Find Your FBC Info
Enter your parcel number into the FBC Info Form to view your property’s fire benefit charge (FBC) information. Don’t know your parcel number? Use the King County Parcel Viewer to find it!
Have questions? Call 253-856-4359 to speak to our FBC Specialists.
▼ Learn more about the Fire Benefit Charge below ▼
FBC Info Form
FIRE BENEFIT CHARGE (FBC) OVERVIEW
The Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) is one part of our two-part funding system. The other part is Property Tax. These two funding mechanisms combined is what allows us to provide the level of fire and life safety services Renton has become accustomed to.
Unlike the Property Tax Levy, which is based solely on assessed property value, the fire benefit charge is based on the size, risks, and hazards of all buildings on a property. For that reason, it both stabilizes funding and fairly distributes the cost of service to property owners. Property owners with higher risk pay more under the fire benefit charge, such as industrial, commercial and multi-family buildings. Property owners with less risk typically pay less, such as residential homes.
FAIR COST DISTRIBUTION
The FBC provides a fair and balanced approach to distributing cost among taxpayers. For example, a building with a tenant storing combustible gas will pay more than a building running a small office, even if those two buildings are assessed at the same value. The building storing combustible gas has a much higher associated hazard and would require more firefighting resources in case of emergency than the office building. The FBC places more cost on the part of the building that carries more risk and resource requirements and less on the building where associated hazards are much lower, thus the required resources to protect it are lower.
SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS
Renton RFA was created out of the need for improved fire and life safety services throughout the community, particularly faster response times. Taxpayers like you enable our organization to increase staffing, upgrade equipment, expand services, and provide valuable preventive measures through public education, which improves the safety and health of the entire community. Here’s what your vote of confidence has helped us build:
QUICK FACTS
- The Fire Benefit Charge applies to all buildings on the property 400 square feet in size or larger.
- Measurements are determined based on gross square footage (measuring the outside of the building).
- It includes each level of the building(s), basements (finished and unfinished), mezzanines, garages, and any other structure that meets the 400 square foot size.
- Up to 60% of the Renton Regional Fire Authority budget can come from the Fire Benefit Charge.
- The rates for the charge are set each year by the Governance Board as part of the annual budget process.
- Voters reauthorized the benefit charge for an additional 10 years during the Nov. 2nd election of 2021.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is the Fire Benefit Charge?
The FBC is one part of the RRFA’s two-part funding system. It is a fee that is included in your property tax which is payable to King County. It is identified as “Fire Fee” on your property tax statement.
The FBC funding method is a voter approved, two-part funding system authorized by State law that balances general purpose taxes with a user fee charged. Under this system, the Renton RFA is funded by:
- A property tax of up to $1.00 per $1,000 assessed value of property to support day to day operations and capital needs of the fire department; and
- A Fire Benefit Charge of up to 60% of the operating budget, which can only be used for day to day operational expenses such as salaries, equipment, fuel and utilities.
The 1987 Washington State Legislature passed RCW 52.18, which provided that fire districts, with the approval of the voters in the district, are authorized to collect a fire benefit charge from residential and business property owners. A similar statute was subsequently passed as part of the legislation authorizing regional fire authorities under RCW 52.26 (see specifically RCW 52.26.180 – .270). This law allows regional fire authorities to impose fire benefit charges which shall be reasonably proportioned to the measurable benefits received by the property resulting from the services provided by a regional fire authority.
The FBC is not a per call charge and is not based on property value. The FBC is a fee based on the fire protection resources necessary to protect a property. The FBC applies to structures 400 square feet and larger and is collected by the County Treasurer’s office along with the property tax bill.
What are the factors used in determining the Fire Benefit Charge?
- Category Factor – The category factor is based upon building use and size (residential, mobile homes, apartments, commercial). This information is obtained from the King County Assessor database for each building subject to the benefit charge.
