King County DoH to Hold Public Meetings on Proposed OSS Ordinances UPDATE Change of Venue and Additional Public Meetings Published!

Important Update on King County Department of Health proposed changes to OSS ordinance!  September 24, 2024 by Cindy Alia

It is unfortunate to have to constantly update information as it is being presented from King County DOH.  Here is what I believe to be the most recent and most accurate information to be published from the county in regard to public meetings, and the publication of the formal red line document of proposed changes to the OSS ordinances.

Please look at this link to read the proposed ordinance and planned public meetings, which have changed from what was originally published with meetings added for larger venues to accomodate the public wishing to listen or comment on changes to OSS regulation or ordinances in King County.  Scroll down through the link to see current venues for public meetings!

Or read the list here:

 

CAPR wants you to have this information for your quick access to read the red line proposed changes to the ordinance click on this link.

For your quick access click on what is called Plain language summary of draft proposed ordinance to read a shortened description of the proposed changes to OSS ordinance.

Again, it is unfortunate the public information provided is difficult to find and is being presented in a fashion that limits time for the public to digest.  Important information is needed on a timely basis to allow for informed comment upon important changes to how the On Site Systems (septic owners) will be regulated.  

End of the current update.

UPDATE September 18, 2024!  Change of Venue for October 3, 2024 OSS Meeting from the Hobart Church which will now be held at the Tahoma Elementary School (Gym) 24425 SE 216th St., Maple Valley, WA 98038 on October 3rd from 7-8:30pm. Please make a note of it.

At CAPR, we are following the Ordinance making efforts of the King County Department of Health as it pertains to Onsite Septic Systems (OSS).  You may recall in the not too distant past when the department attempted to raise revenue with a non-specific charge of forty dollars for every septic owner in King County.  The resulting outcry by OSS owners shocked and surprised the department and led to the cancellation of the proposal. 

As a result, through organizations such as COOMWA, and Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights, citizens fought back on issues having to do with OSS regulation at the state level.  With the help of key legislators such as Mark Hargrove, Chad Magendanz, and others after three years of pushing, a bill was passed, SB 5503 to protect OSS property owners.   This triggered the State Department of health to undertake a rule-making update for the corresponding WAC (Washington Administrative Code) which went through and extensive process of review for 18 months in which COOMWA and CAPR participated pushing for the least restrictive WAC possible.  COVID 19 occurred and caused lengthy delays in the WAC rule-making process, but that process was finalized in 2024.

The completion of the WAC has caused some county health departments to undertake updating of their OSS Ordinances, King County in particular has been the focus for CAPR.  

As CAPR focuses on the proposed ordinance for the King County Department of Health, we have attended meetings as we were able, and have kept in contact with others concerned about overseeing the process.  We are waiting for the proposed changes to be published in a red line version on the King County Department of Health website so we may make important informed decisions and comments on the proposed ordinance.  We will link to that red line document webpage as soon as it is available so our members may also review the ordinance for informed comment.

As it happens, in a cart before the horse fashion, King County has been and will be holding public meetings on this topic of a proposed change in the King County OSS ordinance.  Here is a link for the public to sign up for the meetings and the details of where, when, and what time the meetings will be held in Snoqualmie September 24th. Virtually September 25th, and in Maple Valley October 3rd.  

If the past is at all a predictor of the future, we think these venues will be undersized to meet public need for space, but don't let that deter you in participating in a public meeting.  It has been suggested to the county to pursue larger venues such a local school gymnasiums, and we hope the county will do so prior to the meetings with prompt notice of any changes.  If we become aware of such changes we will put that information on our webpage.  

In-Person Meeting
Date: September 24, 2024
Time: 6-7:30 PM PST
​Where: Snoqualmie Library (meeting room) (7824 Center Blvd SE Snoqualmie WA 98065)

King County Virtual Meeting
Date: September 26, 2024
Time: 5-7 PM PST
​Where: Virtually on Zoom

In-Person Meeting
Date: October 3, 2024
Time: 7-8:30 PM PST
​Where: Hobart Community Church (27524 SE 200th St, Maple Valley WA, 98038)  This meeting will now be at the Tahoma Elementary School (Gym) 24425 SE 216th St., Maple Valley, WA 98038 on October 3rd from 7-8:30pm. Please make a note of it.

 

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