50,000 tons per year
2,200
2,200
 
3. 50,000 to < 300,000 tons per year
3,800
3,800
 
4. 300,000 tons per year and greater
4,800
4,800
 
5. Nonoperating Asphalt
225
225
c.
Concrete Production and Recycling
 
 
 
1. Less than 5,000 cubic yards per year
1,000
1,000
 
2. 5,000 to < 25,000 cubic yards per year
2,200
2,200
 
3. 25,000 to < 200,000 cubic yards per year
3,800
3,800
 
4. 200,000 cubic yards per year and greater
4,800
4,800
 
5. Nonoperating Concrete
225
225
d.
Portable Facility
 
 
 
1. Rock Crushing
3,950
3,950
 
2. Nonoperating Rock Crushing
250
250
 
3. Asphalt
 
 
 
Less than 5,000 tons per year
1,200
1,200
 
5,000 to < 50,000 tons per year
2,500
2,500
 
50,000 to < 300,000 tons per year
3,950
3,950
 
300,000 tons per year and greater
5,000
5,000
 
Nonoperating Asphalt
250
250
 
4. Concrete
 
 
 
Less than 5,000 cubic yards per year
1,200
1,200
 
5,000 to < 25,000 cubic yards per year
2,500
2,500
 
25,000 to < 200,000 cubic yards per year
3,950
3,950
 
200,000 cubic yards per year and greater
5,000
5,000
 
5. Nonoperating Concrete
250
250
 
The sand and gravel annual fee is the sum of the applicable fees for the permitted activities.
 
 
Seafood Processing
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
2,050
2,150
b.
1,000 to < 7,000 gpd
5,300
5,600
c.
7,000 to < 15,000 gpd
8,000
8,500
d.
15,000 to < 30,000 gpd
9,500
10,100
e.
30,000 to < 50,000 gpd
12,000
12,500
f.
50,000 to < 100,000 gpd
14,500
15,000
g.
100,000 to < 250,000 gpd
16,500
17,500
h.
250,000 to < 500,000 gpd
19,640
20,500
i.
500,000 to < 1,000,000 gpd
21,000
22,000
j.
1,000,000 gpd and greater
24,000
25,000
Shipyards
a.
Per crane, travel lift, small boat lift
5,120
5,440
b.
Per drydock under 250 feet in length
5,120
5,440
c.
Per graving dock
5,120
5,440
d.
Per marine way/ramp
7,680
8,160
e.
Per syncolift
7,680
8,160
f.
Per drydock 250 feet and over in length
10,240
10,880
g.
In-water vessel maintenance
10,240
10,880
 
The shipyard annual fee is the sum of the fees for applicable subcategories.
 
 
Solid Waste Sites (nonstormwater)
a.
Nonputrescible
8,000
8,000
b.
Less than 50 acres
15,700
15,700
c.
50 to < 100 acres
31,400
31,400
d.
100 to < 250 acres
41,700
44,400
e.
250 acres and greater
59,000
60,000
Textile Mills
79,000
79,000
Timber Products
a.
Log Storage
4,070
4,200
b.
Veneer
8,120
8,400
c.
Sawmills
16,250
16,800
d.
Hardwood, Plywood
28,400
29,400
e.
Wood Preserving
39,000
40,400
Vegetable/Bulb Washing Facilities
a.
Less than 1,000 gpd
220
235
b.
1,000 to < 5,000 gpd
320
340
c.
5,000 to < 10,000 gpd
640
680
d.
10,000 to < 20,000 gpd
1,260
1,330
e.
20,000 gpd and greater
2,060
2,170
Vehicle Maintenance and Freight Transfer
a.
Less than 0.5 acre
4,070
4,200
b.
0.5 to < 1.0 acre
8,120
8,400
c.
1.0 acre and greater
12,200
12,600
Vessel Deconstruction
a.
Base Fee
3,350
3,550
b.
On land (per project)
3,770
4,000
c.
On barge or drydock (per project)
5,150
5,450
d.
In-Water (per project)
18,700
18,700
 
The vessel deconstruction annual fee is the sum of the base fee and applicable subcategories.
 
