Chapter 12.44
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SKAGIT COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH GOVERNING PAYMENT OF FEES

Sections:

12.44.010    Authority and scope.

12.44.020    Definitions.

12.44.030    Jurisdiction.

12.44.040    Prompt payment of fees mandatory.

12.44.050    Enforcement.

12.44.060    Penalties.

12.44.010 Authority and scope.

Pursuant to the authority of R.C.W. 70.05.060(7) directing local Boards of Health to establish fee schedules for issuing or renewing licenses or permits or for such other services as are authorized by law and the rules and regulations of the State Board of Health, the following rules and regulations governing payments of fees listed in the Skagit County Health Department Current Schedule of Charges are hereby adopted. (Res. 9864 (part), 1983)

12.44.020 Definitions.

(1) “Delinquent license or permit fee” shall mean such fees as are assessed for delinquent payment for license, permit, certificate of inspection or permission to operate.

(2) “Permission to operate” shall mean authorization from the Skagit County Health Department to operate a facility (such as a public or semi-public swimming pool) for which State Board of Health requirements exist but local licensing requirements do not exist.

(3) “Person” shall mean a person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or agency of state, county or municipal government or agency of the federal government, which is subject to the jurisdiction of the Skagit County Board of Health.

(4) “Schedule of Charges” shall mean the most recent list of license, permit or other charges for service periodically revised and adopted by the Skagit County Board of Health for the Skagit County Health Department. (Res. 9864 (part), 1983)

12.44.030 Jurisdiction.

This Chapter shall apply to all areas within the County of Skagit including areas within the limits of incorporated cities and towns. (Res. 9864 (part), 1983)

12.44.040 Prompt payment of fees mandatory.

All permit, license or other fees listed in the most current Skagit County Health Department Schedule of Charges are due according to the following schedule:

(1) License, permit and certificate of inspection fees are due no later than the expiration date of the document issued annually by the health department for the particular person.

(2) Swimming pool or other similar annual inspection fees are due no later than the expiration date of the health department’s permission to operate.

(3) Fees for services (such as loan certification, well site inspections, and plan reviews) provided by health department staff to private individuals or agencies are due upon completion of the service and are past due thirty (30) days from completion of the services.

(4) Delinquent license or permit fees for a license, permit, certificate of inspection or permission to operate as noted in Subsections (1) or (2) of this Section are due after expiration of the annual document or permission and are past due two (2) weeks after the expiration date. (Res. 9864 (part), 1983)

12.44.050 Enforcement.

It shall be the duty of the Health Officer/Board of Health and Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney to enforce the provisions of this Chapter in the following manner:

(1) Departmental Licensees.

(a) Permit, certificate of inspection, license and permission to operate fees paid after the expiration date are considered past due and therefore are subject to the delinquent license or permit fee.

(b) Persons responsible for permit, certificate of inspection, license, and permission to operate fees shall be notified in writing subsequent to the expiration date that they are subject to a delinquent license or permit fee. The first notification shall advise the operator that the license, certificate of inspection, permit or permission to operate fee is due and payable, including the delinquent license fee, within two (2) weeks of the mailing date of the letter. The operator shall be advised that failure to make application and pay all fees will result in temporary business closure.

(c) A two (2) week temporary permit, certificate of inspection, license, or permission to operate will be authorized to allow operation during the two (2) week grace period.

(d) Failure of the operator to make application and pay all appropriate fees within the two (2) week grace period will result in issuance of an order to close the establishment.

(e) Establishments temporarily closed by the Health Department for failure to pay their fee shall be allowed to reopen once payment and an application are received by the Health Department.

(f) Failure of the operator to comply with a closure order as noted in Subsection (1)(d) of this Section will result in referral of the case to the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney for appropriate legal action.

(2) Private Individuals.

(a) Private parties requesting Environmental Health services detailed in the Schedule of Charges-Skagit County Health Department shall complete a Request for Service form prior to service being provided.

(b) Inspection fees or hourly service charges owed to the Health Department are due upon completion of the service and past due thirty (30) days after completion of the service.

(c) Individuals responsible for fees or hourly charges are to be notified of the charge after completion of the service. Failure to pay within two (2) weeks of the date of service will cause a written reminder to be sent. The notification shall state that failure to pay within thirty (30) days of the date of service will result in the matter being referred to the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney.

(d) Nonreceipt of payment thirty (30) days after the date of service will result in referral of the case to the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney for appropriate legal action. (Res. 9864 (part), 1983)

12.44.060 Penalties.

Any person who violates or refuses to or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be deemed guilty of a civil violation and subject to punishment by fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). Nothing herein shall be construed to exempt an offender from any suit, prosecution or penalty provided by law. (Res. 9864 (part), 1983)