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SWM Utility Charges
Your Dollars at Work
Surface Water Management (SWM) is a utility that provides essential services in unincorporated Snohomish County. These services are funded by annual SWM utility charges paid by property owners in unincorporated Snohomish County. SWM partners with the community to reduce flood damage and to protect and enhance our water resources for future generations by providing customers with services in four core areas: - drainage and road flooding,
- water quality,
- salmon and marine habitat, and
- river flooding.
Property owners help pay for solutions because each property contributes runoff to local ditches, streams, or groundwater, and SWM is responsible for managing many of the downstream surface water systems. The utility charges are based on the contribution of each property to downstream runoff, not the potential benefit to the property.
Who pays SWM utility charges?
Homeowners and owners of property in the SWM Utility District with houses, businesses, parking lots or other impervious additions pay the utility charge. Owners of single-family residences pay a flat utility charge, whereas owners of apartments, businesses, and commercial structures are charged a rate based on the amount of impervious surface* on their properties. * Impervious surface includes hard surfaced areas that prevent or delay the entry of water into the soil, or cause water to run off faster than under natural conditions. Common impervious surfaces include rooftops, sidewalks, pavement, patios, driveways, parking lots, gravel, and other surfaces that impede the natural infiltration or runoff of surface water.
How much are SWM utility charges?
Rate categories determine the charge amount. Rate categories include: single-family residences, condominiums, farms, commercial and non-residential properties. For a complete list of rate categories and charges, see Snohomish County Code 25.20.020. * 2023 Rates for unincorporated Snohomish County:
Annual Service Charge for Residential and Farm
| Rate Category | Impervious Surface Coverage | Annual Service Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Single Family Residential | N/A | $132.54 per dwelling unit |
| Condominium | N/A | $119.28 per dwelling unit |
| Farm | N/A | $132.54 per parcel |
Annual Service Charge for Commercial,
Non-residential and Other Uses
Non-residential and Other Uses
| Rate Category | Impervious Surface Coverage | Annual Service Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt | Less than 1% | $0.00 |
| Very Light | 1% to 19% | $39.74 per quarter acre |
| Light | 20% to 39% | $132.54 per quarter acre |
| Moderate | 40% to 59% | $220.82 per quarter acre |
| Heavy | 60% to 79% | $300.37 per quarter acre |
| Very Heavy | 80% to 100% | $397.57 per quarter acre |
View City of Bothell rates.
View City of Granite Falls rates.
View City of Lake Stevens rates.
View City of Mill Creek rates.
Surcharges may apply to parcels near lakes.
Exemptions and reductions may be available. View information on senior or disability related exemptions or reductions.
Refunds and appeals
Refunds and appeal requests require an Appeal Form be submitted by April 30. Download and complete the Appeal Form and mail to:
Snohomish County Surface Water Management
Attn: Utility Billing Appeal
3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 303
Everett, WA 98201
Note that documentation and a site inspection of the property may be required. Please review the instructions on the form for details. If As-Built documentation is not required, the completed form may be sent via email to: Lisa.Souza@snoco.org.
Surface Water Management utility billing
Surface Water Management (SWM) utility charges appear as a line item on a rate payer's annual property tax bill -- listed as "Surface Water Utility Charge" under Special Assessments. See example* below:
* The above example is for a single-family residential property in unincorporated Snohomish County for year 2020. If you reside in a city, your charges will differ.