 
Water Plants - General Permit
3,930
4,170
Water Plants - Individual Permit
5,500
5,700
Wineries - General Permit
a.
Less than 24,999 gallons per year (gpy)
320
340
b.
25,000 to < 39,999 gpy
485
515
c.
40,000 to < 54,999 gpy
725
770
d.
55,000 to < 69,999 gpy
970
1,030
e.
70,000 to < 99,999 gpy
1,225
1,300
f.
100,000 to < 299,999 gpy
1,770
1,880
g.
300,000 to < 699,999 gpy
5,300
5,630
h.
700,000 to < 999,999 gpy
12,350
13,150
i.
1,000,000 to < 1,999,999 gpy
17,700
18,800
j.
2,000,000 gpy and greater
35,400
37,600
Wineries - Individual Permit
a.
Less than 24,999 gallons per year (gpy)
450
465
b.
25,000 to < 39,999 gpy
650
675
c.
40,000 to < 54,999 gpy
1,000
1,040
d.
55,000 to < 69,999 gpy
1,350
1,400
e.
70,000 to < 99,999 gpy
1,700
1,760
f.
100,000 to < 299,999 gpy
2,450
2,520
g.
300,000 to < 699,999 gpy
7,350
7,600
h.
700,000 to < 999,999 gpy
17,100
17,700
i.
1,000,000 to < 1,999,999 gpy
24,600
25,500
j.
2,000,000 gpy and greater
47,000
47,000
(a) Facilities are assessed a fee or fees that best aligns with the category and subcategory relevant to their water quality discharge. Except for CAFO, RCRA, sand and gravel, shipyard, and vessel deconstruction that operate within multiple fee subcategories, if the facility fits within several categories or subcategories, then the permit holder is assessed the highest fee.
(b) CAFO, fruit packing, sand and gravel, vessel deconstruction and winery permit holders must submit information to the department certifying annual unit amounts or production during the previous calendar year. The permit holder must submit the information to the department by the required due date. Failure to provide this information will result in a fee determination based on the highest subcategory for which the facility has received permit coverage.
(c) Information submitted on the required form must include a signature certifying the information is correct:
(i) For a corporation, by an authorized corporate officer;
(ii) For a limited partnership, by an authorized partner;
(iii) For a general partnership, by an authorized general partner; or
(iv) For a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor.
(d) The department may verify information submitted and, if it determines that false statements have been made, it will, revise both current and previously granted fee determinations as appropriate, in addition to taking other actions provided by law.
(e) Fees for fruit packing facilities discharging only noncontact cooling water without additives shall pay the lesser of the applicable fee in the fruit packing or noncontact cooling water without additives categories. Any fruit packing facility with an inactive permit status shall be assessed the lowest bin per year fee or lowest noncontact cooling water fee, as determined by the department.
(f) Where no clear industrial facility category exists for placement of a permit holder, the department will place the permit holder in a category with dischargers or permit holders that contain or use similar properties or processes or a category that contains similar permitting complexities. If no such category exists, the department will assess the minimum permit fee as specified in this section, until an appropriate permit fee category can be added to the rule.
(g) Hazardous waste cleanup sites and EPA authorized RCRA corrective action sites where the department has begun cost recovery through chapter 70A.305 RCW shall not pay an annual permit fee under this chapter until such time as the cost recovery under chapter 70A.305 RCW ceases.
(h) Any permit holder (with the exception of those fee categories that already take nonoperation or reduced discharge into consideration), who has not been discharging within a consecutive 18-month period to include the assessed fiscal year or who commits to not discharging for a consecutive 18-month period or longer may request a rate reduction of their annual permit fee by submitting the required request form. The full annual rate may be reduced to no less than 35 percent of the annual permit fee that would otherwise be assessed, as determined by the department. The department may also deny a request for the reduced rate, if the request does not allow the department to fully recover program costs per RCW 90.48.465(1), and/or the permit includes other conditions besides discharge. The discharge and permit conditions status may be verified by the appropriate department staff. After the reduced rate fee status for the 18-month period ends, the permit fee returns to the full amount. The permit holder must submit another request form to extend the reduced rate fee for another 18 months.
If a permit holder resumes discharging or the site circumstances that resulted in a reduced fee change during the 18-month period, the full permit fee is due for that fiscal year. The reduced rate fee paid, will be applied to the full fee due.
(i) Facilities with subcategories based on gallons per day (gpd) shall have their annual permit fee determined by using the design maximum, maximum daily flow, or maximum monthly average permitted flow in gallons per day as specified in the waste discharge permit, whichever is greater.
(j) RCRA corrective action sites requiring a waste discharge permit are assessed a separate annual permit fee regardless of whether the discharge is authorized by a separate permit or by a modification to an existing permit for a discharge other than that resulting from the corrective action.
(4) MUNICIPAL AND DOMESTIC WASTEWATER FACILITIES ANNUAL PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE
The following municipal and domestic wastewater facilities must pay an annual permit fee as follows:
(a) The annual permit fee for a permit held by a municipality or federally recognized tribe for a domestic wastewater facility issued under RCW 90.48.162 or 90.48.260 is determined as follows:
Residential Equivalents (RE)
FY 2026 Permit Fee
FY 2027 Permit Fee
The annual fee is calculated by multiplying the number of REs by the FY per RE rate, for permit holders with 100 or more REs
 
