Partial land use and building permit fee refunds FAQ
Status update
- May 2008 update: DDES waiting for Court's approval of refund calculations
- When will I know if my claim form was received?
- When was the deadline to request a partial refund?
Payments
- Is the refund automatic?
- How much will I get?
- Can my refund be used to offset other balances I owe to King County on DDES land use and building permits?
- How will I know if I will get a refund after I've submitted my claim?
- Can I call DDES and find out if I will be receiving a refund?
- When will I get my refund?
Appeal process and additional information
- What is the "Appeal Process" and how can I have a decision appealed?
- Who can I contact for more information?
- Who represented the plaintiffs and how can I contact them?
Eligibility / Notice of eligibility
- How will I know if I am entitled to a partial refund?
- Who is the "Applicant of Record"?
- I am the property owner, but not the Applicant of Record or I cannot locate the Applicant of Record. Am I entitled to a partial refund?
- I did not receive a notice, but I feel that I am entitled to a refund. What do I do?
Completing the claim form and deadlines
- I can’t remember my permit number. How do I apply for a partial refund?
- Can I apply for a refund online?
- When are refund requests due to DDES?
Status update
May 2008 update: DDES waiting for Court's approval of refund calculations
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.
Upon approval of the refund amounts, DDES will begin the process of preparing refund checks. DDES anticipates the following:
- We will begin to process refund checks mid-2008.
- We will distribute refunds in the form of refund checks and will not offset balances owed on other DDES permits.
- We will prorate the refund based on the remaining amount in the Reserve Fund.
If you have questions, please contact DDES at 206-296-6695 or e-mail classactionrefunds.ddes@kingcounty.gov.
When will I know if my claim form was received?
You may contact DDES at either 206-296-6695 or by e-mail at classactionrefunds.ddes@kingcounty.gov for confirmation of receipt of your claim form.
When was the deadline to request a partial refund?
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.
Payment questions
Is the refund automatic?
No. You must apply for a refund by completing and submitting a DDES refund request claim form. [Note: Refund period closed January 22, 2008**.]
How much will I get?
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.
Can my refund be used to offset other balances I owe to King County on DDES land use and building permits?
No. It was determined that refund checks would be provided to eligible claimants.
How will I know if I will get a refund after I've submitted my claim?
If you are eligible for a refund, your refund check will be processed. Refund processing will not begin until the Court approves the refund amounts. DDES anticipates starting to process refund payments around mid-2008.
Can I call DDES and find out if I will be receiving a refund?
Yes. DDES will update the Web site at www.metrokc.gov/permits/refund after the final list of eligible refund applicants is approved. You can then call 206-296-6695 and inquire.
When will I get my refund?
Refund processing will not begin until the Court approves the refund amounts. DDES anticipates starting to process refund payments around mid-2008.
Appeal process and additional information questions
What is the "Appeal Process" and how can I have a decision appealed?
DDES permit customers with fee complaints arising on January 1, 2004 and thereafter will also have the right to utilize a new appeal process. Go to appeal process for detailed information.
Who can I contact for more information?
Call DDES at 206-296-6695. DDES has established this dedicated phone line for refund questions. You also may e-mail classactionrefunds.ddes@kingcounty.gov.
Who represented the plaintiffs and how can I contact them?
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.
Eligibility / Notice of eligibility questions
How will I know if I am entitled to a partial refund?
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.
Who is the "Applicant of Record"?
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.
I am the property owner, but not the Applicant of Record or I cannot locate the Applicant of Record. Am I entitled to a partial refund?
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**.]
I did not receive a notice, but I feel that I am entitled to a refund. What do I do?
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**.]
Completing the claim form and deadline questions
I can’t remember my permit number. How do I apply for a partial refund?
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**.]
Can I apply for a refund online?
You cannot submit a refund request online.
When are refund requests due to DDES?
The deadline was January 22, 2008. Refund request claim forms submitted by mail must be 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.
