SDC Calculations and Estimates

Residential SDCs are calculated on new development and additions.   Water, Sewer, Transportation, and Parks SDC fees are calculated on a tiered basis based on square footage.  Development Services measures square footage for residential as follows – all habitable space including but not limited to features such as bathrooms, closets, storage areas, and landings are measured to determine the SDC tier assessed. An addition to an existing dwelling can incur additional SDCs when added square footage moves the dwelling into a different SDC tier.

• Fee Schedules
• 2025-2026 SDC Residential Fees
• Water System Development Charges Methodology Report
• Transportation Development Charges Methodology Report
• Sewer Development Charges Methodology Report
• Limited update. Review the existing 2015 Sewer SDC methodology.
• Supplemental Sewer SDC for SEA Methodology Report
• Bend Municipal Code Chapter 12.10
• Measurement of Square Footage for SDC Calculations

SDC credits will be given for the previous permitted use of a property within the last 10 years. Credits are not transferable between SDC categories. For instance, Water SDC credits cannot be applied to Sewer SDC fees.  

Credits are applied to the permit fees when the SDC calculations are assessed.

• Ordinance amending Bend Municipal Code Chapter 12.10, System Development Charges
• Bend Municipal Code Chapter 12.10.130

Please see the 2025-2026 SDC Residential Fees guide.  Contact development@bendoregon.gov with additional questions  

• 2025-2026 SDC Residential Fees

Southeast Expansion Area Supplemental Sewer SDC

The Southeast Area Pump Station Project (SEAP) was included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. The main goals of the Project were to increase overall sanitary sewer system capacity, efficiency, and connectivity for properties within the Southeast Expansion Area (SEA) and adjacent developments. The Project consists of a sewer pump station, sewer force main and associated gravity conveyance mains to provide sewer capacity for future urban levels of development in the SEA.  As identified in the SEAP, this extended serviceability, and additional capacity will help promote development within the SEA and adjacent areas.

The SEAP also identified funding strategies including “evaluate and implement areawide funding tools (e.g. supplemental system development charges) needed to catalyze infrastructure development.” A 50/50 public/private funding split was among the funding packages presented in the SEAP. On May 1, 2024, Council provided direction to pursue a modified 50/50 funding split, as described in this methodology.

This methodology sets out recovery of 50% of adjusted project costs through a supplemental sewer SDC reimbursement applied to the limited geographic area which is served by the Project.

Southeast Area Pump Station Project | City of Bend

The map below is the City of Bend’s GIS map of the special assessment areas. Click here to go to the City of Bend GIS map.

Contact development@bendoregon.gov for more information. 

SDCs are assessed at the time of new development because of the increased demands placed on the sewer, water, and transportation systems. When a permit is issued for a brand-new development, the SDC rate in the adopted fee schedule will be used to determine the SDCs owed. For transportation, the rate may reflect the full or phased-in rate, depending on the timing of when the development permit is issued. Another factor in determining the SDCs owed, will be the development context and type of use (i.e., reductions based on type or location of use, as noted in the adopted fee schedule).

Redevelopment to a different use category on the SDC fee schedule can incur additional SDC fees.  If the use isn’t changing categories, no additional SDCs will be assessed upon that change of use. However, redeveloping to a more intense use that changes to a new category under the fee schedule, you would be charged for the difference.

• Fee Schedules
• Water System Development Charges Methodology Report
• Transportation Development Charges Methodology Report
• Sewer Development Charges Methodology Report
• Limited update. Review the existing 2015 Sewer SDC methodology.
• Supplemental Sewer SDC for SEA Methodology Report
• Bend Municipal Code Chapter 12.10
• Measurement of Square Footage for SDC Calculations

SDC credits will be given for the highest permitted use of a property within the last 10 years. Credits are not transferable between SDC categories. For instance, Water SDC credits cannot be applied to Sewer SDC fees.

 For Qualified Public Improvement SDC credits click here.  

• Ordinance amending Bend Municipal Code Chapter 12.10, System Development Charges
• Bend Municipal Code Chapter 12.10.130

Obtaining an SDC estimate through City staff is highly encouraged, as SDCs are not only determined using the fee schedule but are also based on any previous use of the site or other circumstances that could lead to higher or lower fees than what the customer expects. This estimate will be prepared by City staff and will also determine if any SDC credits are available on the particular development site and what SDC charges will be assessed based on the current SDC fee schedule.