 
For permit holders with less than 100 REs, a flat fee will be assessed
 
 
Less than 100 REs (Minimum Muni WW Fee)
$275 flat fee
$275 flat fee
100 and more REs
 
 
Less than 250,000 REs
$3.60 per RE
$3.78 per RE
Greater than 250,000 REs
$3.50 per RE
$3.57 per RE
(b) The annual permit fee for privately owned or public-owned domestic wastewater facilities permitted under RCW 90.48.162 or 90.48.260 (that do not primarily serve residential customers), privately owned or public-owned reclaimed water facilities permitted exclusively under RCW 90.46.220, and for state-owned domestic wastewater and reclaimed water facilities is determined by using the design flow, or maximum daily flow or maximum monthly average permitted flow in million gallons per day, whichever is greater, as specified in the waste discharge or reclaimed water permit. The annual flow-based fees for wastewater and reclaimed water facilities are as follows:
Tiered Flow-Based Fee
FY2026 Annual Permit Fee
FY2027 Annual Permit Fee
 15 MGD and greater
$40,000
$41,000
 10 MGD to < 15 MGD
$30,000
$30,800
 5 MGD to < 10 MGD
$25,000
$25,600
 1 MGD to < 5 MGD
$20,000
$20,500
.1 MGD to < 1 MGD
$10,620
$11,150
.05 MGD to < .1 MGD
$6,370
$6,700
.01 MGD to < .05 MGD
$3,180
$3,340
.005 MGD to < .01 MGD
$1,600
$1,680
.001 MGD to < .005 MGD
$800
$840
Less than .001 MGD
$400
$420
(c) Instructions for calculating residential equivalents and reporting flow under (a) of this subsection are provided on annual forms sent by the department to permit holders each year. Permit holders are required to complete and return the forms and any required back-up documentation to the department by the specified due date. Failure to return the annual form and any required back-up documentation will result in a permit fee as determined by the department.
(i) The annual forms must include a signature certifying the provided information is correct:
(A) For a corporation, by an authorized corporate officer;
(B) For a limited partnership, by an authorized partner;
(C) For a general partnership, by an authorized partner;
(D) For a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor; or
(E) For a municipal or other public facility, by either a ranking elected official or a principal executive officer.
(ii) The department may verify the information contained in the submitted documentation and, if it determines that the permit holder has made false statements, will, revise both current and previously granted fee determinations as appropriate, in addition to taking other actions provided by law.
(d) The annual permit fee for all Puget Sound domestic wastewater facilities will be calculated at the rate of $0.31 per residential equivalent per year or the $275 minimum wastewater fee described in this section, as determined by the department. The number of residential equivalents will be calculated based on information provided on the forms required in this section.
(5) CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER ANNUAL PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE
(a) Unless specifically addressed elsewhere in this section, the following construction and industrial stormwater permit holders must pay an annual permit fee as follows:
 
FY2026 Annual Permit Fee
FY2027 Annual Permit Fee
a. Construction Stormwater - Individual Permits
 
 
 
Disturbed Acreage
 
 
 
1. < 10 acres
$2,000
$2,000
 
2. 10 to < 50 acres
3,500
3,500
 
3. 50 to < 250 acres
5,000
5,000
 
4. 250 acres and greater
6,500
6,500
b. Industrial Stormwater - Individual Permits
 
