Lopez Island Orcas Island  Visitor's Guide 
about usadvertising ratesarchivesart and entertainment in the San Juan Islandsstories about businesses in the San Juanscalendar of eventsclassified adscolumnists
contact usstories about environmentstories about ferrieshealth-related storiesletters to the editor Links to sites San Juan Islanders may find useful non-profitsobituaries
peoplereal estatesheriff logsportshelp support your local newsthings to dovolunteer opportunities

SAN JUAN ISLAND ASSESSMENTS

Email this page to a friend

RELATED PAGES

Stories about property tax rates in San Juan County

REAL ESTATE PAGE

Building boom record set -- $85 million in one year

posted 10/31/00
Just how big is the building boom? The value of new taxable construction in San Juan County from Aug. 1, 1999 to July 31, 2000 equalled $85 million. In recent years the county has averaged from $45 to $50 million annually according to county Assessor Paul Dossett. The previous high for one year was $52 million.

"I think it's a bit of a bow wave," he said. "There is more higher value property and there is high quality, excellent construction." He also noted some accessory structures -- garages, sheds, etc. -- that hadn't been assessed before were picked up on the tax rolls this year.

The $85 million does not include Camp Nor'wester or the construction on Friday Harbor High School. Both of those projects are tax exempt.

While the assessor's office deals with completed structures (they do also assess partially completed structures), the county permit staff is busy processing permits. Permit Center Director Grant Beck said, "The sheer number of permits is way up. Permit fees as of Oct. 4 equalled $417,000." The fees equal roughly 1 percent of the value.

While the number of permits is way up, the increase in revenue is not as extreme. He says the center is seeing fewer applications for big houses and a lot more second homes and guest houses.

The end of the moratorium did not trigger a rash of permit applications. "It's been remarkably quiet," he said. "There have been three or four simple land divisions and one subdivision (since the moratorium was lifted in early October.)"

SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008

news @sanjuanislander.com

ABOUT US | ADVERTISING INFO | CONTACT INFORMATION |