City Receives Report on System Development Charges to Inform Updates
The City is planning to update its system development charges (SDCs). SDCs for the City were initially set in 1991 and help the City pay for upgrades to City Water, Sewer, Storm, and Transportation systems that are required for growth and new development. An SDC study updating how SDC rates are calculated is now available for the public to review.
SDCs are a one-time fee, paid by owners and developers applying to build new housing, additions, and other developments within the City. All new construction, renovation, alteration, or change of use receive SDC reviews to assess the impact these developments have on City systems. Owners and developers can also expect to pay SDCs for the Hood River Valley Parks & Recreation District, and Construction Excise Taxes (CETs) for the Hood River County School District (both set by their District, but collected and distributed by the City).
SDC fees were last updated in 2007 for Stormwater, 2013 for transportation, and 2015 for water and sewer systems.
SDCs are calculated by, and help to fund the following:
- Streets – The Transportation SDC helps fund street improvements in Hood River. This fee is calculated based on how many “average weekday trips” a new development will generate.
- Water – The Water SDC is used for water system expansions. The amount of this SDC is determined by the size of the water meter being installed.
- Sewer – The Sewer SDC helps pay for larger sewer pipes and expansion of the City’s sewage collection system. This SDC fee is based on the potential amount of wastewater discharged into the sewer by a new development.
- Stormwater – The Stormwater SDC is used to improve and expand the City’s stormwater runoff system. This fee is based on the impervious surface area, such as the roof, driveway, parking lot, etc., of a development.
The SDC study has been updated to include a project list outlining the major improvements necessary to accommodate growth. Further information on the City’s SDCs and the report can be found at: cityofhoodriver.gov/engineering/system-development-charges. Any adjustments to the SDC rates will require formal Council action, with a first public hearing, where Council will take public comment, scheduled for October 15th, 2024, at the regular meeting of the Hood River City Council. Any changes to the SDC fee schedule would go into effect the on July 1, 2025.
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