 
 
Acreage
 
 
 
1. < 50 acres
$7,000
7,700
 
2. 50 to < 100 acres
14,000
15,500
 
3. 100 to < 500 acres
21,000
23,100
 
4. 500 to < 1000 acres
28,500
31,300
 
5. 1000 acres and greater
33,000
36,000
c. Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSWGP)
 
 
 
1. Less than 1 acre
525
550
 
2. 1 to < 5 acres
820
850
 
3. 5 to < 7 acres
1,350
1,400
 
4. 7 to < 10 acres
1,830
1,940
 
5. 10 to < 20 acres
2,500
2,650
 
6. 20 to < 50 acres
3,100
3,200
 
7. 50 to < 100 acres
3,300
3,450
 
8. 100 to < 500 acres
3,500
3,700
 
9. 500 to < 1,000 acres
3,750
4,000
 
10. 1,000 and more acres
4,000
4,200
d. Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP)
 
 
 
1. Municipalities and state agencies
2,230
2,370
 
2. All other ISGP permit holders will have a fee based on the annual gross revenue reporting
 
 
 
Gross Revenue Subcategories
 
 
 
Less than $100,000
210
220
 
$100,000 to < $500,000
525
550
 
$500,000 to < $1,000,000
785
810
 
$1,000,000 to < $2,500,000
1,070
1,100
 
$2,500,000 to < $5,000,000
1,800
1,880
 
$5,000,000 to < $10,000,000
2,700
2,800
 
$10,000,000 to < $15,000,000
3,200
3,400
 
$15,000,000 to < $20,000,000
3,450
3,650
 
$20,000,000 and greater
3,640
3,900
(b) For industrial stormwater general permit holders assessed fees based on gross revenue, the permit holder must provide gross revenue information on the required form annually. Forms will be provided annually by the department and with a specified due date. Failure to provide this information will result in a fee determination based on the highest subcategory for which the facility has permit coverage. Submitted forms must include a signature certifying the provided information is correct:
(i) For a corporation, by an authorized corporate officer;
(ii) For a limited partnership, by an authorized general partner;
(iii) For a general partnership, by an authorized partner; or
(iv) For a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor.
(c) The department may verify the information contained in the submitted documentation and, if it determines that the permit holder has made false statements, will revise both current and previous granted fee determinations as appropriate in addition to taking other actions provided by law.
(6) MUNICIPAL STORMWATER ANNUAL PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE
(a) Municipal stormwater phase 1 general permit holders must pay an annual permit fee as follows:
Name of Entity
FY 2026
Annual
Permit Fee
FY 2027
Annual
Permit Fee
Clark County
$78,500
$80,000
King County
$78,500
$80,000
Pierce County
$78,500
$80,000
Seattle, City of
$78,500
$80,000
Snohomish County
$78,500
$80,000
Tacoma, City of
$78,500
$80,000
WSDOT
$78,500
$80,000
(b) Municipal stormwater phase 2 general permit holders pay a fee for fiscal year 2026 and 2027 based on the most recently available census estimations for median household income for cities and counties as follows:
(i) For cities and counties with a median household income level above the state average, the annual permit fee is $2.08 in fiscal year 2026 and $2.10 in fiscal year 2027 per housing unit inside the geographic area covered by the permit, with a not-to-exceed amount of $78,500 in fiscal year 2026, and $80,000 in fiscal year 2027. The minimum annual permit fee is $3,000.
(ii) For cities and counties with a median household income level below the state average, the annual permit fee is $1.06 in fiscal year 2026 and $1.08 in fiscal year 2027 per housing unit inside the geographic area covered by the permit. The minimum annual permit fee is $165.
(c) Other entities (phase 1 and 2 secondary facilities) with a municipal stormwater general permit must pay an annual permit fee of $1,100 for FY2026, and $1,100 for FY2027.
(d) Stormwater permit holders assessed fees under (b) of this subsection must complete an annual form provided by department, certifying the number of housing units served by their system.
(e) One annual permit fee will be assessed for entities that apply as copermittees or coapplicants and are assigned one permit number. The annual permit fee will be equal to the highest single permit fee that would have been assessed if the copermittees had applied separately. The copermittee responsible for paying annual permit fees will be identified in the permit.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465 and 70A.02.060. WSR 25-14-101 (Order 24-05), s 173-224-040, filed 7/1/25, effective 8/1/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 23-14-079 (Order 22-03), § 173-224-040, filed 6/29/23, effective 7/30/23; WSR 21-13-150 (Order 19-10), § 173-224-040, filed 6/22/21, effective 7/23/21; WSR 19-14-040 (Order 18-01), § 173-224-040, filed 6/26/19, effective 7/27/19; WSR 17-16-005 (Order 16-11), § 173-224-040, filed 7/20/17, effective 8/20/17; WSR 15-23-110 (Order 15-02), § 173-224-040, filed 11/18/15, effective 12/19/15; WSR 13-22-051 (Order 13-02), § 173-224-040, filed 11/1/13, effective 12/2/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465 and 2011 c 50 § 302(2). WSR 11-20-035 (Order 11-02), § 173-224-040, filed 9/27/11, effective 10/28/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 09-20-020 (Order 09-06), § 173-224-040, filed 9/28/09, effective 10/29/09. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 08-16-109 (Order 08-05), § 173-224-040, filed 8/5/08, effective 9/5/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 06-12-028 (Order 05-17), § 173-224-040, filed 5/30/06, effective 6/30/06; WSR 04-15-046, § 173-224-040, filed 7/13/04, effective 8/13/04. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 02-12-059, § 173-224-040, filed 5/30/02, effective 6/30/02; WSR 00-13-010 (Order 00-06), § 173-224-040, filed 6/9/00, effective 7/10/00; WSR 00-02-031 (Order 99-03), § 173-224-040, filed 12/28/99, effective 1/28/00; WSR 98-03-046 (Order 97-27), § 173-224-040, filed 1/15/98, effective 2/15/98; WSR 96-03-041 (Order 94-21), § 173-224-040, filed 1/10/96, effective 2/10/96; WSR 94-10-027 (Order 93-08), § 173-224-040, filed 4/28/94, effective 5/29/94; WSR 92-03-131 (Order 91-45), § 173-224-040, filed 1/21/92, effective 2/21/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A), § 173-224-040, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]



