FAQs

Residents are responsible for removing deceased wildlife from their property. Individual dead animals weighing less than 15 pounds can be placed in the household garbage.

According to King County, animals weighing more than 15 pounds (or large numbers of dead animals) should be taken to a rendering plant, veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or pet cemetery, or buried on the owner's property. If none of these methods are available, dead animals will be accepted at the Cedar Hills Landfill when accompanied by an approved Waste Clearance Decision Form.

Click here for information on what to do if deceased wildlife are on City owned property.

If you wish to pay your fine without a hearing, payment may be made in the following ways within 15 days of issue of the citation/ticket:

• At the court with cash, check or money order.
• By phone to NCourt at 1.844.279.6287 with a credit card (see below for more info).
• Online at www.micourtpay.com with a credit card (see below for more info).

Important information about paying your fine with NCourt:

1. You must have your citation/ticket number in order to process payment.
2. You must have the fine amount owing.
3. If it is a parking ticket, you must provide the license plate number.   
4. A convenience fee will be automatically calculated and charged for the use of this service.

You must contact the court 24 business hours before the scheduled court date to determine if you are eligible to reschedule. 

Within 15 days of the violation, you may come to the court to show proof that you were insured at the time of the incident, and the ticket will be dismissed with a $25.00 administrative fee.

If there is an additional violation on the ticket, you are responsible for the penalty amount associated with that violation.

The court did not receive your hearing request within 15 days, or did not receive your hearing request at all.

No. Within 15 days from the violation, you may show proof of your valid placard and disability card to the court and the ticket will be dismissed.    

No, both violations must be handled at the same time. You must pay the full amount of the citation or request a hearing within 15 days.

Due to the unique public-private partnerships proposed, both commuter parking sites will deliver parking facilities for Mercer Island for the least possible cost by leveraging the City’s current and proposed land assets. For the Tully’s site, the City’s actual contribution, if any, for parking facilities is not yet known and will be further defined over the next six months as the City evaluates the property during its Due Diligence period. In the case of the Freshy’s site, the developer has agreed to provide between 65 to 70 public parking spaces to the City during commuting hours in exchange for the City’s sale of Parcel 7.  This arrangement leverages the value of the land, thereby alleviating the financial burden on taxpayers.  

At the former Tully's Coffee site: The City plans to purchase the former Tully’s property located at 7810 SE 27th Street from Parkway Management Group, for a purchase price of $2 million, using a portion of the Sound Transit Settlement funds.  The parcel could then be combined with adjacent property (Parcel 12) that the City already owns at Sunset Highway, and which could serve as a match for the ST funds in keeping with the ST Settlement Agreement. The City plans to construct over a 100 underground parking spaces.  The City anticipates creating a public-private partnership with a developer to bring in the expertise and necessary funding to complete the project. 

At the Freshy’s site: The City is selling a small parcel (Parcel 7) at the southwest corner of SE 24th Street and 76th Avenue SE in Town Center, for an estimated $2.3 million to Twenty Four Eleven LLC (Twenty Four Eleven). WSDOT deeded the triangular parcel to the City in 2000 for limited, specific uses, and will be the ultimate recipient of sale proceeds under the terms of the deed. The triangular property is adjacent to land owned by the buyer, where Freshy’s Seafood Shack operates today.  Twenty Four Eleven plans to build a mixed use project on the combined properties, to include 65-70 underground parking stalls for transit commuters that will be dedicated to the City of Mercer Island’s perpetual use between the hours of 5:30 am and 7:30 pm, Monday thru Friday.
 

The City plans to design a welcoming pedestrian flow from Town Center to the light rail station. The community’s input on the design will be critical.
 

Environmental contamination at the Tully’s site, caused by a gas station that once operated there, will be cleaned up.  The City and Parkway Mgmt Group are negotiating to seek reimbursement for the site cleanup from outside entities, including from the previous owners responsible for the contamination.
 