- Fire Flow Factor – The relative cost of providing the required fire flow per gallon during a fire incident.
- Effective Response Factor – The effective response force factor is relational to the size of force in firefighters and equipment required to deliver the required fire flow.
- Hazard Factor – The hazard factor represents the degree of risk caused by the use, processing, or storage of hazard materials with a building. The hazard factor reflects the need for larger and/or more specialized effective response forces. Hazard factors are determined from use and risk classifications found in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 13 (Standards for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems), and are applicable to commercial properties only.
- Extra Hazard Charges are as follows:
- a. A 15% increase for automotive fueling stations, general retail stores, eating and drinking establishments and light industrial/commercial buildings.
- b. A 20% increase for big box retail, automotive fueling, repair, and service facilities.
- c. A 30% increase when products or uses with high combustibility or high rates of heat release are present.
- d. A 40% increase when products or uses with high quantities of flammable, combustible or hazardous materials are present.
- No surcharge will be assessed on light hazards.
What if the notification letter I received has an incorrect square footage value?
The benefit charge is calculated on the gross square footage (outside measurements) of all structures on a land parcel and includes each level of each building, and all basements, garages, lofts, mezzanines, carports, and accessory structures. Please make sure to factor all in to your calculations.
For a step-by-step guide to check your square footage, click here →
If you still believe the square footage listed is incorrect, you may submit a Petition for Adjustment of the Benefit Charge Assessment, along with your proof showing the correct figures, by contacting our FBC specialists: 253-856-4359.
How does the Fire Benefit Charge help the average homeowner?
As our population grows, the FBC provides a continued level of dependable fire and life safety services by maintaining well trained and equipped firefighters, fully staffed stations, and stations in areas that reduce response times to best serve you. Additionally, you now have a regular voice in the organization, including the FBC, giving you greater control over the cost of your fire and life safety services.
What is the Petiton for Adjustment of the Fire Benefit Charge Assessment process?
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 52.26.250 revised code of Washington, property owners have the opportunity to petition for an adjustment for the Fire Benefit Charge Assessment.
FILE A PETITION WITH OUR FBC SPECIALISTS:
- Call our FBC Specialists at: 253-856-4359
- Our Specialists will help review your FBC information for accuracy.
- You may need to supply them with supporting documents.
- They will file your petition right over the phone, if needed.
Your Petition for Adjustment of the Benefit Charge must be filed by 4:30 p.m. on February 1, 2024.
All petitions are presented to the Renton RFA Hearing Board. Hearings will be held at Fire Station 13 (18002 108th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98055) on February 12, 2024 at 10:00am and February 26,2024 at 10:30am. These hearings can be attended in person or virtually via the following Zoom credentials: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84836968318, Dial-in: (253) 215-8782, Webinar ID: 848 3696 8318. You are welcome, but not required, to be present at these hearings for the Board to review and make a determination regarding your petition.
Once both hearings have concluded, you will receive confirmation of the Board’s determination.
Who establishes the Fire Benefit Charge and what does it cover?
RCW 52.26.180 provides that the Regional Fire Authority may fix and impose a fire benefit charge on personal property and improvements to real property. The fire benefit charge does not apply to land. The fire benefit charge would cover such property as residential buildings, commercial structures, agricultural buildings, and other structures affixed to the land.
How long is the Fire Benefit Charge good for?
Voters approved reauthorization of the FBC during the November 2nd election in 2021. This extended the current FBC term, which was set to expire at the end of 2022. The reauthorization extended the FBC for 10 years.
In addition, the state law requires annual public hearings prior to the next year’s rates being adopted. Hearings are held prior to November 15 each year, by the Renton RFA Governance Board to establish the benefit charge. After the benefit charge has been established, property owners subject to the charge will be notified of the amount of the charge.
The Governance Board will form a Review Board for at least a two-week period to review petitions for adjustment from property owners. The final benefit charge will be added to the property tax bill.