PDF173-224-050

Permit fee computation and payments.

(1) The department assesses annual permit fees based on the permit fee schedule in WAC 173-224-040. The department issues invoices at the beginning of the fiscal year to which they apply. The department will notify permit holders of annual permit fee charges by either sending an invoice to the permit holder on record or making the invoice available online. Payments are due by the date on the invoice, which is typically within 45 days of the invoice issue date. The department may elect to invoice the annual permit fee to permit holders on a monthly, quarterly, or other periodic basis. It is the permit holder's responsibility to ensure that the department has the correct billing address on file.
(2) Permit fee computation begins on the first day of each fiscal year. For newly issued permits, fee computation begins on the permit issuance date and shall not fall below the minimum permit fee as specified in WAC 173-224-040(2). In the case of applicants for state waste discharge permits who are deemed to have a temporary permit under RCW 90.48.200, computation shall begin on the 61st day after the department accepts a completed application.
(3) For existing NPDES permit holders who submit a renewal permit application or a permit modification request containing information that may change their assigned permit fee, computation and permit fee category reassignment begins on the date the department issues the renewed permit or permit modification.
(4) Any facility that obtains permit coverage but fails to operate is still obligated to pay the annual permit fee assessment in this chapter until the department terminates permit coverage. Permits terminated during the fiscal year will pay the full annual fee assessment regardless of the permit termination date.
(5) Annual permit fees for sand and gravel general permit holders are assessed as in WAC 173-224-040(3) and:
(a) Nonoperating sites. A facility conducting mining, screening, washing or crushing activities, excluding portable rock crushing operations, is considered nonoperating for fee purposes if they are conducting these activities for less than 90 cumulative days during a calendar year. A facility producing or recycling no asphalt or concrete during the calendar year is also considered nonoperating for fee purposes.
(b) Nonoperating sites that become active for only concrete or asphalt production or recycling are assessed a prorated fee for the actual time nonoperational. For the actual time a concrete or asphalt facility is active, excluding asphalt portable batch plants and concrete portable batch plants, fees are based on total production or recycled amount of concrete or asphalt.
(c) Fees for continuously active sites that produce or recycle concrete or asphalt, excluding asphalt portable batch plants and concrete portable batch plants, are based on the previous calendar year production totals. Existing facilities must provide the department with the production or recycled totals for concrete or asphalt produced or recycled during the previous calendar year. New facilities with no historical asphalt or concrete production or recycling data will have their first year fee based on the production or recycling levels reported in the permit application.
(6) Fees for fruit packing general permit holders are assessed as in WAC 173-224-040(3) and are computed based on the three previous calendar years production totals. Existing facilities must provide the department with the production totals in the manner described in WAC 173-224-040 (3)(b). New facilities with no historical production data will have their first year fee based on the estimated production level for that year. The second year fee is determined based on the actual production during the first year. Fee calculation for subsequent years will be based on the average production values of previous years.
(7) Facilities with construction and industrial stormwater general permit coverage will have their annual permit fees begin on the permit issuance date.
(8) Annual permit fees continue until the permit has been terminated by the department regardless of whether the activity covered under the permit has already ceased.
(9) Computation of fees shall end on June 30th, the last day of the state's fiscal year regardless of the permit termination date.
(10) The applicable permit fee shall be paid using the department's online payment system or by check or money order payable to the "Department of Ecology" and mailed to the Cashiering Office, P.O. Box 47611, Olympia, Washington 98504-7611.
(11) In the event a check is returned due to insufficient funds, the department shall consider the permit fee to be unpaid.
(12) Permit holders are considered delinquent in the payment of annual permit fees if the fees are not received by the first invoice due date. Delinquent accounts are processed in the following manner:
(a) Municipal and government entities and Native American tribes will be notified by regular mail or email that they have 45 days to pay outstanding invoices. Accounts that remain delinquent after 45 days may receive a notice of penalty for nonpayment of fees.
(b) Nonmunicipal or nongovernment permit holders will be notified by the department by regular mail or email that they have 45 days to pay outstanding invoices. Accounts that remain delinquent after 45 days may receive a notice of penalty and may be referred to a collections agency. In addition to the amount owed, the collection agent may add a fee to the delinquent amount owed as authorized by RCW 19.16.500. If the collection agency fails to recover the delinquent fees, the permit holder may receive a permit revocation letter for nonpayment of fees.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 23-14-079 (Order 22-03), § 173-224-050, filed 6/29/23, effective 7/30/23; WSR 21-13-150 (Order 19-10), § 173-224-050, filed 6/22/21, effective 7/23/21; WSR 19-14-040 (Order 18-01), § 173-224-050, filed 6/26/19, effective 7/27/19; WSR 17-16-005 (Order 16-11), § 173-224-050, filed 7/20/17, effective 8/20/17; WSR 13-22-051 (Order 13-02), § 173-224-050, filed 11/1/13, effective 12/2/13; WSR 09-20-020 (Order 09-06), § 173-224-050, filed 9/28/09, effective 10/29/09. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 08-16-109 (Order 08-05), § 173-224-050, filed 8/5/08, effective 9/5/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 04-15-046, § 173-224-050, filed 7/13/04, effective 8/13/04. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 02-12-059, § 173-224-050, filed 5/30/02, effective 6/30/02; WSR 00-02-031 (Order 99-03), § 173-224-050, filed 12/28/99, effective 1/28/00; WSR 98-03-046 (Order 97-27), § 173-224-050, filed 1/15/98, effective 2/15/98; WSR 96-03-041 (Order 94-21), § 173-224-050, filed 1/10/96, effective 2/10/96; WSR 94-10-027 (Order 93-08), § 173-224-050, filed 4/28/94, effective 5/29/94; WSR 92-03-131 (Order 91-45), § 173-224-050, filed 1/21/92, effective 2/21/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A), § 173-224-050, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]



PDF173-224-060

Permits issued by other governmental agencies.