• System Development Charges Supplemental Application
• SDC Calculations Requiring an Analysis-Supplemental Information
• Link to Portal

If a development doesn’t fall into a category in the SDC fee schedule, additional information will be required so that a case-by-case determination can be made.  In addition, certain SDC categories or situations may require additional information to be submitted to calculate SDC charges, often in the form of an analysis. 

Wet Use

If the use is defined as a “Wet” Industrial use, the SDC fee schedule bases the charge on gallons per day (GPD) of water use for both water and sewer SDCs. If this is the case, information indicating GPD must be provided to the City by the applicant.  Staff will confirm the information submitted is accurate and then assess SDCs will be assessed.  For more information click on the link for analysis below. 

If transportation SDCs need to be assessed, a PM peak hour trip rate is needed so that the City can charge a per trip rate. 

Irrigation

Irrigation uses that exceed ¼ acre and that are served by a meter that serves both the irrigation use and other (e.g., indoor) water uses require additional analysis. When other water uses serve buildings that are more than an incidental use (e.g., school or office buildings), the irrigation portion of the SDC will be determined based on the meter size that would be required if the irrigation space were served by a stand-alone meter. Applies to water SDCs only.

Irrigation meters 3” and above will be assessed based on an analysis of gallons per day (GDP).  Information indicating GPD must be provided to the City by the applicant.  Staff will confirm the information submitted is accurate and then assess SDCs will be assessed. 

In addition, certain SDC categories or situations may require additional information to be submitted to calculate SDC charges, often in the form of an analysis. For a case-by-case determination contact development@bendoregon.gov.  

• SDC Calculations Requiring Analysis-Supplemental Information
• SDC Calculations Requiring Analysis Application
• System Development Charges Supplemental Application
• Fee Schedules
• Bend Municipal Code Chapter 12.10

Urban Rate 

A 30% reduction in applicable transportation SDC for uses in areas identified on the Urban Rate Area map adopted by City Council in the Fee Resolution. To qualify, the development must be in one of these areas, at least three stories high, the first floor of developments with frontage on arterial, collector, or for developments in the Bend Central District, main streets as identified in BDC Chapter 2.7, must be “commercial ready” as defined in BDC Section 2.7.3245.A. 1., 2., and 3. Rate is not available for development that includes any auto-dependent or auto-oriented uses (as defined in the BDC) or for single-unit or middle housing residential uses. Multi-unit residential does qualify if the other criteria are met.  

The map below is the City of Bend’s GIS map of the Urban Rate Area.  Click here to go to the City of Bend GIS map.

Medical Overlay

The Medical Overlay District as defined in BDC Chapter 2.7 Article IV. Transportation SDCs in this District are charged based on ITE 720 w/in or near the hospital campus rate.

Southeast Expansion Area Supplemental Sewer SDC

The Southeast Area Pump Station Project (SEAP) was included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. The main goals of the Project were to increase overall sanitary sewer system capacity, efficiency, and connectivity for properties within the Southeast Expansion Area (SEA) and adjacent developments. The Project consists of a sewer pump station, sewer force main and associated gravity conveyance mains to provide sewer capacity for future urban levels of development in the SEA.  As identified in the SEAP, this extended serviceability, and additional capacity will help promote development within the SEA and adjacent areas.

The SEAP also identified funding strategies including “evaluate and implement areawide funding tools (e.g. supplemental system development charges) needed to catalyze infrastructure development.” A 50/50 public/private funding split was among the funding packages presented in the SEAP. On May 1, 2024, Council provided direction to pursue a modified 50/50 funding split, as described in this methodology.

This methodology sets out recovery of 50% of adjusted project costs through a supplemental sewer SDC reimbursement applied to the limited geographic area which is served by the Project.

Southeast Area Pump Station Project | City of Bend

The map below is the City of Bend’s GIS map of the special assessment areas. Click here to go to the City of Bend GIS map.

Contact development@bendoregon.gov for more information.