Local transportation benefit district fees
A law passed in 2007 allows city or county governments to create local transportation benefit districts and impose a local vehicle registration fee to fund local transportation projects.
How a transportation benefit district works
Once a local transportation benefit district is set up, the district’s board of directors may vote to charge a local vehicle licensing fee due when a vehicle owner buys new tabs.
- The transportation benefit district board has the authority to impose a fee of up to $20 per vehicle without voter approval.
- A transportation benefit district may impose a vehicle renewal fee of up to $100 per vehicle or seek other sources of funding if approved by voters.
Vehicles subject to fees
- Passenger vehicles
- Trucks that weigh 6,000 pounds or less
- Motorcycles
- Commercial passenger vehicles and trucks that weigh 6,000 pounds or less
- Combination trucks that weigh 6,000 pounds or less
- Tow trucks
- House moving dollies
- Trucks used exclusively for hauling logs that weigh 6,000 pounds or less
- Taxicabs
- For-hire or stage vehicles with 6 seats or less
- For-hire or stage vehicles with 7 or more seats that weigh 6,000 pounds or less
- Private use trailers over 2,000 pounds
- Motorcycle trailers
- Travel trailers
- Fixed load vehicles that weigh 6,000 pounds or less
- Mobile homes licensed as vehicles
Exempt vehicles
- All farm vehicles
- Campers
- Off-road vehicles
- Snowmobiles
- Mopeds
- Personal use trailers with a single axle and less than 2,000 pounds scale weight
- Commercial trailers
- Combination trailers
- Trailers used exclusively for hauling logs
- Horseless carriage, collector, or restored-plate vehicles
- Converter gear
- Government vehicles
- Private school vehicles
- Vehicles properly registered to disabled American veterans
Districts and fees
No cities or counties are currently charging local transportation benefit district fees.
Eligible vehicles
The 
Transportation Benefit District Eligibility Report provides useful estimations to help cities and counties interested in setting up a transportation benefit district. The report includes:
- Information about transportation benefit district laws.
- A list of the types of vehicles subject to transportation benefit district fees.
- Estimated data showing the number of vehicles eligible for the $20 fee in fiscal year 2008 — sorted by zip code, city, or county.
If you need more information after viewing the report, call us at (360) 902-3606 or send an email to KMathis@dol.wa.gov.