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Transportation Impact Fees
On October 1, 2015, the City of Bainbridge Island initiated a Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) Program. All projects are required to submit a TIF Application & Worksheet for review of TIF applicability per Bainbridge Island Municipal Code (BIMC) Section 15.30.
Transportation Impact Fees are used by the City to pay for transportation projects. On an annual basis, the Finance Director provides a report to the City Council on the TIF account showing the source and amount of all money received and the public improvements that were financed by TIFs. The fee amount varies depending on the land use or combination of uses which can be found in the 2026 Transportation Impact Fee Memorandum and Rate Table.
Transportation Impact Fee Application & Worksheet
Project Triggers & Overall Process
A TIF Application & Worksheet is required for all development activities on Bainbridge Island and is to be completed and submitted along with the building permit submittal. There are many types of projects which do not trigger TIFs, and applicants should review the Project Triggers & Process document linked below and Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Section 15:30 for more information.
Transportation Impact Fee Project Triggers & Process
Estimate & Payment
The TIF Application & Worksheet and associated TIF Rate Table are intended to help applicants develop a preliminary estimate of their TIF amount. This application & worksheet is required for all building permit submittals, and it is recommended that this document be prepared by a Washington State licensed professional engineer who is qualified to perform traffic studies.
After City staff receives the TIF Application & Worksheet and any of the optional forms, they will process the information and provide the applicant with the final TIF amount which is due prior to the issuance of the associated building permit.
For additional information or questions regarding the TIF Program, please contact the Development Engineering staff via email or at 206-780-3788.
Independent Calculation (Optional)
The applicant may choose not to pay the TIF according to the current generalized TIF schedule/rates and instead request COBI review a site-specific calculation performed by a Washington State licensed professional engineer who is qualified to prepare traffic studies. The Engineer should use the Transportation Impact Fee Independent Fee Calculation Form found in the documents section below and include any supporting traffic count documentation and narrative analysis for review. If approved, City staff will provide the applicant with a revised TIF amount which is due prior to the issuance of the associated building permit.
Transportation Impact Fee Independent Fee Calculation Form
Deferral
Pursuant to Revised Code of Washington (RCW 82.02.050(3) and BIMC 15.30.210, a developer/applicant, for a single-family residential unit, may request that payment of impact fees be deferred until final inspection of the applicable building permit. The applicant must complete and submit an Impact Fee Deferral form found in the documents section of this webpage.
Transportation Impact Fee Deferral Form
Claim for Credit (Optional)
Pursuant to BIMC 15.30.080.A, at an applicant’s request, the Public Works Director may award credit(s) against TIFs for the total value of system improvements, including dedications of land, improvements and/or construction provided by the applicant. Credits will be given only if the land, improvements, and/or the facility constructed are for one or more of the system improvements listed in the TIF rate study as the basis for calculating the TIF.
Applicants requesting credit must submit the Transportation Impact Fee Claim for Credit Form found in the documents section below. Refer to the latest Traffic Impact Study for the list of system improvement projects.
Transportation Impact Fee Claim for Credit Form
Appeal Request
Pursuant to BIMC 15.30.160. At an applicant’s request, the Public Works Director may be requested to review TIFs assessed before a potential appeal can be applied for with the City Hearing Examiner. The TIF Appeal Request form must be submitted if the applicant intends to request an administrative review by the Public Works Director. Applicants may choose to pay the required TIF “under protest” to allow the associated permit to be issued, submitting an appeal request within 14 days of this payment. Otherwise, the associated permit will not be issued while the appeal process is completed.