Chestnut Trails

Homeowners Association

Street Lights

Why do I get a separate bill for Street Lights?

The Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) provides and takes care of our lights. Operation of our lights is paid for by a Local Utility District that conveniently comprises of the 105 homes in Chestnut Trails but is separate from the Homeowners Association.

What is a Local Utility District?

A Local Utility District (LUD) provides a legal means for the PUD to collect fees for the operation and maintenance of street lighting in areas not covered by a specific jurisdiction. An LUD provides the property owners who receive benefits from the street lights a simple, equitable method of paying for the service. The property owners are billed annually. The cost is determined by the number of lights and the number of property owners. For 2003, in our LUD, 105 property owners were assessed $31.75 for twenty-six lights.

2005 Billing Changes

The PUD is phasing in a new billing method for LUDs. The street light fees will be charged monthly and included for each customer on their regular bi-monthly electric bill. The phase-in is expected to be completed by the end of 2005. They say this should reduce the annual cost by 20%.

Should I call in street lights that are burned out or functioning poorly? 

Yes. Unless a customer calls the PUD, they have no way of knowing that a street light is out or is not working properly. The high-pressure sodium lights we have throughout our neighborhood tend to turn themselves on and off before they finally fail, for example. So, the PUD would like to know when a light is malfunctioning.

What information should I give the PUD?

If you notice a street light that is not acting normally, please call one of the PUD customer service representatives at 425-783-8300 (or toll-free at 1-877-783-1000, ext. 8300) during regular business hours. Please tell them the nearest address to the street light and, if possible, the number (beginning with an “S”) printed on the fixture near the lens of the light.

Here is the list of street lights in our neighborhood:
(S-numbers are current as of 6/12/2005)

S-# nearest address notes
S-43364 3216 201st Pl SE corner of 32nd Ave SE & SR524
S-37434 3126 201st Pl SE  
S-40490 3213 201st Pl SE corner of 32nd Ave SE & 201st Pl SE
S-31445 3228 201st Pl SE  
S-31354 3310 201st Pl SE  
S-31429 3408 201st Pl SE  
S-31432 3430 201st Pl SE end of street
S-31539 20032 34th Ave SE corner of 34th Ave SE & 201st Pl SE
S-39171 20022 34th Ave SE  
S-31450 20027 34th Ave SE end of street
S-31537 3100 201st St SE end of street
S-39374 3110 201st St SE  
S-33399 3124 201st St SE corner of 32nd Ave SE & 201st St SE
S-32062 3004 200th Pl SE  
S-32061 3014 200th Pl SE  
S-32058 3022 200th Pl SE corner of 30th Dr SE & 200th Pl SE
S-32063 20002 30th Dr SE  
S-32074 3106 200th Pl SE  
S-32073 3122 200th Pl SE corner of 32nd Ave SE & 200th Pl SE
S-32072 3212 200th Pl SE corner of 32nd Dr SE & 200th Pl SE
S-32065 20022 32nd Dr SE end of street
S-32059 3233 200th Pl SE  
S-33061 3306 200th Pl SE corner of 33rd Dr SE & 200th Pl SE
S-32066 20017 33rd Dr SE end of street
S-32056 3401 200th Pl SE  
S-32060 3422 200th Pl SE end of street

Where can I get more information?

There is more information at the PUD website:

Street & Area Lighting or Street Lights FAQ