There is imposed an excise tax on each sale of real property constituting a taxable event as defined in chapter 82.46 RCW and occurring within the corporate limits of the city. The tax imposed under this section shall be collected from persons who are taxable by the state under chapter 82.46 RCW and such tax shall comply with all applicable rules, regulations, laws and court decisions regarding real estate tax provisions as imposed by the state under chapter 82.46 RCW.
(Ord. 1127 § 1, 1988; Ord. 1238 § 1, 1993)
The rate of tax imposed by this section shall be one-half of one percent of the selling price of all real property upon which this tax is imposed by BMC § 3.44.010.
(Ord. 1127 § 2, 1988; Ord. 1238 § 2, 1993; Ord. 1311 § 1, 1995)
Chapter 82.46 RCW and any and all subsequent amendments to said statute are adopted by this reference as if set forth in full herein. The city clerk-treasurer is directed to maintain one copy of chapter 82.46 RCW as currently enacted or as subsequently amended on file for public use and examination during regular city business hours. Copies of said statute shall be attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter and authenticated by the city clerk-treasurer.
(Ord. 1127 § 11, 1988; Ord. 1238 § 3, 1993)
There is created a special fund No. 301 known as "local capital improvements fund," into which shall be deposited all proceeds of the tax imposed by this chapter and distributed to the city.
(Ord. 1127 § 12, 1988; Ord. 1238 § 4, 1993)
All proceeds from the tax imposed by this chapter shall be placed by the city clerk-treasurer in a capital improvement fund and shall be used for capital improvements, including those listed in RCW 35.43.040; provided, that one-fourth of one percent of the tax shall be dedicated to parks department capital improvement projects. This section shall not limit the existing authority of this city to impose special assessments on property benefited thereby in the manner prescribed by law.
(Ord. 1127 § 3, 1988; Ord. 1238 § 5, 1993; Ord. 1311 § 2, 1995)
The county treasurer shall place one percent of the proceeds of the taxes imposed by BMC § 3.44.010 in the county current expense fund to defray costs of collection. The remaining proceeds from city taxes imposed herein shall be distributed to the city monthly.
(Ord. 1127 § 4, 1988)
The taxes imposed by BMC § 3.44.010 are the obligation of the seller and may be enforced through the action of debt against the seller or in the manner prescribed for the foreclosure of mortgages.
(Ord. 1127 § 5, 1988)
The taxes imposed by BMC § 3.44.010 and any interest or penalties thereon are a specific lien upon each piece of real property sold from the time of sale or until the tax is paid, which lien may be enforced in the manner prescribed for the foreclosure of mortgages. Resort to one course of enforcement is not an election not to pursue the other.
(Ord. 1127 § 6, 1988)
A. 
The taxes imposed by BMC § 3.44.010 shall be paid to and collected by the treasurer of the county within which is located the real property which was sold. The county treasurer shall act as agent for the city within the county imposing the tax.
B. 
The county treasurer shall cause a stamp evidencing satisfaction of the lien to be affixed to the instrument of sale or conveyance prior to its recording or to the real estate excise tax affidavit in the case of used mobile home sales. A receipt issued by the county treasurer for the payment of the tax imposed herein shall be evidence of the satisfaction of the lien imposed in BMC § 3.44.080 and may be recorded in the manner prescribed for recording satisfactions of mortgages. No instrument of sale or conveyance evidencing a sale subject to the tax may be accepted by the county auditor for filing or recording until the tax is paid and the stamp affixed thereto; in case the tax is not due on the transfer, the instrument shall not be accepted until suitable notation of this fact is made on the instrument by the county treasurer.
(Ord. 1127 § 7, 1988)
The tax imposed by BMC § 3.44.010 shall become due and payable immediately at the time of sale and, if not so paid within 30 days thereafter, shall bear interest at the rate of one percent per month from the time of sale until the date of payment.
(Ord. 1127 § 8, 1988)
If, upon written application by a taxpayer to the county treasurer for a refund, it appears a tax has been paid in excess of the amount actually due or upon a sale or other transfer declared to be exempt, such excess amount or improper payment shall be refunded by the county treasurer to the taxpayer; provided, that no refund shall be made unless the state has first authorized the refund of an excessive amount or an improper amount paid, unless such improper amount was paid as a result of a miscalculation. Any refund made shall be withheld from the next monthly distribution to the city.
(Ord. 1127 § 9, 1988)