Road Improvement Districts (RIDs)

Does the county road in your neighborhood need repair or improvements not normally provided by the county? Are you having a hard time collecting private donations for the project? Maybe a King County Road Improvement District can finance the improvement.

You and your neighbors can form a road improvement district for various reasons, including improving, constructing or resurfacing a road; improving drainage; adding curbs and gutters or sidewalks; installing functional or ornamental street lighting; and placing electrical utilities underground.

Most RIDs are a half-mile or more in length. Because project needs throughout the county exceeds the revenue, the available funding is directed toward heavily traveled roadways (arterials).

RIDs are a useful method for making these types of improvements.

Neighbors share the cost of the improvements

Through an RID, state law provides a legal way to pay for the cost of road improvements that provide a special benefit to adjacent property. A group of property owners agrees on the improvement, and the county builds it. Then all the property owners pay for the project, usually over 10 to 20 years. The cost may be allocated based on front footage and area; front footage only; area only; or equal assessment for each parcel.

King County may help pay for the project. The county contribution could be up to 25 percent or more, depending on the project's general benefits to the public. King County may not contribute to the cost if it believes the public will not benefit much from the proposed project.

How to begin

If you are interested in forming an RID, consult with your neighbors and community organization, if one exists, to determine which improvements they would like built and whether they are willing to pay a considerable portion of the cost. Then contact the Road Services Division for assistance.

King County Road Services can help

The Road Services Division of the King County Department of Transportation is ready to help you plan the improvements. Contact the RID coordinator listed below for information and advice. Road Services staff will assist you throughout the process, including attending a community meeting to discuss the proposed project, explain the RID rules and provide ballpark cost estimates of potential projects.

Petition begins process

Property owners in a proposed district begin the RID process by gathering signatures on a petition. The petition describes the proposed improvements, payment period (10, 15 or 20 years) and assessment method. Road Services will provide forms and help you prepare the petition.

The petition must be signed by owners representing 60 percent or more of the front footage along the improvement and 60 percent of the area to be assessed within the RID.

County Council holds public hearing on proposed RID

The petition is submitted to the King County Council and reviewed by the Road Services Division. The council will then set a date for a public hearing and send a notice to all property owners within the proposed RID. Individual property owners will have the opportunity to withdraw from the petition or add their names to it.

The hearing in the County Council chambers will determine whether a majority of the property owners still favor the project. If the majority is favorable, the council will adopt an ordinance creating the RID and ordering construction of the project.

Second hearing on final assessment

After construction is complete, Road Services staff members determine the final cost and notify property owners of the assessment. The County Council will hold a second public hearing to confirm and accept the final assessment. If individual owners believe their final assessment has been computed in error or that it is somehow unfair, they can object in writing before the hearing. The council can make adjustments at the second hearing.

No payments until project completed

Normally, no money from property owners is required for an RID project until the property owner gets the assessment billing from King County after construction is completed.

More information and forms

For a copy of the brochure which this page is based on, a petition form, or for more information and assistance please contact the Road Services Division, Engineering Services Section.

Updated: April 14, 2005

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