A Due diligence period allows a buyer to fully investigate property prior to closing (or finalizing the acquisition) to ensure that it is suitable for the buyer’s desired development or use.  Due diligence periods allow a buyer to withdraw from a purchase and sale agreement if something is discovered about the property that does not meet expectations.  In the case of the City purchasing the former Tully’s site, the City will have six months to investigate and evaluate the property in detail before making a final decision to purchase the property and proceed to closing. This is similar to a home inspection when purchasing a new home.  

Discussions are underway between the land developer and the owner of Freshy’s about a suitable space in the new proposed building.
 

Parking spaces on both properties are expected to be available by 2023, in time for the scheduled opening of the East Link light rail service on Mercer Island. 

WSDOT deeded the triangular parcel to the City in 2000 for limited, specific uses, and WSDOT will be the ultimate recipient of sale proceeds under the terms of the deed. The City will receive compensation in the form of dedicated commuter parking provided by the developer: at today’s construction costs of $85,000 per underground parking stall, this is valued at approximately $6M.

Absolutely. The Council is pleased to help develop a project that meets demands for more commuter parking and that also “creates a vibrant, healthy Town Center serving the City’s business, social, cultural and entertainment center” (Town Center Plan). Citizen input will be welcomed and critical to ensuring a successful project. 

The Mercer Island ordinance allows retailers to provide all (permitted) bags for free, or charge for each bag distributed, or use a hybrid model.

Yes, they are treated like restaurants with takeout food.  Food prepared on-site such as roasted chicken and soups can be placed in protective plastic bags at the deli counter as needed to prevent leaks or spills.

Yes, but only if it involves “prepared take-out foods and prepared liquids” that can leak or be spilled, or might otherwise create public health and safety concerns. Other items sold by restaurants (cookbooks, collectibles, etc.) must not be contained in single-use plastic bags.

In most cities with ordinances, a reusable bag is expected to last at least 20 uses, but most will last much, much longer. According to some studies (e.g. the 2010 Florida Retail Bags Report) one reusable bag will replace from 56 to 315 disposable single-use bags in a single year.

Yes, the Health Department will appreciate this. Canvas bags can be machine washed (be careful of shrinkage in the dryer). Other bags can be hand washed with hot soapy water, or sanitized occasionally with a dilute bleach solution in a spray bottle.

There is an exemption in the ordinance that allows these vendors to safeguard public health and safety by providing customers with single-use plastic carryout bags for “prepared take-out foods and prepared liquids” that can leak or be spilled.
 

All retail stores are subject to the new requirements, including grocery stores, department stores, hardware stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, restaurants, convenience stores and other retailers or vendors. Note that takeout food from restaurants is exempt due to public health and safety concerns.
 

The City is trying to move away from single-use bags entirely. Biodegradable and compostable bags are designed to break down quickly, and are not durable enough to serve as carryout shopping bags. They work well as liners for kitchen food waste containers and Food and Yard Waste carts.

Anyone may initiate a request for public records.

The City has five business days in which to respond to the request by:

• Providing the record(s) or a link to the record(s)
• Acknowledging receipt of the request and providing a reasonable estimate of the time the city will need to respond to the request
• Denying the records request

See RCW 42.56.520 for additional information regarding responses.  If a requestor does not receive a response within five days, he or she should contact the Public Records Officer.

General City Requests 

Mary Swan
Paralegal/Public Records Officer
9611 SE 36th Street
Mercer Island, WA  98040
206-275-7651
206-275-7663 fax

Police Department Requests

Shelby Pattajo
Mercer Island Police Evidence Technician/Public Records Officer
9611 SE 36th Street
Mercer Island, WA 98040
206-275-7610
206-275-7941 fax

Go to mercerisland.nextrequest.com to file a request.

• Oversee compliance with the Public Records Act
• Administer program consistent with the City of Mercer Island Public Records Act Rules of Procedure
• Provide the “fullest assistance” to requestors
• Coordinate response to requests with departments and offices
• Provide most timely possible & efficient action on requests
• Protect public records from damage or disorganization

Yes, the City’s ordinance requires solicitors to obtain a license.
 

