Kirkland, WA vs Redmond, WA: Development Impact Fees Compared (2026)
A single-family home pays about $47,431 in Kirkland vs $42,061 in Redmond — Kirkland is $5,370 (13%) higher. Every figure below is normalized per dwelling unit by category, with links to each jurisdiction’s official sources.
City
Kirkland, WA
$47,431
Total per single-family home
impact + connection fees
$28,182
Impact / development fees
roads, parks, schools…
$19,249
Water & sewer connection
tap / capacity / SDC
—
Per multifamily unit
total fees / unit
Impact / development fees
| Fee (local term) | Basis | Amount | Source · effective |
|---|---|---|---|
Transportation / roads Transportation Impact Fee — Kirkland charges the transportation impact fee at $4.39/sq ft (2025) for Residential Non-Stacked, raised 2.7% CPI-W to ~$4.51/sf for Jan-Jun 2026, capped at a per-dwelling-unit max of $8,115.35. The max is reached at ~1,800 sq ft, so essentially every detached single-family home pays the $8,115.35 cap. Figure is the Jan-Jun 2026 maximum from the official fee-change notice. KMC Ch. 27.04, Ord. O-4904. VERIFIED via Jina proxy of source 1 and an independent search snippet. | per dwelling unit | $8,115 | City of Kirkland Jan 1, 2026High |
Parks & recreation Park Impact Fee — Charged at $5.04/sq ft (2025) Residential Non-Stacked, +2.7% CPI-W for Jan-Jun 2026, capped at per-dwelling-unit max of $9,316.94. Max reached at ~1,800 sq ft, so a typical detached single-family home pays the $9,316.94 cap. KMC Ch. 27.06, Ord. O-4901. VERIFIED via Jina proxy of source 1 and an independent search snippet. | per dwelling unit | $9,317 | City of Kirkland Jan 1, 2026High |
Fire / EMS Fire Impact Fee — Fire impact fee is per sq ft of conditioned floor area: $0.73/sf (2025), +2.7% CPI-W = ~$0.7497/sf for Jan-Jun 2026. Unlike park/transportation, the fire cap ($2,399.07 in 2026) is NOT reached until ~3,200 sq ft, so a representative ~2,500 sq ft home pays ~$1,874 (2,500 x $0.7497 = $1,874.27). Amount shown is COMPUTED for a 2,500 sq ft home; actual fee scales with home size up to the $2,399.07 max. KMC Ch. 27.10, Ord. O-4901. Per-sf rate and max VERIFIED in source 0 (Jina proxy); confidence downgraded high->medium because the exact dollar is a derived computation at an assumed home size, not a published figure. | per dwelling unit | $1,874 | City of Kirkland Jan 1, 2026Medium |
Fire / EMS Fire Impact Fee (maximum cap, large home) — Maximum per-dwelling-unit fire impact fee (Jan-Jun 2026), reached at ~3,200+ sq ft of conditioned floor area. Excluded from total as an alternative tier to the per-sqft primary row above. VERIFIED verbatim in source 1 (Jina proxy). alternative · not added to total | per dwelling unit | $2,399 | City of Kirkland Jan 1, 2026High |
Schools School Impact Fee (Lake Washington SD No. 414) — Flat fee per detached single-family unit, set by Lake Washington School District No. 414 and collected by the City of Kirkland under RCW 82.02 / KMC Ch. 27.08 (Ord. O-4910 for 2026). 2025 was $5,972; Jan 2026 is $7,277. A separate $142 school impact fee administrative fee is also charged per the July-Dec 2025 schedule. VERIFIED verbatim in source 1 (Jina proxy) and corroborated by LWSD Impact Fees FAQ (SF $7,277 effective 1/1/2026). | per dwelling unit | $7,277 | City of Kirkland Jan 1, 2026High |
Schools School Impact Fee admin fee — Administrative fee charged in addition to the school impact fee. Value shown is from the 2025 schedule ($142); the 2026 admin amount may differ slightly with CPI but was not separately published in the Jan 2026 notice. Excluded from total to avoid double counting; add to school fee for an all-in figure. VERIFIED verbatim in source 0 (Jina proxy). alternative · not added to total | per dwelling unit | $142 | City of Kirkland Jan 1, 2025Medium |
Drainage / stormwater Surface Water Capital Facility Charge (SWCFC), one new detached dwelling — Kirkland stormwater/surface water capital facility charge for one new detached dwelling on a single lot (Jan 2026). For other development types the charge = (impervious sq ft added / 2,600), rounded down, x $1,598. Alteration/expansion of an existing single dwelling on a single lot is exempt. VERIFIED verbatim by direct pdftotext of source 2. | per dwelling unit | $1,598 | City of Kirkland (hosted by MRSC) Jan 1, 2026High |
Water & sewer connection fees
| Fee (local term) | Basis | Amount | Source · effective |
|---|---|---|---|
Water connection (tap / SDC) Water Capital Facility Charge (WCFC), 5/8" x 3/4" meter — City of Kirkland Water Capital Facility Charge for a new connection at the base residential 5/8"x3/4" meter (Jan 2026). This is the city portion. The additive Cascade Water Alliance RCFC ($8,852) is a separate row; combined total for a 3/4" connection is $13,724. VERIFIED verbatim by direct pdftotext of source 2. | per meter | $4,872 | City of Kirkland (hosted by MRSC) Jan 1, 2026High |
