Penny,

The answer is that sewer capacity charges are a part of any new connection to the sewer system and have been in place since 1990. They are used to fund the extra "capacity" that's needed as we build new homes and start all that flushing!

The capacity charges stay on the home for 15 years or until paid off.

If your townhome is a condo, and if the water bill is handled by the HOA, then it will be a part of your HOA dues.

If the townhome is single family home, then you'll be billed quarterly the sewer capacity charge.

Check out King County's web site at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wastewater/capacitycha… It has everything you ever wanted to know about Capacity charges and were afraid to ask!

:)

I hope this helps!

yup..and some parts of south snohomish as well

Penny,

In most cases if it is new construction you will have to pay a sewage cappacity fee. There are some complexes that include the fees into the hoa fees for all of the townhomes combined. It would be very important to read the resale certificate.