You can post a "No Peddlers" or “No Solicitors” sign that is clearly visible at your home. Solicitors who then approach your door after seeing the sign are violating the ordinance; you can call the Mercer Island Police Department’s non-emergency number at 425-577-5656 or, if necessary, call 911.
 

• If a solicitor comes to your door, ask to see his or her soliciting license and printed materials regarding their organization.
• Contact the beneficiaries of the charitable funds to determine if they are aware of the solicitation and have authorized use of their name.
• Ask how the donations are used.
• Don't give in to high-pressure "hardball" solicitations that demand an instant commitment.
• If the organization is legitimate, it should be willing to give you time to make up your mind. Be wary of solicitors that offer to send a courier to collect your money immediately.

No, these are direct rides only
 

To get the $2 shared ride fare, you must select the shared ride option from each vendor. Sometimes, your vehicle will stop along the route to collect 1 or 2 other riders. Other times, there may not be another rider with a matching itinerary; in these cases you will still receive the shared fare for being willing to share the vehicle.
 

Someone else with a smartphone can arrange your ride
 

No.  By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase.  In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations.  The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.

Every three years, the City conducts a Pavement Condition Survey to rate the condition of the Island's streets. Survey results help the City prioritize maintenance and capital improvements. Streets are evaluated on criteria such as existing pavement distresses, surface condition, base condition, drainage, pending underground utility needs, and average daily traffic volume.  The latest survey was completed during summer 2016 and will be used for rating streets starting the 2018 TIP process.

These rankings are coupled with other planning considerations (such as the water and sewer comprehensive plans and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Plan), and used to develop the six-year Transportation Improvement Program.

For more information, contact Ian Powell, Street Engineer or call 206-275-7813.

The City of Mercer Island owns and maintains approximately 54 miles of residential and 26 miles of arterial streets, for a total of 80 miles. Several factors determine resurfacing frequency; the City's streets are evaluated, ranked, and re-prioritized every two to three years. Improvements that correct a safety hazard are prioritized accordingly.  Typically,

• Residential streets are resurfaced on a 35-year cycle
• Arterial streets, which carry more traffic, are resurfaced on a 25-year cycle.

For more information, contact Ian Powell, Street Engineer  or call 206-275-7813.

If you think your billing is incorrect or suspect that you may have a leak, please call the Utility Billing office at 206-275-7602. 

A due date is printed on each invoice, typically 20 days from the invoice date. The utility bill is considered past due (late) if payment has not been received by the due date shown on the bill. Options for making a payment include payment online, pay by phone at 855-844-0085 or by check in the drop box in the City Hall parking lot.

Mail your payment in the return envelope provided and be sure to include the “Return” portion of the bill and the account number on the check to ensure proper credit to your account.  Please pay by check or money order made payable to “City of Mercer Island.” 

Notification from the sellers Escrow company in writing is required to transfer ownership of the property. If Escrow is not withholding funds to pay for all current and final utility charges, the seller is required to notify Utility Billing at 206-275-7602 and provide a forwarding address.

The city is not able to facilitate seller/buyer rent-backs. The exact date of closing is required to accurately and efficiently transfer utility accounts in the case of a property sale.

Water meters are City of Mercer Island assets. If you turn off the meter on your own and cause damage, you may be held liable for the cost of resulting damages. Contact the City of Mercer Island’s Public Works department at 206-275-7608, if you need your water shut off to do repairs. Alternatively, contact the City of Mercer Island’s Utility Billing department at 206-275- 7602, if you need your HOA irrigation water shut off for seasonal disconnect.

Please call our Public Works department at 206-275-7608 or fill out a service request.

Water is delivered to Mercer Island by Seattle Public Utilities via 16" and 24" water supply lines. The region’s fresh water supply comes primarily from two sources: The Cedar River Watershed and the Tolt River Watershed, both located in eastern King County. Click here for additional information on the Water Utility.

Registration is not required for one time payments. However, by registering you will be able to view prior history, set up automatic payments, and store payment information (note: payment information is only stored for property owners).