Water connection (tap / SDC) Cascade Water Alliance Regional Capital Facility Charge (RCFC), 3/4" meter — Cascade Water Alliance regional wholesale capacity charge collected by Kirkland on all new water connections, ADDITIVE to the city WCFC (correctly NOT excluded; applies to the same connection alongside WCFC). 2026 = $8,852 for a 3/4" meter (Cascade Board Resolution 2024-13). No vesting; rate due is the rate in place at time of payment. Levied by a separate regional entity (Cascade Water Alliance) but mandatory for Kirkland builders. VERIFIED verbatim in source 1 (Jina proxy) and cross-checked against source 2 total ($13,724). | per meter | $8,852 | City of Kirkland Jan 1, 2026High |
Water connection (tap / SDC) Water meter installation (drop-in), 5/8" x 3/4" — One-time water meter drop-in (installation) fee for the base residential meter (Jan 2026). Separate from and additive to the WCFC/RCFC capacity charges. VERIFIED verbatim by direct pdftotext of source 2. | per meter | $401 | City of Kirkland (hosted by MRSC) Jan 1, 2026High |
Sewer connection (tap / SDC) Sewer Capital Facility Charge (SCFC), single-family — City of Kirkland Sewer Capital Facility Charge for a single-family residential connection (Jan 2026). Multi-unit: 2-unit $8,301; 3-unit $12,451; 4-unit $16,602; 5+ units $3,228/unit. Does NOT include the separate King County sewer treatment capacity charge (see coverage notes). VERIFIED verbatim by direct pdftotext of source 2. | per dwelling unit | $5,124 | City of Kirkland (hosted by MRSC) Jan 1, 2026High |
Sewer connection (tap / SDC) King County Sewer Treatment Capacity Charge (monthly, separate district) — SEPARATE regional charge by King County Wastewater Treatment Division, billed in addition to Kirkland's SCFC on all newly connected sewer customers. NOT a one-time lump sum: $77.99/RCE/MONTH, billed quarterly for 15 years. A medium single-family house (1,500-2,999 sq ft) = 1.0 RCE = $77.99/month (~$936/yr; ~$14,038 nominal over 15 years before any early-payoff/interest discount). Excluded from the one-time SDC total because it is a financed monthly charge, not a connection lump sum. A builder/buyer should budget for it separately. VERIFIED verbatim via WebFetch of source 5 (billed quarterly for 15 years). alternative · not added to total | $77.99 | King County Wastewater Treatment Division Jan 1, 2026High |
City
Redmond, WA
$42,061
Total per single-family home
impact + connection fees
$24,513
Impact / development fees
roads, parks, schools…
$17,548
Water & sewer connection
tap / capacity / SDC
—
Per multifamily unit
total fees / unit
Impact / development fees
| Fee (local term) | Basis | Amount | Source · effective |
|---|---|---|---|
Schools School Impact Fee (Lake Washington School District) — Collected by the City of Redmond on behalf of Lake Washington School District (LWSD) per its 2025-30 Six-Year Capital Facilities Plan. A separate $65.00 school admin fee is added (see separate row). VERIFIED against 2026 PDF. | per dwelling unit | $7,277 | City of Redmond Jan 1, 2026High |
Schools School Impact Fee admin charge — Flat administrative charge added on top of the LWSD school impact fee for every dwelling unit. VERIFIED verbatim against 2026 PDF Miscellaneous Notes. | per dwelling unit | $65 | City of Redmond Jan 1, 2026High |
Fire / EMS Fire Impact Fee — 2026 fire impact fee is unchanged from 2025 ('same as 2025 rates'). VERIFIED against 2026 PDF. | per dwelling unit | $149 | City of Redmond Jan 1, 2026High |
Parks & recreation Parks Impact Fee — VERIFIED against 2026 PDF. | per dwelling unit | $6,915 | City of Redmond Jan 1, 2026High |
Transportation / roads Transportation Impact Fee (Single Family Detached, base) — Base 'Impact Fee per Development Unit' rate (outside designated Centers) — used as the primary residential rate. A lower 'in Centers' rate of $7,668.97 applies in Overlake Metro Center, Downtown Redmond Urban Center, and Marymoor Village Center (see separate excluded row). VERIFIED against 2026 PDF. | per dwelling unit | $10,108 | City of Redmond Jan 1, 2026High |
Transportation / roads Transportation Impact Fee (Single Family Detached, in Centers) — Mutually-exclusive variant: reduced rate applicable only within designated Centers (Overlake Metro Center, Downtown Redmond Urban Center, Marymoor Village Center). Base/outside-Centers rate is primary. VERIFIED against 2026 PDF. alternative · not added to total | per dwelling unit | $7,669 | City of Redmond Jan 1, 2026High |
