Fire Benefit Charge
Understanding the Fire Benefit Charge and Puget Sound Fire’s
“Two-Part Funding Model”
The Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) is one part of a two-part system that funds Puget Sound Fire. The FBC is a fee that is based on the benefit of having fire-based services. It considers that those who benefit more from fire protection services (i.e. large structures and high fire-risk structures) should pay more for that service. The Fire Benefit Charge is applied to residents and businesses but does not apply to open land, giving relief to owners of vacant or undeveloped property. Again, the benefit charge is not a per call charge and is not based on property value. This fee is based on structure size, use, and risk, and is not a tax.
The second part of the funding model is the Fire District levy. Once voters authorize the benefit charge, the maximum levy tax collection drops from $1.50 per thousand to $1.00 per thousand of assessed value. As the levy is restricted and falls behind inflation, revenues are maintained using the FBC portion of the two-part funding system. Periodically, voters are asked to restore the $1.00 levy rate to relieve dependency on the Fire Benefit Charge portion of the two-part funding system. When the levy is restored, the Fire Benefit Charge can be reduced by the same amount the restored levy generates.
Fire Benefit Charge FAQs
Take a look at the most frequently asked questions regarding Puget Sound Fire’s funding method.
Fire Benefit Charge petition process
The Fire Benefit Charge legislation provides property owners the opportunity to petition for adjustment of the calculation of the Fire Benefit Charge. Read More…
This FBC lookup represents an ESTIMATE only for Maple Valley and Black Diamond and is based on bill year 2026
Amounts are based on details from King County data and may not account for potential discounts or accessory square footage.
Have questions about the Fire Benefit Charge?
Email: benefitcharge@pugetsoundfire.org
Phone: (253) 856-4359
(please leave a message).