(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, any county legislative authority may provide by resolution for revenues by fixing rates and charges for the furnishing of service to those served or receiving benefits or to be served or to receive benefits from any storm water control facility or contributing to an increase of surface water runoff. In fixing rates and charges, the county legislative authority may in its discretion consider:

     (a) Services furnished or to be furnished;

     (b) Benefits received or to be received;

     (c) The character and use of land or its water runoff characteristics;

     (d) The nonprofit public benefit status, as defined in RCW 24.03.490, of the land user;

     (e) Income level of persons served or provided benefits under this chapter, including senior citizens and disabled persons; or

     (f) Any other matters which present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction.

     (2) The rate a county may charge under this section for storm water control facilities shall be reduced by a minimum of ten percent for any new or remodeled commercial building that utilizes a permissive rainwater harvesting system. Rainwater harvesting systems shall be properly sized to utilize the available roof surface of the building. The jurisdiction shall consider rate reductions in excess of ten percent dependent upon the amount of rainwater harvested.

     (3) Rates and charges authorized under this section may not be imposed on lands taxed as forest land under chapter 84.33 RCW or as timber land under chapter 84.34 RCW.

     (4) The service charges and rates collected shall be deposited in a special fund or funds in the county treasury to be used only for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost and expense of maintaining and operating storm water control facilities, all or any part of the cost and expense of planning, designing, establishing, acquiring, developing, constructing and improving any of such facilities, or to pay or secure the payment of all or any portion of any issue of general obligation or revenue bonds issued for such purpose.

[2003 c 394 § 3; 1998 c 74 § 1; 1995 c 124 § 1; 1970 ex.s. c 30 § 7.]

NOTES:

Sewerage, water, and drainage systems: Chapter 36.94 RCW.