The department shall not charge permit fees for:
(1) Permits issued by a city, town, or municipal corporation under RCW 90.48.165;
(2) Permits issued by the energy facilities site evaluation council under RCW 80.50.071;
(3) Permits administered by the EPA under 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.
(4) Nothing herein shall restrict the department from assessing fees to recover administrative expenses of permits it issues under RCW 90.48.160 for discharges into municipal sewer systems, nor for charging fees to recover administrative expenses related to monitoring compliance with delegated pretreatment programs.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 23-14-079 (Order 22-03), § 173-224-060, filed 6/29/23, effective 7/30/23. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A) , § 173-224-060, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]



PDF173-224-080

Transfer of permit coverage.

In the event a permit is transferred, the department shall not refund permit fees. Fees paid by a previous permit holder shall be applied to the corresponding fee payment requirements of a new permit holder. Unpaid permit fees owed by a previous permit holder are the liability of a new permit holder. Fee agreements between a new and previous permit holder are not binding on the department.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 23-14-079 (Order 22-03), § 173-224-080, filed 6/29/23, effective 7/30/23; WSR 21-13-150 (Order 19-10), § 173-224-080, filed 6/22/21, effective 7/23/21. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A) , § 173-224-080, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]



PDF173-224-090

Permit fee reductions.

Facilities covered under the construction stormwater general and individual permits, and the industrial stormwater general permits are not eligible to apply for a fee reduction under this section.
(1) Market research and development.
(a) To qualify for the market research and development fee reduction, the permit holder must be:
(i) A research facility with the primary purpose of researching market viability for products or processes that reduce or eliminate wastewater pollutants or wastewater pollutant generating activity;
(ii) Covered under an individual permit issued within the past three fiscal years; and
(iii) Assessed a fee under an established fee category, excluding facility not otherwise classified.
(b) To receive a fee reduction, the permit holder must apply in a manner prescribed by the department demonstrating that the conditions in (a) of this subsection are met. The application must include a signature certifying the provided information is correct:
(i) For a corporation, by an authorized corporate officer;
(ii) For a limited partnership, by an authorized general partner;
(iii) For a general partnership, by an authorized partner;
(iv) For a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor; or
(v) For a municipality, state, other public entity, or Native American tribe, by either a principal executive officer or an elected official.
(c) The department may verify the information contained in the application and, if it determines that the permit holder has made false statements, will deny the fee reduction request and revoke previously granted fee reductions.
(d) If the department determines a permit holder is eligible for a fee reduction under this subsection, the annual permit fee is reduced to 25 percent of the assessed annual permit fee but not less than the minimum permit fee in WAC 173-224-040(2).
(e) A permit holder can only be eligible for a market research and development reduction for three consecutive fiscal years.
(2) Small business fee reduction.
(a) To qualify for the small business fee reduction, a business must meet all of the following conditions:
(i) Be a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other legal entity formed for the purpose of making a profit;
(ii) Be independently owned and operated from all other businesses (i.e., not a subsidiary of a parent company);
(iii) Have annual sales of $1,000,000 or less of the goods or services produced using the processes regulated by the waste discharge or individual stormwater discharge permit; and
(iv) Have an original annual permit fee assessment totaling $500 or greater.
(b) To receive a small business fee reduction, the permit holder must apply in a manner prescribed by the department demonstrating that the conditions in this subsection are met. The application must include a signature certifying the information provided is correct:
(i) For a corporation, by an authorized corporate officer;
(ii) For a limited partnership, by an authorized general partner;
(iii) For a general partnership, by an authorized partner; or
(iv) For a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor.
(c) The department may verify the information contained in the application and, if it determines that the permit holder has made false statements, will deny the fee reduction request and revoke previously granted fee reductions.
(d) If the department determines a permit holder is eligible under this subsection, the annual permit fee is reduced to 50 percent of the assessed annual permit fee but not less than the minimum permit fee in WAC 173-224-040(2).
(3) Extreme hardship fee reduction.
(a) Any small business with annual gross revenue totaling $100,000 or less from goods and services produced using the processes regulated by the discharge permit may apply in a manner prescribed by the department for an extreme hardship fee reduction.
(b) To receive an extreme hardship fee reduction, the permit holder must provide sufficient evidence to support its claim of hardship and demonstrate that the conditions in this subsection are met. The application must have a signature certifying that the information provided is correct and be signed:
(i) For a corporation, by an authorized corporate officer;
(ii) For a limited partnership, by an authorized general partner;
(iii) For a general partnership, by an authorized partner; or
(iv) For a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor.
(c) The department may verify the information contained in the application and, if it determines that the permit holder has made false statements, will deny the fee reduction request and revoke previously granted fee reductions.
(d) If the department determines a permit holder is eligible under this subsection, the annual permit fee is reduced to the minimum annual permit fee specified in WAC 173-224-040(2).
(4) Hazardous waste cleanup hardship reduction.
(a) Any former small business that is currently assessed a hazardous waste cleanup sites fee and no longer operates as a small business on the cleanup site, may apply in a manner prescribed by the department to have their assessed fee reduced. The permit holder must provide sufficient evidence to support its claim of hardship and demonstrate that the conditions in this subsection are met. The application must have a signature certifying the information provided is correct and be signed:
(i) For a corporation, by an authorized corporate officer;
(ii) For a limited partnership, by an authorized general partner;
(iii) For a general partnership, by an authorized partner; or
(iv) For a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor.
(b) The department may verify the information contained in the application and, if it determines that the permit holder has made false statements, will deny the fee reduction request and revoke previously granted fee reductions.
(c) If the department determines a permit holder is eligible under this subsection, the annual permit fee is reduced to $500.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 23-14-079 (Order 22-03), § 173-224-090, filed 6/29/23, effective 7/30/23; WSR 21-13-150 (Order 19-10), § 173-224-090, filed 6/22/21, effective 7/23/21; WSR 19-14-040 (Order 18-01), § 173-224-090, filed 6/26/19, effective 7/27/19; WSR 13-22-051 (Order 13-02), § 173-224-090, filed 11/1/13, effective 12/2/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465 and 2011 c 50 § 302(2). WSR 11-20-035 (Order 11-02), § 173-224-090, filed 9/27/11, effective 10/28/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 09-20-020 (Order 09-06), § 173-224-090, filed 9/28/09, effective 10/29/09. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 08-16-109 (Order 08-05), § 173-224-090, filed 8/5/08, effective 9/5/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 04-15-046, § 173-224-090, filed 7/13/04, effective 8/13/04. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 96-03-041 (Order 94-21), § 173-224-090, filed 1/10/96, effective 2/10/96; WSR 94-10-027 (Order 93-08), § 173-224-090, filed 4/28/94, effective 5/29/94; WSR 92-03-131 (Order 91-45), § 173-224-090, filed 1/21/92, effective 2/21/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A) , § 173-224-090, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]



