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1. What is a "fire benefit charge"?

A fire benefit charge helps fund emergency services based on a property’s size and use. It takes into consideration that those who benefit more from fire protection services (such as large structures and high fire-risk structures) should pay more for service than smaller ones (such as single-family homes).

2. How does it work?

A fire benefit charge requires voter approval. Under a fire benefit charge, the fire levy is reduced from $1.50 to $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The fire benefit charge is then set to cover operation costs above what the fire levy funds.

3. How much is the fire benefit charge?

Operating efficiencies and cost savings from the Eastside Fire & Rescue partnership have allowed the fire benefit charge to be lowered from an average $0.68 in 2017 to $0.29 per $1,000 in 2021.

4. Why do communities support a fire benefit charge?

Old funding models for emergency services were only based only on a property’s assessed value. That meant two properties of the same size could be charged differently depending on location. However, the cost to defend them in a fire was likely the same. A fire benefit charge is based on a property’s size and risk of fire, which many people feel is a fairer way to charge for emergency services.

5. When was the fire benefit charge passed? How long will it last?

King County Fire District 10 voters first approved a fire benefit charge in 2003. The fire benefit charge lasts for 10 years at which point voters would vote on it again.

6. Where will I see this charge? How do I pay it?

The fire benefit charge is listed on your King County Assessor bill separately from your property taxes under charges for the Fire District.  This amount is included in your total property tax amount. Make your payment to King County as part of your regular property taxes.

7. How is the rate of the fire benefit charge set?

The rate is set by your elected Board of Fire Commissioners in a public hearing every year during the fall budget process to take affect the following year. By law, the fire benefit charge revenue may not exceed 60% percent of King County Fire District 10’s operating budget. The fire benefit charge for 2021 has been set at 23.1% percent of the operating budget.

8. Who is exempt from paying the benefit charge? Are there any discounts?

Seniors, disabled persons, exempt properties, and low-income households maintain any current exemptions they have through the county. There is no charge for undeveloped land, and a discount for fire alarms and sprinkler systems for commercial and multi-family structures.

9. How do you get information on the size of structure/s on my property?

This information is received directly from the King County Assessor.

10. What if I think the fire benefit charge on my structure is incorrect?

Property owners have the right to appeal their benefit charge. There is an annual fire benefit charge appeals hearing scheduled in February by the Fire District 10 Board.

11. What is the formula to calculate the fire benefit charge?

The fire benefit charge is uniformly applied to all real property, (e.g., buildings). The formula is based on the Insurance Services Organization (ISO) formula for fire flow. To this we apply a Category Factor and a Fire Flow Benefit Factor to calculate the fire benefit charge for each parcel of property. Here is the formula:

Square Root of the Square Feet x 18 x Category Factor x Fire Flow Benefit Factor = Fire Benefit Charge

Category Factors:
Residential Mobile Home	= 0.933 = 0.650	Commercial Comm1	1.10	<=	4,000 SqFt
Apartment		Comm2	2.00	<=	10,000 SqFt
MF1    = 4.25  <= 50,000 SqFt		Comm3	3.25	<=	30,000 SqFt
MF2    = 6.25 <= 200,000 SqFt		Comm4	4.25	<=	100,000 SqFt
MF3    = 8.25  > 200,000 SqFt		Comm5	5.25	<=	200,000 SqFt
		Comm6	6.00	>	200,000 SqFt

12. Who can I contact with additional questions?

Scott Faires, Budget Finance Analyst, welcomes your questions at sfaires@esf-r.org.