Water & sewer connection fees
| Fee (local term) | Basis | Amount | Source · effective |
|---|---|---|---|
Water connection (tap / SDC) Water System Connection Charge (Medium Home, Redmond Service Area) — City connection charge tiered by home size; representative ~2,000-2,500 SF medium home selected as primary. Assumes a 1" meter for domestic use. The $9,118 Regional Water Connection Charge (CWA) is an ADDITIVE charge (separate row). The -$1,590 'Water System Distribution Credit' is a MAXIMUM credit granted only if the developer constructs qualifying City-owned mains/hydrants/pumps; not netted into a typical infill builder's cost. VERIFIED against 2026 Water PDF. | per dwelling unit | $5,380 | City of Redmond, Development Engineering Division Jan 1, 2026High |
Water connection (tap / SDC) Regional Water Connection Charge (CWA, incl. 3% admin) — ADDITIVE regional connection charge imposed on every property connecting to the City water system, on top of the size-based connection charge. Not a mutually-exclusive variant. VERIFIED against 2026 Water PDF (source contains the typo 'EFFECIVE'). | per dwelling unit | $9,118 | City of Redmond, Development Engineering Division Jan 1, 2026High |
Water connection (tap / SDC) Water connection — Small Home (<1,500 SF) variant — Lower home-size tier; medium home is the primary representative tier. VERIFIED against 2026 Water PDF. alternative · not added to total | per dwelling unit | $4,230 | City of Redmond, Development Engineering Division Jan 1, 2026High |
Water connection (tap / SDC) Water connection — Large Home (3,300+ SF) variant — Upper home-size tier; medium home is the primary representative tier. VERIFIED against 2026 Water PDF. alternative · not added to total | per dwelling unit | $7,130 | City of Redmond, Development Engineering Division Jan 1, 2026High |
Sewer connection (tap / SDC) Sewer System Connection Charge (Medium Home, Redmond Service Area) — City sewer connection charge tiered by home size; representative ~2,000-2,500 SF medium home selected as primary. The listed credit is a maximum distribution credit granted only if the developer builds qualifying City-owned sewer mains/manholes/pump stations. Separate from the King County capacity charge. VERIFIED against 2026 Sewer PDF. | per dwelling unit | $3,050 | City of Redmond, Development Engineering Division Jan 1, 2026High |
Sewer connection (tap / SDC) Side Sewer new-connection inspection fee — Inspection/permit fee (RMC 13.04.180), not a capacity charge; a 4% technology surcharge is added. Included for completeness; excluded from the impact/connection total. VERIFIED against 2026 Sewer PDF. alternative · not added to total | per dwelling unit | $1,723 | City of Redmond, Development Engineering Division Jan 1, 2026Medium |
Sewer connection (tap / SDC) King County Wastewater Capacity Charge (separate district) — SEPARATE DISTRICT: levied by King County (not the City) on every newly-connecting parcel. $77.99 per RCE per MONTH for 2026, billed for 15 years (payable as a discounted lump sum). Unit basis is per-RCE-per-month, so it cannot be summed with one-time fees; included as informational. A Redmond builder/buyer does pay this. VERIFIED via King County WTD page (June 2026). alternative · not added to total | $77.99 | King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Wastewater Treatment Division Jan 1, 2026High |
What drives the difference
Kirkland’s $47,431 per single-family home is $5,370 (13%) above Redmond’s $42,061. The largest single difference is in parks & recreation: Kirkland charges about $9,317 there versus $6,915 in Redmond — a $2,402 swing that accounts for much of the overall gap. The two also differ in how much falls on water and sewer connection charges: $19,249 in Kirkland versus $17,548 in Redmond.
Keep comparing
Kirkland vs Redmond impact fees — FAQ
- Which has higher impact fees, Kirkland or Redmond?
- Kirkland, WA is higher. A single-family home pays about $47,431 per unit in Kirkland versus $42,061 in Redmond, WA — $5,370 (13%) more, as of 2026.
- How much more does it cost to build a home in Kirkland than in Redmond?
- About $5,370 more per single-family home — $47,431 in Kirkland, WA versus $42,061 in Redmond, WA, a difference of 13% in total development impact and connection fees.
- What's the difference between impact fees in Kirkland and Redmond for a single-family home?
- Kirkland, WA charges about $47,431 per single-family home ($28,182 impact + $19,249 water/sewer connection), while Redmond, WA charges about $42,061 ($24,513 impact + $17,548 connection). Figures are normalized from official sources for 2026.