PDF173-224-100

Administrative appeals to the department.

Any person aggrieved by a determination made under this chapter by the department may file a written appeal to the department no later than each fiscal year's first billing due date for payment of fees. Such appeal shall state the reasons that the aggrieved person believes that the department's determination is contrary to the requirements of RCW 90.48.465, and specific actions they are requesting that are consistent with those requirements. The department shall either issue a revised determination or a statement upholding the original determination. A revised determination shall be consistent with the requirements of RCW 90.48.465. Any person feeling aggrieved by the administrative appeals decision made by the department regarding their permit fee may obtain review thereof by filing an appeal with the pollution control hearings board, within 30 days of receipt of the department's decision. In addition, a copy of the appeal must be served on the Department of Ecology, Attention: Water Quality Program Permit Fee Unit, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, Washington 98504-7696, within 30 days of receipt. These procedures are consistent with the provisions of chapter 43.21B RCW and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.465. WSR 23-14-079 (Order 22-03), § 173-224-100, filed 6/29/23, effective 7/30/23; WSR 19-14-040 (Order 18-01), § 173-224-100, filed 6/26/19, effective 7/27/19. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 08-16-109 (Order 08-05), § 173-224-100, filed 8/5/08, effective 9/5/08. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.48 RCW. WSR 94-10-027 (Order 93-08), § 173-224-100, filed 4/28/94, effective 5/29/94; WSR 92-03-131 (Order 91-45), § 173-224-100, filed 1/21/92, effective 2/21/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A) , § 173-224-100, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]



PDF173-224-110

Deposits.

The department shall deposit permit fee payments in the water quality permit account in the state treasury. Funds collected shall not be available for use by the department until appropriated by the legislature.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21A RCW. WSR 89-12-027 and 90-07-015 (Order 89-8 and 89-8A) , § 173-224-110, filed 5/31/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]