Washington County adopts new fees for major energy and infrastructure projects
A new county schedule charges covered proposals $28,500 in fixed fees plus two charges equal to 1.5% of project costs each.
Washington County commissioners adopted a fee schedule Sept. 1 requiring covered energy, utility and development proposals to pay $5,000 when applying, $20,000 upon final approval and $3,500 in publication fees, plus two charges equal to 1.5% of the project’s total cost each.
The schedule in Resolution 48-2026 applies to wind and solar facilities, private-use and other transmission lines, water-storage facilities, public utility facilities subject to 1041 regulations, carbon-capture facilities, recreational-vehicle parks and battery energy-storage systems. The resolution took effect upon passage and approval.
The two percentage-based charges — an impact fee and a special-use tax — total 3% of the stated project cost when they use the same cost basis. The resolution does not define which expenses are included in the project’s “total cost.”
The fixed fees total $28,500 per proposal before the percentage-based charges and sign-posting costs. A project with a stated cost of $10 million would face $300,000 in percentage-based charges, for a documented-fee total of $328,500 before sign posting and other applicable charges.
The resolution does not specify when the publication fee is due. Applicants remain responsible for sign posting, subject to county approval of the signage. The county also directed staff to post the schedule on its website and in conspicuous locations at county offices.
The county said the fees are reasonable and do not exceed, or are directly proportional to, its actual and necessary costs for processing applications and providing administrative services. The schedule supplements fee schedules maintained by other county officials, including the clerk and recorder, treasurer, assessor and sheriff.
The measure updates a fee schedule established by Resolution 25-2025 on May 29, 2025. The county’s 2025 resolutions listing identifies that measure as the “Use by Special Review schedule of fees.” Resolution 48-2026 does not expressly state whether the earlier schedule remains in effect for fees it does not address.